By Lo
Feeling blue this Valentine’s Day? Or…hopeless? I’ve got the antidote for you! Geeky, nerdy and highly relatable, I got to sit down with S.N.R.G and got the latest on their new album, Hopeless: Lost Love Songs.
Lo: Who are you and how did you come to be? What does S.N.R.G. mean?
S.N.R.G.: Well, it really started when Antonio met Araceli, in the beautiful province of Pampanga, Philippines. They fell in love and eventually got married. They started a family in the United States, where two of their boys, eyespk and L.A.S.T.O.N.E, found their artistic calling in Washington, D.C.
It started with a poem, found on the family computer by a brother. Inspiration ensued and a coalition of creatives was born. Fast forward over 10 countries, a radio and television program and three albums later . . . and that pretty much brings us up-to-date.
Some Never Really Get S.N.R.G. It is not only our call to action, but a challenge to our audience to #FEELintheBLANK and let the world know what ‘Some Never Really Get’ about them and lead by example. It is a message of understanding . . . the understanding that we may never truly understand one another; but that should never deter us from attempting to connect with others that seem different.
Lo: What genre do you consider yourselves? Who are your biggest influences and how do they have an effect on your music?
S.N.R.G.: We are alternative Hip-Hop with a touch of R&B Soul . . . but really we just like to create based on our interpretations of what music is to us. Influenced by sounds of the 50’s and 60’s – the majority of Motown. The Eagles, Jim Croce, Outkast, Camp Lo, Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development, Bone Thugs n’ Harmony, Donnell Jones, Frank Ocean, just to name a few. The idea of playing with words fascinates us. The placement, meaning and flow of words . . . and the opportunity to spark conversation.
Lo: Describe your creative journey thus far. What are some unexpected things you’ve come about and how did you combat them?
S.N.R.G.: As stated on our business card:
“We did clothing. The National Zoo liked us. We did more clothing. Nike stole from us. We stopped doing clothing. Found out my brother does poetry. We did music instead. Found our fans wanted clothing. WE did clothing . . . so you could wear our music.”
Lo: So you just released your album, Hopeless: Lost Love Songs. What inspired this collection of dope songs?
S.N.R.G.: “Hopeless: Lost Love Songs” documents the romantic misadventures of the Super Barrio Brothers. Although, we do our best to save the princess . . . sometimes you just fall in “lava”. Get it? (Love. ugh!)
Lo: Do you have a particular song on the album that really resonated with you and or your audience? Why do you think it has this effect?
S.N.R.G.: “Not The Way” or “Take Me” . . . The audience seems to love singing along with those particular tracks. We like it when people sing along with us! Probably because we were raised with an obligatory karaoke night with the family.
Lo: What is your hope for not only this album but the future of S.N.R.G. Music?
S.N.R.G.: We really just want to dispel the misconception that we’re these average Filipino R&B thugs with soothing crescendos (/krəˈSHenˌdō/ the highest point reached in a progressive increase of intensity). We’re talking about ‘practice’, and practicing our passion at the highest level. So we can become above average Filipino R&B thugs.
All jokes aside, we do have a genuine appreciation for the different arts of expression. Our willingness to build a platform for the community is demonstrated every month at our #FEELintheBLANK showcase at Jammin Java. Please come join us! We want to invite everyone to partake. Be it, as an artist or audience member, come and #GetFamilia(R) with the local scene!
Finished with the album? Need more S.N.R.G? #FEELintheBLANK and #GetFamilia(R) with the area’s premier artist showcase from February to June. Be sure to check out S.N.R.G on YouTube, Facebook, and be sure to check their website for the official dates of their next shows!
This article was originally published for Quirktastic, Inc., 2020