Meet Yolanda Moon, a Yahoo Emerging Band nominee
Again, read our lips: who says OPM is dead?
For this year’s Yahoo Celebrity Awards, it was tough to choose just 5 new bands of note from among the many that sprung up in the last year alone. That dilemma speaks volumes about the promise and robutness of the local music scene.
In the end, Yolanda Moon became one of 5 nominees you can vote for as Emerging Band of the year, together with Brisom, the Jeffrey Zulueta Experience, Cheats and Cholocate Grass.
Every day until July 11, Yahoo will profile one new emerging band nominee. You can vote every day until 12 noon of July 12, Saturday.
Name: Yolanda Moon
Formed: 2012
Members: Cholo Hermosa (vocals) and Kyle Quismundo (guitars) with a cast of guest musicians
Kind of music: Trip hop, soul, electronic, post-rock, psychedelic. Listen to Yolanda Moon on SoundCloud.
Influences: The Beatles, Hiromi Uehara, Eraserheads, Massive Attack, John Mayer, Radiohead, Tame Impala, Lucy Rose, Feist, Cornelius, Dave Grohl, Ernville, Pedicab. Listen to these artists on Spotify.
What’s with your name?
The name Yolanda came from a character (aka Honey Bunny) in the movie “Pulp Fiction.” Moon came from an unplanned meeting with one of our heroes Vincent Moon (French filmmaker and “sound explorer”) while we were jamming one night.
When did you guys first meet?
We first met when we were students of music production at College of St. Benilde. We hire session players when we perform live.
Do you have a band logo?
No specific logo yet but we have a favorite font!
Your music has been described as R&B from the future.
Haha that's a new one. Yes, there have been R&B comparisons in the past (but not futuristic R&B!). That's something we didn't aim for when we started out so that's a good thing. Actually, Yolanda Moon has no specific genre but if you were to place specific similarities, people would say trip hop, soul, electronic, even post rock or psychedelic.
How has your career been so far?
Funny you asked that question because we had some changes with the lineup this year. The performances and shows have been awesome. At the beginning of the year, we played a few festivals and around March we started recording, and by summer, we did a few shows outside the city. Every gig proved to be exciting because with the different musicians playing for Yolanda Moon, there was always something new to look forward to.
What kind of audience goes for your music?
It's different with every venue, some crowds like the slower songs, while the others like the louder songs more. Route 196 and Saguijo will always be home for Yolanda Moon. We think we have a niche audience, and we find out more things about our audience at every new place we play in. There is the dream, of course, and it would not hurt to cross over bigger ponds someday.
What’s the vision for the band?
To actually push our music-making abilities farther than anyone can imagine. Sometimes things don't work out as planned, but once in a while we do get surprised with the opportunities that come and influence direction of the music.
Why should people vote for you as Emerging Band in this year's Yahoo Celebrity Awards?
Yahoo music fans should simply vote for their favorite new acts. But if the nomination is on the table, then just as any band in the category, a vote for us would help the band reach new opportunities—hell, maybe even conquer new territories. Haha!
Vote for Yolanda Moon as Emerging Band of the Year in the 2014 Yahoo Celebrity Awards.
READ MORE EMERGING BANDS
The happy vibe of Cheats
The infectious hooks of Brisom
‘There’s a Pinoy music revolution going on,’ says The Jeffrey Zulueta Experience
Chocolate Grass blows hot and cold at the same time
