Apartel are a Filipino soul and R&B supergroup. They currently consist of vocalist Ely Buendia, guitarist Redge Concepcion, bassist Jun Lazo, drummer Pat Sarabia, percussionist Deej Rodriguez, and a changing lineup of touring members.
Apartel | |
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| Origin | Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels | |
| Spinoff of |
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| Members |
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Formed in 2016 by Buendia and Gnash and DRT frontman Jay Ortega, the band released their debut album Inner Play in 2016, followed by Full Flood in 2018.
History
edit2016–2017: Formation and Inner Play
editBuendia and Ortega formed Apartel in early 2016.[1] Buendia had wanted to incorporate a big band sound to his live repertoire, adding a horn section to his recent solo concert to reinterpret Eraserheads songs with the big band sound. “I wanted to put a twist on the old songs,” he explained. “I finally was able to afford these musicians like the horn players. I’m pretty proud of the production because there’s nothing like it in the mainstream. And I’m proud of the arrangements of the old songs.”[2] Many of the band members had listened to soul music at their early age from artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and VST & Company.[3]
The band released their debut album Inner Play through Buendia's record label Offshore Music in July. It featured the lead single “Is It Hip?”, with a music video directed by Marie Jamora that premiered in September.[4] The video was nominated for Best Music Video at the 2017 MYX Music Awards.[5] The album was later released on vinyl in November.[6]
In January 2017, the band announced that Ortega had left the group to focus on his solo career.[7] The band released their second single “Sala sa Init” in April, with a giallo-inspired music video directed by drummer Pat Sarabia and Buendia's partner Audry Dionisio.[8] They also directed the music video for the third single “Guijo St. (Makes You Wonder)”, released in November.[9]
An EP featuring remixes of songs from Inner Play by Tandem 91, Tarsius, BP Valenzuela, Lustbass, and Couchlab was released to streaming services in November 2017. It was previously released as the second disc of the album's deluxe CD version.[10]
2018–present: Full Flood
editThe band released the first single from their second album Full Flood, “Pateros”, in June 2018.[11]
Offshore Music released Full Flood in October 2018. Mastered by Bernie Grundman,[12] it was later released on limited edition vinyl in June 2020.[13] A music video for the album's second single "Sisid" was premiered the following month.[14]
The band released a live performance video for “Pre-Loved” featuring Zia Quizon in October 2020.[15]
Members
editCurrent members
edit- Ely Buendia – vocals, bass guitar (2016–present)
- Redge Concepcion – guitars (2016–present)
- Jun Lazo – bass (2016–present)
- Pat Sarabia – drums, percussion (2016–present), backing vocals (2017–2022)
- Deej Rodriguez – percussion (2016–present)
Additional musicians
edit- Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas – horns
- Wendell Garcia – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2016–present)
- Wowee Ansano – trumpet (2016–2020)
- Pards Tupas – trombone (2016–2020)
- Roxy Modesto – saxophone (2016)
- Nitoy Adriano – guitars (2016–present)
- Donna Sagun Señoran – harp, back-up vocals (2016–present)
- Joseph Cabañero – saxophone (2016–present)
- Diane Sagun – back-up vocals (2016–present)
- Roderick Camarce – trumpet (2016)
- Niño Hernandez – flute (2016)
- Audry Dionisio – rhythm guitar, synthesizer, backing vocals (2017–present)
- Dok Sergio – bass guitar, backing vocals (2022–present)
- Moon Carlo – drums, percussion (2023–present)
- Louie Talan – bass (2016)
- Buddy Zabala – bass (2016)
- Jan Ortega Roy – bass (2016)
- Cookie Chua – backup vocals (2016)
- Miguel Hernandez – percussion (2016)
- Ramonne Rodriguez – live backup singer (2016)
Past members
edit- Jay Ortega – vocals (2016–2017)
- RJ Pineda – vocals, keyboards (2016–2017)
- Coco Coo – guitars (2016–2018)
- Telay Robles – backing vocals (2016–2020)
- Lily Munoz – backing vocals (2016–2020)
- Marge Rubiano – backing vocals (2016–2020)
- Mayo Baluyut – bass guitar, electric guitar, vocals (2016–2017)
- Ryan Goan – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2016–2020)
- Carissa Ramos – bass guitar, backing vocals (2016–2024)
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Inner Play |
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| Full Flood |
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Remix albums
edit- Inner Play (Remixes) (2017)
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Is It Hip?" | 2016 | Inner Play |
| "Sala sa Init" | 2017 | |
| "Guijo St. (Makes You Wonder)" | ||
| "Better off (Tandems 91 Remix)" | 2018 | Inner Play (Remixes) |
| "Pateros" | Full Flood | |
| "Sisid" | ||
| "Pre-Loved" (Zia Quizon and Apartel) | 2020 |
Other appearances
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Isa Na Lang" | 2018 | Offshore Music Vol. 1 |
| "Can I Be So High?" | 2019 | Offshore Music Vol. 2 |
| "Mahiwaga" |
Music videos
edit| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Is It Hip?" | Marie Jamora |
| 2017 | "Sala sa Init" | Audry Dionisio and Pat Sarabia |
| "Guijo St. (Makes You Wonder)" | ||
| 2018 | "Pateros" | |
| "Sisid" | ||
| 2020 | "Pre-Loved" (Zia Quizon and Apartel) |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Nominated work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2017 MYX Music Awards | Best Music Video | "Is It Hip?" Director: Marie Jamora | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "Apartel "Is it Hip?" Music Video Launch: One of the Most Elaborate Music Videos Ever Shot in the Country". When in Manila. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Man in a hurry: Ely Buendia's unflagging heart". Rappler.com. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ Magsanoc, Mica. "For Apartel, what we need today is a little more soul". Scout Magazine. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "LOOK: Ely Buendia's New Band, Apartel, Launches First Single". When in Manila. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Myx Music Awards 2017". Rappler.com. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ Matias, Izzy. "Independent record label Offshore Music focuses on vinyl releases". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Jay Ortega leaves supergroup Apartel to pursue solo career". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ Mata, Beatrice. "WATCH: Apartel releases giallo-inspired music video for "Sala sa Init"". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Members of The Ransom Collective and Cheats star in new Apartel music video, Guijo St". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Apartel release Inner Play (Remixes) on Spotify - listen". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ Bodegon-Hikino, Kara. "No ducks were harmed in the making of Apartel's 'Pateros' video - watch". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ Bodegon-Hikino, Kara. "Apartel unveil sophomore album Full Flood and tour dates - listen". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Elean Buendia". Instagram. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ Bodegon-Hikino, Kara. "Apartel share scenic 'Sisid' music video - watch". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ Singh, Surej. "Watch Apartel and Zia Quizon perform 'Pre-Loved' in isolation". NME. Retrieved 26 August 2024.