Post by uptowndragon on Aug 10, 2007 19:06:44 GMT 7
Ikon Philippines Winners:
Vina Morales Profile (Solo)
Vina Morales (born 17 October 1975, Bogo, Cebu, Philippines) is a Filipina actress. She played the title role in the film The Sarah Balabagan Story. She is the older sister of teen actress Shaina Magdayao. Like many pop stars in the Philippines, Vina Morales also acts. What distinguishes her from peers is that she has received accolades from both fields. Born on October 17, 1975, as Sharon Marejno, Morales began her career as a child actress in 1986.
However, she never quit singing, performing numerous Filipino standards and Carpenters covers.In 1995, Morales released her debut, Easy to Love. Mostly eschewing the middle-of-the-road arrangements of her contemporaries for more energetic numbers, Morales' first full-length was considered to be a promising musical start. A year later, Morales was selected as Best Female Recording Artist at the Awit Awards, the Philippines' equivalent of the Grammys; Morales' 1999 album No Limit won Best Album of the Year at the Awit Awards.
In 2001, Morales was offered 8-million pesos to appear in an ad for hard liquor; she rejected it. She later almost lost her life when her car crashed into the back of a cement mixer in Quezon City, Philippines. Morales then toured the U.S. with the
Hunks, her co-hosts on the weekly variety series ASAP, one of the highest-rated TV programs in the Philippines. 2001's dance-oriented Total Control surprised Morales' followers by targeting the international market with English songs (all written by Pinoy composers) and sultry, club-ready grooves. Michael Sutton, All Music Guide.
Even as a child growing up in Bogo, Cebu, Sharon Garcia Magdayao a.k.a. Vina Morales knew that she wanted to be a singer. It was nine-year-old Sharon's singing with her church choir that would lead to her big break. The local parish priest, Fr. Fritz Malinao, was also a songwriter. He recognized Sharon's talent and asked her to sing one of his compositions as an entry in the Cebu Pop Music Festival. The song, "Paglaum", ("hope" in Visayan), not only won the Grand Prize but also earned the
"Best Interpreter" award for its young singer.
Sharon and her family were surprised to learn that representatives from Viva Films had seen her performance. They were so impressed with her talents that they immediately offered her a singing and acting contract. The Magdayao family was very supportive of their gifted daughter. They sold everything they had in Cebu and moved to Manila. The family entrusted ten-year-old Sharon's career to Mina del Rosario of Viva Films, who became like a second mother to Sharon. It was Mina who gave Sharon the name Vina, taken from her daughter's name Vina Vanesa. The only problem standing in the way of Vina's acting career was that she only spoke English and Cebuano. But now that she was living in Manila, her Tagalog improved rapidly and she soon made her first movie, Nakagapos na Puso, in which she played the niece of Tonton Gutierrez. The film also starred Vina's idol and namesake, Sharon Cuneta.
In her late teens Vina began taking on more mature roles. She appeared with Robin Padilla in Utol Kong Hoodlum. She starred with Ariel Rivera in Anghel Na Walang Langit. This was a dual role in which Vina played two lookalike young women with very different personalities. One of Vina's most challenging and controversial roles was that of Sarah Balabagan, the young Muslim domestic helper from Mindanao who killed her employer in United Arab Emirates after he raped her. For a while it seemed
like The Sarah Balabagan Story might never be shown publicly, after the UAR government objected to the way Muslim life was depicted in some scenes. It was finally allowed to be shown and earned Vina three Best Actress nominations.
While Vina's acting career flourished, she also kept up with her singing, continuing to record albums and perform in live concerts. Her latest album, released in March 2004, is a collection of love songs entitled Mamahalin Ka Niya. Vina co-wrote the lyrics of one song, "Paano Kaya Magtatagpo? ", with good friend Piolo Pascual. Their busy schedules did not allow them to meet in person, so they wrote the lyrics through texting! The music was then composed by Arnel de Pano. Later Vina and Piolo
recorded the song as a duet. Other songs on the album include "Yakapin MoAko", "Pangako" and "Saan Darating ang Umaga". Vina had first sung "Yakapin Mo Ako" when portraying singer Joey Albert on the biographical TV series Maalaala Mo Kaya.
For the past couple of years Vina's career as an international concert artist has really taken off big-time. In 2002 she had a series of shows with Martin Nievera in the US and Canada. She had her own successful mult-city US tour, "Vina Revealed", in the summer of 2003 and is currently in the middle of another one called "Vina's Hot'. Vina doesn't just sing, she also does several high- energy dance numbers at each show, and makes sure to keep physically fit so she can keep up with the demands of such an exhausting schedule. A special honor for Vina was being the first Filipino chosen to sing at the New York International Music Festival, which was held at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas in 2003. She performed five songs and got a long standing ovation. She has a next project for ABS-CBN teleserye Maria Flordeluna. where she played her role as Elvira, the mother of Maria Flordeluna, played by Eliza Pineda.
Vina hit the headlines in last few months of 2006 when Filipino model and political scion Borgy Manotoc revealed in a popular radio talk show that Vina was among the Filipino showbiz personalities with whom he had sex with. Vina, however, vehemently denied Manotoc's claim.
DISCOGRAPHY
Agos ng Buhay
Alam Mo Ba?
Ayaw Sa'yo Ng Mommy Ko
Bakit Ba Kita Nakilala Pa
Break Of Dawn
Dalangin sa Pasko
Dance My Music
Even If
Feels So Nice
Four Seasons
Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan
Gusto Kita
Hoy Lalake
14.1 Didn't Know Love
15.1 Wont't Be Far Away
Ikaw Ang Kulang Sa Puso Ko
Isang Ulit Man Lang
Kadenang Bulaklak
Kahit Man Lang Sa Pangarap
Kailan Kita Muling Mahahagkan
21. NaritoLangAko
Nung Una Pa Lamang
On The Floor
Otra Vez
Paano King Wala Ka Na
Pillow
Sabi Nila
Sala Sa Init, Sala Sa Lamig
Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga
So Much In Love
You, You Are The One
Kwjan Profile (Group)
Vocals - Marc Abaya
Bass - Kelley Mangahas
Guitar/ Percussion/ Vocals - Jorel Corpus
Drums/ Vocals - Jhoon Balbuena
Guitar/ Vocals - Boogie Romero
Kjwan started as a four piece band from Manila that consists of Marc Abaya, Kelley Mangahas, Jorel Corpus, and Jhoon Balbuena, who wrote, recorded and co-produced their self titled album. Then guitarist, Boogie Romero, joined the band after the release of the self-titled album.
KJWAN burst onto the scene in 2003. They came down hard, raw, in your face, and coined the now-familiar catchphrase, "Bastusan na!" to signal some heavy rocking. Their hit song, "Daliri," became an anthem to a new generation of rockers and being true to yourself became the order of the day. Three years later, at the height of the new music renaissance, Kjwan is braving a second album, 2 Step Marv, which promises to be many things more than their first.
Starting Out
Long-time friends and former high school band-mates Marc Abaya (vocals) and Kelley Mangahas (bass) got together with fellow Ateneans Jorel Corpus (guitar) and J-hoon Balbuena (drums) to form the band's initial lineup. They were joined in 2004 by Boogie Romero (second guitar), another high school friend and former band-mate of Marc and Kelley, soon after the release of their self-titled debut album.
Kjwan was nominated for Favorite New Artist at the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards 2005 for their breakthrough single "Daliri." The song appealed to rock listeners who were fans of A Perfect Circle, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, and grunge bands that defined early 90s rock. The first one was a venture among good friends. Eventually, we wanted to form the ultimate band, I mean, every kid in college, everyone in high school wants to form the ultimate band. We started off as great
friends and musicians who respect each other. The first album was very raw, very the-four-of-us-in-your-face with our ideas, not as whole or as focused as the new album. (Marc Abaya)
New influences, besides rock, have inspired Kjwan. J-Hoon, who didn't grow up listening to rock, introduced his bandmates to music he was originally interested in, jazz, drum 'n bass and electronica. This plus Kelley's RnB, hiphop and emo punk inspirations, JorePs recent interest in samba percussion, and the band's original rock orientation were the diverse elements that inspired Kjwan's collective songwriting for 2 Step Marv.
Learning Process
With 2 Step Marv, Kjwan got to exercise their other "muscles". Each of them was involved in the creative processes, from songwriting, recording, mixing, packaging, down to the video production of the first single "Pintura" (directed by Maria Ancheta of Up Dharma Down's "Pag-agos"). Guitarist Jorel also had the opportunity to incorporate his samba percussion skills in a couple of the songs ("Invitation" and "One Look") while drummer J-hoon did some of the track programming. With the addition of a second guitar, it also became an important learning process for both Boogie and Jorel (who were both used to being the only guitarist in a band) to put their heads together and cooperate in order to come up with different but complementary guitar parts, while each still retained his own playing style.
Band of Brothers
Marc, who writes almost all the words of Kjwan, points out that in writing, it is easy for him to bare his soul to his bandmates, without fear or insecurity. This open friendship is a big factor contributing to the maturity and confidence of the new album. "This band is composed of my brothers.," he says.
A New Sound
If the first album was a simpler matter of coming out, the two-year journey of making 2 Step Mary was a more complicated matter of growing up¡Xmusically. They were able to craft better songs, hone individual skills, introduce new musical elements to their primarily rock sound, and put more thought, heart and soul into their new sound.
The second album was a long process, over a year's worth of writing, writing songs, jamming, fighting, recording, everything, it was one whole year of figuring out how they we're gonna go from the first album, how they were gonna sound on the second. It's also an influence of what that have been listening to, what they have been hearing, exploring since the first album.
Ikon Indonesian Winners:
Judika Profile (Solo)
Name : Judika Nalon Abadi Sihontang
D.O.B : 31 August 1978
Age : 29
Album History : One, 2005
Achievement : 2004 - 2nd Runner Up Akademi Fantasia
: 2005 - Anugerah ERA Duo/Kumpulan Pilihan & Muzik Video Pilihan
JUDIKA, runner-up Indonesian Idol musim kedua, akhirnya merilis debut albumnya yang amat dinantikan. Album bertajuk ONE ini diproduseri oleh Jan Djuhana dan Aden Satria Dharma juga melibatkan composer terbaik seperti Dewiq, Art Bias, Harry Budiman, Andi Rianto dan James F. Sundah serta arranger seperti Pay dan Bongky. Lagu-lagu yang ditampilkan berisikan elemen Sweet Rock, Jamaica Reggae, Acapella hingga Pop Ballad. "Kehormatan bagi saya bisa bekerja dengan orang-orang besar. Dan album ini adalah satu dari cita-cita saya yang baru terwujud," ucap si pemilik nama lengkap Judika Nalon Abadi Sihotang.
Anak Ajaib Dari Medan
Kesuksesan Judika di pentas tarik suara bukanlah sekejap mata. Judika lahir di Sidakalang, Sumatera Utara pada 31 Agustus 1978. la adalah anak ke-6 dari 7 bersaudara menghabiskan masa kecilnya dengan berbagai macam kegiatan. Bakat bernyanyinya sudah tampak semenjak Judika masih duduk di bangku Sekolah Dasar Inpres di Brastagi. Bahkan ia sempat membuat grup vokal bersama Roy (adik) dan Juneidi (sahabat) Jonathan (sahabat) dan juga dikontrak di sebuah hotel internasional berbintang 5 di Brastagi. Judika kecil tidak puas berbangga hati ketika banyak yang bilang ia punya potensi menjadi bintang. Lantas ia menjajal kemampuannya lewat Bahana Suara Pelajar dan keluar sebagai juara pertama untuk tingkat Sumatera Utara dan cukup puas di posisi ketiga untuk tingkat Nasional.
Saat menginjak bangku kelas dua Sekolah Menengah Atas, Judika memutuskan untuk hijrah dari Brastagi ke Ibukota. Keputusannya ini tak lain adalah untuk mendapat porsi lebih banyak mengikuti festival-festival tarik suara dibandingkan di luar Jakarta. Sebagai anak luar kota, Judika termotifasi untuk berusaha lebih keras lagi meski terayata persaingan di Jakarta tidaklah semudah yang ia bayangkan. Hampir patah arang ketika banyak festival yang ia ikuti tak satupun bisa ditaklukannya. Hingga akhirnya ia ditemukan oleh Chris Pattikawa, talent scout yang sukses melahirkan AB Three, ketika ia menjuari ajang Asia Bagus di Singapura tahun 1998. Chris Pattikawa kemudian merekrutnya ke dalam grup vokal bernama Antero Boys. Lewat grup vokal inilah karir Judika semakin sukses. Berbagai penghargaanpun disabetnya hingga satu yang paling berkesan ketika ia bersama Antero Boys memenangkan Cerbul De Aur Song Festival di Rumania 2000.
Si anak ajaib dari Medan ini semakin d**enal khalayak ketika menjadi finalis 12 besar ajang bergengsi Indonesian Idol 2. Penyuka lagu-lagu melankolis Bryan Adams dan Michael Bolton ini tampil penuh percaya diri membawakan lagu-lagu berbagai genre. Meski menjadi runner-up, Judika boleh bersenang hati karena satu dari impiannya segera terwujud, yaitu memiliki sebuah album sendiri.
ONE, Satu Dari Sekian Cita-Cita Judika
"Aku pilih judul One karena punya album adalah satu dari cita-citaku yang tercapai. Dan album ini adalah langkah pertama buat aku untuk semakin menekuni bidang tarik suara," tandas Judika. One menampilkan 10 buah lagu yang digarap oleh orang-orang handal. Proses yang panjang untuk menyiapkan album Judika ini tak membuat Judika menjadi jenuh. Justru Judika mempunyai banyak waktu untuk mendalami makna lagu demi lagu yang diberikan oleh para composernya. "Di lagu "Malaikat" aku sempat banyak ngobrol dengan mba Dewiq sebelum take vocal. Lewat proses ini, aku jadi makin tahu maksud dari lagu yang ditulisnya sehingga memudahkan aku untuk pendalaman lirik lagunya," cerita Judika tentang lagu yang sejatinya berjudul "Malaikat Vs Setan". "Lagu ini gue banget dan semua orang pasti pernah merasakan kebimbangan yang sama. Perseteruan di hati antara yang baik dan buruk," lanjutnya.
Album ini menjagokan lagu "Bukan Rayuan Gombal" yang ditulis oleh Aris. "Sebenarnya aku bukanlah orang yang pandai merangkai kata-kata romantis, inginnya sih langsung saja dan lagu BRG ini bisa menyampaikan maksud hatiku dengan langsung," paparnya. Lagu ini menonjolkan vokal nge-rock Judika yang berpadu dengan raungan gitar yang dimainkan Pay. Judika juga mengajak rekan-rekannya Penta Boyz (grup reinkarnasi dari Antero Boys) untuk ikut menyanyikan sebuah lagu lawas gubahan James F. Sundah, "Astaga". Lagu ini dibuat semi acapella dengan dominasi warna Jamaica Reggae. Ada Maya 'Idol' yang hadir di bridge dan backing vocal lagu "Bukan Untuk Dimengerti" karya Harry Budiman. Reffrain lagu-lagunya cukup catchy dan keseluruhan liriknya bermakna cukup mendalam.
Tahta Profile (Group)
Satu lagi band pendatang barn pengusung bendera pop kreatif yang unjuk gigi meramaikan peta musik pop Indonesia. TAHTA, band dengan 6 (enam) orang persoli anak muda asal Kota Kembang, Bandung, yaitu Phewe (vocal), Obbie (gitar), Nasa (gitar), Teo (keyboard), Ihsan (bass) dan Mahe (drum). Berangkat dari bakat dan kecintaan yang mendalam terhadap musik maka berdirilah TAHTA pada tanggal 18 April 2004. Band yang awalnya dibentuk oleh Ihsan dan Mahe dan sempat mengalami beberapa kali pergantian nama. Namun nama TAHTA -lah yang akhirnya disepakati bersama setelah band ini dirangkui oleh EMI Music Indonesia.
Album perdana bertajuk "TEMPAT YANG PALING INDAH", masih berkaitan dengan nama TAHTA itu sendiri: Tahta yang didentikkan sebagai suatu tempat yang paling indah, juga keinginan kru Tahta untuk ber'tahta' dihati masyarakat.
Single pertama mereka, Aku Masih Disini merupakan single pertama dari album "TEMPAT YANG PALING INDAH", menceritakan pengorbangan hubungan jarak jauh sepasang kekasih yang sedang dimabuk asmara. Berlokasi di landasan pesawat bandara Soekamo-Hatta, akhir Juli 2006 lalu videoklipnya digarap oleh sutradara Glen Kainama dari Atmosphere Production. Sebelumnya diawal tahun 2006, sebagai debut TAHTA dalam menjajaki dunia musik tanah air, single "DASAR PENGECUT" dipercaya sebagai single utama dalam Original Sound Track (OST) dari film remaja D'Girlz Begins yang lagunya memiliki cara penyampaian dan lirik yang unik tentang seorang cowok yang takut sakit hati sekaligus mengungkapkan kekecewaan seorang cowok yang menyukai seorang cewek yang sudah punya kekasih, namun sang cewek masih juga memberi harapan kepada si cowok. Videoklipnya digarap oleh Farid Dharmawan dari 311 Production. Tidak tanggung-tanggung, album yang disponsori oleh LA Lights ini didukung oleh musisi-musisi ternama seperti Edi Kemput. Lagu Tempat Yang Paling Indah dan Bintang pun mendapat retouch tersendiri dari pentolan Dewa 19, Ahmad Dhani. Dibulan September dan November 2006 TAHTAbersama LA Lights akan menggelar tour di beberapa kampus dan cafe di Jakarta.
Vina Morales Profile (Solo)
Vina Morales (born 17 October 1975, Bogo, Cebu, Philippines) is a Filipina actress. She played the title role in the film The Sarah Balabagan Story. She is the older sister of teen actress Shaina Magdayao. Like many pop stars in the Philippines, Vina Morales also acts. What distinguishes her from peers is that she has received accolades from both fields. Born on October 17, 1975, as Sharon Marejno, Morales began her career as a child actress in 1986.
However, she never quit singing, performing numerous Filipino standards and Carpenters covers.In 1995, Morales released her debut, Easy to Love. Mostly eschewing the middle-of-the-road arrangements of her contemporaries for more energetic numbers, Morales' first full-length was considered to be a promising musical start. A year later, Morales was selected as Best Female Recording Artist at the Awit Awards, the Philippines' equivalent of the Grammys; Morales' 1999 album No Limit won Best Album of the Year at the Awit Awards.
In 2001, Morales was offered 8-million pesos to appear in an ad for hard liquor; she rejected it. She later almost lost her life when her car crashed into the back of a cement mixer in Quezon City, Philippines. Morales then toured the U.S. with the
Hunks, her co-hosts on the weekly variety series ASAP, one of the highest-rated TV programs in the Philippines. 2001's dance-oriented Total Control surprised Morales' followers by targeting the international market with English songs (all written by Pinoy composers) and sultry, club-ready grooves. Michael Sutton, All Music Guide.
Even as a child growing up in Bogo, Cebu, Sharon Garcia Magdayao a.k.a. Vina Morales knew that she wanted to be a singer. It was nine-year-old Sharon's singing with her church choir that would lead to her big break. The local parish priest, Fr. Fritz Malinao, was also a songwriter. He recognized Sharon's talent and asked her to sing one of his compositions as an entry in the Cebu Pop Music Festival. The song, "Paglaum", ("hope" in Visayan), not only won the Grand Prize but also earned the
"Best Interpreter" award for its young singer.
Sharon and her family were surprised to learn that representatives from Viva Films had seen her performance. They were so impressed with her talents that they immediately offered her a singing and acting contract. The Magdayao family was very supportive of their gifted daughter. They sold everything they had in Cebu and moved to Manila. The family entrusted ten-year-old Sharon's career to Mina del Rosario of Viva Films, who became like a second mother to Sharon. It was Mina who gave Sharon the name Vina, taken from her daughter's name Vina Vanesa. The only problem standing in the way of Vina's acting career was that she only spoke English and Cebuano. But now that she was living in Manila, her Tagalog improved rapidly and she soon made her first movie, Nakagapos na Puso, in which she played the niece of Tonton Gutierrez. The film also starred Vina's idol and namesake, Sharon Cuneta.
In her late teens Vina began taking on more mature roles. She appeared with Robin Padilla in Utol Kong Hoodlum. She starred with Ariel Rivera in Anghel Na Walang Langit. This was a dual role in which Vina played two lookalike young women with very different personalities. One of Vina's most challenging and controversial roles was that of Sarah Balabagan, the young Muslim domestic helper from Mindanao who killed her employer in United Arab Emirates after he raped her. For a while it seemed
like The Sarah Balabagan Story might never be shown publicly, after the UAR government objected to the way Muslim life was depicted in some scenes. It was finally allowed to be shown and earned Vina three Best Actress nominations.
While Vina's acting career flourished, she also kept up with her singing, continuing to record albums and perform in live concerts. Her latest album, released in March 2004, is a collection of love songs entitled Mamahalin Ka Niya. Vina co-wrote the lyrics of one song, "Paano Kaya Magtatagpo? ", with good friend Piolo Pascual. Their busy schedules did not allow them to meet in person, so they wrote the lyrics through texting! The music was then composed by Arnel de Pano. Later Vina and Piolo
recorded the song as a duet. Other songs on the album include "Yakapin MoAko", "Pangako" and "Saan Darating ang Umaga". Vina had first sung "Yakapin Mo Ako" when portraying singer Joey Albert on the biographical TV series Maalaala Mo Kaya.
For the past couple of years Vina's career as an international concert artist has really taken off big-time. In 2002 she had a series of shows with Martin Nievera in the US and Canada. She had her own successful mult-city US tour, "Vina Revealed", in the summer of 2003 and is currently in the middle of another one called "Vina's Hot'. Vina doesn't just sing, she also does several high- energy dance numbers at each show, and makes sure to keep physically fit so she can keep up with the demands of such an exhausting schedule. A special honor for Vina was being the first Filipino chosen to sing at the New York International Music Festival, which was held at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas in 2003. She performed five songs and got a long standing ovation. She has a next project for ABS-CBN teleserye Maria Flordeluna. where she played her role as Elvira, the mother of Maria Flordeluna, played by Eliza Pineda.
Vina hit the headlines in last few months of 2006 when Filipino model and political scion Borgy Manotoc revealed in a popular radio talk show that Vina was among the Filipino showbiz personalities with whom he had sex with. Vina, however, vehemently denied Manotoc's claim.
DISCOGRAPHY
Agos ng Buhay
Alam Mo Ba?
Ayaw Sa'yo Ng Mommy Ko
Bakit Ba Kita Nakilala Pa
Break Of Dawn
Dalangin sa Pasko
Dance My Music
Even If
Feels So Nice
Four Seasons
Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan
Gusto Kita
Hoy Lalake
14.1 Didn't Know Love
15.1 Wont't Be Far Away
Ikaw Ang Kulang Sa Puso Ko
Isang Ulit Man Lang
Kadenang Bulaklak
Kahit Man Lang Sa Pangarap
Kailan Kita Muling Mahahagkan
21. NaritoLangAko
Nung Una Pa Lamang
On The Floor
Otra Vez
Paano King Wala Ka Na
Pillow
Sabi Nila
Sala Sa Init, Sala Sa Lamig
Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga
So Much In Love
You, You Are The One
Kwjan Profile (Group)
Vocals - Marc Abaya
Bass - Kelley Mangahas
Guitar/ Percussion/ Vocals - Jorel Corpus
Drums/ Vocals - Jhoon Balbuena
Guitar/ Vocals - Boogie Romero
Kjwan started as a four piece band from Manila that consists of Marc Abaya, Kelley Mangahas, Jorel Corpus, and Jhoon Balbuena, who wrote, recorded and co-produced their self titled album. Then guitarist, Boogie Romero, joined the band after the release of the self-titled album.
KJWAN burst onto the scene in 2003. They came down hard, raw, in your face, and coined the now-familiar catchphrase, "Bastusan na!" to signal some heavy rocking. Their hit song, "Daliri," became an anthem to a new generation of rockers and being true to yourself became the order of the day. Three years later, at the height of the new music renaissance, Kjwan is braving a second album, 2 Step Marv, which promises to be many things more than their first.
Starting Out
Long-time friends and former high school band-mates Marc Abaya (vocals) and Kelley Mangahas (bass) got together with fellow Ateneans Jorel Corpus (guitar) and J-hoon Balbuena (drums) to form the band's initial lineup. They were joined in 2004 by Boogie Romero (second guitar), another high school friend and former band-mate of Marc and Kelley, soon after the release of their self-titled debut album.
Kjwan was nominated for Favorite New Artist at the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards 2005 for their breakthrough single "Daliri." The song appealed to rock listeners who were fans of A Perfect Circle, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, and grunge bands that defined early 90s rock. The first one was a venture among good friends. Eventually, we wanted to form the ultimate band, I mean, every kid in college, everyone in high school wants to form the ultimate band. We started off as great
friends and musicians who respect each other. The first album was very raw, very the-four-of-us-in-your-face with our ideas, not as whole or as focused as the new album. (Marc Abaya)
New influences, besides rock, have inspired Kjwan. J-Hoon, who didn't grow up listening to rock, introduced his bandmates to music he was originally interested in, jazz, drum 'n bass and electronica. This plus Kelley's RnB, hiphop and emo punk inspirations, JorePs recent interest in samba percussion, and the band's original rock orientation were the diverse elements that inspired Kjwan's collective songwriting for 2 Step Marv.
Learning Process
With 2 Step Marv, Kjwan got to exercise their other "muscles". Each of them was involved in the creative processes, from songwriting, recording, mixing, packaging, down to the video production of the first single "Pintura" (directed by Maria Ancheta of Up Dharma Down's "Pag-agos"). Guitarist Jorel also had the opportunity to incorporate his samba percussion skills in a couple of the songs ("Invitation" and "One Look") while drummer J-hoon did some of the track programming. With the addition of a second guitar, it also became an important learning process for both Boogie and Jorel (who were both used to being the only guitarist in a band) to put their heads together and cooperate in order to come up with different but complementary guitar parts, while each still retained his own playing style.
Band of Brothers
Marc, who writes almost all the words of Kjwan, points out that in writing, it is easy for him to bare his soul to his bandmates, without fear or insecurity. This open friendship is a big factor contributing to the maturity and confidence of the new album. "This band is composed of my brothers.," he says.
A New Sound
If the first album was a simpler matter of coming out, the two-year journey of making 2 Step Mary was a more complicated matter of growing up¡Xmusically. They were able to craft better songs, hone individual skills, introduce new musical elements to their primarily rock sound, and put more thought, heart and soul into their new sound.
The second album was a long process, over a year's worth of writing, writing songs, jamming, fighting, recording, everything, it was one whole year of figuring out how they we're gonna go from the first album, how they were gonna sound on the second. It's also an influence of what that have been listening to, what they have been hearing, exploring since the first album.
Ikon Indonesian Winners:
Judika Profile (Solo)
Name : Judika Nalon Abadi Sihontang
D.O.B : 31 August 1978
Age : 29
Album History : One, 2005
Achievement : 2004 - 2nd Runner Up Akademi Fantasia
: 2005 - Anugerah ERA Duo/Kumpulan Pilihan & Muzik Video Pilihan
JUDIKA, runner-up Indonesian Idol musim kedua, akhirnya merilis debut albumnya yang amat dinantikan. Album bertajuk ONE ini diproduseri oleh Jan Djuhana dan Aden Satria Dharma juga melibatkan composer terbaik seperti Dewiq, Art Bias, Harry Budiman, Andi Rianto dan James F. Sundah serta arranger seperti Pay dan Bongky. Lagu-lagu yang ditampilkan berisikan elemen Sweet Rock, Jamaica Reggae, Acapella hingga Pop Ballad. "Kehormatan bagi saya bisa bekerja dengan orang-orang besar. Dan album ini adalah satu dari cita-cita saya yang baru terwujud," ucap si pemilik nama lengkap Judika Nalon Abadi Sihotang.
Anak Ajaib Dari Medan
Kesuksesan Judika di pentas tarik suara bukanlah sekejap mata. Judika lahir di Sidakalang, Sumatera Utara pada 31 Agustus 1978. la adalah anak ke-6 dari 7 bersaudara menghabiskan masa kecilnya dengan berbagai macam kegiatan. Bakat bernyanyinya sudah tampak semenjak Judika masih duduk di bangku Sekolah Dasar Inpres di Brastagi. Bahkan ia sempat membuat grup vokal bersama Roy (adik) dan Juneidi (sahabat) Jonathan (sahabat) dan juga dikontrak di sebuah hotel internasional berbintang 5 di Brastagi. Judika kecil tidak puas berbangga hati ketika banyak yang bilang ia punya potensi menjadi bintang. Lantas ia menjajal kemampuannya lewat Bahana Suara Pelajar dan keluar sebagai juara pertama untuk tingkat Sumatera Utara dan cukup puas di posisi ketiga untuk tingkat Nasional.
Saat menginjak bangku kelas dua Sekolah Menengah Atas, Judika memutuskan untuk hijrah dari Brastagi ke Ibukota. Keputusannya ini tak lain adalah untuk mendapat porsi lebih banyak mengikuti festival-festival tarik suara dibandingkan di luar Jakarta. Sebagai anak luar kota, Judika termotifasi untuk berusaha lebih keras lagi meski terayata persaingan di Jakarta tidaklah semudah yang ia bayangkan. Hampir patah arang ketika banyak festival yang ia ikuti tak satupun bisa ditaklukannya. Hingga akhirnya ia ditemukan oleh Chris Pattikawa, talent scout yang sukses melahirkan AB Three, ketika ia menjuari ajang Asia Bagus di Singapura tahun 1998. Chris Pattikawa kemudian merekrutnya ke dalam grup vokal bernama Antero Boys. Lewat grup vokal inilah karir Judika semakin sukses. Berbagai penghargaanpun disabetnya hingga satu yang paling berkesan ketika ia bersama Antero Boys memenangkan Cerbul De Aur Song Festival di Rumania 2000.
Si anak ajaib dari Medan ini semakin d**enal khalayak ketika menjadi finalis 12 besar ajang bergengsi Indonesian Idol 2. Penyuka lagu-lagu melankolis Bryan Adams dan Michael Bolton ini tampil penuh percaya diri membawakan lagu-lagu berbagai genre. Meski menjadi runner-up, Judika boleh bersenang hati karena satu dari impiannya segera terwujud, yaitu memiliki sebuah album sendiri.
ONE, Satu Dari Sekian Cita-Cita Judika
"Aku pilih judul One karena punya album adalah satu dari cita-citaku yang tercapai. Dan album ini adalah langkah pertama buat aku untuk semakin menekuni bidang tarik suara," tandas Judika. One menampilkan 10 buah lagu yang digarap oleh orang-orang handal. Proses yang panjang untuk menyiapkan album Judika ini tak membuat Judika menjadi jenuh. Justru Judika mempunyai banyak waktu untuk mendalami makna lagu demi lagu yang diberikan oleh para composernya. "Di lagu "Malaikat" aku sempat banyak ngobrol dengan mba Dewiq sebelum take vocal. Lewat proses ini, aku jadi makin tahu maksud dari lagu yang ditulisnya sehingga memudahkan aku untuk pendalaman lirik lagunya," cerita Judika tentang lagu yang sejatinya berjudul "Malaikat Vs Setan". "Lagu ini gue banget dan semua orang pasti pernah merasakan kebimbangan yang sama. Perseteruan di hati antara yang baik dan buruk," lanjutnya.
Album ini menjagokan lagu "Bukan Rayuan Gombal" yang ditulis oleh Aris. "Sebenarnya aku bukanlah orang yang pandai merangkai kata-kata romantis, inginnya sih langsung saja dan lagu BRG ini bisa menyampaikan maksud hatiku dengan langsung," paparnya. Lagu ini menonjolkan vokal nge-rock Judika yang berpadu dengan raungan gitar yang dimainkan Pay. Judika juga mengajak rekan-rekannya Penta Boyz (grup reinkarnasi dari Antero Boys) untuk ikut menyanyikan sebuah lagu lawas gubahan James F. Sundah, "Astaga". Lagu ini dibuat semi acapella dengan dominasi warna Jamaica Reggae. Ada Maya 'Idol' yang hadir di bridge dan backing vocal lagu "Bukan Untuk Dimengerti" karya Harry Budiman. Reffrain lagu-lagunya cukup catchy dan keseluruhan liriknya bermakna cukup mendalam.
Tahta Profile (Group)
Satu lagi band pendatang barn pengusung bendera pop kreatif yang unjuk gigi meramaikan peta musik pop Indonesia. TAHTA, band dengan 6 (enam) orang persoli anak muda asal Kota Kembang, Bandung, yaitu Phewe (vocal), Obbie (gitar), Nasa (gitar), Teo (keyboard), Ihsan (bass) dan Mahe (drum). Berangkat dari bakat dan kecintaan yang mendalam terhadap musik maka berdirilah TAHTA pada tanggal 18 April 2004. Band yang awalnya dibentuk oleh Ihsan dan Mahe dan sempat mengalami beberapa kali pergantian nama. Namun nama TAHTA -lah yang akhirnya disepakati bersama setelah band ini dirangkui oleh EMI Music Indonesia.
Album perdana bertajuk "TEMPAT YANG PALING INDAH", masih berkaitan dengan nama TAHTA itu sendiri: Tahta yang didentikkan sebagai suatu tempat yang paling indah, juga keinginan kru Tahta untuk ber'tahta' dihati masyarakat.
Single pertama mereka, Aku Masih Disini merupakan single pertama dari album "TEMPAT YANG PALING INDAH", menceritakan pengorbangan hubungan jarak jauh sepasang kekasih yang sedang dimabuk asmara. Berlokasi di landasan pesawat bandara Soekamo-Hatta, akhir Juli 2006 lalu videoklipnya digarap oleh sutradara Glen Kainama dari Atmosphere Production. Sebelumnya diawal tahun 2006, sebagai debut TAHTA dalam menjajaki dunia musik tanah air, single "DASAR PENGECUT" dipercaya sebagai single utama dalam Original Sound Track (OST) dari film remaja D'Girlz Begins yang lagunya memiliki cara penyampaian dan lirik yang unik tentang seorang cowok yang takut sakit hati sekaligus mengungkapkan kekecewaan seorang cowok yang menyukai seorang cewek yang sudah punya kekasih, namun sang cewek masih juga memberi harapan kepada si cowok. Videoklipnya digarap oleh Farid Dharmawan dari 311 Production. Tidak tanggung-tanggung, album yang disponsori oleh LA Lights ini didukung oleh musisi-musisi ternama seperti Edi Kemput. Lagu Tempat Yang Paling Indah dan Bintang pun mendapat retouch tersendiri dari pentolan Dewa 19, Ahmad Dhani. Dibulan September dan November 2006 TAHTAbersama LA Lights akan menggelar tour di beberapa kampus dan cafe di Jakarta.
