Dilaw knows a thing or two about keeping a band together
From K-pop bands and idol groups to the classic rock stars we’ll always remember, camaraderie and family within the band have always been romanticized. After all, they live, tour, create, and perform together—they’re bound to be close to each other. In fact, the different dynamics, specific to each band, are something that fans have come to gravitate towards, so much so that any semblance of hostility or indifference (no matter how small or insignificant) is quickly viewed as unusual and detrimental to the group.
“We have all had our personal differences, but we talk [them] out and move past them,” says Leon Karlos Altomonte of Dilaw in an interview with Lifestyle Inquirer. Joining him are rhythm guitarist Vie de la Rosa, lead vocalist Dilaw Obero, bassist Wayne dela Rosa, keyboardist En Altomonte, and drummer Tobi Samson
Today and following the release of their first album, “RARARA,” the case remains the same—disagreements and differences occur regardless of failures and successes. The key? Maintaining open communication with the band, giving each other ample space, and keeping your purpose as a band to heart.
No road without a home
“It’s the band’s first album. It was just nice that we all have a piece of work that we can really call something that we created—from the songwriters writing the songs to the rest of the band coming in and putting their parts,” Leon shares.
Dilaw’s debut album, four years since their first release with “Janice” in 2021, is about roadtrips and home. The band was originally based in Baguio and spent the last two years either in Manila or touring on the road. “RARARA” chronicles the group’s growth over that time.
“Touring for the past two years straight with the band changed our mindset and the way we see music and this project as a whole. We made this album inspired by all the trips we were able to take as a band,” Leon says.
But despite “RARARA” being about roadtrips and being away, the album hones in on the value of home and the journey towards it. After all, there’s no such thing as a road trip without a home—and at the end of the day, no matter how far you go, there’s always a place for you to go back to.
“We never really got the chance to explore. Instead, the narrative became, ‘we were looking for the perfect road trip, and at the time, the perfect road trip was going back home,’” Leon says.
“Yung idea ng home, kasama mo siya sa dreams mo. Kahit anong manyari sa road, may kasama kami,” De la Rosa adds.
“Uhaw” in hindsight
“Uhaw,” Dilaw’s biggest hit to date, has over 58 million streams and over 234 million streams for its “Tayong Dalawa” version on Spotify as of writing.
The song was one of the country’s biggest songs in 2022, and would have undoubtedly pressured any other artist to deliver another hit. But between crumbling under the pressure to create another “Uhaw,” or letting the viral hit’s success dictate their creative process—Dilaw opted for neither, choosing instead to write based on a desire to connect with their fans.
“Mayroong pressure. Pero para sa amin, yung pag handle ng pressure, ginagamit nalang namin bilang gasolina para mag create,” De la Rosa says.
He adds, “Hindi namin purpose magpasikat ng kanta. Ang goal namin ay gumawa ng maraming kanta na makakaresonate sa mga kaibigan namin at sa mga naniniwala sa amin.”
There is such a thing as “too close”
For a band that’s been open about their struggles and differences, Dilaw would surely know what it takes to keep a band together. But for them, it’s not necessarily about keeping things close, but rather, leaving enough room for growth.
“Don’t live together, figuratively and literally. Being able to have your own space as an artist, away from the project that is the band, does a lot for relationships. When you’re together, 24/7, which we’ve done, all the tiny differences become big differences, then they become pet peeves and annoyances. Give the band space, give each other space, and everything else will come naturally,” Leon says.
But in the end, just as Dilaw hone in on the journey back home in “RARARA,” the same applies to how they operate as a band—a love for music lies at the heart of Dilaw, and that’s something that they will always fall back on.
Samson says, “Everyone in this band really loves music, and that’s why we’ve always stayed together. Even if we have disagreements, the main focus is still the music. I don’t think we can stay a week without playing anything. We always have that itch to want to meet up and play.”
We recently invited Dilaw for a SCOUT Listening Party performance at Goto Monster at the Comuna Building in Makati. There, the band played “ALL IN,” “SEYP,” and “AMISTAD” from their recently released album, “RARARA.”
“ALL IN”
An electrifying opener to the Listening Party set and “RARARA,” reminiscent of a classic 2000s OPM track, “ALL IN” talks about giving your all for a dream you want to achieve. If anything, Dilaw knows a thing or two about it.
All in, may gusto ka bang hanapin? / Handa ka bang tahakin? / Ibibigay ko ang lahat, as in / All in, mundo mo ay magbabago / Ready ka na bang makita? / Ibigay mo ang lahat, all in
“SEYP”
Traveling from city to city is part of the job. While other artists may find themselves getting tired of it, Dilaw has found solace in the life on the move.
Bad trip naman, road trip na lang / Biyahe walang hanggan / Sound trip na lang, kung ‘di alam / Anong unang pupuntahan? / ‘La na ‘kong pakialam / Kahit saan, kahit sa buwan / Ilayo mo lang ako sa reyalidad / Oh, road trip naman
“AMISTAD”
In the heartfelt conclusion to “RARARA,” Dilaw looks back to home—that regardless of where their dreams or their road trip takes them, the memory of home is something they’ll always keep close to heart.
Mga gamit na damit, naipon / Kaibigan nagtitipon / Balik-tanaw lang sa kahapon / Kahit ako man ay malayo / Simoy man magbago / Malamig pa rin sa alaala ko
Dilaw’s Listening Party performance is coming soon on youtube.com/@scout1874
