SOUTH BORDER

LOS ANGELES, California – All systems are now in order as the country's premier R and B band launches an international music career.

Multi-awarded Filipino band South Border's bid for international stardom started April this year in the United States of America when they performed before stand up crowds at the Viper Room (Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood), the Armory (San Diego, South San Francisco Auditorium), The Gig (Melrose Avenue, Hollywood), the Rhythm Lounge (Downtown Long Beach), the Knitting Factory (Hollywood), the Roxy Club (New York), the Lisner Auditorium (Washington, D.C.), the Pickwick Theater (Park Ridge, Illinois) and at the Maydenbauer Center. (Bellevue, Washington)

All performances were very well-received that the management of the highly popular B.B. King's clubs has offered them to become headliners. In fact, B.B. King's Universal City Walk owner and general manager Dimarkco Chandler was quoted as defining South Border as “the best band that has ever played in B.B. King's”. The band is to perform at BB Kings in Universal City Walk on September 30, October 28, November 18 and December 9.

The band, recently in the United Kingdom had a successful show at the Lampton Park (Hounslow, London, July 16), will be back in the U.S.A. in September to fulfill the coveted offer. B.B. King's clubs are located all over the U.S.A. The said offer has truly emphasized the band's highly promising future as “the next Asian invasion”.

“South Border is just the group to bring it in”, underscored Gian Fiero, Senior Music Reviewer for Musesmuse.com and music licensing specialist whose professional opinion is sought after by music artists around the world. Fiero, whose insightful reviewers have garnered the attention and respect of the music industry's moves and shakers, also added that Jay Durias’ and the group's “fine musicianship...is enough to make it happen”.

Such perspective was also reiterated by Bruce Penn of BAP Media (New York). Penn, the former manager of vocal group Allure, said that South Border “doesn't sound Filipino”.

“They sound like true musicians. This means their music has nothing to do with color and race. They're all about good quality music”, he said.

The band, best known for monster hits “Rainbow” (recognized as the most downloaded song and is also available on AOL Music Now, Daiki in Japan, Vodaphone in Europe, Rhapsody and on iTunes to name a few), “Kahit Kailan”, “Ikaw Nga”, “Wherever You Are” and “Sweet” (the very first Filipino song to be featured in 93.5 KDAY radio station) is composed of Jay Oliver Durias (musical director, keyboards), Duncan Ramos (vocals), Vince Alaras (vocals), Paul Benitez (drums), Ric Junasa (saxophone), Butch Victoriano (lead guitar) and Tata Balane (bass).

In September, the group will fly to Australia for a show on the 9th after which they will proceed directly to the U.S.A.

Sharon Inductivo and Lucy Slattery co-manage South Border. The former is also a gifted lyricist of several well-loved South Border songs while the latter is the former Sony Music Marketing Manager in the Philippines for Local Repertoire. Together, Sharon and Lucy are working with international promoters, press and record distribution companies to exploit the band’s international potential.

Fans all over the world can also now interact with one another online via www.southborder.pinnacleasia.com/messageboard South Border Street Teams have also been organized. Composed of volunteer fans who help promote South Border all over the world, the teams already exist in Japan, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, London, Australia, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Dubai, Canada, the U.S.A. and the Philippines. Log on to www.thesbstreetteam.com for further details.


-MARIA IRENE S. ASERIOS
- BAP MEDIA

"....Well, as the saying goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire!" This package was smoking the minute I put it in my stereo. Hopefully I can fan the flame for the rest of my industry peers to see them. We have all been bracing for the "Asian invasion" for quite some time and South Border is just the group to bring it in ..."

"The fine musicianship of Jay Durias (the musical director/keyboards); Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras (vocals); Paul Benitez (drums); Butch Victoriano (lead guitar); Tata Balane (bass); and Ric Junasa (saxophone) is enough to make it happen with their organic, well-produced, well-performed, and yes, well-timed release.

Contrary to what they may think (or have heard) the industry does NOT care that they are Asian; they only care about your ability to deliver as a competitive and commercially viable artist. Music lovers only care about quality music that they can connect with. South Border is abundantly qualified to satisfy both with their flirtatious Hip-Hop flavored opening track, "Sweet," which has the potential to be one of the first feel-good tracks of the Summer (2006). It's a song that recalls memories of the monster radio hit, "Too Close" by defunct R&B group Next.

Their identity comes through on "The Show" along with their personality and flare for dramatics, which is refreshing, engaging and a welcome departure from the monotony of most R&B projects that I get. After the cavalier posturing in their previous tracks, it's the tender emotional appeal of "Rainbow" that lingers on this EP. It's a beautiful ballad with subtle orchestration, and an uplifting message that we all need to be aware of when experiencing heartache: there's a rainbow always after the rain. No wonder it sold so many downloads.
.... You are ready for prime time."
- Musesmuse.com

“Rainbow” has become everyone’s favorite feel good song, and its message of hope in the face of adversity, loneliness, and heartache has brought on refreshing optimism at a time in our country when the cynic in most of us tends to surface...."

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/aug/14/yehey/enter/20040814ent2.html - Cris Ramos, Jr. - The Manila Times