Kaswal na Sandwich: A Delicious All Tagalog EP
- Sandwich released a new all-Tagalog EP called Kaswal, reflecting their more relaxed songwriting process
- The EP consists of six songs created before and after the pandemic
- The band plans to record a full-length album after the EP release
- The EP launch featured performances from other musicians and marked a contract renewal with PolyEast Records
- The songs in the EP cover a range of themes and musical styles, including love songs and rainy-day anthems
- The band is not worried about artificial intelligence replacing musicians in the future
Alt-rock band Sandwich has recently released a new all-Tagalog EP entitled “Kaswal,” featuring six songs that reflect their more relaxed songwriting process. The band, composed of Raimund Marasigan on lead vocals, Diego Castillo and Mong Alcaraz on guitars and backing vocals, Myrene Academia on bass, and Mike Dizon on drums, decided to compile tracks they had created before and after the pandemic into this EP.
The decision to release an EP instead of a formal album was a casual one, as Raimund explained, “We’ve been releasing singles and we’ve just decided casually to release them as an EP.” The band had not planned on creating an all-Tagalog collection of songs, but it happened organically.
Following the release of “Kaswal,” Sandwich is now gearing up to record a full-length album. According to Mong, the EP is a result of years spent accumulating songs and ideas, as the band had been in studio mode for the last five years. Each member worked from home, contributing their own material, which they later edited together to create the EP.
The band found the music-making process for “Kaswal” to be more relaxed and easygoing, reflecting their current state of mind. With technology making it easier to collaborate remotely, the band utilized tools like Google Drive to upload and share their work. The convenience of digital recording also allowed them to accumulate a wealth of material for their upcoming full-length album.
The EP was recently launched at Apotheka Manila in Makati, where the band performed alongside other musicians from the younger generation. The event also marked Sandwich’s contract renewal with music label PolyEast Records.
Each song on “Kaswal” tells a unique story, from personal experiences to social commentary. “Nyare?” captures the band’s signature crunchy guitar sound with a funky groove, inspired by Raimund’s experience with his dog. “Ibang Araw Na Lang” reflects on not letting bad moments overshadow the bigger picture of life, while “Morena” is a love song for the Filipino people.
“Wag Ka Na Lang Kumagat” takes a darker but funkier turn with confrontational lyrics, while “Tag-ulan na Naman” serves as a rainy-day anthem with a ’70s disco vibe. “Tag-araw,” written during a summer trip to Tuguegarao, channels a darker, club-ish sound.
In response to the ongoing debate on the possibility of artificial intelligence replacing musicians in the future, Sandwich expressed confidence in their craft. They are not afraid of technology and believe in the artistic value and usage of music. Despite the advancements in AI, the band does not feel threatened and continues to create music that resonates with their audience.
Fans can listen to Sandwich’s new music on their official digital platforms, including YouTube and Spotify.
/Digital Sauce
