NARDA calls it a day

[last.dodo.bird]

I'll just post these two messages by Ryan Villena (Narda's drummer) on their yahoogroup:

Hello everyone!

Its been a good five years since K2 and I started the band with JV,
Wincy, and Ed. And through those years, other people have shared their
talent and love with us. People like Nico Af, Jing, Naz, Jep and all
the rest have been part of the Narda family.

But all good things must pass.

So we invite you all to Narda's last gig on April 12 at Saguijo.

We will also launch the "Gasolina" music video as our token to everyone
who have supported our music and passion for the past half decade.

Thank you and we hope to see you on our last flight.

- Ryan of Narda

and...

Hi, everyone!

It's good to hear that everyone has been concerned with our "sudden" disbandment. It's
actually not too sudden for us. We had it coming.

To be honest, the band has been trying to stay afloat for the past 6 months. I, personally,
have been carrying emotional baggage from the departure of all the narda members who
withdrew from the fight through the years. I'm sure, K2 feels much the same. With every
new member that came in, I had to teach him all the songs. Aside from this, we had to jam
as a band as well. Just imagine how many times I taught "Molotov" to sessionists and
aspiring keyboardists and drummers for the past two years... probably more than 30
times.

Then we had all these questions going through our minds: "Why can't we move on? Why
couldn't we gain momentum? Why aren't we getting the right breaks?" The questions just
kept on weighing us down.

But it's good that you guys have been part of this egroup. All your words of
encouragement have helped us a lot. Though I may not have been the most active lister, I
have read all your messages and have managed this egroup since the beginning. You
guys have helped us cope with all the stress and saw us through by pointing out what was
good about our music. For this, I'd like to thank everyone.

And of course after all the frustrations, we've grown tired. We're tired of having to find
manpower for the band. We're tired of the bad breaks we've had. We're tired of bearing
the name of a household pop song, whose reputation precedes us. we just wanted to end
things before we tire ourselves from each other.

The Chinese say this is a good year to try something new. Who knows, by doing this we
might be really trying something new?

So I advise everyone in this egroup to fully support any artist while they are still active in
the circuit. Go to their gigs, write to them, interact with them, buy their cds, have them
sign stuff, spread the love to your friends, share the music, invite them to play for your
school, all the good **** you can give them...just do it...while they're still there.

Thanks for the support and I hope you guys will continue to support us in whatever
projects we might go into in the future.

Again, thanks!

- rYAN oF nARDA

and I'll just paraphrase what I replied over there:

I guess it's fitting to quote once more a line by Jason Caballa that I've used in both my reviews of Narda's albums: "Why Narda isn't bigger than what they already are really baffles me." Maybe you guys could say that Narda is like the Alfred Hitchcock or Martin Scorsese of the pinoy music scene... like those directors who only have one Oscar between them, the band has enormous street-cred: The people... the fans... we love them, but I agree that they seemingly haven't had the breaks that they deserve... and again, that baffles me to no end. Narda, a band that has released two of the best albums of the past several years just can't get a break...

But at the end of it all, what matters most is how they feel about the band. If it isn't fun anymore... if it feels forced already... if it becomes less and less about the joy of music with each passing moment... then I respect the decision to call it a day. Maybe it's just time to take a breather. If they guys were meant to make music... if it's their passion and it's what drives them... I guess they will be itching to take the stage again sometime.

For now, I'll hold on to what music of theirs I have and enjoy it. If in the future, fate dictates that they play again (maybe by that time, NOT under the name of a household pop song) - then that will be a day to look forward to.

[nikobatallones]

Awwww is an immediate reply. Basically I'm a Narda newcomer and am basically close to liking it. Have contemplated buying the album, but still haven't.

Here goes to talent.

[nosferatujoe]

We're tired of bearing
the name of a household pop song, whose reputation precedes us.

di ko kinaya to. its soo sad that narda will embark into another journey. sayang talaga. it makes me sad, twisted halo disbanded a year ago tapos narda naman. nakakahinayang.

well let's support katwo's new venture, duster with myrene academia.

[tequilapj]

i have four of narda's early EPs and while i may not listen to them as often as i should, i definitely respect and admire their musicality and dedication to their craft. i consider myself fortunate to have had the chance to interview them as a group and pick their brains some time ago. they really are an intelligent and talented bunch and their decision to disband is a loss to the industry. best of luck to all of them, especially to ryan who i think is the heart and soul of narda.

narda: ang taga-sagip ng rakenrol!

[rockstaridol]

well that is sad. what saddens me is not the disbandment per se, but the reason behind it. THEY CAN'T JUST GET A RIGHT BREAK. Reality has set in: not all talented people become successful

then again, am also excited for katwo's new venture! there is hope!

[wrongboy]

well that is sad. what saddens me is not the disbandment per se, but the reason behind it. THEY CAN'T JUST GET A RIGHT BREAK. Reality has set in: not all talented people become successful

then again, am also excited for katwo's new venture! there is hope!

And people with questionable and marginal talent make it, right?

Right. Just spend an hour at the local music channels

I do hope their Molotov vid still gets airplay.

[rhyme]