MUSIC: Sheila & The Insects From Cebu
Sheila & The Insects is a Cebu-based new-wave influenced rock band. Here’s an exclusive with the band’s lead guitarist Ian Zafra.
Let’s talk about Flowerfish. Why did you choose to go with that album cover look?
Ian: Orven (vocalist) proposed it to us. He had it in his files. I personally like the idea of its mystery. That blank stare, the red lips, the underwater bubbles strike a very strong impression — ambiguous yet vivid, violent yet calm, dead yet alive. The photo was taken by Orven, by the way.
The album is obviously influenced by layers of experiences that go beyond the idea of just referring to foreign music influences…
Ian: I sensed that we are a group of strong personalities — a band of band leaders. Every now and then we try to remind ourselves that what we’re doing is not about who gets the best part in a song, who gets their suggestions used, or who gets the credits. Some of the songs in the album were written 7 to 9 years ago. “Just In Case” is a piece I wrote as a demo during “Plastic Eyes” and, incidentally, landed in Orven’s car stereo.
Your lyrical sensibilities come off as simple but compelling.
Ian: Thank you. That’s very important because songwriting is a preliminary stage to a medium of communication, and if you put unnecessary words to it, will defeat its purpose.
