We Are Imaginary

Filipinos are no strangers to Esplanade's Rockin' the Region series — a 4-weekend musical showcase of artists and bands from Southeast Asia. Over the past couple of years, a bunch of Filipino acts have taken part in the series, namely Paranoid City, Birdforms, and Brisom.

This year, indie rock outfit We Are Imaginary will be performing at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre for the first tme to represent the Philippines. The performance marks the band's second overseas gig, having been part of the Grass Tone Sound Festival line up in Thailand, last December 2015. Vocalist Ahmad Tanji tells Bandwagon that it's going to be his and their drummer Jazz's first time in Singapore, so they intend to do a lot of tourist-y things. The other half of the band have visited the Lion City before and are determined to get their bandmates to try Fish Head Curry, Bak Kut Teh and more Singaporean food, as well as visit the Instagram-worthy Haji Lane. "As a band tradition, we will do some 'window shopping' at Swee Lee. Yes, the QUOTATION mark is rightfully placed because we like to believe that our willpower is stronger that any sweet ass guitar models and effect pedals," Ahmad adds.

As for their Rockin' the Region performance, the vocalist shares that the band have always dreamed of performing to different ears, and it will be priceless to see various reactions to their music from a diverse set of people. He also adds that "not all bands get this chance, so we are just so honored to be invited. We are excited to meet and watch the other bands as well."

We Are Imaginary are set to perform on March 24 and 25 with Singaporean instrumental rock four-piece Sphaeras, Bandung-based shoegaze act Heals, and Japanese alt-rock band Nothing to Declare. - Bandwagon Asia

We Are Imaginary is back with a new single entitled “Press Play.” Although the band has been part for the indie circuit for some time, only now have they resurfaces with a new track after “Sunny Where You Are.” “Press Play” is a sincere track that uses the band’s signature sounds of roaring guitars and soaring melodies, with the music video released a few days ago as a Bandwagon Asia exclusive.

The music video, directed by Darrel Guinn and starring the kids of the Hungry Cat Drama Club, is set at an elementary school in Bangkok and filmed entirely by the kids of the drama club. The result is a quirky story of puppy love and funny hijinks that surprisingly goes well with the song. In fact, vocalist Ahmad Tanji composed the song 3 years ago after when he woke up from a dream “involving a sort-of Star Cinema scene involving Anne Curtis.”

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMi8FySnHm0 - Scout Mag

Time has not dimmed the power of shoegaze. It is at the front, back and center of Pinoy indie band We Are Imaginary’s first album entitled Death To Romanticism. Previously named Your Imaginary Friends, WAI pilot their debut album in sync with two previous EPs of their former namesake, one of which went by the title “Silence Is A Villain.

On their debut, the four-piece band keep the silence at bay peppering the core shoegaze noise with indie rock, prog-rock and plain ear-bending power-pop. The album leans more towards dream pop rather than the more experimental slant of ‘90s shoegaze heroes My Bloody Valentine and Ride.
That however does not diminish the punch and crunch of opener “Press Play.” Its bracing melody pulls you in to the not-quite happy side of being in love. Head Imaginary guitarist/vocalist Ahmad Tanji sings “I’m taking you home as a souvenir” while a maelstrom of beautiful din and pretty girl vocals surround him like a gathering storm.

Next comes “Sunny Where You Are” where Tanji and crew mix and match a crisp ‘60s pop sound with a heady new wave dance feel. The same catchy new wave ruckus surfaces once more in “Danger Sign,” this time plugged to the quintessential jangly guitars of The Church. Reverb fills out the spaces between dream pop sprays in “The Cruel Art of Subtlety.”

“Pencil Me In” and “Episodes” articulate two sides of the band’s power pop aesthetic. The former is all glorious chords and rock and roll backbeat as Tanji expresses, “There’s more to life than being blue” while the latter moves to a loping country rock beat as it explores, rather in a sad mood, an itch to go places.

In an interview, Ahmad Tanji said, “Death to Romanticism is about getting through life in general. It’s about positivity, specifically on accepting whatever the heavens present in our path.”

--Who are the present members of the band? Has there been a change since your last EP?

The present line-up consists of Ahmad Tanji on vocals and guitars, Eric Po on drums, Vhall Bugtong on Bass, and Khalid Tanji on guitars. We’ve been together for two years now. Aside from the name change, the crew is pretty much the same.

--What made you decide to produce an album after two EPs? How long did it take from the last EP to the new album?

Every musician dreams of having a full-length album. Though the concept of EP is fascinating, we are quite old-fashioned in thinking that an LP offers a complete and better story of what the band represents at a certain moment. Man, we have been around for eight years; it is just about time.

--The noise half of your previous sound has been reduced in the new album. Who are your original influences and has there been a new influence in the course of producing a new album?

That’s interesting. I do think this album is louder than our previous releases. But word out there is it’s still the kind of noise you want to listen to during long drives, and that for me is the beauty of this band.

Death Cab for Cutie, Nirvana, and The Smiths were the common denominators when we started the band, but we are always hungry to devour new releases.

I was very much into HAIM when I wrote “Ask Me to Stay.” My current playlist consists of Into It. Over It. and Local Natives. Eric, I believe, was listening to Of Monsters and Men when he wrote “Episodes,” so yeah, we’re simply absorbing whatever exciting stuff is out there and translating that energy.

--The guitars seemed to be more upfront this time without overpowering the others. In fact, the drums and vocals share equal time as the other instruments. Was this intentional?

We have always been a “guitar rock” band, but we adjust the mood and mix to whatever the song needs. Our producers Raphael and Joey did an excellent job in letting the strengths of each song shine.

--Was there anything unique or different in the making of the new album in comparison to the two previous EPs? Were there lessons or experiences from previous records that you either applied or skirted in producing the new one?

It was a first for us to work with different producers (Raphael Pulgar of SaturnineAudio and Joey Santos of LoveOneAnother studio). The cohesiveness of the previous releases was based on recording it in the same room (both EPs were recorded in Sonic State Audio).

For the new album, we really wore ourselves out and went around the block. Took a lot of growing up too in terms of arrangements as we learned to let some songs breathe from too much instrumentation. I also think, this time, the songwriting focused more, albeit unintentionally, on choruses. We used a lot of synths too in this record.

Truth be told, this was a difficult album to make. Must be because we started over again with the new name, new label, and a new member. Plus, freedom entails responsibility and it sometimes causes conflict. Nevertheless, we are so thankful to our label (Wide Eyed Records) for letting us have full creative control.

Lessons? Sacrifices are necessary for art and the band to flourish. You really can’t half-ass it. - Billboard Philippines

Last year, the Esplanade kicked off the inaugural edition of Rocking The Region - an exciting series of live gigs designed to showcase the very best from the region.

And while 2016's successful installment focused on great bands from Southeast Asia, 2017's programme will go bigger with inspired bookings from all over the continent.

Notable headliners include eclectic South Korean indie band GOONAM, acclaimed Taiwanese punk outfit INHUMAN, boundary-pushing Thai alt-rockers Monomania, Bangkok's one-man psychedelic-rave band band S.O.L.E, and Filipino indie-pop darlings We Are Imaginary.

Likewise, acts such as Indonesian nugaze band HEALS and Mas Kimura's (you may remember him as a member of Singaporean pop punk heroes Pug Jelly) Japanese alternative rock outfit NOTHING TO DECLARE are also worth checking out.

Not to be outdone, our Malaysian neighbors will also be well represented at Rocking The Region with instrumental musicians mutesite alongside the massively popular rock group An Honest Mistake.

Naturally, there'll be a whole host of Singaporean talent on offer as well, including The Summer State, False Plaintiff, Stopgap, Sphaeras, .gif, The Psalms and bruised willies.

Taking place from 3rd to 31st March, all the shows are free and will be held at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. For the full schedule and more details, please visit Esplanade's official website. - Bandwagon Asia

The band Your Imaginary Friends has produced some quirky and interesting tunes (and two records) since its inception, but a big change happened due to unforeseen events. A band in the US had copyrighted the name Imaginary Friends and blocked the band’s material from Facebook and YouTube in North America. Friends in the US wrote to ask about what was going on, and the band, concerned about the friends they had made there, sought legal advice. Eric Po, one of the band’s members, told Vandals on the Wall that he spoke with Ian Zafra of Shiela and the Insects on a recent visit to Cebu. He said, “[Zafra] gave us the simplest, most cost-effective advice: just change it. We remain largely obscure anyway so a change of name wouldn’t hurt.” While the band emphasizes that they would miss the old name and it was truly part of their lives, we were happy to learn that, after we first heard that name being floated around, it became official last week: We Are Imaginary is the new band name.

But it is more than a new name that marks this new start for the band. “Music-wise, we have become more serious with this s—t,” Po says. He notes that the members of the band have started becoming more experimental, and buying more gear in the process—but he emphasizes that they still remain, in his words, “the same bubbly goofs that we are.” On their sound, he notes, “Our song writing and playing dynamic is on a continuous shift and swirl so expect to hear stuff that sounds new, or sounds like a mix of both of our previous albums.”

The band is set to release the second single from their self-produced EP, but they will be back in the studio this year to produce new material toward what will hopefully be a full-length album. In fact, We Are Imaginary will be part of a new label too—they will be Wide Eyed Records’ fourth band, after Ang Bandang Shirley, Halik ni Gringo, and the Strangeness. We Are Imaginary will hopefully be playing their first show in March, and that will be the first chance for us to celebrate this new start with them.

We Are Imaginary’s new Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/weareimaginary and their Twitter account is @WAImaginary. - Vandals on the Wall

We Are Imaginary have always championed ingenuity and creative freedom in their music videos. Given a limited budget, their videos work its way around low-key concepts with incandescent wit as shown in the one-shot, pep rally video of “Baby You’re Going To Hell” and poignant visual narratives in the vein of “Sunny Where You Are.”

On We Are Imaginary’s latest video of “Pencil Me In,” Christian Abuel’s sharp visual sensibility is once again on point, not sacrificing the tiniest little bit of the song’s cheery indie-rock disposition. Here, the boys and gals of We Are Imaginary pose as sketch subjects in nudes, enjoying the session in the silliest way possible. The thing with Ahmad, Eric, Khalid and Vhall is that they aren’t afraid to make fun of themselves, and this organic straightforwardness in humor adds color to their chemistry. Somehow, their personalities complement the punchline, giving “Pencil Me In” its much-needed brim.

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEJwA8OAK34 - Vandals on the Wall

A GOOD KIND OF SAD is We Are Imaginary’s fourth single off of their full-length debut Death to Romanticism. The song’s somber feel is reinforced through the video directed by Jemimah Dadula, and is a sympathetic take on loneliness and anxiety.

In time of this new release, We Are Imaginary will be performing in Singapore for Rocking the Region 2017 this March 24 and 25. The free event, which hosts diverse bands from various Asian countries, will be held at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. - UniteAsia

While most songs on We Are Imaginary’s latest album, Death To Romanticism have found new footing in the noisier, more left-field spectrum of indie-pop, “A Good Kind of Sad” remains stuck in the past. Which is not to say it’s a bad thing. Jangly guitar lines flourish along a serving of minimal synths, but the perfect pairing of melodic instincts and strong, catchy chorus echo the best moments of One Dreamy Indeterminate Hum, their debut EP released under Lilystars Records. That being said, it’s refreshing to see We Are Imaginary revisit some of the tricks that worked in their formative years and apply it to their new material with the same level of curiosity, yet different perspective. Stream:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y47CusObWko - Vandals On The Wall

Last night on One Music Live Session, the local band We Are Imaginary, comprised of brothers Ahmad and Khalid Tanji, and Vhall Bugtong, took center stage and delivered an impressive performance by singing several songs from their album “Death to Romanticism.” It’s not difficult to fall in love with their sound as they’re the type of band whose music you’d happily share with your friends. After their live online performance, One Music PH had the chance of sitting down with We Are Imaginary to learn more about their music and the band itself.

When you hear the band’s name, you can’t help but wonder the story behind it, and so it was a good thing that Ahmad and Tanji were more than willing to share the history of the band’s name. “The band started out as Your Imaginary Friends eight years ago. Unfortunately, after five years, a U.S. band was asking us to change the name because of some trademark issue, so we decided that since we’re relatively unknown, why not, to avoid conflict, so we changed it to We Are Imaginary. We still stick to the word ‘imaginary’ because it’s just quirky when people say ‘you guys are imaginary,’ so it’s catchy,” said by the brothers.

Asking to describe their sound, Khalid gave a rather interesting answer. “I like to think of it as a good soundtrack…Our music is very broad. We came from different influences. What we try to do is combine all the details, our influences, and to make something special and unique. I call it hummable noise. It’s noisy but you can hum it. [Our sound] is like a marriage of new wave and grunge.” Interestingly enough, that’s exactly what We Are Imaginary’s music makes you to do. You end up humming their songs because they’re just too good.

The band was also more than happy to share that their listeners are compelled to do something more than just humming We Are Imaginary’s songs. “Nakakakilig lang yung thought na dati nakikinig ka lang kay Rico Blanco, kay Ebe Dancel tapos na impluensiyahan ka, tapos may dumarating sa punto na may nagsasabing listener sila, fan sila, tapos yung iba pinapakinggan yung mga luma naming gawa tapos sabi nila nagbanda sila dahil doon so parang ‘whoa’ kasi eight years pa lang kami pero nakakaapekto na kami ng ibang tao. The point na nakakaapekto ka ng tao, you’re leaving a legacy without really meaning to (It just feels good to think that before you’re just listening to Rico Blanco, Ebe Dancel, and they influence you, and then a point comes wherein people approach you saying they listen to you, and that they decided to form a band as well because of your work. That’s really flattering considering that we’ve just been in the music scene for eight years, and yet we’re already affecting people and leaving a legacy without really meaning to), ” said Ahmad.

As to what makes a band tick, We Are Imaginary said that more than the skills in singing or playing an instrument, or even friendship, what’s important is being with people who share your mentality as a music artist. Their eight years of being together (although some may consider that as a short time in music) is a testament of the bond that they share as a group. But more than their longevity as a band, what’s most important to know about We Are Imaginary is that they are for real. - OneMusic.PH

“Press Play” deviates from the melodic jangle-pop of We Are Imaginary’s early singles, but it packs a lot of delightful sonic surprises. Far from latching onto their safety zone, it is self-aware but delicately nuanced, rough on the edges but exquisitely arranged.

Here, Mary Whitney shares lead vocal duties with Ahmad Tanji on the track, providing saccharine, high-register hums over the band’s power-pop riffs and washed-out sound. There is unmistakable charm in her voice that just soars above the song’s warm, fuzzy quality, and when paired with Ahmad’s soaring pipes, the result can be mesmerizing.

The rhythm section of Ahmad, Val, Eric and Khalid addresses the newfound direction with collected conviction. Such skill is displayed on “Press Play,” but with keenness on shaking up the song structure in the last few seconds, where it steps out to tango in a refreshingly different pace. The right mix of reverb-laden noise and pop-induced songcraft has always been We Are Imaginary’s most notable strength, and “Press Play” takes the discipline not just on a surface level, but in a way that feels close to the bone.

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMi8FySnHm0 - Vandals on the Wall

It was early last year when indie-rock outfit Your Imaginary Friends almost ran into some legal trouble after a US-based band with the same name called their attention. But that did nothing to affect their love for the craft. Now sporting the moniker We Are Imaginary, Ahmad Tanji and the rest of the gang have brushed aside the controversy to focus working on the much-anticipated full-length release under Wide Eyed Records.

True to its form, the first single “Sunny Where You Are” is the answer for any perceived lack of ingenuity that some detractors hurled at the band in the past. Yes it’s a stylistic leap forward, where We Are Imaginary find pleasure in the littlest details, in cranking up fiery guitar riffs, atmospheric synths and infectious rhythms with unwavering, sensitive delivery. Loud and proud, the music explodes out of a confined space, grappling with sentiments too big to define and classify, but brimming with so much grit and passion and drama. Joey Santos and Raphael Pulgar also deserve credits for adding unfailing Midas touch to the production, providing layers of extra crunch and grit to the band’s surface noise-pop. The two seem to translate the band’s unassuming ambition to the studio, without losing the qualities that endeared us with We Are Imaginary in the first place.

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w8VCoGE7dw - Vandals on the Wall

In their new album, “Silence is the Villain,” Filipino indie rock outfit We Are Imaginary gives in to their inner Death Cab for Cutie and Weezer and the result is a band that demands an audience for their brilliance.

We Are Imaginary (formerly Your Imaginary Friends until a defunct US outfit asked them to change their name) have made a name for their earnest songs with dreamy titles interpreted with soulful vocals by lead singer Ahmad Tanji and the gossamer voice of bassist and back-up vocalist Emerald Aquino who sprinkles these perfect pop gems with a touch of stardust.

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They’ve upped the ante with “Silence Is A Villain,” as We Are Imaginary, now unshackled from the Lilystars sound that at times had them sounding like resident band, The Camerawalls. The guitars veer away from the indie pop-ish “One Dreamy Indeterminate Hum,” their first album, as Ahmad and brother and lead guitarist Khalid Tanji cut loose such as on “While Beating Red Lights” that would make fans of Fil-Am indie rock gods Versus happy.

The album opens with the track, “Your Silence is the Villain,” that is a more punchy “By Beautiful Intentions” (my favorite track from “One Dreamy Indeterminate Hum”). More than her voice, Emerald’s bass is finally allowed to rise above the mix. Khalid and Ahmad have fun with this rocker but stopped short of the high and low dynamics that defined the Pixies.

“Beyond Euphemisms” is something that will fit nicely with DCfC’s “Plans” but this is no Ben Gibbard rip-off. Ahmad turns this sensual song with a funky beat into one that soars when it picks up. And the vocal interplay between Ahmad and Emerald will make fans of Prefab Sprout swoon.

“While Beating Red Lights” – that Versus-like rocker – feels like you’re headed for some rock club on rain-swept streets with your pulse pounding in anticipation (with some manic drumming by the most excellent Eric Po). This one has my head bobbing to the infectious beat.



The second half of the six-track album finds the band bringing things down a notch or two but with the exception of the last track “Baby, You’re Going To Hell” that seems out of place.

“Visiting Hours Are Over (Come Over)” has a shoegazer feel to it but is remains classic We Are Imaginary with its yearning lyrics.

“In Washington Drive” would be a perfect way to close the album with its mournful lyrics. The harmonica is gutsy but lends a poignant touch to the song.

The band has clearly come up with a winner with “Silence is the Villain” that reflects their maturity without letting go of their rock star dreams. It rocks, it glitters, and it’s hopeful and plays endlessly in your mind. And that’s the hallmark of a good album.

Silence isn’t really the villain. It’s your apathy if you don’t care for some great music. - Philippine Star

It’s been a while since we’ve heard any news from We Are Imaginary. They left us speechless and submerged with unquestionable doubt over a year ago with Sunny Where You Are. With 2 years’ worth of waiting and crafting, they’re bound to release their debut LP with Wide Eyed Records - Death To Romanticism. This eclectic indie pop rock quartet is back with more than a love letter to patient fans. Along with the letter is a video, showcasing their single Press Play.



We Are Imaginary has played safe by creating songs that capture heart-gripping undertones and surreal landscapes of a mental utopia long gone out of touch. They leave their comfort zone with Press Play. Outlined with their signature set of pop-based beats, this track moves with a hint of fringe enough to convince us that the band can reflect enough grit to wear a euphoric song down. As they’ve grown up completely from Silence Is A Villain, they’ve weighed in which pieces of their sound they should be constantly attaching in every mix and record. It’s a convenient trait for a band to find themselves at the extremes of their sound, besides being flexible, variety that follows a constant theme that reminds us what their music tastes like.



The music video doesn’t dwell too far from their passion for well-thought narratives. Their abstract take on very concrete ideas has been one of our favorite things about our friendly neighborhood imaginary friends. There are two huge factors of the Press Play music video that stitch some neatly-arranged patches together: Thailand and children in school. Essentially, the song is a freethinker’s soul food. The narrative begins with welcoming the main characters, reenacting the band and creating emotional attachments from a distance. It’s comical and delightful as it transitions with small details of childhood memories we’ve never thought of remembering but we’ve never forgotten; crushes, awkward stances, and secret diabolical plans to get in touch with what we want. The cheesy factor also makes the 3-minute video short but twee. It could be guest vocalist Mary Whitney’s (Washington Drama Club) voice that paves a Red Sea of oddly exciting discourse, or the kids of Hungry Cat Drama Club pulling it up a notch to make themselves be cartoon-like for a story that calls too close to home. Either way, Darrell Guinn has done good job of unraveling a handful of themes to collaborate with a track that’s sole purpose was to be fun for everyone. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, Death To Romanticism has yet to be heard for everyone to experience. - bandwagon asia

The story – okay, the saga – of Your Imaginary Friends began when Bicol native Ahmad Tanji decided to move to Manila to start a new life, and realized he couldn’t live without a band. Prior to that, he attempted to exchange files and ideas with future Your Imaginary Friends drummer Eric Po via email a la Postal Service, but when that didn’t pan out, he decided to fly out here instead. Immediately, he contacted his brother Khalid – a guitarist and Manila-based nurse – and Eric, and jammed the songs he had written back in Bicol. “Those songs sounded like Your Imaginary Friends already,” recalled Ahmad. “Kailangan lang ng dagdag na guitars and all that stuff.”

Gigs soon came, and after one Buzz Nite gig at Club Dredd with the Camerawalls, Clem Castro invited the band to his own Pop Shoppe production, in which they eventually became regular performers. The band also went through a succession of bassists before finally setting on Em Aquino, as well as officially signing with Clem’s Lulystars Record this year. Finally, Your Imaginary Friends’ debut EP, One Dreamy Indeterminate Hum, was released in September.

On the surface, Your Imaginary Friends plays a catchy brand of indie-pop unlike their Lilystars peers, but they’ve seasoned their jangle with a dash of elements unconventional to the genre, like surf rock riffs, an obvious amount of distorted and wah-wah’ed guitars, and, as on “Nikita,” even pained screams. “We come from different musical background,” explains Khalid, who says that he and Ahmad started listening to rock via grunge-era bands like Nirvana, and Sonic Youth. “as you can hear from the EP, there’s this noise thing (going on),” he continues. Em admits to being a Silverchair fan before meeting the other three, while Eric listens to pretty much anything he likes (“If I like that music, I like it, regardless of genre,” he affirms).

As for his lyrics, Ahmad credits his love for Weezer and The Smiths for his tendency to be self-deprecating. “I’m a Rivers Cuomo fan,” says the singer, who also admits to having been “a loser in high school.” “That experience in high school, naiwan siya sa akin masyado, and that’s why there’s always this bittersweet delivery with my words; laging may self-pity.”

The band have a lot to be pleased about nowadays, though, as they have been amassing enough material for a full-length record by polishing old songs, as well as coming up with entirely new ones. “It’s gonna be more of a team effort now when it comes to songwriting, I guess,” says Eric. “Siguro the songs are gonna get a bit angrier, or darker.” The drummer also says that their fans have been clamoring for their new songs to appear in CD form immediately.

“They’re craving for these songs to be on the record, and they want an LP right away,” continues Khalid. “But we need more time. Right now, we’re focused on playing muna. It’s a continuous learning process din kasi. We want to play more and more para mahasa rin, para hindi lang kami matengga nang ganito lang. Tuloy-tuloy ‘yung pagtugtog.” The band members also stress that they want to be more involved in the production of their next record, since Castro and Robert Javier produced their debut EP. “We want to make the material on the (upcoming) LP better than (the songs on) the EP,” he adds.

“Everyone’s writing right now; ‘yun ang maganda,” concludes Ahmad. “Dati kasi ako ‘yung may gawang kanta – ready na siya. May mga ganoon pa rin naman, pero this time, hindi naman siya conscious effort na ganoon; nagkataon lang na lahat talaga nagsusulat na. So (the next record is) gonna sound more like Your Imaginary Friends.” - Pulp Magazine