Hastang of Yesteryears

Last night, we had a great time in Galen’s studio (Phoenix Glide Recording Studio) — rehearsing and tweaking the last 3 songs for the album.

We opted to take our brainstorming there because Handuraw studio is always full on weekdays. We also wanted to get the “feel” of the instruments — setup and everything in between — for the upcoming recording.

Yes, you heard me right: we will soon be recording our first album in Phoenix Glide.

Galen has offered us a great deal for our production cost. Under this set-up, we won’t be constantly looking at the clock and worrying about the bill. Trust me, it’s a fair deal. (Salamat, bai Galen!) This being our debut album, it is important for us to know that we don’t have any time constraints. We want to focus on the sound of our music; the quality of our product.

After our exhausting 2-hour rehearsal, we sat down with Galen and talked about our schedule. Before I realized it, we have committed to starting next Friday (November 18!). With Gaw’s feng shui advice (something about numbers – huh?) and Tessa’s superstitions (dapat kuno mag-puti, dili mag-itom…tinood ni, mag-puti gyud ta? Kuyawa gud!), we finally formulated a game plan for production.

When YanYan and I got home (after rehearsal, I picked her up from her parents’ house), I told her the good news. I also revealed the doubt that has been gnawing at me since the band meeting: What if people won’t like our songs?

Well (as YanYan reminded me last night), every decision, every choice, every investment is a risk. Life is a risk. I know that. I have used that line too many times. But for some reason, I couldn’t help asking myself numerous questions.

YanYan and I discussed my fears and insecurities while I devoured the chicken salad that she prepared.

But miraculously, after finishing the last piece, I found myself overwhelmed with excitement…with anticipation…and with an eager desire to get started. Daan pa ko! Gutom ra diay to!

Yes, I realized that our dream is finally taking form. This is all that we, as a band, ever wanted.

Hastang was born for the purpose of creating original music. At this time, I have no way of finding out if our songs will be well received by our target audience. And at this point, I am not even too worried about that. What I do know is this: for the first time in our 9 months together, we will finally be able to express our sound and share it with the public.

For the first time, we will finally have something tangible to show for all our hard work.

- makoy

Makoy is a voracious eater, an avid scuba diver, a photography enthusiast, a powerful singer, a self-confessed geek, and a passionate drummer. When he's not slaving in front of the computer or playing percussions for Hastang, he moonlights as a photo blogger in his Trick of Light.
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