STONEFREE IS BACK FOR ROUND THREE, AND CLOSES IN ON THE WIN
After a commercial breakthrough in the form of their debut full-length Hibiscus which was spawned last 2005 from the depths of independently produced gigs and demos behind the smash hit single “Listen,” it seemed that Stonefree was destined to become another pop rock group that had merely had a lucky break. Though the track was definitely elevated immediately into classic OPM status, little did music fans know that their debut disc Hibiscus was armed with a literal arsenal of hits in the form of “Sayang,” “Kapag Nawala Ka” and “Ikot”. The clamor for Stonefree was obviously great, as the band graced events, big and small all over the metro and out of town.
But true to being musicians passionate about their métier of progressing, the band refused to put out the same record twice, and with Delorean, upped the ante when it came to the songwriting and musicianship, as guitarist/vocalist Miro Valera, guitarists Benson Tanoja and Billy Reyes, bassist Jody Salas and drummer Stanley Seludo set off to deliver a new side of the band- one that was willing to not only come up with radio-friendly songs, but a unit that was willing to try anything all in the name of growing finely as musicians. It was local major label Warner Music Philippines who backed-up the band, and longtime fans quickly latched on to newer classics like “LSS” and the enchanting ballad “Anghel,” as the group transformed from once-being a band competition-finalist to being a hardworking and gigging unit that earned the respect and adoration of peers in the music business. The band’s singles and music videos received massive airplay, and you could almost always expect Stonefree to be at the biggest shows and ceremonies in the country.
Though the band did go through rough patches regarding personnel changes, the main songwriting unit of Valera and Tanoja recruited the services of Reyes (a literal guitar whiz who had been involved in other bands and in the studio producing independent albums…), Salas and Seludo are just about ready to take on the stages as the finishing touches to their third full-length are now being added. Fueled by the poignant acoustic ditty “A Perfect Place,” and characteristically sprinkled with the bittersweet lyricism of Valera and Tanoja, the band returns with just the right amount of everything (90s-rooted rock/alternative, pop and oft-times even grunge music elements…) and comes out swinging with other tracks like the thought-provoking “Providence,” the dreamy “Camouflage” and the heartbreaking “Life Designed For You.” Though the songs come at a time while Stonefree is currently enjoying its status as an independent band, you can tell by a spin that the band is ready to do it all over again and prove that good music will be heard no matter what style or changes might have took place. And though it has been the band’s business to entertain audiences, this time- all five members of Stonefree – they’re just about to rediscover the joys of writing without limits, as they know their fans deserve much more and like themselves, have grown up as well.
Yet make no mistake- Stonefree still has the power to move you, and sing and swoon their way to the top once again- honestly, straightforwardly and unapologetically. There’s only one formula the band plans on keeping loyal to, and it’s not to create a song that’s the flavor of the moment, but songs that will capture, inspire and last.
