Migz Haleco and Agsunta band are now certified recording artists. What can fans look forward to from these rising musicians? Read on.
Migz Haleco, half of acoustic duo Migz and Maya which popularized the cover songs “Ambon” and “Paano Ba Ang Magmahal,” has entered the next phase of his music career as solo artist.
It was February this year when Migz’s management, PPL Entertainment, ended the tandem, thinking it will allow the two to better showcase their respective artistry. The singer recently renewed his contract under Star Music.
Overwhelmed by the progress of his career, Migz admitted he is still adjusting to not having to share the stage with Maya. He also said going solo will offer a different set of challenges as it doubles his work as artist.
“Actuall medyo nagulat din ako kasi parang napa-aga ’yung separation namin,” he told Bulletin Entertainment. “I know naman na even before, ang goal talaga ay maging solo artist kami. Medyo mabilis lang natapos ’yung phase ng duo pero okay lang kasi excited na din ako mag-solo.”
Migz shared he is now doing an “overhaul” of his repertoire, citing Rico Blanco and Bamboo among his pegs.
“Adjusting lang ng konti kasi nasanay ako sa duets ‘di ba? Siguro konting dagdag at bawas lang du’n (sa musicality ko),” he maintained.
Migz, who initially gained fame as a campus sensation, having performed in various universities, event and concerts, is going to take the alternative acoustic route, musicwise.
He believes his songwriting ability gives him edge over others. Apart from that, Migz has a strong social media following, garnering thousands of hits on YouTube.
“Excited ako na marinig at mai-release ’yung sarili kong songs talaga,” he said.
The singer will release his solo album this September. According to him, the album contains five originals songs and two cover songs.
Migz said he will do a campus tour to support the album. Currently, he regularly performs at the City of Dreams and Thunderbird bar.
As for his songwriting process, the 22-year-old singer draws inspiration from the experiences of his friends, which makes the songs relatable to many.
“Mga friends ko kasi mahilig magopen, mag-kwento sa akin tungkol sa buhay nila. Nai-inspire ako sa mga kwento nila,” he said.
Why not join songwriting contest, we suggested.
“Hindi ko pa po nabibigyan ng time eh. Kasi ang focus ’yung para po muna sa album,” he noted.
Migz has no plans of venturing into acting in the near future. “Hindi pa po ako ready sa ganu’n,” he said.
Joining PPL Entertainment’s roster of artists is Agsunta band. They also signed a contract with Star Music. Agsunta is composed of Jireh Singson (vocalist), Mikel Arevalo (lead guitarist), Josh Planas (bassist), and Stephen Arevalo (drummer). The band started making a name for themselves in the local music scene through YouTube using the hashtag #AgsuntaSongRequests, doing covers that many netizens have come to enjoy. Agsunta has been around for four years since they first came together at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. They named their band after their school chairperson then, Agnes Agsunta. “Sipsip po kami eh,” Mikel said, laughing. “Actually may nabasa din kami na parang jumbled letters siya ng ‘sugatan,’ pero biglaan lang din po namin naisip na ipangalan siya sa chairperson namin.”
Aside from doing cover songs, Agsunta has been writing songs in the alternative rock genre with a touch of the ’90s sound as exemplified by their influences Kamikazee, Parokya ni Edgar and Eraserheads.
“’Yung tunog namin is maka-Pinoy talaga. Gusto naming ibalik ’yung feel ng ’90s band especially now na puro international (singers) ang sikat sa mga kabataan ngayon,” Stephen said.
Jireh, on his part, shared, “Tsaka ganu’ng klase din po ng music ’yung kinalakihan namin. So mas du’n po talaga kami komportable.”
It was Migz who introduced Agsunta to PPL Entertainment president Perry Lansingan. The band has been with the management for five months now.
Migz and the members of Agsunta band are close friends and schoolmates. Migz, Stephen and Jireh all took up Music Production.
“Actually dati pa naman nagtutulungan na kami mag-promote sa isa’t-isa. Nauna lang ako makahanap ng management,” Migz shared. “And sila kasi that time, ayaw nila na may mag-manage, pero after ilang months na-convince ko din sila kasi sabi ko para mas lumawak ’yung sakop nila at magtuloy tuloy ’yung career nila.” Now that they are signed with Star Music, Agsunta hopes to release their eight-track album before the year ends. They will also do several gigs and tours.
More, Agsunta hopes to collaborate with artists KZ Tandingan, Bamboo and Gloc-9 in the future.
Though they will be busy with projects under Star Music, Agsunta said they’ll definitely make time to go back to YouTube because they really enjoy doing covers.
“Babalikan pa rin po namin siya (social media) kasi ’yun po ’yung naging stepping stone ng career namin eh. Tsaka kahit papano, marami pong mga tao ang sumusubaybay sa channel namin, so gusto lang din po namin silang mapasaya,” Jireh said. (With report from Jojo P. Panaligan)