It’s only the first of July and Manila traffic is already simulating the Christmas rush. Brake lights paint the roads red as Giniling Festival cramp themselves in a Toyota RAV4 on route to Terno Inferno. For what should be a ten-minute drive from their rendezvous point in Katipunan, they spend another half hour on the road, and they’re already itching to hit the stage of Route 196. With just fifteen days before they release their third full-length record A La Hoy, Giniling Festival have everything under control. “The album is at the printer, shirts are going into production next week, and sponsors are all good,” drummer Franco Malaya counts down with a confident grin. “I guess it’s safe to say that we’re all set for the launch.” Recording A La Hoy was swift according to Malaya, who quips, “Just like Taylor.” It was recorded and produced over the span of five days at his Katipunan home with the assistance of Luis Azcona (Hapijoey Studio, Maude) and Emil dela Rosa (Campsite Recordings, Faintlight). “It was fast, calm, and exciting.” Vocalist Jeje Santos recounts. “We did not rehearse any of the songs before stepping into the studio. It was so stupid—that’s why […]
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