With their second-single "Kupido" hitting over 1.7 million Spotify streams in less than five months since it's release, it seems that the new pop-rock band formed by ABS-CBN Music is capturing hearts and imaginations alike.
Band scene gatekeepers are always a challenging demographic to please. For better or worse, street cred seems to be a very important currency for any start-up band.
The Red Strings is arguably a band that has a bigger handicap than most to overcome as far as street cred goes. First off, the band was formed through a light docu-reality talent search to select members of a band. Secondly, the band will revolve around forntman Gello Marquez, who is an artista.
It's a daunting task, but not entirely impossible. For instance, Rivermaya was a band formed through word-of-mouth auditions and hasn't played together in any of the clubs that were considered the bastion of "paying dues in the scene" before releasing their first album.
But the good news is, the band has the most important currency of them all: REALLY GOOD SONGS.
“It has always been the mission of the company to discover new artists, develop them, and help them reach their fullest potential. I know these kids will be the voice of their generation,” said Jonathan Manalo, prolific hitmaker and Head of Creatives, Content, and Operations of ABS-CBN Music.
The band is composed of Gello Marquez (vocalist), Cedryck Guda (drums), Llana Catudio (keyboard), Nicholas De Rosales (bass guitar), Mychole Liam Barba (electric guitar), and Risen Santos (acoustic guitar).
During the launch event, The Red Strings performed a feel-good setlist featuring three original songs: “Asado,” a playful track about being “delulu” or being delusional in love; “Nasa Ulap,” an upbeat song inspired by organic encounters; and “Kupido,” a lovestruck track about being stuck in a situationship.
The Red Strings leans into the beauty of uncertainty in romance in their breakthorugh single “Kupido”, which has now amassed over 1.7 million Spotify streams in less than five months since its release.
Filled with stolen glances, quiet confessions, and the excitement of relationship firsts, the song celebrates the beauty of letting love unfold naturally. The track was written by the band members together with DNA Music Label Head Gabriel Tagadtad, who also produced the record.
The Red Strings continues to build its momentum with the release of "Nasa Ulap," a bright and feel-good track tells the story of an encounter that blossoms into romance, capturing the excitement, wonder, and butterflies that come with meeting someone who instantly makes one’s heart race.