CHIRO

STAR RECORDS SIGNS UP PROMISING QUARTET CHIRO

The potential for artistic and commercial success is seen more clearly through accomplishments proving a particular act's brilliance. In the case of Chiro, a four-piece band Star Records recently signed-up through its sub-label Nugen, winning a nationwide band competition spearheaded by international brand Nokia is a claim-to-fame big enough to earn everyone's attention.

An acoustic act with strong pop rock sensibilities, Chiro bested over 200 participants in the Nokia Music Connection challenge that attracted some of the finest showbands and aspiring rockers in the land. The contest was concluded this year and this group from Angeles, Pampanga emerged as the champ.

"What we want is to be one of those acts respected for putting out intelligent music, not disposable songs with appeal that do not last long," expressed Toni Rose Reynes, the group's lady singer whose vocal strength as front woman easily draws comparison to Up Dharma Down's Armi Millare.

Though the citation might be irresistible to some, listening closely to the group directs one to accept that Toni has a voice of her own and that her band sounds authentic to a deep degree.

Chiro, (pronounced as ki-ro) a Latin word for 'hands,' has recorded a number of originals and covers for its debut collection of songs released through digital mainstream. Most of the tracks are radio-positives, with "Pahiwatig," a musically progressive piece that tackles love and desertion, serving as lead single.

The complete tracklist of their self-titled digital album includes: “Batang-bata Ka Pa,” “Iyak Na,” “Pahiwatig,” “Alaala,” and “Handog.”

"We started as a straightforward acoustic act six years ago," shared guitar player Faelmar Ocampo. "We've been around playing gigs in our hometown and finally got the break to record under mainstream label after we won the Music Connection competition. We're definitely enjoying the ride."

A tried-and-tested act in the competitively thriving show band scene in Pampanga, Chiro, with its "original and eccentric" sound, has been winning fans over, especially after hearing them play live. Their fan base is expected to grow now that they have officially recorded.

With reputable producer Gino Cruz at the helm and Rox B. Santos of Star Records supervising album production, this promising act immediately got the respect of veteran composer and Metropop winner Jungee Marcelo who collaborated with them on a pop filtered song he wrote called "Alaala."

For the recordings bound for physical CD-release in due time, the group did their interesting versions for the OPM classics "Handog" (Florante) and "Batang-bata Ka Pa" (APO Hiking Society). They also recorded Music Connection's theme song "Tawag Ng Panahon."

Toni, then a college student of UST where she and Faelmar met and formed their first band, added, "Di pa nagsisink-in sa amin ang string of blessings coming our way. What we can assure though is we'll stay grounded no matter what. Ang habol namin primarily is to spread our music."

Completing Chiro's line up is Toni's brother Ivan Louis Reynes (drummer) and Erick Gabriel (bassist). Now, let's put our hands together and welcome a winner.

Chiro’s self-entitled prepaid digital album, “CHIRO”, will be released this July 2011 in Astrovision, Odyssey and SM Record Bars.  To redeem the digital album, log on to www.starmusic.ph.

Individual tracks may already be downloaded from www.starrecords.ph, and soon on I-tunes and Amazon.com.