7 UP Diliman bands that more people should listen to

People thought that UP only housed brainiacs. Guess what? They’re wrong.

The local band scene is getting wild these days. Independent artists are rising to the stage and taking on the hippest gigs in the metro. Some of them? Well, you can brag that they’re your schoolmates. Yaaaas they’re your fellow Iskos and Iskas. If you aren’t raving or crying to their music yet, well, you should now.

Here are 7 bands to get you started with:

1. Slow Sink

Genre: Folk-Alternative

Photo by Tentay de Leon & Jessa Catedral. Photo taken from Slow Sink's Facebook page

This music project started by Visual Communication student Mark Armas will be sure to sink in slowly to your soul. Created in the early months of 2014, this Folk-Alternative band has delivered numerous songs on board the stages of Mow’s, Exile and such. Slow Sink’s heart-breaking music and genius lyrics were influenced by artists The Civil Wars, Mumford and Sons, Damien Rice, The Head and The Heart and Bob Dylan.

Songs for starters: Karaoke Bar, Figments

2. Mindless Pop

Genre: Pop, Rock

Photo by JR Dalisay. Photo taken from Mindless Pop's Facebook page

Mindless Pop, unlike other bands, is signed. This four-piece band under Continent Records is a constant to UP Student Organization Events. If you haven’t heard yet, one of their songs ranked 79 in Vandals On The Wall’s 100 Essential Filipino Tracks in 2016. Even when asked repeatedly what genre their band plays, they’ll answer “our songs aren't necessarily pop, but hopefully they aren't mindless.”

Songs for starters: Patience, Wonder Why

3. Lamb St.

Genre: Indie-Pop-Rock

Photo by Kamila Arianna C. Garcia. Photo taken from Lamb St.'s Facebook page

Lamb St. is yet another band formed in 2014. This three-piece band’s sound is a reflection of its diverse members – hint of pop, dance, rock and blues. This homegrown band had four members until their bassist left on November of 2016. Nevertheless, Lamb St. never failed to deliver fresh hits. Their latest single “No one else” made it to Jam 88.3’s Fresh Filter segment.

Songs for starters: Highfoxes, Dancing in her mind

4. The Cupcake Alliance

Genre: Multi-genre

Photo by Lean Blas. Photo taken from The Cupcake Alliance's Facebook page

The Cupcake Alliance describe themselves as “a 5-piece multi-genre wanna-be comedy band from the Interstellar Empire of SoS (Spit or Swallow).” This delicious band was formed on October 2015. The Cupcake Alliance’s song titles are mostly about food. For example, we have Shake that banana, and Ang kwek-kwek. With the song titles being mentioned, this band’s lyrics is something to watch out for.

Songs for starters: Mutant chickens, Kwentong UP student

5. The Squibs

Genre: Rock

Photo courtesy of STATUS Magazine. Photo taken from The Squibs' Facebook page

The Squibs is a four-piece rock band that ought to give you the chills. Created in 2011, this band has ever since delivered envy-worthy guitar and drum solos. They have been featured on different magazines and have performed the most gigs considering the others on this list. Their songs will make you wait, I tell you. One song has a minute-long intro but the wait is worth it, trust me.

Songs for starters: Post-Rock, Everything

6. Sofa Sky

Genre: Rock

Photo by Roy Fua. Photo taken from Sofa Sky's Facebook page

This four-piece rock band was only created last November of 2016. Although they’re the youngest band on this list, Sofa Sky’s music will surely get you flying high. They were influenced by international bands Last Dinosaurs, Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes, and local artists namely Ransom Collective and Oh,Flamingo. Sofa Sky had their debut gig in Exile at Main St. With the solid drum beats and guitar rhythms, this band is something to watch out for.

Songs for starters: Wholesale Heart, Treasure Map

7. Hollowburn

Genre: Post-rock, Ambient, Instrumental, Post-metal

Photo by Cielo Concepcion. Photo taken from Hollowburn's Facebook page

Hollowburn is a three-piece band with a member on drums, bass, and guitar. They were created on 2015 with the intent to create musical narratives on human condition. Unlike other bands, Hollowburn’s music live on without lyrics, without vocals. Their sound aims to pierce through the emotions without telling it what emotion to feel specifically.

Songs for starters: What the walls have to say, “A Name, A Prayer”

Of course, this list features only a few of UP Diliman's many upcoming bands. There are any more that we will discover and feature in the following years.