JUST ANOTHER KICK ASS WEEKEND (4/20 celebrated the "propa" way)

     We had a blast last weekend. Which explains the late blog entry. It was a very special weekend because all the original members were present and we had one of the longest performances ever (a record that we need to shatter real soon though).

      Skydive Academy started playing at Concoctions Bar at around 6:30pm. Surprisingly, there were only a few empty seats left when we performed. The jam got really heated, haha! At one point, I even obliged our drummer Jed Sta Maria to do a solo. The drum solo flowed into an unplanned jam that I've never heard during our rehearsals. I guess that's the exciting part of being in this band, anything can happen at any given time and space. The crowd's applause was heart warming, and we definitely had a good time.

      After our performance at Concoctions Bar we headed to Camp John Hay at the Ayala Techno Hub for The North Face 100 event. We did another barrage of original material for 45 minutes until we handed the stage to our Hunger Strike brothers. Our set contained some of our old staples "Dwelling" "Ultraviolence" "Third Book of Wisdom" and "Malayang Malaya" which was actually one of our oldest songs. We also did the ever-shape shifting "Escape From Shadowland" the Flamenco-inspired "Esta Revolucion Es Eterna" and the newly arranged "Mga Hari ng Himpapawid." We headed back to Concoctions Bar to catch Up Dharma Down's set. As expected, ang galing nila! They played most of my fave songs from Fragmented and Bipolar and some new stuff as well. Their music helped soothe the soreness that my body felt after performing with all that energy. Pagod pero Sulit!

      We had so much fun that we decided to do a repeat performance the next night (4/21!). We had our second "wind" at The North Face 100 and did a special set with keyboardist extraordinaire Jay-O Orduña of Hunger Strike (formerly of Brown Flava and Hijo). After our set we went back to Pine Breeze to chill with some Baguio bands and conclude the month long celebration of our friends, twins Annie and Julie Herreria. Umagahan sessions na naman oh!


       Ang lahat ay nagulat sumambulat, sa papel biglang sumulat, mga isipa'y biglang namulat...

- JS

All photos by Jd Pascual. Thank You Black Light Media!

IT'S TIME!!!! HAPPY 420!!! SEE YOU TONIGHT YO!!!

UP DHARMA DOWN IN BAGUIO CITY!!!

MAHULI TAYA!

     Armi Millare is my favorite song writer in the country today, hands down. She never fails to hit the sweet spot with her brilliant lyricism and soulful voice.  I’ve hung out a few times with Armi, and each time, I try my best to absorb musical wisdom from her.

     I got to know Armi through my friend Paolo Garcia (a.k.a. Pasta Groove) sometime in 2011 when they visited our city to attend the Ax(is) Art festival. Skydive Academy had just stepped off the stage when I approached Paolo and Armi, and I must say, I feel blessed and humbled that two of the most awesome artists that I know in this region of the galaxy appreciates the original music that we came up with.

    Ever since that meeting, Armi has been giving us direct inspiration and lots of advice. As if Updharmadown’s music isn’t enough to spark the fire in our hearts. I remember her telling me “it’s a shame good music stays in the little basement. Well, find a bigger basement!” With that in mind, we feel obliged to do better, and push real hard for a quality album.

     Updharmadown will be bringing their well-loved music to this small mountain city of ours on the 20^th of April at Concoctions Bar.  Skydive Academy will break the ice “Fo all Y’all” so you gotta come real early to the show. Besides, seats are limited so make sure you secure yours before the place gets jampacked.

   
     Mahuli TAYA!

     Don't forget to follow Updharmadown at updharmadown.tumblr.com for more details about the gig. Add Skydive Academy on FB www.facebook.com/skydiveacademymusic

     See you on Friday, we gonna party all night!!!

- J.D. Sandico