Gabba

Math rock and pop? Gabba knows how to mix it better than anyone in the Philippines.

Since beehype started, the indie math rock folk group Fools and Foes have been one of our favourite bands in the Philippines. But last year, they went on hiatus because of some critical departures.

That was a terrible news, but now we learn the guitarist Gabba Santiago started a solo project. After you listen to his debut single “Puzzle”, you’ll know the F&F’s spirit is still alive. This catchy 5-minute mix of math rock, indie and pop also sums up why we love those high-skilled, pop-loving guitarists from the Philippines and generally the Southeast Asia region.

The single is accompanied by a live-like video directed by Joshua Elefan and Gabba himself and featuring him up to fourfold. “It has been both an interesting and challenging experience,” he said about “Puzzle”, which was apparently in the making for about two years. A nice bonus: those vocals closer to the end come from another of our local favourites, Clara Benin.

Gabba’s debut solo full-legth is due to come out in 2021.

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Gabba on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bandcamp.

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