One Click Straight—Sam Marquez, Tim Marquez, Toffer Marquez, and Joel Cartera—share their experiences as a band of brothers making music and creating rad times.
Making music non-stop and exploring the euphonious world together helped them grow as musicians and as a band. Through mere listening, continuously creating, experimentation, and mastery of craft—these four dudes were able to create an album that they are extremely proud of: their self-titled album, One Click Straight.
Who’s One Click Straight, you may ask? Well, it’s just Sam (lead guitar, vocals, usual frontman), Tim (drums, vocal head producer, vocals), Toffer (bass, vocals), and Joel (rhythm guitar, percussions) making music that for them is heartfelt, true, and genuine.
“We are a band that is trying to push culture in every aspect...We are a band that is trying to have a RAD time and we are trying to share this radness with everybody who’s willing to go through RAD times with us.”
These 4 rad dudes have been together for so long, starting from back when they were kids.
Collectively, they’ve gone through lots of ups and downs, heartfelt and hilarious moments, chill and ecstatic times—creating a kaleidoscopic adventure and a chunk of childlike whimsy that they bring with them as they grow older.
They even shared that coming up with their band name has been a distant memory for them.
“It’s equivalent to [being] a kid…gumawa ka ng first email mo tapos it’s dragonforce-triple-x-waaah-fire-and-ice. And then ginamit mo siya all the way through work. ‘Yung nasa office ka na pero ganun pa rin ‘yung email. And you don’t know where it came from.” Sam, their usual frontrunner, shares.
Legend has it that Tim woke up one day and snappily said, “Alam ko na band name natin: ONE CLICK STRAIGHT.” And then the rest is history.
One Click Straight—Sam Marquez, Tim Marquez, Toffer Marquez, and Joel Cartera—share their experiences as a band of brothers making music and creating rad times.
Making music non-stop and exploring the euphonious world together helped them grow as musicians and as a band. Through mere listening, continuously creating, experimentation, and mastery of craft—these four dudes were able to create an album that they are extremely proud of: their self-titled album, One Click Straight.
Who’s One Click Straight, you may ask? Well, it’s just Sam (lead guitar, vocals, usual frontman), Tim (drums, vocal head producer, vocals), Toffer (bass, vocals), and Joel (rhythm guitar, percussions) making music that for them is heartfelt, true, and genuine.
“We are a band that is trying to push culture in every aspect...We are a band that is trying to have a RAD time and we are trying to share this radness with everybody who’s willing to go through RAD times with us.”
These 4 rad dudes have been together for so long, starting from back when they were kids.
Collectively, they’ve gone through lots of ups and downs, heartfelt and hilarious moments, chill and ecstatic times—creating a kaleidoscopic adventure and a chunk of childlike whimsy that they bring with them as they grow older.
They even shared that coming up with their band name has been a distant memory for them.
“It’s equivalent to [being] a kid…gumawa ka ng first email mo tapos it’s dragonforce-triple-x-waaah-fire-and-ice. And then ginamit mo siya all the way through work. ‘Yung nasa office ka na pero ganun pa rin ‘yung email. And you don’t know where it came from.” Sam, their usual frontrunner, shares.
Legend has it that Tim woke up one day and snappily said, “Alam ko na band name natin: ONE CLICK STRAIGHT.” And then the rest is history.
Anyone’s identity is personal. It encompasses a spectrum of things closest to one’s heart and fervors. And although identities evolve as we live and breathe—it definitely shows the world what we believe in, who we love, and how we express ourselves.
And this is why One Click Straight’s sophomore album is so personal to them. The album is self-titled because they are talking about their identity. And they’re trying to fight for their identity.
“It’s an album for all the people who have lost themselves with all the pressure that’s around them. And finally decided to stand up and not bend.” Tim, their drummer, shares.
It’s an album that fights for something real.
Tim shared that this is the first time that One Click Straight really stood their ground—saying “We’re not gonna bend, kahit konti hindi.” They shared that they wanted to do something so pure to them as a band. And they’re proud of what they did.
Listen to Wake Me Up by One Click Straight here.
Anyone’s identity is personal. It encompasses a spectrum of things closest to one’s heart and fervors. And although identities evolve as we live and breathe—it definitely shows the world what we believe in, who we love, and how we express ourselves.
And this is why One Click Straight’s sophomore album is so personal to them. The album is self-titled because they are talking about their identity. And they’re trying to fight for their identity.
“It’s an album for all the people who have lost themselves with all the pressure that’s around them. And finally decided to stand up and not bend.” Tim, their drummer, shares.
It’s an album that fights for something real.
Tim shared that this is the first time that One Click Straight really stood their ground—saying “We’re not gonna bend, kahit konti hindi.” They shared that they wanted to do something so pure to them as a band. And they’re proud of what they did.
Listen to Wake Me Up by One Click Straight here.
One Click Straight’s self-titled album was 4 years in the making. They have definitely exposed themselves to different kinds of music, ruffled amongst chaos and pauses, and kept on composing in search of their voices—especially amidst the pandemic.
“When we were growing up a little [as a band], nangyari pa ‘yung pandemic—there were no gigs, no hype, we were left to our own devices na parang: What is the band? What do we want to write about? Who are we and why are we writing in the first place?” Sam shares.
One Click Straight’s first-ever album, The Midnight Emotion, was released in 2018. But even though there’s a big gap between their debut album and sophomore one, ’twas all part of the process as artists and it was definitely worth it. After all, there’s no deadline for making, releasing, and going back to music.
“We did a couple more EPs—parang stepping stones namin ‘yun in searching. Stepping stones for us to really find ‘yung purpose ng band.. Kaya we saved it. Kaya it took a couple of years before we did the second album.”
They wanted to make everything about the album: the music, lyrics, visuals—to be a reflection of who they are as people. No holds barred.
“We want it to be something that we look back on in our olden age, thinking na ‘Ahh that was the best thing we’ve ever done’ kinda thing.“
And CLAVEL thinks that their album is unquestionably something that they should show off with pride.
One Click Straight’s self-titled album was 4 years in the making. They have definitely exposed themselves to different kinds of music, ruffled amongst chaos and pauses, and kept on composing in search of their voices—especially amidst the pandemic.
“When we were growing up a little [as a band], nangyari pa ‘yung pandemic—there were no gigs, no hype, we were left to our own devices na parang: What is the band? What do we want to write about? Who are we and why are we writing in the first place?” Sam shares.
One Click Straight’s first-ever album, The Midnight Emotion, was released in 2018. But even though there’s a big gap between their debut album and sophomore one, ’twas all part of the process as artists and it was definitely worth it. After all, there’s no deadline for making, releasing, and going back to music.
“We did a couple more EPs—parang stepping stones namin ‘yun in searching. Stepping stones for us to really find ‘yung purpose ng band.. Kaya we saved it. Kaya it took a couple of years before we did the second album.”
They wanted to make everything about the album: the music, lyrics, visuals—to be a reflection of who they are as people. No holds barred.
“We want it to be something that we look back on in our olden age, thinking na ‘Ahh that was the best thing we’ve ever done’ kinda thing.“
And CLAVEL thinks that their album is unquestionably something that they should show off with pride.
Sam, Tim, Toffer, and Joel were hands-on in making the entire One Click Straight album, but with the help of their friends Daniel Monong (Recording Engineer) and Emil Dela Rosa—the experience was more memorable.
The album is untouched in a sense that even down to the tiniest detail of writing, mixing, and all the technical stuff in every track—is personal to One Click Straight. And here are their most memorable moments.
“I think this is the first time na we were making an album na walang gigs or tour. So na-focus lahat ng joy namin when we create something.”—Sam on the joy of creating and listening to their music after it’s finished.
“When you’re making music, when you’re making art—
you’re in a search for magic.”—Tim on having hope from making something out of nothing
“Hitting the perfect notes and perfecting the right singing—‘yung mga character. ‘Pag nagtitinginan kami ni Tim…and we’re like ‘Aaahhh!’”—Toffer on embodying the character of songs and hitting high notes wonderfully
*imagine Tim and Toffer nodding their heads triumphantly to each other after saying “Aaahhh!”*
Tim also shared that his favorite vocal performance [of Toffer] was the recording of Gitna and the second verse of Hahayaan. He shared that it was when Toffer just lets it out. Tim remembers the specific part when he found the magic of Toffer hitting a note amazingly: ”Isang kawalan pala. ‘Yung bridge part. Parang he just screamed his heart out.. Goosebumps kami lahat.”
“After a long week, you get to do stuff like those so parang refreshing siya. Parang it breaks the mundane, the monotony of things. Overall, it’s magical.”—Joel on ending the week with good music and a breather
And certainly, with everything that the band shared, it was truly melodically and musically magical.
Sam, Tim, Toffer, and Joel were hands-on in making the entire One Click Straight album, but with the help of their friends Daniel Monong (Recording Engineer) and Emil Dela Rosa—the experience was more memorable.
The album is untouched in a sense that even down to the tiniest detail of writing, mixing, and all the technical stuff in every track—is personal to One Click Straight. And here are their most memorable moments.
“I think this is the first time na we were making an album na walang gigs or tour. So na-focus lahat ng joy namin when we create something.”—Sam on the joy of creating and listening to their music after it’s finished.
“When you’re making music, when you’re making art—
you’re in a search for magic.”—Tim on having hope from making something out of nothing
“Hitting the perfect notes and perfecting the right singing—‘yung mga character. ‘Pag nagtitinginan kami ni Tim…and we’re like ‘Aaahhh!’”—Toffer on embodying the character of songs and hitting high notes wonderfully
*imagine Tim and Toffer nodding their heads triumphantly to each other after saying “Aaahhh!”*
Tim also shared that his favorite vocal performance [of Toffer] was the recording of Gitna and the second verse of Hahayaan. He shared that it was when Toffer just lets it out. Tim remembers the specific part when he found the magic of Toffer hitting a note amazingly: ”Isang kawalan pala. ‘Yung bridge part. Parang he just screamed his heart out.. Goosebumps kami lahat.”
“After a long week, you get to do stuff like those so parang refreshing siya. Parang it breaks the mundane, the monotony of things. Overall, it’s magical.”—Joel on ending the week with good music and a breather
And certainly, with everything that the band shared, it was truly melodically and musically magical.
CLAVEL asked the band if there was ever a time, especially amidst the pandemic, when they were scared to release music. And of course, as any artist would be, they said yes. Times were hard, especially for a band that considers gigs to be their strength.
They also shared that their band is not privileged enough to go into hibernation. They couldn’t just vanish from the music scene.
“With a band like us, we started from the ground flat... We’re really just are 4 dudes making music. We have to keep on releasing even if walang gigs to back it up.” Sam shares. “Kaya kahit mahirap siya, kahit online lang…we knew that we had to keep on pushing. And it’s in a way, practice for ourselves as well kasi creativity—you can’t let it die.”
Also, talking together, realigning, and knowing what pages they were on as a band are essential for them to move forward. They realized that they didn’t want to stop even if gigs weren’t possible at the time.
“We had to regroup and settle these things now: what would make us happy and what would keep us going? It means: just doing the music thing.”
CLAVEL asked the band if there was ever a time, especially amidst the pandemic, when they were scared to release music. And of course, as any artist would be, they said yes. Times were hard, especially for a band that considers gigs to be their strength.
They also shared that their band is not privileged enough to go into hibernation. They couldn’t just vanish from the music scene.
“With a band like us, we started from the ground flat... We’re really just are 4 dudes making music. We have to keep on releasing even if walang gigs to back it up.” Sam shares. “Kaya kahit mahirap siya, kahit online lang…we knew that we had to keep on pushing. And it’s in a way, practice for ourselves as well kasi creativity—you can’t let it die.”
Also, talking together, realigning, and knowing what pages they were on as a band are essential for them to move forward. They realized that they didn’t want to stop even if gigs weren’t possible at the time.
Releasing their self-titled album was also a risk for them because, for the first time, they braved the unpredictable waters of the music industry and made music for themselves.
They swam against the currents as well as notions of the industry and made music that would make them, as a band, happy—hoping that somehow it would also make someone out there happy and hopeful, too.
They even thought that nobody was listening to their music, so they just let go of all their inhibitions, shook off their doubts, and made rad music.
“Kasi nobody’s listening to us anyway, so might as well do something that we’ll listen to when we’re 50 [years old] and say ‘THAT WAS A RAD TIME WITH MY BOYS!’,” Sam shares.
“We had to regroup and settle these things now: what would make us happy and what would keep us going? It means: just doing the music thing.”
Releasing their self-titled album was also a risk for them because, for the first time, they braved the unpredictable waters of the music industry and made music for themselves.
They swam against the currents as well as notions of the industry and made music that would make them, as a band, happy—hoping that somehow it would also make someone out there happy and hopeful, too.
They even thought that nobody was listening to their music, so they just let go of all their inhibitions, shook off their doubts, and made rad music.
“Kasi nobody’s listening to us anyway, so might as well do something that we’ll listen to when we’re 50 [years old] and say ‘THAT WAS A RAD TIME WITH MY BOYS!’,” Sam shares.
One Click Straight is extremely grateful to all the people who attend their gigs and listen to their music.
*Fun fact: The favorite thing Joel likes to do at gigs is to take a power nap first.
From the outside looking in, these people are “fans” of One Click Straight. But to Sam, Tim, Toffer, and Joel—these people are their friends.
“Anybody who’s with us and sings the songs—sharing the culture we’re spreading sa kanila….We just consider them as friends. In a way, family.”
Since Day 1, One Click Straight has always been all about the music. No doubt that their first listeners were themselves. And now that they have these people who listen with them, they are just in awe.
“We’re just lucky and privileged na, yo, there are some dudes—RAD fellas—who go to the show and sing it na parang song din nila ‘yun…Sobrang thankful kami, super.”
The stories they hear about their songs and knowing that they are able to touch lives with their creations keep them alive, too.
“Sometimes, you’re like…’meron bang may paki or meron ba nakikinig?’ moments. And then when we actually hear their stories, it keeps me going,” Tim shares. “So ‘that’s the best feeling na parang ‘Ah okay, it does have a point.’ It does give us hope in times when we’re hopeless.”
*Fun fact: Toffer likes talking to people after their gigs and asking them how the show was. For him, it’s a great feeling that their band can share experiences with their listeners.
It’s also an awesome feeling to have when they realize that the music they make resonates with what their friends are going through.
“Ang sarap nung feeling na ‘yun sometimes na para kang faceless voidless machine. It doesn’t matter kung kilala kami or hindi, basta ‘yung songs nandoon sa kanila. For me that’s like the raddest thing yet.” Sam shares.
*Fun fact: The favorite thing Sam likes to do at any gig is to join the mosh pit. Sometimes, he likes heckling in between songs, shouting “yayayah!” because it’s funny.
On their self-titled album launch, they did not expect the crowd of supporters that welcomed them. It was overwhelmingly delightful for the band to see this sea of people who were waiting to hear their album live.
*Fun fact: Tim likes everything that happens at gigs. But, as a drummer, he has never experienced crowd-surfing. He hopes that one day he could.
We just did our best…and it was the people talaga. It was the people who kinda made the magic happen.” Tim says.
One Click Straight is extremely grateful to all the people who attend their gigs and listen to their music.
*Fun fact: The favorite thing Joel likes to do at gigs is to take a power nap first.
From the outside looking in, these people are “fans” of One Click Straight. But to Sam, Tim, Toffer, and Joel—these people are their friends.
“Anybody who’s with us and sings the songs—sharing the culture we’re spreading sa kanila….We just consider them as friends. In a way, family.”
Since Day 1, One Click Straight has always been all about the music. No doubt that their first listeners were themselves. And now that they have these people who listen with them, they are just in awe.
“We’re just lucky and privileged na, yo, there are some dudes—RAD fellas—who go to the show and sing it na parang song din nila ‘yun…Sobrang thankful kami, super.”
The stories they hear about their songs and knowing that they are able to touch lives with their creations keep them alive, too.
“Sometimes, you’re like…’meron bang may paki or meron ba nakikinig?’ moments. And then when we actually hear their stories, it keeps me going,” Tim shares. “So ‘that’s the best feeling na parang ‘Ah okay, it does have a point.’ It does give us hope in times when we’re hopeless.”
*Fun fact: Toffer likes talking to people after their gigs and asking them how the show was. For him, it’s a great feeling that their band can share experiences with their listeners.
It’s also an awesome feeling to have when they realize that the music they make resonates with what their friends are going through.
“Ang sarap nung feeling na ‘yun sometimes na para kang faceless voidless machine. It doesn’t matter kung kilala kami or hindi, basta ‘yung songs nandoon sa kanila. For me that’s like the raddest thing yet.” Sam shares.
*Fun fact: The favorite thing Sam likes to do at any gig is to join the mosh pit. Sometimes, he likes heckling in between songs, shouting “yayayah!” because it’s funny.
On their self-titled album launch, they did not expect the crowd of supporters that welcomed them. It was overwhelmingly delightful for the band to see this sea of people who were waiting to hear their album live.
*Fun fact: Tim likes everything that happens at gigs. But, as a drummer, he has never experienced crowd-surfing. He hopes that one day he could.
We just did our best…and it was the people talaga. It was the people who kinda made the magic happen.” Tim says.
In the digital age and the current world filled with convolutions, sometimes it’s difficult to remember our authentic selves. One Click Straight shares that in order for them to stay true to themselves—they have to do constant self-checks while filtering what’s healthy for them and what’s not.
They understand that it’s natural for any human being to find acceptance from others. But most of the time, it’s best to ask yourself and reflect on your actions.
“You have to find the purpose of why you are doing something. And always remind [yourself] everyday.”
“It will always be a mental battle to keep yourself in check…[lalo na] doon sa mga gusto mong gawin talaga, genuinely. So ayun talaga. Kayod, kayod.” Sam continues to tell us. “A good part, really, is filtering out what you have to hear.” Tim also shared this sentiment. They acknowledge that the Internet is part of their lives, especially in 2023. And just like the algorithm on social media, it’s easy to get lost in the whole fiasco. “That For You Page on TikTok? Take care of that For You.” Tim says. “Kasi a lot of random things will come your way na you should do this, you should do that or be like this, be like that—filter that out.” “Whatever is right for you, try your best to filter out the things that are healthy for you. And the things that can help you move forward and be hopeful,” Tim says. “That’s what we are trying to do. That’s what we are trying to achieve with our music: give hope, I guess, for the people who are losing themselves.” At the end of the day, Sam, Tim, Toffer, and Joel—One Click Straight—are happy to share their music, hope, and magic to everyone they meet along this chaotic but beautiful journey their band is on. And no doubt that they’ll continue to live on and tell their friends…to stay rad.
In the digital age and the current world filled with convolutions, sometimes it’s difficult to remember our authentic selves. One Click Straight shares that in order for them to stay true to themselves—they have to do constant self-checks while filtering what’s healthy for them and what’s not.
They understand that it’s natural for any human being to find acceptance from others. But most of the time, it’s best to ask yourself and reflect on your actions.
“You have to find the purpose of why you are doing something. And always remind [yourself] everyday.”
“It will always be a mental battle to keep yourself in check…[lalo na] doon sa mga gusto mong gawin talaga, genuinely. So ayun talaga. Kayod, kayod.” Sam continues to tell us. “A good part, really, is filtering out what you have to hear.” Tim also shared this sentiment. They acknowledge that the Internet is part of their lives, especially in 2023. And just like the algorithm on social media, it’s easy to get lost in the whole fiasco. “That For You Page on TikTok? Take care of that For You.” Tim says. “Kasi a lot of random things will come your way na you should do this, you should do that or be like this, be like that—filter that out.” “Whatever is right for you, try your best to filter out the things that are healthy for you. And the things that can help you move forward and be hopeful,” Tim says. “That’s what we are trying to do. That’s what we are trying to achieve with our music: give hope, I guess, for the people who are losing themselves.” At the end of the day, Sam, Tim, Toffer, and Joel—One Click Straight—are happy to share their music, hope, and magic to everyone they meet along this chaotic but beautiful journey their band is on. And no doubt that they’ll continue to live on and tell their friends…to stay rad.
