How OPM bands stay true to their sound despite fast-changing landscape

MANILA, Philippines —  The artists featured in “Hopia, Mani, Popcorn 3” have shared their thoughts on how they maintain their musical identities while adapting to the ever-evolving music landscape.

The third installment of the compilation album, produced by Viva Records in collaboration with Vicor Music, Ivory Records, Wild Dream Records and O/C Records, evokes nostalgia, with a new generation of artists putting their own spin on Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hits.

Through their interpretations, the artists aim to pay tribute to the originals while giving the songs a fresh perspective. “It’s more than just a tribute; it’s a celebration of how OPM evolves while keeping its core identity intact,” the media release said.

The Juans includes Carl Guevarra (lead vocalist and keyboardist), Japs Mendoza (vocalist and lead guitarist), Chael Adriano (vocalist and bassist) and RJ Cruz (vocalist and acoustic guitarist)

Building on the album’s theme, The STAR asked the artists how they maintain their creative identities amid the dynamic music landscape.

The alt-pop band Magnus Haven admitted that they have taken an experimental approach to their music, exploring a diverse range of genres.

“But we realized na kung saan ka lang talaga kumportable. The five of us have different influences — there’s R&B, rock — so it becomes experimental. Nagugulat na lang kami na sobrang iba ‘to sa lahat ng pinag-usapan namin. Sometimes, we come up with mala-Korean songs na, ‘Hindi naman tayo ‘to, ah.’ We wanted to make music na feel namin comfortable kami, comfortable kaming kantahin, and that’s it. Ma-LSS (last song syndrome) ka pa rin dun sa song,” shared frontman Rajih Mendoza.

For the pop-rock band Soapdish, 20 years in the music industry have allowed the group to establish its signature sound while learning how to adapt without losing what makes its music unique.

“Wag sumobra, yung sakto lang,” the group said.

The alt-pop rock band Magnus Haven is made up of Rajih Mendoza (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), David Galang (vocals and keyboards), Louise Vaflor (lead guitar and backing vocals), Rey Maestro (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Sean Espejo (drums and percussion).

“It’s important to know where your identity is anchored,” stated Carl Guevarra of The Juans. “I mean, there will be a time when things are evolving, and it’s appropriate to say that we, as artists, also need to adapt to the ever-changing industry. So, I think in moments like these, mas importante, mas malinaw sa amin saan naka-anchor yung identity namin.”

As artists navigate these changes, Carl said reinvention and innovation are also necessary to remain relevant. “So therefore, as you also try to evolve, as you try to innovate, it’s different if you’re an artist, you need to reinvent yourself. You cannot stay to just one format. Every year may bagong flavor, may bagong pakulo ang lahat. Pwedeng relevant ka kahapon, pero bukas hindi na,” he continued.

The Juans are “trying to reinvent and evolve constantly,” Carl added. “So, for us, our commitment to storytelling is what’s solid. And therefore, kung may mga creative challenge, ‘OK, kakantahin natin yung isang song na hindi natin typically tutugtugin or hindi tayo ganito tumunog.’”

For the band, preserving its musical identity means “being reminded of who we are first as a band.”

Bea Lorenzo teams up with UDD members Carlos Tañada, Ean Mayor and Paul Yap on Jay Durias’ Losin’ My Mind for the album.

“Ano ba kami bilang isang band? We are storytellers. And at least for The Juans, as long as we are faithful to the storytelling, as long as the music allows the story to flow, then we’re able to retain our identity regardless of the style or the genre,” Carl elaborated.

Musician Bea Lorenzo, who collaborated with Up Dharma Down (UDD) on Jay Durias’ Losin’ My Mind for the album, mused that musical identity is something some artists struggle with.

“It feels so rigid to have the challenge of sticking to one identity,” she pointed out, echoing what Carl said about how artists continue to evolve both as artists and as people. “I feel like I’m such a different person from who I was just two years ago, and I feel like my music taste also changes with that.

“So, I feel like it’s OK, sort of. We don’t have to be so attached to one musical identity. You can be open to changing, to evolving. And I think it all boils down to being honest with yourself — honest about what you like and what you don’t like.”

As a band composed of brothers, Cuatro shared that what matters most to them is the music they create together as siblings and musicians. They also highlighted the importance of storytelling and maintaining a musical identity while exploring different genres.

“What matters is yun yung parang sama-sama naming ginawa. So, as someone na sa tiyan pa lang ng mama namin, magkakasama na po kami, hanggang sa childhood, yun po yung gustong i-maintain ng band. Whatever genre that we put out, iba-iba man yung music na gusto ng mga tao, what matters for us is yung bagay po na gusto namin,” one of the band members said.

On the other hand, Midnight Talking underscored the value of meeting in the middle.

“I think it’s about meeting halfway kasi nung nalaman namin na possible yung song namin (for this album), may hesitation kami, like, ‘Could we do this? Because ito yung usual na ginagawa namin.’ But it’s about meeting halfway, and we try to make a new sound every release and not overthink about it,” the band said.

The “Hopia, Mani, Popcorn 3” features Magnus Haven’s remake of Ogie Alcasid’s Pangako; The Juans’ cover of Ogie’s Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka; the Soapdish version of Freestyle’s Bakit Iniwan Na; Cuatro’s interpretation of Caleb Santos’ I Need You More Today; Healy After Dark’s take on Rico Blanco’s Wag Na Init Ulo Baby; Mayonnaise’s cover of the Rene and Dennis Garcia classic Sa Isip Ko; and Midnight Talking’s rendition of Rico and Russell Molina’s Posible.