Your story from Talata’s perspective

“Talata is all about the story of your lives," said vocalist Reyg Linao as we wrapped up my interview with them on NU107 on November 5, 2010 - two days before the iconic rock radio station shut down. In that same interview, she confessed that they were tsismosos and tsismosas and added “mahilig kaming makipagkuwentuhan, tapos baka isang araw, nasa kanta na namin 'yung buhay niyo." True enough, their songs delve into the many angles of the average person’s struggles. Though other bands take the same songwriting route, what sets Talata apart is how they interpret it come show time. While others use slow tempos, dark chords, and melancholic singing, Talata opts for a generally faster and upbeat sound, incorporating playful drumming, heavy riffage, anthem-worthy melodic vocal work, and high amounts of energy on-stage. After watching a number of their gigs, I noticed how Talata’s sets lighten the mood up and leave people in a better disposition – ironic, considering the subject matter of their songs. It never fails. And so, I started to wonder how they pull it off. It was a December Thursday evening when I decided to get the answer to my questions directly from them. The members of Talata and I were huddled in a circle behind a car at the parking lot adjacent to Obsidian Bar. The mood was candid, with the band members cracking jokes every now and then. I was slightly familiar with this scenario, thanks to previous exchanges over cigarettes or beers – or both. However, I never bothered to ask them about Talata then, so it was actually the first time we talked about the band. Coincidentally, it turns out it was also their first time to be interviewed as a band.

The beginning of their own story The frontwoman Reyg, guitarists Jomal and JR Linao, bassist Anton Lanario, and drummer Dacky Clamor are the five-piece rock band that is Talata. It all began with a career decision Reyg made a few years prior, when she was about to get married to her then-fiance Jomal Linao. Ultimately choosing to give up life on the road to settle down, she quit her band, hung her metaphorical gloves, got married, and began to live a life away from the stage. It goes without saying: anyone who removes a long term routine from his system is bound to experience a relapse that can be remedied by either resuming the old routine or doing something similar. Or, in extreme cases, running amok screaming, machete in one hand. After a decade of doing the live circuit rounds with several show/variety bands and being on the road with her last group Livewire, Reyg inevitably missed performing. Noticing this, Jomal suggested they form a band - but not without a stipulation. “Kung magbubuo tayo, 'di tayo makakapag-RnB, rock tayo," Jomal told Reyg. She agreed, and they began playing with Jomal’s younger cousin – guitar player JR – as the only constant members. They completed the line-up sometime in September 2007 with the entry of Clamor and Lanario. “Tatlong practice pa lang, alam namin agad na ito (with Clamor and Lanario) na 'yung perfect line-up ng Talata," Jomal said. With the roster complete, they proceeded to name the band. “Inisip namin, one word lang, tapos Tagalog – para Pinoy 'yung feel," recalled Reyg. They considered several words from the local vernacular, including Sulo (Tagalog for torch) but scrapped it when they found out that the name was already taken by an Australian band. “Nagkaisa kami sa Talata," Reyg explained, “kasi kung isusulat mo 'yung kuwento mo, lahat made of paragraphs...'yung kanta namin, totoong istorya siya e." They had four original songs by February 2008, when they played their debut gig (alongside other bands, most notably Jomal’s band Kamikazee) at the now-defunct Mayric’s along España. They used those songs consistently for three months until they introduced new ones to their repertoire. They had a year-long hiatus from 2008 to 2009 due to Reyg’s pregnancy, but they quickly bounced back. “Ang galing nga, kasi after a month or so nung nanganak na si Reyg, hataw na kami ulit. Nakakatuwa lang kasi dahil nung marami nang nakakaalam na ready na ulit si Reyg kumanta, andami nang nag-invite sa amin," Jomal said. Reyg added, “Nakakatuwang naghintay sila. So, nung puwede na akong kumanta ulit, lahat talaga, kahit sunud-sunod na gabi, [tinugtugan] namin." They’ve been a busy band ever since, as their packed monthly gig schedules will attest. Forces that be Watching Talata tear it up on stage is like watching energizer bunnies on Red Bull – with instruments to boot. Ask anyone who has seen them before and they’d agree. This says a lot, considering they play almost every night, with the occasional gig trifecta during specific dates. Such consistency is no easy feat, especially if most of the members have day jobs and commitments they have to maintain. But for Talata it seems like a walk in the park. After all, what they refer to as the sources of their seemingly limitless energy to perform are two of the most powerful forces that drive the human psyche: faith and passion. “Unang-una sa lahat, 'yung dasal. Pangalawa, kasi love namin 'yung ginagawa namin. Pag mahal mo 'yung ginagawa mo, ibibigay mo talaga ng todo," said Reyg. “Minsan nakakatatlong gig na kami sa isang gabi, pero hindi kami nanlalamya." “Hindi nakakapagod 'yun [pag mahal mo yung ginagawa mo]," Anton interjected. Jomal said, “Kahit na paulit-ulit 'yung mga kanta namin, okay lang 'yun. Basta may mapasaya kaming tao, masaya na rin kami." The frontwoman concluded that they owe it all to The Almighty for giving them the ability to do what they do and that they never forget to talk to Him. “Pag magdadasal kami, lagi naming sinasabi, ‘Thank you for the skills and the talent.’ So, we glorify God sa ginagawa namin. Masarap i-offer kay Lord 'yung ginagawa namin. 'Pag tumutugtog kami, para sa tao at para din sa Kanya." The Talata experience “Wag kayo talagang magkukuwento sa akin," Reyg warned. “Unless gusto niyong maging kanta 'yung istorya ng buhay niyo." It is a surefire hook in any song – stories of life that almost anybody who has a heart can relate to. In their case, these tales are referenced from their friends. “Sa mga totoong tao talaga," Reyg emphasized. This, incorporated with the other elements that define Talata as a live band - manic movement, upbeat and melodic instrumentation, and brutally honest spiels and lyrics – solidifies them as a force to reckon with on-stage. With these at their disposal, they can capture the attention of any member of the audience – drunk or sober - who happens to be preoccupied with something else aside from watching. And that’s exactly what they’re doing every time they assume their respective positions front dot center. Ever since I noticed it, the end effect of a Talata set on audiences had gotten the best of my curiosity. Why wouldn’t it in the first place? It isn’t too often that you’d feel the mood lighten up and see people give cheers and nods of approval after listening to songs that basically talk about things like cheating partners, and falling out of love. And so, the question that comes with my aforementioned wonderment stands: how do they turn otherwise sad and depressing stories into ditties that actually leave listeners in a happier disposition? “True to life kasi 'yung lyrics, kaya may mga nakaka-relate," said Anton the bass player. "Pag narinig nila 'yung chorus, maaalala nila ['yung dati nilang napagdaanan], so iisipin nila ‘Ay, nangyari ito.’ Since past experience na 'yun, natatawa na lang siguro sila." “Kahit about heartbreak siya, masasabi ng audience, ’Relate ako sa song na ’to!,’" said Reyg. “Lalo na kung may mga kasamang tropa," said Jomal. “Nandun 'yung buyuan, nandun 'yung kulitan na ‘Ah, para sa ’yo 'yang kantang 'yan!’ Parang ang nangyayari, nagiging positive 'yung energy [dahil sa tuksuhan] imbis na ma-down sila." They also pointed out that their disposition while performing might have something to do with the crowd’s positive reception to their music. “Masaya lang kami pag nandun na kami sa stage," Reyg said. "'Yung energy napapasa namin sa crowd kahit na 'yung kanta namin malungkot." With more than a year’s worth of gigs under their belt, Talata is continuously making waves in the scene. Already, they are recognized as one of the most formidable live acts in circulation. And although the members are still in the process of recording an album, they are winning fans over with the sheer earnestness, truthfulness and tightness of their music. I’m guessing when Talata comes out with their debut album, people will immediately catch on and start singing along to the songs written by the band out of the stories they got from friends distressed with issues of life and love. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be hard to relate to these songs. Besides, Talata is all about one thing. Talata is all about your life story. - GMANews.TV