Kapit, mga kapatid! The new improved Imago
Imago is back in harness and ready to release a brand new album. It’s the band’s first release after their original lead singer Aia de Leon left the band in 2013 and their latest since album no. 4 “Effect Desired None” was launched in 2010.
In an exclusive interview with Yahoo, Imago bassist Myrna Academia said the parting of ways with Aia was amicable.
“We met, all four of us then, behind closed doors and talked about it. Aia told us she wanted to do other things without the band. The rest of us weren’t about to stop anybody from pursuing whatever he or she thinks is in her best interest.”
The decision to carry on
The remaining trio of drummer Zach Lucero, lead guitarist Tim Cacho and Myrene then discussed the fate of Imago and they decided to continue as a performing unit.
Myrene said, “There’s no question about it. We just love playing with each other. It’s fun working with these guys. Sayang naman din kasi ang catalog ng Imago. The only issue then was if we’d keep the band name or get new one.” The band had been together for 16 years.
Imago obviously kept on going. The next hurdle was to find a new vocalist and after months of audition, they found Mayumi Gomez.
Meet Mayumi
Prior to joining Imago, Mayumi was a solo artist who produced her own electro-pop album.
Imago manager Darwin Hernandez of Soupstar Entertainment got to listen to the album and invited Mayumi to audition with the band.
Zach Lucero remembers, “She just popped in to the audition one day and announced she’s a big fan and she wanted to sing for us. Actually, Darwin already informed us beforehand on the quality of Mayumi’s voice and her audition justified our decision to recruit her as our new vocalist.”
Whatever’s good for the band
For Mayumi, working with the Imago wasn’t as easy at first. “Siyempre, there’s pressure for me to fill in the big shoes left by Aia. But the other guys always make me feel comfortable being with them. They tell me that the most important thing to keep in mind is whatever’s good for the band.”
Guitarist Tim Cacho butts in, “Ganito lang yan. Pag nagkamali si Mayumi, walang bayad. Bawas sa sweldo.”
New drummer Mervin Panganiban jests, “Kaya ayan ang payat-payat niya. Di halos kumakain.”
The ‘new’ Imago isn’t just about a new vocalist
It’s actually a brand new Imago that’s releasing the new album entitled “Kapit,” launching Wednesday, June 25, at 70s Bistro in Quezon City.
Aside from Mayumi, Mervin Panganiban from Sugar Hiccup took up the sticksman job after Zach decided to be the third guitarist in the band’s frontline.
Zach himself admits to some pressure on his new role. “Honestly, may mga times nangangapa pa rin ako sa gitara. So I keep telling the others we’re all a work in progress here. We’re all in this together so let’s make the most out of it.”
Now a 5 piece
Imago has now grown into a five-piece music machine with at least three members working out their place in the scheme of things.
Tim stresses, “Nag-iba na yung set-up namin so nag-iba na rin ang orientation. Basically, bagong dugo, bagong tunog, bagong banda!
The band started working on the new album after Mayumi went on board.
Rocks more
“Siyempre dahil me mga bagong kasama, pakiramdaman muna sa umpisa,” Mayumi admits. “Nang magkahulihan ng loob, yun na, ang saya nang samahan. Yung saya namin bilang banda, that’s what we’d like to impart to our audience.”
Zach adds, “I think the whole album rocks more than the earlier ones. The audience can look forward to a whole new sound from the band. Onstage, we’re all out front and I think we deliver a new kind of live energy.
Tim: “Music fans can always depend on us for the quality of our songs. The whole album is definitely worth a listen.”
Imago's album 'Kapit" launches at 70s Bistro, Anonas Street, in Quezon City on June 25, 2014. Entrance is P350 and includes a copy of the new album. Or P350 with free drink (just show your Imago album). Gates open at 6. Show starts at 8 p.m. with Sandwich, Pedicab, Chicosci, Gracenote and 2014 Yahoo Celebrity Awards emerging band nominee Cheats.
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