Java Jazz experience inspires SinoSikat? to ‘raise the bar’ on their music
They’re still swooning.
Starry-eyed, on a high and, in Kat Agarrado’s words, feeling “like a volcano waiting to explode!”
It was enough of an honor to be invited to open the 2014 International Java Jazz Festival, especially since the fest was celebrating its 10th year. But for that to have been SinoSikat?’s first international gig had an even more profound effect.
Were made to feel important
Said drummer Reli de Vera, “For me it was a dream come true to play in Java Jazz, at the same time honored because they chose us to represent Philippines. I will never forget the experience because I met musicians I look up to, who play an important role in my music life, and to actually have the chance to jam with them.”
This year’s lineup included India Arie, Jamie Cullum, Natalie Cole, Tania Maria, Incognito, Ivan Lins, Snarky Puppy, Dave Koz, Roy Ayers, Sadao Watanabe, Earth Wind and Fire Experience, Magnus Lindgren, James Taylor Quartet, Timo Lassy, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Jeff Lorber, Cristina Morrison, Roy Ayers and Robert Glasper Experiment (who also played the Malasimbo fest in Puerto Galera) and over 1,000 Indonesian musicians.
“I really felt like an important international artist,” Kat said. “There’s equal treatment. We were very lucky to be given the same VIP treatment as the big foreign bands. All the artists stayed in one hotel, at the Borobudur, and nagja-jam yung mga artist every night at the bar inside the hotel.”
The ‘Disneyland of the music world’
He and Kat were also in awe about how well-organized the festival was and how much support it got.
“Sixteen stages, lahat puno,” Kat recounted. “May outdoor stages and indoor halls. All in one big venue. People are just walking in and out .There's also a big food area. Lots of booths of sponsors.”
Rely said they wanted for nothing. “Sobra spoiled ng mga artist. They really gave us the best treatment and most importantly, sa stage set up they’re gonna give you what you want.... And, if you’re an artist, you are free to watch all the shows you want! They are willing to get the famous acts and the best sound system. Pati tuloy ang mga audience maganda ang taste sa music as in very responsive sila sa lahat ng artist.”
As Kat put it, “Our IDs got some superpowers there! All access to the max! VIPs, backstage, special shows, car ride to the festival and back, food, etc.! It's like Disneyland ng music world!”
Inspiring
The band played all-originals, “sexy grooves,” said Kat, and introduced new arrangements. “It wasn't the best gig ever,” she admitted, “but the audience and everyone in the band enjoyed it.”
Being onstage alongside with some of the best musicians in the world was also inspiring.
“It made me want to practice some more, make myself better as an artist and performer. It inspired me to write music again. It made me want to raise the bar a little higher than before. Simply because you can and it’s not really that complicated,” she confessed.
“Personally, I felt like a volcano ready to explode!” she added.
Not just ‘rakrakan’
For Reli, it was upping his musicianship.
“Sorry pero hindi lang emo-han at rakrakan ang music,” he said.
What’s important is to “practice more, make good music, be professional and level up musicality.”
And, like Kat, he’s raring to write music again.
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