One of those hit hard by this pandemic is the music industry. With people prevented from going out, so follows the cancellation of events, live performances, concerts, and gigs. Venues are closed down and may even take more time before these reopen. Hence, online gigs such as Musikang Lokal are keeping the scene alive by bringing music into our lives in these challenging times.
Music artist Carl Laurence Miranda is the founder of Musikang Lokal. “Nagoorganize ako ng mga benefit gigs before sa mga resto bars dito sa Cavite. Dahil nagkapandemic, bawal ang mga mass gatherings kaya nag-isip ako ng way para maipagpatuloy yung mga nasimulan ko before”, says Carl.
Musikang Lokal was born on May 16, 2020 with Carl’s intent to support local artists through benefit online gigs via Facebook. But organizing a weekly online gig is not that easy. “Struggles ko yung pag-aayos ng schedule at timeslot ng mga artists na nagpapaline up. Yung pag-orient din sa kanila at pagbibigay ng reminders and captions na gagamitin nila. Then ako rin ang magde-design ng individual posters at pati pagpost sa Facebook page ng Musikang Lokal”.
“Napakahirap as in. Ako rin ang nage-edit ng mga featured videos. In short, ako lang ang mag-isang nagpapatakbo ng page. Walang ibang administrators or editors.” Laurence, by his sole effort, is bringing this virtual production to life.
“Kahit nakakapagod, masaya lalo na sa tuwing nakikita ko na umaangat yung mga artists na nagperform or na-feature ng Musikang Lokal. Masaya sa tuwing nakakatanggap ako ng mga appreciation at pasasalamat sa mga taong natulungan ng page ko at naappreciate yung ginawa ko. Hindi ako mapapagod na ipagpatuloy kung ano man ang nasimulan ko.”
But why does Carl exert so much time and passion for Musikang Lokal? Well, let’s not forget that Carl is also known as ‘Lorenzo’ with a band named after him. “Bago ako nagconduct ng benefit online gigs, isa din akong singer-songwriter. Inestablish ko muna ang sarili ko para mas madali kong matulungan ang ibang tao sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng inspiration sa kanila mula sa mga naging experiences ko.”
“Two years ako naging solo artist. Pinagsasabay ko ang pag aaral at gig. Incoming third year Mechanical Engineering student ako. Taga Bacoor ako at sa Manila pa ang school ko. Then ang mga gigs ko ay sa Quezon City, Taguig, Makati, at kung saan-saan pang mga lugar sa North. Kaya grabe talaga yung struggles ko sa pagko-commute.”
His experiences are featured online in order to inspire others. “Madami na ding mga sikat na page na nagfeature sa akin like Definitely Filipino at Kicker Daily News.” His latest is a podcast guesting on BroBear Live.
Now with Musikang Lokal, it eventually evolved into an ‘online gig for a good cause’. Music artists are sharing their talent for free and viewers are extending financial assistance of whatever amount for its cause – to help beneficiaries being the needy or the sick, and the jeepney drivers in Cavite.”
“Lahat po ng donations ay ibinibili ng groceries or food at ipinamamahagi sa kanila. Nakakareceive nga ako ng feedbacks and appreciation mula sa families ng mga beneficiaries dahil nakakatanggap sila ng donations.”
And in order to help more beneficiaries, 49 music artists and bands have come united for Musikang Lokal’s two-day benefit online concert.
Here’s the line-up
August 28 (Day 1): Kuatro Kantos, Gee Cariño, 647, Eugene Layug, Kaibigang Puno, Aila, Gem Largo, Jjustin, Marc Ramos, JHN BRYN, Marvin of After Silence, Peachy, Francis, Musika ni Jenny Ombrog, Fatima Antolin & Mikaella Umpad, Tiports, Deanne Ericka, Angel, Psalm, Emboy, PilaynapatoMusic, and SIX DEGREES
August 29 (Day 2): Aby Esteban, Baltz, Carl Laurence of Lorenzo, Vanz Bonaobra, Hans Dimayuga, Pio of FourPlay, Stephan Clive, ej miranda , Zoren Jay Capua, R.iv Music, Christianlee, Dea Saludaga of After Silence, Mark Macaspac, EMN98, A.E the Lofi, Clyde of The Late Anthems, Sophia LJ, Kizzie Camp, Millennium’s Finest, Lax of CLIC, Dana Lee, Space Reject, Lance & Maru of G-Self Band, Seph Aguilar, Mrk of Concordia and Ollie x Winrich
The online gig starts at 9 AM to 11PM at the Musikang Lokal’s Facebook page. Affiliates and media partners are: Lorenzo, Carl Laurence, Cuz Online Shop, and Mendira.net.
And Carl is more than grateful. “Sa mga sumusuporta sa akin at sa mga adhikain ko, mahal ko kayo! Salamat sa pagmamahal at suporta sa Musikang Lokal sa nakalipas na tatlong buwan!”
And through all of these, it is to glorify the Lord. “I know na magiging successful itong event dahil gagabayan tayo ni Lord – instrumento niya ang lahat ng mga artists to inspire other artists, to support them, and also to help those people in need. Makakaasa po kayo na lahat ng donations na makakalap sa event na ito ay mapupunta sa mga jeepney drivers dito sa Cavite.”
And we, your Mendira family, wish you all the success!
