I Pimp Because I Love: Outerhope
Popped by the 3F Bar in Katipunan Road, Quezon City last February 16 to see Outerhope, whose creative indie-pop stylings are the brainchild of brother-and-sister duo Mike and Micaela Benedicto and completed by Joon Guillen. I’ve been following this band for as often as I can, and I’m constantly drawn to their spare, atmospheric sound which reminds me of emerging from dream states and being greeted by a bright, quiet morning. Those who enjoy Badly Drawn Boy, Kings Of Convenience, and even Nanang Tatang might want to give their debut album, Strangely Paired, a look-through. I tell you folks, it’s a keeper.
image courtesy of Outerhope's official website www.outerhope.com
Described by themselves as having an “almost whimsical and a little absent-minded” sound, the beauty of Outerhope lies in the purity of the soundscape invitations they give out to listeners, invitations to partake in intimate musings that are never heavy-handed but are no less deep. Listening to their CD evokes visual imagery of gazing into clear but deep pools of water, or of early mornings, moments before the city comes to life. My favorites are “Morning After” and “Boy Who Could Fly.” Micaela spoke more of Outerhope and their sound in an interview last month.
Given to casual, offhand reflection after listening to some screwily fun tracks from the new collaboration of Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan topped off with a few Iron and Wine stuff, I was up for more sounds and lyrics that induced effortless introspection. I got a lot of that from Outerhope’s set that night at the 3F, sitting in the dim light of the intimate venue, where the stage seamlessly flowed on to the low tables where the audience was seated on pillows.
“Listen for that perfect sound/Between a dream and a lie, and let it ring…” - from Outerhope’s song, “Morning After”
image courtesy of Outerhope's official website www.outerhope.com
Listen to sample tracks from Outerhope’s album Strangely Paired, browse though their lyrics and creative musings, check out their gig sched, as well as access their CD purchasing information at their website. For readers out of town and country, you can also get the CD via CDbaby. And for optimum band enjoyment this coming week, head on over to Mag:net Café Katipunan on the evening of Friday, February 24 to see them and hear their stuff for yourself. Show starts 9:30 PM.
Moving on, here are pictures of Outerhope's gig at the 3F Bar…
...Mike.
...Micaela.
...Joon.
"Despair and delirium play hide and seek/But the boy remains oblivious when he says…" -- From Outerhope's song, "Boy Who Could Fly."
Fooling around with my tin can of a camera pre-show…
“Hear beyond these hollow walls/The footsteps of familiar hours…” - from Outerhope’s song “Nth Noon”
…joon with friends
…joon reveling in his penchant for platform-soled flipflops.
“Spent too much time dreaming/I’m here and half-awake…” - from Outerhope’s song, “Final Hour"