Ebe Dancel on writing about heartbreaks, his first major concert, and releasing a Sugarfree commemorative album

Ebe Dancel. Photo by Lala Lacsina/GMA News

It’s been nine long years since Sugarfree disbanded but Ebe Dancel, singer and songwriter of the band, has never really left the spotlight.

He continues to write and perform — sporadically wowing crowds as part of the acoustic trio with fellow musicians Johnoy Danao and Bullet Dumas, other times, booking wedding gigs, for which his heartfelt songs have become the soundtrack to many a happy love story.

He’s released two solo albums since then: 2011’s “Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-ibig” under Warner Music Philippines and “Bawat Daan” under Star Music in 2015.

But his star is most ablazed nine years on, today, this year. Ebe is releasing his third solo album, “Baliktanaw” under Polyeast Records, Sugarfree’s longtime record label — a homecoming of sorts for the singer-songwriter.

“Ito talaga yung label that gave me a chance. When I was starting out, nobody wanted me, sila lang,” Ebe says. 

The new album contains 10 tracks of re-recorded Sugarfree songs with the exception of his first single “Hanggang Kailan Kita Mahihintay,” a song he originally wrote for Paolo Valenciano.

With orchestral versions of “Burnout,” “Mariposa,” “Unang Araw,” Kwarto,” to name a few, Ebe says the commemorative album is a gift for Sugarfree fans, both old and new.

But perhaps most importantly: He’s holding his first solo concert after 20 long years in the industry.

It’s a landmark occasion that he’s prepared for — it features the 20-string orchestra, Manila String Machine with Paolo Valenciano directing the show and Hale’s Chino David as the musical director.

It’s one that fans have not overlooked, too. Tickets for the concert sold out 12 hours after it became available, prompting organizers to open a new ticket section for the February 29 show.

Ebe says being a solo artist is definitely more challenging, though he certainly enjoys how relaxed the studio has become for a lone wolf like himself.

“With Sugarfree kasi, it’s always frenetic; so many people bouncing around the walls. Now, things are more subtle. I take short breaks, like lie on the couch for five minutes and think about nothing,” he says sounding very much at ease.

Ebe admits he was also a lot more prolific during his Sugarfree days. “I was younger and experiencing a lot of things for the first time, so it was easier to write about them. Now, parang automatic na may self-filtering na agad because I realized I don’t want to share everything about myself to the world.”

Things are different now, Ebe continues. “I was always heartbroken when I was younger and I was always after love. When things didn’t work out, I was always devastated,” he quickly fires things out. Back then, music was his only outlet. 

These days, he’s added running, biking, having a dog, and taking care of a restaurant to the list that make up his life. Calling Los Baños his home, Ebe’s days have become much happier too.

Does that mean he’s no longer experiencing heartbreaks and heartaches? We don’t really know. Ebe has, ehem, changed a lot as a musician and a songwriter, becoming more guarded and perhaps more nuanced. Guess we'll just have to take up his suggestion and think about nothing for five minutes. Maybe we have to watch his show, and really listen to his new record. Perhaps then, we’ll find out. — LA, GMA News

Baliktanaw is set to be released in physical CD at Ebe’s solo concert on February 29, 2020 via PolyEast Records.