Techy Romantics
Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines | INDIE
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
The band was in the middle of their set with the whole crowd on their feet and dancing. All of a sudden a hot looking couple decided they couldn’t take it anymore and rushed off to the women’s washroom and lock themselves up for a while. Just another day in the office for Techy Romantics.
What do you get when you combine the musical sensibilities that make adventurous indie rock so irresistible to mosh to and club music and electronica so irresistible to dance to? The music of the Techy Romantics.
First, a little band history. Techy Romantics is Ryan Villena on guitars, Dondi Virrey on sampling and Camyl Besinga on lead vocals. Ryan is the most seasoned player in the group, having played for various bands such as Tungaw and Narda since his teens. Camyl has been wanting to sing for a band for the longest time and is a regular fixture in gigs that her favorite local bands play at. Camyl and Ryan first met when the former got a reference from a common friend to audition as Narda’s lead singer. She was seriously considered for the position but in then end was edged out by eventual lead vocalist Katwo Librando-Puertollano because the latter was considered to be more experienced.
“I’ve always wanted to be in a band,” says Camyl. “But I never got the chance to find people I can gel with until the opportunity to do Techy Romantics came.”
And that opportunity came when Dondi approached Ryan for the possibility to jam on some previously written compositions and song ideas that he conceptualized in his bedroom with his electronic gizmos. Ryan brought Camyl along and the three hit it off like they’ve been doing it for years.
“The chemistry was there from the get-go,” says Ryan. “We came and jammed in Dondi’s room not knowing what to expect. Dondi started doing his clubby, electronic stuff then I tried complimenting it with what I know on guitars, which is heavily influenced by 1980s new wave, The Cure, New Order, stuff like that. Then Camyl added her lyrics and singing, which came out right in alley with her professed admiration for CSS. From there came a deep well where ideas and compositions flow. “Now, we can even do long sets.”
“I guess it helps that we’ve known each other as friends for some time already, we’re on the same wavelength, and we can effortlessly adapt to each other’s idiosyncrasies and quirks,” says Camyl.
From there, the band has amassed a cult fan base that positively dances to their music and is steadily growing through constant gigging. The band is reportedly set to release their debut album under independent record label Lilystars (same label as The Camerawalls).
“The reception we’re getting these days in our gigs is so surprising,” relates Dondi. “We perform not just in our favorite rock bars like Saguijo, Route 196, and Magnet High Street, but also in places such as Il Ponticello and Manila Polo Club. It’s gratifying to always have people reacting strongly to what we do, like, when they dance or show their appreciation.”
Techy Romantics is such an apt name for this band as the band fuses the drama of the best new wave and indie bands with the bounce and oooomph! of the most engaging club music so seamlessly that it’s difficult to find where one musical sensibility starts and where the other ends. The pop sensibilities of the band’s music is so strong that it can only be coined in three words: Techy Romantics music. - Cris O. Ramos for The Manila Times
Discography
Single coming soon!
Photos
Bio
2008 can be marked as a monumental year for electro-pop music in the Philippines. The emergence of independent bands did not take a halt. But the making of Techy Romantics is as spontaneous and sudden as their audiences fascination to every piece that they perform. They are able to weave imposing songs sans the typical band set-up. When people listen to them, getting their feet off the ground is just inevitable.
A powerhouse trio composed of Dondi Virrey on keyboards and sampling, Ryan Villena on guitars and Camyl Besinga on vocals, Techy Romantics is an effective music box to dictate peoples mood, and conclude any given night. Having nailed great gigs in rock bars such as Gweilos, Route 196, Mag:Net and Saguijo, their music was also embraced in places like Ponticello and Manila Polo Club. The lush melodic release is addictive, having inspired by equally brilliant influences such as New Order, The Cure, and The Cardigans. Their impressive lineup is not cheesy, not outdated, and not loud but it will sway you towards dancing non-stop.
The group is currently cooking a healthy indulgence for their followers as they record their first full-length album under the management and production of Lilystars Records the indie label that houses the The Camerawalls. In view of the respect that this record label has earned at a fresh stage, their tandem for this project is undeniably worth the wait.
With notes and lyrics that could smoothly circulate throughout your system, such as Walking away, Out of my mind, and Breaking Silly, they could effortlessly start a cult. And when the music stops, theres the rush. The sudden sprint as the last note they hit aimlessly drape in the flashy, evening breeze. And as it stays there, here I go again
Links