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Kjwançš„ä¸»é http://hk.zorpia.com/Kjwan Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:25 EST Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:25 EST Zorpia.com KJWAN Bio and Synopsis http://hk.zorpia.com/Kjwan/journal/1810279 <div align="center">KJWAN Bio and Synopsis </div> <img width="356" vspace="10" hspace="10" height="237" border="0" align="right" src="http://org25.zorpia.com/0/3775/24160611.14f9e7.jpg" />Kjwan was formed in 2003 through acquaintences in the private Ateneno De Manila Univserity. With an initial affinity towards funk and classic rock music, demos of songs were passed between Marc Abaya, J-Hoon Balbuena, Kelley Mangnahas and Jorel Corpuz. Their first publicity was gained when they entered the compilation of 'school-cheer renditions', in line with the final NCAA basketball season. Taking and nailing the song in a very short amount of time, legendary producer discovered the raw talent, energy and enthusiasm this group has. He later promised to produce Kjwan's self-titled debut album KJWAN. Released in 2003 fall, Kjwan's debut album (released under SONY Philippines 2003) was well received and their second single DALIRI, an amalagam of funk rock riffs and a hooky tagalog chorus, immediately gained Kjwan a household status and shortly after they started touring around country. Three more singles were released shortly after and solidified Kjwan's presence the nu-breed Philippine Rock Scene. Their edgy and sultry debut album strongly positioned Kjwan between college teeny boppers and working class rock fans. Kjwan was then nominated in both the MTV Music Awards and Nu Rock Awards for numerous categories * in the 2004-2006. In November 2006, Kjwan released their eclectic and electronica music inspired concuction, their follow up sophomore album - '2 STEP MARV'. Barnyard Music  Philippines immediately picked up the album and in conjunction with EMI music, handled marketing and distribution of the album thoughout the Philppines and selected parts of Asia. Their first 4 singles (PINTURA, SA ILALIM, SHAI, ONE LOOK) all hit number one in the NU** ROCK COUNTDOWN in the first two weeks. Their latest single ONE LOOK expanded Kjwan's fan base to the vast majority of the entire Philippines and selected parts of Asia. ONE LOOK  also topped the chart of 'Killer Bee', a major radio station in the neighboring city CEBU. This song penetrated the attention of the masses and it was endorsed by LIPTON TEA later on for a nationwide campaign 2007 year end. Seen in numerous magazines, newspaper special features, TV shows, Radio and Billboards, Kjwan has successfully positioned themselves one of the TOP young and progressive groups in the country and SE Asia. In Myx Music Awards 2007, two mega awards went to Kjwan for BEST INDIE ARTIST and BEST VIDEO CELEBRITY. Kjwan then joined this Asean Music Contest IKON that was held and organized in Malaysia. After going head-to-head with their 13 fellows bands in the Philippines leg, Kjwan proceeded to winning the IKON Asean title, winning over Malaysia and Indonesia in their own region. Kjwan was the first band to included in the Senate for bringing honor and presenting the country. KJWAN ASIAN TOUR took place from Aug to Oct 2007 in Malaysia, Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong. By the end of 2007 Kjwan has released 2 albums , 5 chart topping singles, 7 videos,  2 nationwide Awards national and 1 champion title cross the SE Asia Region. Throughout the years Kjwan has toured around the country courtesy of Red Horse and other events under different organizers. Here is an overview of Kjwan's achievements for the past 5 years. <div align="center">Albums Kjwan Self titled Album (Sony distribution) 2004 Two Step Marv (EMI distribution / Barnyard Music) 2006 </div> <div align="center">Videos 'Daliri' (number 1 single ) Twilight 'Pintura' (Number 1) 'Sa Ilalim' (Number 1 NU 107.5 countdown) Shai (Number 1 NU 107.5 countdown) One Look (Number 1 NU 107.5 Countdown, Killer Bee station CEBU and HIT FM) Invitation </div> <div align="center">Soundtrack 'Different Kind' -Ragnarok, Level Up Games 2005 'One Look' (campaign song) - Lipton Tea 2008 </div> <div align="center">Nominations 2004 - Best New Artist/Best video/ Best Drummer/ Best Album Packaging 2005 - Best Live Act/ Best Guitarist/ Best Drummer and Best Vocalist 2006- Best Guitarist / Best Vocalist / Song of the Year 2005- MTV Music Awards - Favorite New Artist / Best video </div> <div align="center">All videos are presented and can be viewed in <a title="www.kjwan.net" target="_blank" href="www.kjwan.net">www.kjwan.net</a> </div> <div align="center">Awards Myx Music Awards (ABS-CBN) 'Best Indie Artist' 'Best Video Celebrity' Winston USA - Plague of Musical Appreciation IKON Asean(Malaysia, Singapore  Philippines) Champion Title </div> <div align="center">Endorsements No Fear Clothing 2006-2007 Nike Apparrels (Phil) 2008 San Miguel Red Horse Beer 2007-2008 Staggs Cymbals (Belgium) 2008 </div> <div align="center">Events and festivals Kjwan particpated in 2007 Baybeats @ Esplanade Singapore 2007 Hush! Live, Macau Cultural Center 2007 HK LIVE! (headliner) @ Fringe Club HK 2007 IKON Asean. PICC, KL, Malaysia 2004-2007 Pulp Summer Slam, Manila </div> Kjwan is currently writing their third album that is due to be released in July 2008.   Kjwan are in the process of doing two collaborations with two top artists in Malaysia (6th sense) and Indonesia(Niji) to furthe solidify their name in the respective region after winning the IKON Asean Title On behalf of Kjwan and in this exciting time of an Asian group breaking through, I would like to invite you and your partners to showcase Kjwan in possble gigs and tours. To further push the boundaries of the musical platform in Asia, as well as spread the camaraderies within the music community we Asians are proud of being in. <div align="center">Kjwan Management Videos, pictures and write ups of Kjwan can be found in www.kjwan.net www.amp.channelv.com/kjwan www.pulse.ph/ikon </div> Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/Kjwan/journal/1810279 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:09 EST About Us http://hk.zorpia.com/Kjwan/journal/1810225 <div align="left"><img vspace="15" hspace="15" border="0" align="right" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4409/28223362.4019b9.jpg" alt="kjwan" />KJWAN burst onto the Philippine music scene in 2003, when the local rock music scene had forgotten who it was originally and people were almost afraid to listen to anything new. Still, they came down hard, raw, in your face, with the release of their self titled debut album (in 2004) and coined the now-familiar catchphrase, â€œBastusan na!â€ Their hit song, â€œDaliri,â€ This first album earned them the nominations for Best New Artist, Best Video and Best Album Packaging (along with Balbuena being nominated as Best Drummer) in local rock station NU107â€™s â€œRock Awards.â€ Favorite New Artist and Best Video at the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards 2005 and a month long feature on MTV Philippines as the â€œRising Starâ€ Artist of the Month (Jan 2005), specifically, for their breakthrough single â€œDaliri.â€ The song, which received such a good amount of airplay on the radio and local music channels, appealed mainly to rock listeners who were fans of A Perfect Circle, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine and earlier grunge bands that defined 90's rock. </div> <div align="left"> The Manila-based quintet is made up of distinct personalities, with individual musical tastes that donâ€™t always overlap, and strong ideals that are often diametrically opposed. The chemistry might have combusted a lesser band before it even started, but the equally passionate friendships and shared hardships that make up Kjwan have held it together. 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 bandâ€™s initial lineup. They were joined in 2004 by Boogie Romero (guitar), another high school friend and former band-mate of Marc and Kelley, soon after the release of their self-titled debut album. Three years later, at the height of the new music renaissance, Kjwan is braving a second album, 2StepMarv, which promises to be so many things more than their first self-titled album. If the first album had been a simple matter of coming out, the two-year journey of making 2StepMarv was a more complicated matter of growing upâ€”musically. They were able to craft better songs, hone their individual skills, introduce new musical elements to their primarily rock sound, and in general, just put more thought, heart and soul into the new music. They became comfortable in their new skin. â€œ2StepMarv is a bold step for the band,â€ Mangahas says. â€œAs a collective, we really wanted to put in more of ourselves and our influences right now. With the addition of Boogie (Romero) for this album, we tried to incorporate this new sound and create a whole new dynamic for the sound of Kjwan.â€ Skill-wise, three years of playing together, and more than that of playing with other bands, has honed each member enough to be confident in his own skin as a musician. In terms of new influences, they have consciously opened themselves and their songwriting to be inspired by genres other than rock. If the band has made a rock drummer out of J-Hoon, who in fact grew up not listening to rock, he in turn, introduced them to his original influences of jazz, drum â€˜n bass and electronica. These, plus Kelleyâ€™s recent Hiphop / R and B and Electronic inspirations, Jorelâ€™s recent interest in samba percussion, and the bandâ€™s elemental rock base, were the diverse elements that lent themselves to Kjwanâ€™s collective songwriting for 2StepMarv. Each and every one of them was more involved in all the creative processes, from the songwriting, the recording, mixing, packaging, and down to the video production of the first single â€œPinturaâ€. Marc, who writes almost all the words of Kjwan, points out that even in writing lyrics, it is easier for him to bare his soul to his bandmates, without hindrances like fear, insecurity or pretension between them. This very open friendship is a big factor in the maturity and confidence of the new album. â€œOur songs are honest.â€ Corpus (who also religiously takes care of the bandâ€™s online business) says. â€œThey are audible manifestations of our feelings, and the experience is a complete one, from the music to the message. We believe that, as songwriters and musicians, we are faced with a task to not only put out material that only we can relate to, but to put out something everyone can digest.â€ The band worked again with noted multi-awarded producer Angee Rozul, who has recorded practically everyone who matters in the Philippine music scene for more than a decade in the acclaimed Tracks Studio in Pasig City. â€œAngee is the best sound engineer in this country. Without him, we wouldnâ€™t have even put out our first album, we owe him a lot and naturally for this record, there were no other options. He knows us best and we love working with him because were in our natural element when in his studioâ€ says vocalist Marc Abaya With this album, Guitarist Jorel, for instance, had the opportunity to incorporate his samba percussion skills to a couple of the songs (â€œInvitationâ€ â€œOne Lookâ€ â€œYou Didnâ€™t Knowâ€ and â€œ2 Step Marvâ€) together with some of his fellows from Brigada (his samba percussion ensemble); while drummer J-hoon contributed his skills in track programming. Also, with regard to the addition of a second guitar, it 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. Romero says â€œItâ€™s a growth, from the first album, and hopefully, in the coming albums, it will grow more. So you canâ€™t really pin your sound to one given genre. It will still grow and grow and grow.â€ The bandâ€™s faith in their music held it together. A record more explosive than anything you have heard, the album has an incredible range. On one end, there are the classic guitar-driven, big riffed â€œPinturaâ€ â€œSa Ilalimâ€ and â€œDaanâ€ which elevate the classy, heavy sound that Kjwan is known for from their previous releases. They achieve this by adding more layers, voicing, and elements that tap into the genius of band members Romero and Balbuena, while vocalist Abaya slithers and sings about his infatuation with a mysterious woman and life revelations respectively. On the other extreme, thereâ€™s â€œ2StepMarvâ€ a lively track armed with an organic garage beat arranged for a mix of clean guitars and some heavy dynamics that took minor cues from drummer Balbuenaâ€™s love for broken, garage, and 2 step beats and â€œOne Lookâ€ an insanely addictive pop song that speaks from the heart and taps Corpusâ€™ fascination with the massive samba baterias of Rioâ€™s carnavals. Among all of these are gems that you might classify as cutting edge; fresh, soulful, hard hitting. â€œShaiâ€ features new guitarist Boogie Romeroâ€™s dark ambient guitars, exploding towards the conclusion, with Corpus helping him build a sonic wall of guitars attacking and lingering as the song dies with the sweet mood that the band is famous for during live shows. â€œInvitationâ€ â€You Didnâ€™t Knowâ€ flawlessly fuses Balbuenaâ€™s jazz sensibilities with Romeroâ€™s rigid riffing. â€œCanâ€™t Do Thatâ€ and â€œSlow Shutterâ€ highlights the bandâ€™s experience in playing with different styles as they adjust to a more soulful setting: minimal elements, sweet voicing, and a lot of dynamics. â€œSolanaâ€ draws attention to Mangahas and how he gels everyone together with an unyielding guitar riff and how it lets Abayaâ€™s message ring through. He sings, â€œCan you believe? I found myself a special kind that keeps me safeâ€ through the well-knit and firm foundation that his band mates created. At the center of the recordâ€™s sound is â€œFocusâ€ a beautiful piece that starts off with Mangahas and Balbuena locked together in a tight rhythmic progression, complemented by a counter rhythm by Corpus and Romero. Abaya sings â€œTake this away from me â€¦ take away this poison.â€ Referring to the classic theme of fallen relationships and honesty, in this case, the persona in this song is being honest about admitting that he has fallen out of love. â€œSave me from my emotions, I have lost my hold on my mind. I canâ€™t find what you seek in me, I am not what you once loved.â€ With their momentous effort for this sophomore album came great blessings too! The band won as Favorite Indie Artist in the local music channel MYXâ€™s music awards night along with their video â€œPinturaâ€ winning â€œFavorite Guest Appearanceâ€ with the help of a seasoned actress Chin-Chin Gutierrez, A month long feature on MTV Pilipinas as â€œLokal Artist of the Monthâ€ in December 2006, another month long feature as Yahoo Southeast Asiaâ€™s band of the month and another month long feature as â€œCelebrity VJâ€™sâ€ in MYX for the whole month of April 2006 where they got to extensively promote the new album and meet new people! Corpus says "For this record, we hope to reach as much people as we can. We want people to listen to us. Know what weâ€™re all about, like meeting a new acquaintance and developing friendships with our listeners that hopefully will last a lifetimeâ€ became an anthem to a new generation of rock listeners and being true to your self became the order of the day. Even the very word, Kjwan, seemed to flamboyantly step in your way and hounded you so that you would never forget the name, the band and the sound opens the listener immediately to the more secure sound of the band introducing the essential elements of the 2 guitar spacing of Corpus and Romero, The tight broken beats and solid groove of Mangahas and Balbuena and of course Abayaâ€™s unforgettable vocals.</div> Personal http://hk.zorpia.com/Kjwan/journal/1810225 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:05 EST