Imagine stumbling upon a hidden city where every street corner echoes with mesmerizing hymns, where melodies drift from windows like whispered secrets, and where every song tells a story that feels like it was written just for you. That's Ciudad – not just a brilliant Filipino indie rock band, but a sonic metropolis that's been enchanting hearts and minds for over two decades.
If you've been wondering about this musical city of wonders, you've come to the right place. This is your complete guide to everything Ciudad, with some narratives that came straightly from the words of the bandleader himself.
Trust us, by the time you're done reading this, you'll understand why this band has built such an enduring sanctuary in the Philippine music scene.
Meet Ciudad: Where Every Street Corner Sings
If you think Ciudad is just another OPM alternative band, you're hugely mistaken. They're storytellers, mood-setters, and the soundtrack to those who are fond of semi-underground talent. Since they introduced themselves in 2000, they've released six studio albums, gone independent, and took on real-life "adulting" jobs. But here's what makes them special – they never lost their magic touch.
Ciudad's original lineup consists of:
- Mikey Amistoso – lead vocals and bass
- Justin Sunico – lead guitars and vocals
- Jason Cabal – rhythm guitars
- Mitch Singson – drums
The band revolves around the creative genius of Mikey, their frontman and primary songwriter, who usually sings in two voices. The first one is squeaky-high, like that of a kid with a put-upon temper tantrum, on the verge of breaking into a belabored falsetto when the high notes arrive (nevertheless charming in the Sean Lennon sense of the word.)
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The Complete Ciudad Discography: A Journey Through Time
Let's take a trip through Ciudad's musical evolution. Each of their 5 albums tells a story not just of the band, but of growing up in the Philippines during the 2000s and beyond.
Hello! How Are You, Mico the Happy Bear? (2000)
Their debut album was pure youthful exuberance packed into 19 tracks. According to Mikey: When we were starting out, we were heavily influenced by the seminal records of '90s indie-rock bands like Pavement's Wowee Zowee, and Guided By Voices' Alien Lanes. The album title itself has a sweet backstory – We had a friend and batchmate from college called Mico who really looked like a happy bear. No kidding! We decided to give him a shout-out by putting him in our first album's title.
Fun fact: The producers of that album, Raymund Marasigan (Eheads and Sandwhich) and Sancho Sanchez, are known for their pranks and antics when producing records. I remember one time when they had me lie down on the studio floor to record vocals for 'Simple Song', so I could nail that relaxed-in-the-bedroom vibe.
Is That Ciudad? Yes, Son, It's Me. (2003)
This album marked a crucial transition for the band – they went independent. Unlike today, going independent as a band in the early 2000s was a scary thing. Back then, the standard practice was to book a proper recording studio and have a record company pay those bills for you. But Ciudad took the leap, and it paid off.
The album title itself is a clever play on words that took even Mikey some time to fully appreciate. I remember liking it immediately, just because it sounded fun, and it fit the criteria of having our name in the title, but I initially missed the joke that it was supposed to be a pun of 'Is That You, Dad?' I got it months later.
It's Like A Magic (2005)
Here's where Ciudad showed their growth as musicians. The only magical thing about that album is we were able to turn those embarrassing songs from our early teens into something that sounded good, well-produced, and somehow presentable and listenable. They took their older material and transformed it into something special.
Bring Your Friends (2008)
This album gets deeply personal. The material for that album was written at a phase in our lives when we were all going through the pains of growing up. Most of the songs were all about hard times, heartbreak, frustrations of "adulting". But it's also about community and support – So that record was like a dedication and "thank you" to all our friends who were there for us. The album inlay even featured photos of them hanging out with us.
Follow the Leader (2012)
Follow the Leader, their latest album, is a step in a different direction for the band. It's a complete departure from the things we did before, said Mikey. We're prominently a guitar band, but in this album there are more non-guitar instruments laid in than actual guitars". This album showed Ciudad's willingness to experiment and evolve.
The recording process was unique too. There was a toy drum kit inside which served as the drums for most of the recordings; we just positioned a single microphone anywhere inside that room and captured not the sound of the drums, but the sound of a small room where a toy drum set was being played.
Ciudad Forever (2019)
After a seven-year hiatus, Ciudad returned with their most mature work yet. We never actually left the scene, we just embraced our daily lives more after releasing Follow The Leader. This double album served as both a comeback and a retrospective, featuring new material alongside reworked versions of their classic songs.
Notable Songs: The Hymns That Built the City
Before we dive into Ciudad's musical evolution, let's explore the songs that have become the cornerstone melodies of their sonic metropolis. These tracks showcase exactly why Ciudad has maintained such a devoted following and why newcomers instantly fall under their spell.
Sipilyo
"Sipilyo" stands as Ciudad's signature anthem, the song that first put them on the map and introduced countless listeners to their unique brand of indie rock. With its infectious energy and Mikey's distinctive vocal delivery, this track perfectly encapsulates everything that makes Ciudad special – it's playful yet profound, catchy yet complex. If you're going to listen to just one Ciudad song to understand their appeal, this is it.
Get You Closer
This track showcases Ciudad's ability to craft intimate, emotionally resonant music that feels like a personal conversation. "Get You Closer" demonstrates their knack for turning universal feelings of longing and connection into something that feels uniquely Filipino while remaining universally relatable.
Friday Noon
"Friday Noon" captures that specific feeling of anticipation and possibility that comes with the end of the work week. It's one of those songs that perfectly soundtracks a moment in time, making it an instant favorite among fans who've found solace in its laid-back groove and thoughtful lyrics.
My Emptiness
Perhaps one of their most emotionally raw tracks, "My Emptiness" shows Ciudad's ability to transform pain into beauty. The song demonstrates how the band evolved from their early tongue-in-cheek approach to creating music that's "poignant yet hopeful" – it's honest about struggle while maintaining that essential Ciudad spark of resilience.
Tindahan Ni Aling Nena
This cover of the iconic Eraserheads track shows Ciudad's deep respect for their OPM predecessors while making the song entirely their own. Their interpretation of "Tindahan Ni Aling Nena" demonstrates how they can honor the past while bringing their unique perspective to beloved classics. It's a perfect example of how Ciudad fits into the broader tapestry of Filipino rock music.
Why Ciudad Matters in the OPM Scene
What makes Ciudad special is how they've grown without losing their essence. Our songs have evolved from being "tongue-in-cheek, snarky, silly and nonsensical" in the early days, to being "poignant yet hopeful, a bit sensible, and still snarky" nowadays.
Their approach to album-making has also matured. As we matured and grew older, we sort of mastered the art of 'restraint.' We slowly took a different turn from our Guided By Voices inspired route, and instead of churning out songs and songs for a packed album, we focused on carefully crafting each song and eventually coming up with more meaningful material.
Ciudad's Impact on Filipino Indie Music
Ciudad represents something crucial in Philippine music – the bridge between the alternative rock explosion of the '90s and the indie sensibility of the 2000s. They've managed to stay relevant for over two decades by constantly evolving while maintaining their core identity.
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| Ciudad in one of their earliest DIY sessions |
The band's decision to go independent in the early 2000s was groundbreaking. Recording at home in your bedroom was only suitable for demos, not for final releases. So it was a major leap, and we just had to be all gung-ho about it and enjoy. They paved the way for countless Filipino bands to take control of their own artistic destiny.
Their DIY approach extended beyond just recording. We also had to market our album ourselves, relying on word-of-mouth, our mailing list (no social media and no YouTube yet!), and just plain impressing people at our shows, so we could sell the CDs that we just had manufactured.
Ciudad's 25th Anniversary Celebration
In 2019, Ciudad marked their 25th anniversary with the release of "Ciudad Forever" and a special concert. This milestone celebration showed just how enduring their appeal has been. The album served as both a retrospective of their journey and a statement that they're still creating relevant music.
In a music scene that often prioritizes commercial appeal over artistic integrity, Ciudad has managed to do both. They've created music that resonates with people on a personal level while maintaining their artistic vision. Relevance and meaning still beat years of routine and practice. Ultimately, wiser is still better than older. Fortunately, Ciudad is like fine wine—tasting better than they ever had in years.
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Ciudad's music is available on various platforms. Their Spotify page for instance, offers their complete discography, and their albums can be found on major streaming platforms. For physical copies, especially of their newer releases, fans can contact the band directly.
Final Thoughts: Welcome to the City of Mesmerizing Hymns
In a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, Ciudad stands as a testament to the power of authentic artistry. Their musical city serves as a sanctuary where emotions find expression, memories take shape in melodies, and listeners discover they're not alone in their experiences.
So pack your headphones and prepare to be enchanted. Ciudad awaits – a city of mesmerizing hymns where good music, honest storytelling, and genuine human connection never go out of style. Once you step foot in their musical metropolis, you'll understand why so many have chosen to stay, and why the city's population continues to grow with each passing year.
Welcome to Ciudad. Population: everyone who's ever needed a song to call home.
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