With live shows on a temporary standstill and the global music landscape at odds with the challenges that come with the complete shift to the digital realm, more artists are making records that represent the specificity of the times.
Now returning with two new singles that capture the universal sentiments of grappling with an invisible peril, The Itchyworms drops back-to-back releases under Sony Music Philippines—their first under a major label since 2008’s Self-Titled.
Two new singles
“Armageddon Blues,” in particular, is an update of an old demo recorded by Jazz Nicolas (lead vocals, drums, piano, keyboards, keytar) and Chino Singson (lead guitarist and backing vocals).
Written in 2005, the song was supposed to be included on the quartet’s critically acclaimed album, Noontime Show and the follow-up record, Self-Titled, but The Itchyworms felt that it was thematically different and ahead of its time. “Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) happened, and I sent them the demo of ‘Armageddon Blues,’ telling The Itchyworms to release the song because it captures the somewhat end-of-the-world vibe of our present situation.
Following the official release of “Armageddon Blues” on all streaming and digital platforms worldwide a day late, “The Silence” was written by Jugs Jugueta and Jazz Nicolas, and recorded and produced by The Itchyworms entirely during the Enhanced Community Quarantine imposed over Metro Manila due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Musically, it’s a mish-mash of influences that put Depeche Mode, Radiohead, The Beatles, and The Walking Dead in a blender: The production seethes with soaring builds and nuanced sonic details but ends abruptly in faded noise—as if the transmission is suddenly lost in the background, its silence “killing us” infinitely and metaphorically.
A “Quarantine” Album
Both songs are part of their upcoming album, Waiting For The End To Start, which was conceptualized and recorded while they confined the members of The Itchyworms in their homes, connected digitally by their resounding “shared” experiences.
But it’s a concept album in that our aim was to create art during a pandemic, to capture our emotions in the music we record, even with the limited recording gear we have at home. So you’ll hear amp buzz and imperfect vocals, but for me that’s part of the spirit of true rock.
Reunion with Sony Music PH
After their groundbreaking major label opus, Self-Titled, which made an impact in the local music scene at the tail end of 2008, they forced the band to go indie after the label’s short-lived hiatus handling domestic releases.
Speaking of their reignited ties with the international record label, Jugs tells in a statement: “Aside from the fact that we felt a sense of familiarity with Roslyn Pineda of Sony Music PH, as we’ve known her since our college days, we believed that Sony, being an International record company, could help us reach a wider audience.
Chino adds, “I feel that Sony is a splendid place to be for an artist. Their team is small, but they work hard and have their artists’ interests at heart.”
“Armageddon Blues” is now out on various digital and streaming platforms worldwide. Watch out for the official release of “The Silence” tomorrow at midnight, May 22, 2020.
