Please introduce yourselves to Kanto readers.
We're Space Onigiri! So, there’s me (Tobi) on vocals
and bass, Hiroshi on rhythms, Nicho on leads, Zed on
synths and Eldric on drums!
When you were starting, what had been your
expectations towards the local music scene? How
did reality compare?
It was quite intimidating, because we didn’t know
where and how to get shows. Making new friends
that liked our sound made it easier. I’m really grateful
for meeting Jao Bernardo and Jojo Sibal of Yurei, and
Megumi Acorda! Without them I don’t think we'd be
playing where we feel comfortable and at home during
our active time.
Did you guys meet through music or did that come
in later?
We started out with different members. We used to not
have synths and a different vocalist. We all met in school
(DLSU-College of Saint Benilde). It all started with Nicho
and Hiro’s guitar teacher teasing them about starting a
band. We just wanted to play and that’s what drove us,
at first, to make this kind of pop. To be honest our main
influence for ‘OK’ (EP) was Last Dinosaurs. We liked each
other’s music taste; I guess, that’s what made us a band.
Favorite live performance so far?
We played during this year’s Féte De La Musique!
That was our last gig as a band, something we'll never
forget. As well as when we got chosen to play for
Vinculados, to cover an old Spanish pop song via our
style and identity as Space Onigiri. Also, all the gigs at
Mow’s! Cheers!
You all went to the same school, so you've had a taste
of the hustle and bustle of Manila for at least a good
four years. How did being in that shared ecosystem
inspire creativity?
There were different local acts who we looked up
to, and eventually we had the chance to meet and play
alongside them during gigs, and who also helped us in
many ways during writing. Sharing this said ecosystem
with people we look up to made us keep wanting to
improve ourselves.
Go-to Manila Traffic tune?
I think it depends on who you ask from us but
Last Dinosaurs, Wild Nothing, King Gizzard and the
Lizard Wizard, Good Morning, Deerhunter. Stalk our
Spotify playlists!
What is your songwriting process like?
Nicho makes the demos. We all pitch in ideas during
the live performances. Hiro and I help each other out when
writing for songs.
Some of you have solo music projects as well. Do
these projects, in a way, help you make music for
Space Onigiri?
It did! Playing for different acts gave us new playing
perspectives to sort of apply in our own music. Adapting to
different styles is what we’re kind of good at. Just the right
amount of practice and time is all it takes.
You have announced late last year that you were
working on your album. How different/similar is it
from your EP, ‘OK’?
Sad to say but two weeks ago [from writing], we
actually decided to disband. This is where we'll say it first.
Compared to before, right now we have different goals. So
I think ‘OK’ might be the last you'll hear from us as a band.
Stream and dream with Space Onigiri on Soundcloud @spaceonigiriph.
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