Kurei Granada is just the right vibe for Imago
In a “secret audition” Imago held to find a new vocalist, hopefuls were told just one thing: “Here are a couple of songs and play them like you own them.” And Kurei Granada, the singer-songwriter behind the 2019 hit “Paasa,” went in, expecting a casual jam session. She was unsure and nervous at first. She sang tentatively, pausing every so often and leaving songs unfinished because she had yet to learn them by heart.
By all appearances, she wasn’t quite “owning” the songs—or so she thought.
So when band members Tim Cacho (guitar), Myrene Academia (bass), and Mervin Panganiban (drums) told Granada she got the spot, the first thing that crossed her mind was, “Sure ba sila?”
“Nagulat na lang ako,” she said at a press conference. “It’s not every day you get a chance to be part of a band that’s already established and big in OPM.”
Everything fell into place
While Cacho did sense Granada’s initial reluctance, her performance quickly had the rest of the group exchanging glances. They were, of course, looking for someone who could sing—but something about Granada simply “clicked.” The decision was a no-brainer.
“Maraming magaling kumanta. Maraming perfect ang pitch and everything. Pero ang mas importanteng hinahanap namin ‘yong puwede mo talagang maging ka-banda,” Cacho says. “And we’re lucky na ka-vibes namin siya kahit younger siya nang konti!”
“We’re thankful to have found her at a time we needed her. Everything simply fell into place,” Academia says of meeting Granada, whose hiatus coincided with Imago’s search for a vocalist, following Kiara San Luis’ departure in 2022. “She’s just fun to be around with. Mas importante sa ‘min ‘yong barkada, and she fits in really well.”
Looking for someone you can vibe with may sound trivial—until you realize that you will be spending your foreseeable future sharing the stage, composing music together, and navigating inevitable creative differences. True enough, the chemistry they felt with Granada proved itself while working on their latest EP, “Pasimple.”
“It’s one of the most fun projects we have done,” Cacho says of the five-track collection, which includes the songs “Lagi na Lang,” “Gulong-Gulo,” “Andito na Tayo,” “Pasimple,” and “Sayang na Sayang.” “Things moved quickly. We managed to finish roughly one recording a day. Hindi kasi mahirap ka-work ang mga tao.”
Creative peak
Produced in collaboration with Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala, the EP maintains Imago’s emotional, guitar-driven sound while “pushing the arrangements into unfamiliar territory.”
But more than a reflection of the band’s openness to new styles and influences, despite being more than two decades into the game, the EP is also a way for Granada to put her stamp on the group and establish its sound with her. In fact, she wrote most of the lyrics, which explore the realities of love and relationships.
“We’re at peak creativity with this album, with songs inspired by our years as music lovers, plus fresh creative input from Kurei,” the band says. “It’s a representation of the interlocking energy and vibes of the members, and our life experiences from the past until the present.”
“Pinoys love listening to hugot songs—mahilig tayo masaktan,” quips Granada, whose biggest challenge so far has been the shift in singing styles Imago songs demand.
As a solo artist, she describes her vocals as “chill.” Playing with the band, on the other hand, compels her to sing with more urgency—a hallmark of Imago’s style. “Akap,” for instance, isn’t something you can just coast through.
Thankfully, her bandmates give her the headroom to grow. “Even if she was unsure in the beginning, we encouraged her,” Academia says. “Alam namin na kaya niya, and we’re excited to see how far she can still go.”
Keep it authentic
Perhaps to help her find her footing faster, the band also offered Granada the chance to incorporate her solo repertoire into their setlists. But there’s no need, she says. Right now, the goal is to pick up where the band left off. “Gusto ko rin ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan na and give the songs justice,” she says.
Whether or not Granada’s addition—and the fresh energy she brings—will draw younger fans remains to be seen. They’re not going to pretend that they’re no longer after scoring hits, or that they make no effort to avoid sounding dated. “Who doesn’t want that?” Cacho says.
But at this point in their careers, all of that is just a bonus. “We will do what we do and keep things authentic. Ito ang sound namin. We will play it the best we can and hope it resonates with the people,” he says. “But if it doesn’t, at least we’re happy with our music.”
