On Progress and Taking a Step towards our Passions

Progress is an arbitrary concept. In its simplest form, it means ‘an onward movement’ or ‘to move forward’. Unfortunately, a lot of people feel stuck in a rut because they think that progress is always limited to something grand, like a promotion at work or hitting a big life goal. Either that or they fall in a trail of self-doubt with every nudge towards progress, especially in a generation where likes have become the seal of approval and comparing oneself to others just seems a little to inevitable.

It’s important to remember that progress is a personal love affair and includes every small step we take, whether it is our constant pursuit for new experiences or an attempt at the things that we are interested in or passionate about – and this is the exact message that Johnnie Walker wants to convey in its latest initiative. With the JohnnieWeekend Creators Lab series, Johnnie Walker is leading the way in inspiring this new generation to keep walking by providing new experiences and venues where like-minded people can come together and grow their passions and craft. Comprised of creative workshops and community events, the JohnnieWeekend Creators Lab series is done in collaboration with trailblazers who have made their marks in their respective fields, and who will inspire others to do so.

For the first installment of the series, Johnnie Walker teamed up with Marvin Conanan and Deej Fabian to shine the light on local photography and music. These two esteemed artists have contributed greatly to the elevation of the local creative culture to a global scale. Through his establishment of PURVEYR, an online magazine, Marvin has created a tangible outlet where Philippine creatives are recognized and revered. Deej, on the other hand, sheds light on Filipino musicians through his film work, having partnered with artists from the Logiclub collective and more.

For the first part of the MarvinxDeej collaboration, up-and-coming photographers were invited for an audio-visual exercise, where they were given a playlist to listen to and translate into visuals. Marvin and Deej put together a short playlist of local music by Asch, She's Only Sixteen and crwn for the photographers to listen to and immerse with while walking around Poblacion for an afternoon photowalk. This exercise, while fairly unfamiliar to the participants and their more traditional methods of craft, was able to tap into their psyche of inspiration and incite a new experience.

Part two was a culminating exhibit at Dulo MNL to showcase the works of 6 featured photographers - Alyssa Uy, Ryan Tionloc, Aly Mananquil, Renzo Navarro, Jilson Tiu, Poj Gearlan, as well as the other talented artists who participated in the creative audio-visual exercise. The exhibit served as a stepping stone for these artists to move forward with their passions, and at the same time, served as a venue for the community to come together and get inspiration from the creative diversity that transpired during the party.

By providing outlets for uninhibited self-expression and symbiotic relation, #JohnnieWeekend is able to present progress in a new light – one that is devoid of pretense and competition, where individuals can coexist at their own pace, whether it’s two steps forward or back.  Whether you’re a budding musician or a photographer with a veteran eye, Johnnie Walker believes that sharing your talents and passion can draw a bigger picture of inspiring others to do the same. But here, it’s not about figures or garnering Instagram hearts, it’s about inspiring each other and creating a sense of community and collaboration that fosters personal growth.

From food to film, music to sports – Johnnie Walker will continue to collaborate with local trailblazers from different fields. A new installment for the Johnnie Weekend Creators Lab series will be introduced every month, where anyone can come together, share their passions and thoughts over a glass of Johnnie Walker. To know more about Johnnie Weekend, you can check out the JohnnieWalkerPH page on Facebook for more details.

Mark Redito shares his lifelong pursuit of Sound and making people Dance

The beginnings of a melody echoed its way onto the wee hours of the morning. Louder and louder it grew, booming defiantly in the silence that followed. The plight of the drums, the sound of it. The houses next door groaned under its weight, finding the beginnings of a melody as mere noise. But the little drummer boy carried on, the drums and his heartbeat synchronized in its beating. 

Then, the little drummer boy delved further into musical pursuits. His years in school became a rhythmic blur, the band scene becoming his oyster. It was punk one day, and indie the next. He birthed another musical persona in the form of CocoLulu. Then out came Spazzkid. But these days, he is known by way of Mark Redito.

Illustration by Bryan Sochayseng

How he got here was a journey to self-discovery. It was one he traversed and explored out of curiosity. The decision to peruse the electronic music scene was hinged on realization, “A band set-up wasn’t an ideal fit for me because I had strong opinions and it takes a special person to really work with me on such a set-up. That actually pushed me to explore. How would it look like if I made music by myself?  That’s when I began learning software, recording myself, and I enjoyed it”. He was then inducted into Manila’s night life, far from being a fixture but gaining momentum all the same. 

"Maybe I can make this work? Maybe I can pursue this! How about I give myself a year or two to see where it goes." This was his train of thought circa ’06-’07. This was a man on a mission. This was someone who had a certain pursuit in mind; he was determined to find his true musical form. The search led him to hone his craft and study the discipline Stateside. Mark finished the program with a much affirmed stance. He knew it then, and more so now. Music was something his heart beats for. 

Spazzkid made his rounds on the World Wide Web, releasing tracks via SoundCloud. Canadian producer, Ryan Hemsworth, took notice and the next thing he knew, he was performing his first live show in L.A. Then, came the gigs he was booked for night after night. His track list expanded and so did his fanbase. He found himself touring in different cities, first in the U.S. and then in Asia. He looks back at where life has taken him with much fondness, “A highly memorable experience for me was when I was on tour with Giraffage two years ago. We played at a music hall which could fill around a thousand people. It was one of the biggest shows that I played. Just seeing this sea of people, it was beyond my wildest dreams. Just all these people to be cheering for you and dancing with you, and having a great time. It was a very humbling experience.”

Perhaps his strongest suit is his uncanny ability to make people dance. His previous monicker’s sound has been described as a sub-genre of new electronic music, a “lush glistening brand of synth-heavy arrangements”, as one would put it. Mark Redito credits his groovy tunes to several sources, attributing most of it to nostalgia. His playful aesthetic comes from growing up in an environment of video games, the soundtracks of which having seeped into his consciousness.  His music is also heavily characterized by Japanese pop with a nod to producer, Yasutaka Nakata. What’s surprising, however, is where he draws his inspiration from in the local pop culture scene. As it turns out, Eraserheads, the four-piece band that defined an era in Filipino music, played a huge part in his development as a solo artist. You don’t hear it in his musical make-up but the spirit it stands for is definitely there, “They’re the shit that I listen to, and I would say that they’ve been a big part in terms of songwriting and melody construction. It started from Ultramagneticpop which was very raw. It’s not the best quality but it’s full of energy. The pop songwriting on that one was really amazing”.

The tunes he puts out are by-products of a very systematic process. It’s borne of a healthy amount of discipline, a routine he doesn’t bother falling under. When he’s not on tour, he blocks off 2 to 3 hours on his daily to write music, explore certain sounds, make some loops, and experiment with his software. The man’s creativity is harnessed by the music he consumes. This is his unapologetic take—the method to his madness, if you may.  This habit-forming foray of his has bid him well. This has blessed him with a resplendent growth into his artistry. There’s a fine line between CocoLulu and Spazzkid, and a definite distinction to the current namesake he carries. His sound palette has noticeably evolved into an artist finding his identity to one who’s grown confident into his own skin. The common thread then lies in the recurring theme he has consciously sought to put out with his melodies, “It’s always been about acceptance and positivity and hope. My music seeks to give you a respite from whatever baggage you’re carrying for the moment. It gives you the license to let loose and forget about your worries for a bit.”

If there’s been a struggle to his craft, he doesn’t show it. Mark Redito is the kind of person who takes matters into his own hands. He shares how representing a minority has been a challenge in the context of America’s electronic scene. Nonetheless, he chooses to view it in the positive light of things. Among his noteworthy undertakings is Liquido, a regular party he hosts in L.A. The cause behind it is close to Redito’s heart. It’s a space where diversity is championed and features people of color, women, and LGBTQ line-ups among others. This year, he’s looking into branching Liquido outside its party stance, to make it more akin to a lifestyle. We hear there’s also a bunch of visual collaborations with filmmakers on the horizon. And definitely a new album in the works after the Asian leg of his tour.

His young thriving musical persona is not one that can be doubted. And his slow steady climb to the top makes the success that comes with it a whole lot sweeter. His body of work speaks for himself and so does his learnings, “Don’t be afraid to be yourself. I think that people don’t need to stress out too much about where they are in their creative pursuits or careers in that the process is there. Sometimes, you’re up, sometimes you’re down, but I want to encourage you to stick to it. To be unique, to stand apart from the crowd because it’s the only way people will remember you. Just by being you.”

That night, as I was browsing my social media feeds, I came across him again. He was spinning his set in XX XX in Manila for his Neurotropical Tour 2017. Even through the screen, I could see how everyone was transfixed by his presence. He was making them throw their hands up in the air, whisking them away to the dance floor; a respite to their worries in true fashion. There’s no doubt about his rhythm, the way he was making people feel. This was Mark Redito in action. 

And this, at long last, is his homecoming.

Photo from his XX XX performance

The Streetwear Comeback: UNSCHLD since 2007, till 2017 and beyond

I bought my first UNSCHLD piece in 2013. It was a dark blue denim jacket that had Alfred E. Neuman patched on the back and stylized like a pirate. It also had "MARAUDERS" embroidered on it. I wanted it in black denim but that was sold out. 

Words by Red Moraleta & Photos by Zaldine Alvaro

I was in high school back then. I wasn't the type to go out so I didn't know how to do many things that I've grown accustomed to now. This was my first online purchase. No physical interaction with the seller – just go to the bank, deposit the money, then the item's going to be shipped straight to your door. Pretty simple, but it was already a challenge for the younger me that hadn't done anything independently yet. For a lot of the more grown-up errands and tasks that I do now, streetwear was one of the reasons I learned to do them. Before I even had the faintest idea of what streetwear was, it already affected my life. The bold designs, the meaning, the enigmatic presence that the clothes represented, they spoke to me. UNSCHLD embodies what streetwear is and their comeback is further proof of what kind of impact they had on people and continue to have on them. Seeing them come back with a collection brought me back to my roots, like a lot of us.

The streetwear powerhouse was founded in 2007. The founders envisioned the brand to be an entirely different entity from the individuals who compose of it. To have a wholly different different persona. To exist on its own. Its name "Unschooled" is derived from their collective outlook in life; that the brand will not follow a certain school of thought. That it is self-taught. Stylized as UNSCHLD, the brand's beginnings can be traced to the early days of online selling. Their products back in those days were mostly graphics-centered. And where an actual physical shop wasn't present, Multiply was. (Multiply was an online social networking site that allowed users to share media. It was prominent pre-Facebook, it's where local independent businesses would set up their online stores for free. It officially halted its operations in 2013.) Operations were guerilla-like, its spread was by word of mouth. Clearly a formula that worked for them as they rose to prominence and established themselves. Now, they return perennially awaited by the community.

The lookbook, which was dropped in August 2017, brought out a frenzied excitement and anticipation for the brand that had wiped clean all of its posts all over their social media. Soon, a date for a pop-up was announced through an event poster. The strategic set-up brought forth a crowd itching at their palms to get a hold of UNSCHLD. The line outside Openspace – where the pop-up is located – started at around 1:17 PM and only grew longer from there as the afternoon went by.

I went around asking people about UNSCHLD. Both old and new customers had nothing but praises to say. Old customers told me their stories about how they got into UNSCHLD in the first place and why they anticipated this return. New customers shared what drew them to the pop-up.

Josh Subeldia, a long time follower of the brand, remembers idolizing Rjay Ty and points to him as his influence for supporting UNSCHLD. David De Jesus recalls his affinity with the brand which started from the Word Play events at Ronac Art Center where he would see the quality goods that the then Ronac-based store carried. (UNSCHLD had a shop in Ronac Art Center after closing Commune at Perea St., Makati City.) While KLTRD co-founder Mong Feliciano reminisces about UNSCHLD's early days in Perea St., where the same owners of the brand run the streetwear store, Commune. "It was the place to be at the time, around 2009-2010." he shares. All of them found out about UNSCHLD through physical interactions, one of the many reasons that made the brand's community flourish. While old customers experienced UNSCHLD first-hand, new customers like Argie Alcantara and Joey Coscolluela had to wait for this comeback release to get a piece for their own. Both of them found out about UNSCHLD when the brand was on hiatus, which is why they never got the opportunity to purchase pieces from the local streetwear pioneer. Argie, already wearing the cap he bought, says the wide variety of pieces and superb craftsmanship drew him to the launch of UNSCHLD's new collection. Joey tells us he found out about the pop-up from a friend and saw the opportunity to finally buy a piece from the brand he's only seen online. With streetwear and the internet fully acquainted, UNSCHLD has reached another resurgence for its community.

UNSCHLD's own – Julo de Guzman, owner, and Rjay Ty, manager, added a few things. When asked about the reason of UNSCHLD's hiatus, "UNSCHLD never stopped. Operations were always ongoing, it just seemed we were gone from the outside." they shared. And what more can we expect from the brand? "More streetwear staples that have the same trusted quality." they eagerly explain.

 

UNSCHLD's since grown from its inception, it is now revered as one of local streetwear's pioneers. Their humble roots of graphic tees have now expanded into full garments and accessories, so it's exciting to see where they're going next.