Meet Chocolate Grass, a Yahoo Emerging Band nominee
The five-piece group, nominated as Emerging Band in this year's Yahoo Celebrity Awards, plays neo-soul that reminds of the sound of Lauryn Hill, Angie Stone and Jill Scott. Three of its members come from the extended musical collective Wilderness while the lead vocalist Abs Haw is an Elements Songwriting Camp 2013 alumna.
They were college buddies. While listening to the music they love in an informal get-together, somebody suggested that they jam, and the five of them have been bonding together in live and recording sessions ever since.
Apparently, they’re all alone at their own game as no else mixes hot and cool sounds in the same song the way Chocolate Grass does.
Members: Lyricist and vocalist Abs Haw, bassist Allan Malabanan, keyboardist Nikki Cabardo, drummer Luis Gutierrez and percussionist Chiko Hernandez.
Formed: 2012 and going strong
Genre: Neo-soul that’s a patchwork of soul, “slow jamz,” R&B, funk and chill. Also called groovitational pull since just like gravity, their groovy music can be a natural form of attraction between bodies.
Recording: Self-titled four-song EP downloadable on bandcamp.com (just name your price). A proper album will be coming at you any time soon.
Musical influences: ‘70s pop and soul music from their parent’s record collection, divas Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand, The Backstreet Boys
Their lyrics: Abs writes them and often reflects social awareness pitched against a musical backdrop that see-saws between hot funk and cool neo-soul. The band’s website says the genesis of the songs hail from dreams that bear stories of death and rebirth, linked by ubiquitous love and light.
What’s with the name?
Something organic. As expressed on their website, Chocolate Grass plays music that Interweaves earth rhythms with the melodies of the wind, and the rumble of thunder.
Most memorable performance so far?
A gig at Balesin Island off Quezon province. It was a holiday and there was a small crowd at the show. The band’s chill music tapped into the laid-back mood of the island and everyone had fun.
Operating motto?
We’d like to keep things effortless.
Why should people vote for you as Emerging Band of the Year?
They should vote for us because they like us.
Vote for Chocolate Grass as Emerging Band of the Year in the 2014 Yahoo Celebrity Awards.
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