It
doesn’t always have to be sink or swim when it comes to mental health.
Ben&Ben chronicle the experience of drowning
in torrential distress and anxiety on the music video of their new single “Lunod.”
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jerrold Tarog (Heneral Luna, Sana
Dati), the visual narrative pushes the discussion forward with its
metaphorical depiction of individuals trying to keep their head above water and
find their way out of a dark, harrowing tunnel.
“The
music video is a deeply introspective and symbolic interpretation of the song,
which is all tied in together from the concept and writing, down to the
location,” lead vocalist, guitarist and Lunod chief songwriter Paolo
Benjamin explains. “In the video, the song is narrated as the band, with Zild
and juan karlos, move deeper and deeper into the tunnel slowly—losing breath,
then in the latter half taking powerful strides to move out of it. This signals
a ‘rebirth’ into a new, more mature version of the self.”
The
cinematic visuals were shot at the El Deposito water reservoir, an underground
location known for its historical significance to the events that lead to the
Philippine Revolution, Philippine-American War, and World War II.
“Lunod”
serves as the band’s reunion project with Jerrold Tarog, who helmed the music video
for their 2018 track “Susi,” off the historical epic drama, Goyo: Ang Batang
Heneral. “We love collaborating with visionaries in their fields, and so it
was a dream working with him,” the acclaimed folk-pop group reveals.
Ahead
of the music video release, the nine-piece collective dropped a live acoustic
performance of “Lunod” last month. The version, which features collaborators
Zild and juan karlos, strips down the bluesy, classic rock arrangements of the
original for a more subdued take. The intimate interpretation of the song is
part of an exclusive EP release featuring multiple iterations of “Lunod” in
various formats, including an extended version of the track.
“The
multiple versions for ‘Lunod’ were intended to bring a full listening
experience to our listeners; for them to hear what more could be brought out of
the song,” Ben&Ben shares in a statement. “We decided to release for
streaming the acoustic jam of ‘Lunod,’ the extended version in the music video.”
Aside
from the EP, ‘Lunod’ received a remix treatment from hip-hop artist Zelijah, who
channeled his struggles with mental health on the production level, and even
added a rap verse to convey the mental strains that he went through during the
pandemic, and after being diagnosed as bipolar. The “Bipolar remix” of the
track gives Zelijah the opportunity to put his own character into the song, and
reinterpret it with ethereal sonic elements that blend trap, hip-hop, modern
electronica, and rock music genres.
Apart
from the ‘Lunod’ EP, Ben&Ben and its label, Sony Music Philippines, recently
opened a Lunod-themed café at Latitude Bean+Bar in Malate, Manila as
part of Ben&Ben’s Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café activities, which will
run from November 25-27. The pop-up café includes a Lunod art
installation inspired by Zelijah’s Bipolar Remix, as well as other art
activities related to mental health.
The
Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café features several exclusive activities for Liwanag
and ordinary folks to immerse themselves into Ben&Ben’s critically acclaimed
album and upcoming digital concert. The two other exclusive pop-ups are located
at Jess + Pat’s in Maginhawa, QC, and Kale Café in Fairview, QC.
Music
fans can also purchase tickets to Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert
directly at the three pop-up locations in Metro Manila. Set to redefine the
concert-going experience with the biggest headline concert of their career,
Ben&Ben’s upcoming digital concert will be integrating live music
performance with multiple creative disciplines such as theatre, dance,
orchestra, and technology to create an audio-visual spectacle like no other.
Ben&Ben’s “Lunod,” featuring Zild and juan karlos, is
out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch
the music video here.
“Lunod” collaborators Zild and juan karlos are also set
to join Ben&Ben on Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert, happening on December
05, 2021 (Sun) from 8pm to 11pm. Get your tickets here.
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