Discovery and nostalgia

Orange & Lemons looking to attract old fans
and new while embarking on Europe tour
and readies all-English album

OPM band Orange & Lemons (O&L) released their new single, “Too Young To Be Old,” and are getting ready for their European tour that will run from May to June.

Known for hits like “Hanggang Kailan (Umuwi Ka Na Baby)” and “Heaven Knows – This Angel Has Flown,” the group teased the new track in a press event on April 16 in San Juan City. It is set to be part of an upcoming album, VI-SIONS OF AMBER, their first all-English body of work.

The band was founded in 1999 and was a staple in the Pinoy rock scene until they disbanded in 2007. Since their return in 2017, they’ve been composed of vocalist, guitarist and O&L founding member Clem Castro, drummer Ace del Mundo, bassist JM del Mundo, and keyboardist Jared Nerona who joined the band when it was reconstituted.

NEW MUSIC
While the 2022 album La Bulaqueña saw the band take inspiration from artist Juan Luna and champion local kundiman sounds, O&L’s new track takes a more global tack.

“We decided to go back to a ’60s and ’70s-influenced album. True original indie pop is inspired by the ’60s, even the ’50s, and we wanted to do it all in English,” he said at the press event.

“There’s a certain resurgence of the old sound even among new artists,” Mr. Castro said. “We did this just to see how it will travel.”

“Too Young To Be Old” explores the complexities of transition and self-awareness, according to Mr. Castro, who is the chief songwriter. Though it is inspired by a relationship experienced differently by two people, he described the song as depicting “the strange middle space where you’re no longer reckless, but not quite settled either.”

The track was produced at his hybrid studio, LILYPOD AUDIO, and serves as O&L’s first release mixed in Dolby Atmos, surround sound technology that creates an immersive sonic experience.

For keyboardist Mr. Nerona, has his first songwriting credit on the album, there is a “good vibe” that fans can look forward to.

“It’s very ’60s,” he said. “We have a song that I co-wrote with Clem about a car and about my daughter as well. There’s an overall modern vintage quality to it.”

As for their expectations for how the new songs will be received, Mr. Castro explained that they are at the stage where they are simply doing what they want.

“It’s not about instant success. It took ‘Heaven Knows’ 20 years before it became a hit. It’s about the legacy of the band, what we leave our families and fans, how we want to be remembered,” he said.

EUROPE TOUR
The group will be embarking on their European tour next month, with stops in major cities like London, Milan, Madrid, Paris, and Amsterdam. The first stop will be Dublin on May 14.

“A lot of OPM acts are touring Europe now, but it isn’t as convoluted as the scene in the US,” Mr. Castro said of their venture. “There are already so many concert producers in the US.”

The tour, aside from being geared towards the Filipino community abroad, is meant to attract new listeners from varying backgrounds and ethnicities.

“What excites us most is the contrast — you’re playing for people who may be hearing you for the first time, alongside Filipinos who’ve carried the music with them wherever they are,” said Mr. Castro. “There’s something spe-cial about that mix. For Filipinos abroad, the songs become a connection to home. For new listeners, it’s a fresh introduction.”

As for the set list, O&L emphasized that it will be a balance of essential songs and newer material, with the two-pronged goal of “discovery and nostalgia.”

“We were kids from Bulacan who rose from nowhere and couldn’t handle the fame and money. That’s what showbiz did to O&L, and we don’t regret that because it’s a very expensive lesson in life,” Mr. Castro explained, when asked about how they see their fame.

While the Europe tour represents O&L at the stage of being young enough to “just have fun with it,” they are also already old enough to be wiser.

“All of that has made us aware that music is a business, and we’re now mindful of how we preserve our legacy, how we control our songwriting and masters,” he said, adding half-jokingly that there could be enough material for a tell-all au-tobiography.

“We even have a legacy contract. We’re forward thinkers now!”

O&L’s “Too Young To Be Old” is available on all digital music platforms worldwide. Their Europe tour runs from May 14 to June 7. — Brontë H. Lacsamana