NESCAFÉ Soundskool’s fresh season kicks offThe fresh season of NESCAFÉ Soundskool, the biggest inter-collegiate band competition in the country, is now on with promotional gigs in selected universities in Metro Manila. NESCAFÉ Soundskool 2007 runners-up Hotsi Patootsi and Ernville recently rocked University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines respectively. Hotsi Patootsi of Asia Pacific College performed original songs alongside Pinoy pop rock band Sugarfree in UST’s Community of Achievers’ Battle of the Band while Ernville opened Rakestra, a rock concert tribute to Sandwich’s 10th anniversary, with established bands the likes of Urbandub, Parokya ni Edgar, Cambio, Imago, Pedicab, Mayonnaise, Itchyworms, and Radioactive Sago Project among others. “The next hottest band can be found here in these school campuses,” said Yayin Bangcoro, marketing promotions and events manager for NESCAFÉ. “NESCAFÉ Soundskool recognizes these talents and we are more than willing to scour various schools nationwide to discover deserving young bands.” Last year, Lazy Susan, a four-man band from Asian Development Foundation College in Tacloban City, bested 12 other finalists in NESCAFÉ Soundskool 2007 Grand Finals last November 10 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Pasig City. The 13 finalists were chosen among 500 entries that joined numerous elimination rounds in key cities of Greater Manila Area, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. “What makes NESCAFÉ Soundskool different among all other band competition is NESCAFÉ’s desire to equip these young talents with the knowledge and the tools they can use to become successful through NESCAFÉ Soundskool Workshop,” said Bangcoro. NESCAFÉ Soundskool 2007 finalists for instance were brought to Boracay for four-day workshops, group dynamics and music clinics with Pinoy music celebrities the likes of Raymund Marasigan of Sandwich, singer Aia De Leon of Imago, Ebe of Sugarfree, sound engineer Ariz Guinto, and EMI executives Francis Guevara and Russel Eustaquio. “The goal is not only to develop young musical talents into future recording artists but as holistic individuals,” said Bangcoro. NESCAFÉ Soundskool also gives upcoming bands an opportunity to work alongside established bands through mentorship programs where the finalists rehearsed with established bands. Ernville, for instance, jammed with Pedicab in a studio, Hotsi Patootsi with Sugarfree, and Lazy Susan with Hale before the grand finals last year. Now on its fourth year, NESCAFÉ Soundskool 2008, presented by NESCAFÉ 3in1, offers a chance to win P250,000 tax free, week long star status training in Boracay and Manila, a record label deal with Sony BMG, and P150,000 worth of band setup for their school. |