Phoenix guitarist counts Freddie Aguilar among influences

Phoenix (from left) Deck D’arcy, Laurent Brancowitz, Christian Mazzalai and Thomas Mars (www.salon.com)

There is no question that singer-songwriter Freddie Aguilar – despite the recent controversies he got embroiled in – is still very much a towering figure in Pinoy music with a good number of musicians, both local and foreign, admitting to looking up to him as influence and inspiration.

Count among them Laurent Brancowitz (born Laurent Mazzalai), or Branco, as he is more popularly known to fans of his band, Grammy Award-winning French rock darlings Phoenix – a band set to visit Manila next year.

Brancowitz told Bulletin Entertainment in a phone interview that he credits Aguilar in his growth as a musician.

“I like his music; it’s very simple, straightforward, but very melodic,” he said.

Brancowitz said he discovered Aguilar a long time ago and that he was prompted to check him out because of how he was depicted on one of his album covers.

“He looked great. He had very long hair and this wide-brimmed hat,” he shared.

Told that Aguilar is still very much around and still playing, Brancowitz said, “Wow. Maybe we could meet up with him when we get there.”

It is not a remote possibility, with Phoenix scheduled to visit the country early next year for a concert.

According to Brancowitz, he is looking forward to meeting not only Aguilar but other local musicians during their Manila stop.

“We love discovering new territories, new cultures, meeting interesting people… I would love to play with some of the local musicians,” he said.

Brancowitz said he is aware that the Philippines is still reeling from the devastation wrought by “Yolanda” and that coming in, they are hoping to be of inspiration to Filipinos.

“We’ve seen it on TV and it’s really, really terrible… I hope that through our performance we will be able to uplift (the Filipinos) in our own very humble way, because I know what we’re bringing in is just music and there are way more important things than that, but we’d like to be able to create a spiritual connection with your country,” he said.

Brancowitz said that the French and the Filipinos are similar in that they are also “fun-loving” and “friendly.”

Asked if he as any advice for local acts wanting to break through internationally like they did, despite English not being their first language, Brancowitz was hesitant.

“It’s really hard to give good advice,” he said. “I remember when we first got together, we felt too weird. We made an effort to be understood so we started writing songs in English to make the connection. So maybe that’s it: Try to make that connection. And don’t copy others. Stand out. Be different. Offer a new flavor.”

The Versailles indie-pop quartet’s first-ever Manila visit is made possible by Karpos Multimedia. Phoenix fans can get a load of their quirky tunes on Jan. 21, 2014 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Tickets are already on sale at all SM Ticket outlets, or visit the SM Tickets website.

Phoenix guitarist counts Freddie Aguilar among influences

Source: Mb.com.ph (December 02, 2013 at 04:23PM)

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