Strike two for Sinosikat

MANILA, Philippines - Since they broke into the music scene some five years ago, you really can’t pinpoint just what the Sinosikat sound is. And they offer no apologies for this. In fact, vocalist Kat Agarrado owns up, “We’re still a little of everything.”

And by a little of everything, that means pop, rock, soul, jazz, funk and others in-between. Case in point: The quintet — Kat, drummer Reli de Vera, guitarist Nick Azarcon, bassist Noel Asistores and keyboardist David Starck — has awards for Best World/Alternative Music, Best Jazz Recording and People’s Choice for Favorite Group from the Awit. It wings to the other end of the spectrum, invading primetime TV with Nung Iniwan Mo Ako, soundtrack of Pinoy Big Brother and Katorse.

Other bands shun this absence of labels. Not Sinosikat. The members wear this all-size-fits-all attitude on its sleeve. They treat it as a badge of honor.

“We are versatile,” proclaims Kat.

Their 2nd Album (Warner Music) shows you the many reasons why.

“I experimented with my voice, tried different feels and styles in every song,” explains Kat. The result, she adds, is that each song in the new album has a different character, a distinct personality.

Turns out character differences is one of the band’s forte. It thrives in diversity. And ironically, diversity is the glue that keeps it intact.

“We respect each other,” adds Kat. “The most important thing for us is unity among ourselves. The music skill is there. But the bigger challenge is keeping your unity as a band.”

So don’t expect any member of the band to bolt from the group anytime soon. They’re too hung up on each other for that.

In the second album for instance, the quintet sat down and talked about how each track will be written, how the recording will go. Each member ‘s voice was heard.

Newest member David Starck, for instance, is also an arranger. So the band brainstormed on his arrangements. Starck, who is French, is also expected to help the band gain a foothold in the international market.

Since they’re eyeing a wider market, Sinosikat is doing things slowly but surely. They don’t want to be called CD factories by coming up with an album one after another.

“Before we signed up with Warner,” recalls Kat, “we made it clear na sana, we don’t release an album every year. This way, we have time to grow as musicians. We have time to go on tour, to write new material, to promote our songs.”

Thus, 2nd Album came two years after the band’s debut CD. So much has happened during the band’s two-year break from the recording scene.

“We have evolved,” remarks Kat. This time, their pop jazz sound has more punch.

The band gives Sonny Nicolas’ 1983 song Mr. Musikero, a new twist. Carrier single Nung Iniwan Mo Ako is jazzy, edgy, rock-a-soul.

“The first album was more organic,” explains Nick. “The second is more organized, more orchestrated.”

Whatever it is, the band will always be itself, musical trends and tastes be damned.

Thus, Nick advises new bands, “Don’t worry about making so much money.”

Music, he goes on, is a way of life. It’s a long-term commitment, not a passing fancy. And like all serious commitments, the music is bound to grow, not only on the members, but on the audience as well.