When you hear a song along the airwaves or from a random Spotify suggestion, chances are you may come across an iconic voice. Whether it may be the earworm type Eraserheads sing-alongs to alternative rock jams from Pupil, Ely Buendia has managed to strike a chord in our collective consciousness as a country of music lovers.
In defining generation after generation with over 30 years in the music scene, his latest endeavor involves defining who Ely Buendia truly is as an artist.
Defining his Career Path
“I’ve never thought of myself in a third person scenario. I’m kind of amorphous, I don’t really like being boxed in any way in my work or as a person.”
With those words, it’s clear that Ely Buendia’s legacy is what defines him the most. From the countless songs in his repertoire to how the wider audience remembers him, most of what we know about him can be summed up by his contributions to our culture.
“I went to music I guess by mistake. It just fell on my lap.”
Ely’s life took a wild turn from visual arts to the sonic arts when the Eraserheads went from just a side gig to a full-on cultural explosion, and that impact is still echoing today.
Defining his Discography
“The goal of doing a solo album is to try to distill everything I’ve learned after different decades, and pin down what an Ely Buendia song should be.”
Navigating his discography can be a daunting task, especially considering the various genres he ventured into. While most people recognize him for his legendary time as Eraserheads’ frontman, having produced 8 albums with the alternative pop-rock group, it’s no surprise that he sought to explore other creative avenues. His desire to evolve and prove himself capable of transforming his passion into fulfilling music led to a plethora of projects that followed.
“Concentrating and focusing on genres allowed me to be more prolific. It helped me to not set a limitation to what I can do.”
Pupil emerged in the mid-to-late 2000s, influenced by Ely’s fervor for modern rock and post-punk. Evolving from inspirations like Elvis Presley to creating The Oktaves in the 2010s, he delved into rockabilly and country. Enter Apartel, a foray into funk and soul, showcasing Ely’s drive to turn passion into tangible art. This move not only expanded the musical palette he served to his audience but also marked a fresh chapter in the ever-evolving soundscape of the scene for the decade.
Entering the 2020s armed with his own record label and complete creative control, it was time for the genre-fluid journeyman to reinvent himself once again.
Defining Ely Buendia
“This is by far my most raw and realistic album. I just wrote how I felt and hopefully there are some themes or ideas there that people can relate to no matter what the age bracket is.”
When crafting his newest album, “Method Adaptor,” age and experience played a crucial role in its creation. Certain aspects of his songwriting process, like setting specific times to write songs and embracing self-isolation, are practices that a younger Ely Buendia wouldn’t have even fathomed doing.
A much more authentic version of himself is to be expected when it comes to each track of the album, drawing from a lifetime of experiences and lessons. Staying true to himself is non-negotiable; he’s not out here trying to please anyone but his own soul, letting his art speak for itself to organically connect with his audience.
Recently, he hosted an album launch event at 123 Block in Mandaluyong, where he debuted live performances of the album’s songs for the first time—a presentation true to the music icon’s vision. The venue was infused with a surreal atmosphere, as longtime fans witnessed a fresh chapter in the rockstar’s journey, and newer fans glimpsed a refined Ely Buendia, shaped by life’s challenges, who has crafted an album that authentically reflects what a creative truly is: communicating and expressing themselves through their art.
Method Adaptor is now available on all streaming platforms, so don’t miss out on experiencing another decade defining endeavor by Ely Buendia.
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