These buddies were once invited by our staff for a moment of photo shot and a couple of interview. Reckoning the series of pictorial sessions made with other artists, these ones made beauty with their diversity. Actually making the studio’s vicinity feels like an anachronism of the 60’s with Beatles and Beach Boys. Clad with their best bib and tucker dazzling in black, red and stripes alike, they seemed to emboss the gray-brushed canvass of the studio. As they were brought into focus by our adept photographers, every lucid flash of their lenses seems to reflect the vivid and intelligent aura of these musical gents. Orchestrating the pictorial session were the songs played and reverberated at the studio courtesy of their debut album, giving me a tough impression that these young bloods are the ‘phoenix’ of the ever phenomenal English rock band the Beatles. With suggestive outfits, hairs dangling mid-ear plus the retro-sounding musical arrangements, the Beatles, or say Beach Boys is almost done. The Bloomfields, as ornately as it sounds like a floral garden, blooms with five intelligent individuals, respectively Jj Lozano (22) on the lead Rickenbacker (the guitar John Lennon used), Louie Poco (21) on the bass Rickenbacker (also a Mcartney Favorite), Pepe Lozano (24) on the electric guitar, Lakan Hila (24) on piano/organ/keyboards and Rocky Collado (21) on the drums.
After the pictorial was done, special pizza and cold cola commence a bountiful respite for minutes which paves the way to the grilling interviews. This momentum gave me a zest and goose bumps as I’m trying to brows each ones genius, also acknowledging their scholastic departure – the De La Salle University.
The group started out as “green archers” at the impeccable hallways of De La Salle University at Green Hills as high school chums. “We do not belong to the same batch actually, but we’ve been together just there,” says Jay, the group’s vibrant composer and vocal. Obviously, they’re like birds that flock for the same interest. The band took its musical insignia out of convened likes in music – such that of the sixties, and they’re doing it with real gusto. “We’re not too selective in music, only that this kind caught much of our interest, so we pursue it,” explains the ever eloquent Rocky. Their type of music tends to conflate perennial lacuna between the young and the old ones of our today generation. “The music itself re-intertwines breaches between generations,” Pepe butts in, “once mom or dad jingle songs (songs they’ve been acquainted from their era), kids think mom and dad’s getting cool.”
The Bloomfields shows and gigs cuddle families rather than just single boys and dolls on the floor. The fact stands that they’re band brings sixties to the bivouac of modern rock ‘n roll (which is dominantly peopled by young men) also tandems to the senses of those older individuals who went ahead of our time.
“…each member of the band has his type of personality; things we also learned from the sixties…”
The Bloomfields, with ordinate effort for glamorous musicality comes considerable salute from their fans. They’re now getting comely rapport with the listening populace – female audiences mostly took the bigger slice of the pie of the Bloomfields fanatics. Take this, a mob of teens or so came rushing-up for their attention all the way even to their dressing den. Luckily these hot girls relent to let them slip-on their last garb.
The name Bloomfields raptures our consciousness like a heavenly plain massed with flowery blossoms, but take it from Jayjay who pioneered the name, “I was taking my vacation in America, perhaps, during my second year when I happened to see the Bloomfield Avenue, which I quoted then and proposed it to the boys upon getting back home, which they all voted in.” Does the name suggests jolly or happy soul, exactly. Further, “besides, we are fond of happy music; happy stuffs so we carried it out as our band name.”
“When you love a band then you’ve got to love the whole band. So much so with the Bloomfields, we have diverse personalities just like the others.”
This group’s never done yet, they’re just starting to kindle the torch of their career. They’re honing for another album under the custody of EMI with totally the same musical identity. As Tricia, Ad Promo (Print) of EMI, puts it, “actually it’s not just a concept, its more on that…” So I say it’s a principle of action wherein their musical beat and idealism lies.
The group got this wishful premonition to reecho the legacy of the 60’s coast to coast all over the the Philippine archipelago. To influence Filipino auditory of the music sang and strummed ahead of our own time.
Just happened to ask them if while the band is on the run they experienced technicalities (some sort of sablay) which reminds them of their ‘mortality.’ The band chorused, “..yes a lot of it, it’s even impossible to shake it off…though we’re trying to be perfect.” Jayjay made it tough by sharing, “ako naman one time nadulas ako, nakakahiya, then everybody laughed.” (everybody giggled) I said further in consolation, “in imperfection, you see perfection itself.”
“Gusto ko lang maging humble, ayaw ko lang talagang maging mayabang exclaimed Jayjay when I posited things about fame. Rocky, the band’s spokesperson retorted, “in fame you have to expect everything as experienced by Philippine artists…it could be short but nice since andyan yong money, attention…we just have to be humble despite.”
How was the chemistry between them and the audiences made? Just “enjoy” was the typical catchphrase of the boys. “We have to enjoy, pero iba pa rin yong na-eenjoy mo rin yong ibang tao, we have to hit the balance, maganda nga para sa ‘yo how about the audiences. Ang art namin ngayon dito is to learn how to communicate with the audience.”
This rockin’ buddies have been into formal existence for 3 years now. When asked if they’ve been into the verge of disbanding one time, Lakan Hila countered with wrinkling face and strong conviction, “no, no, no, not yet.”
How does these guys react being compared to the Beatles, Beach Boys and other OPM bands. “We are really flattered and really honored being compared to the Beatles, Beach Boys and OPM bands since that means that we are worth being compared to,” answers Rocky. Well, that’s great, discrimination has little or no significance at all to guys whose point is to present an art independent of comparison.
Departed being a band, what would these boys be like. Jayjay posited to stay in school. Lakan will be a banker then, as obviously, a banking course graduate and once worked in a bank. Rocky opted to be in school too. Luie would rather be into the realm of design. Pepe would be into restaurant business, perhaps something to do with culinary art.
Finally, at their end the Bloomfields would like to unveil their identity as potpourri of personalities all brought together into one musical blend – The Bloomfields. Pepe asserts, “each member of the band has his type of personality; things we also learned from the sixties, for example the Beatles, their’s a shy type, jolly and entertaining, serious and so on. When you love a band then you’ve got to love the whole band. So much so with the Bloomfields, we have diverse personalities just like the others.” You’re right man, cause if it’s not for a member then their would be no band, obviously…no Bloomfields.
