On any given Tuesday in Davao City, if you listen closely, you might catch the sweet clash of chords and candid laughter echoing from a practice room. That’s where Tuesday Trinkets — a fresh indie band — are weaving stories and nostalgia into music that’s beginning to move hearts far beyond their hometown.
What started as a random restroom encounter between Pat, the band’s bassist, and Lordee, their vocalist, unexpectedly set the stage for something bigger than both of them.
“We bonded over a rotten rambutan fruit,” Lordee shared.
“We found out we both loved music and decided—hey, why not start a band?” she added.
With a poster and a post, they put the call out and in came Shan, whose musical chops completed the trio. Shan now drums, plays guitar, and helps shape the sound of Tuesday Trinkets, a name they stumbled upon after a string of hilariously random suggestions (RIP, “Chili Oil”).
“On a random Tuesday night after our band practice, we randomly came up with Tuesday Trinkets since we always seem to meet up on Tuesdays, and Trinkets meant our noisy “anik-aniks” dangling around our bags,” they explained.
But their formation is only half the charm. The band’s debut single, “Cigarettes, Beer, & Stray Cats,” dropped quietly—but the reaction was anything but quiet. Written by Lordee and her boyfriend Paolo Santos, the song stemmed from a simple afternoon of hanging out, drinking, smoking, and feeding stray cats.
Paolo’s heartfelt lyrics were shaped by their experience with long-distance love, something that hits close to home for many listeners.
From there, it snowballed. Shan added her musical touch, and the group brought in Marielle Quintanilla known as cosmoselle, a bedroom producer they connected with on Instagram. The final magic came from ZeK Diaz, the well-known drummer who mixed and mastered the track. The result? A warm, indie anthem that resonates far beyond the LDR crowd.
“We didn’t expect much,” Lordee admits. “But people connected with it, especially here in Davao.” During their gig on May 24, they were floored when the crowd started singing along, proof that their message had landed.
Their influences span across borders: Beabadoobee tops their inspiration list with her angsty-yet-dreamy indie rock style, which Lordee particularly relates to. Locally, they draw energy from acts like Aunt Robert, SHANNi, ONE CLICK STRAIGHT, and SUYEN. But Tuesday Trinkets are hell-bent on creating a sound that’s truly their own, rooted in the raw, colorful vibe of Davao itself.
“Being part of Davao’s music scene is an honor,” they say. “We’ve started a gig series called Grrrls Night with Happy Girls Club to uplift girlhood and create safe spaces for women in music.” The initiative is a response to the male-dominated nature of the scene, and it’s fast becoming a cornerstone in the community.
Still, being in a band isn’t all late-night jams and cathartic releases. “Money and time are our biggest challenges,” they admit. From gear to rehearsal food, every expense comes out of their own pockets. And with everyone juggling day jobs and personal responsibilities, time can be tight. “But we push through—gigging, busking, helping each other however we can.”
The energy of Davao pulses through their music. And while they’re proud of their roots, they’re also dreaming big. “We’d love to play in Manila, maybe even share a stage with the artists we look up to.”
For now, fans can catch Tuesday Trinkets live at D’Basement this May 31, and again on June 21, 27, and 28, with more details on their social media. “And,” they tease, “we’re in talks for a Manila gig. Stay tuned.”