The band, anchored on the enigmatic presence of soulful singer Kat Agarrado and ingeniously named Sinosikat?, has returned after a long hiatus with a new single and the plan to release an album after 15 years.
Kat, now even more mature vocally and spiritually, is very much on board as she is supported by a bunch of experienced musicians eager to reignite her band’s fire.
Sinosikat? launched its comeback single “Heart Calling” on Feb. 27 at 12 Monkeys in Capitol Commons, Pasig City.
Kat shared, “It’s a joy to be on stage carrying the Sinosikat? flag again. Grateful for my band, my team, our friends and supporters online and offline, and most especially the people who came to the launch and made an effort to show their love and support. Some came there with their stories on how our music was part of their lives. And madami din hindi nakapasok. It’s nostalgic and it felt fantastic to be singing our songs again.”
Kat noted that the song kind of wrote itself after a mate sent her a loop to serve as a guide. The “spirit of the moment” as she described it helped her fully jot it down. She related, “We are at the stage of our life where, yes, we have accomplished things but our lives (had) become stagnant at some point. It brings us to a crossroads where you can either stay where you are, or you can keep walking in the fullness of His purpose for your life. It’s the perfect theme for Sinosikat? continuing.”
Kat added that the song is “a love song for yourself because it leans towards self-love, giving your soul what it needs to ascend.” Her current bandmate Francis de Veyra has been active in co-arranging the band’s new songs.
Heart Calling is distributed by Warner Music Philippines, the same label that carried their two albums in the latter part of 2000s, and which pushes to have both albums on vinyl.
Proof Sinosikat? creating a lot of noise upon their arrival was the fact that Kat was named Vocalist of the Year at the NU Rock Awards. Three of their songs, “Turning My Safety Off,” “Akin Ka,” and “So Blue,” all from their eponymous debut album, won at the 2008 Awit Awards.
Times have changed. Kat’s band’s return comes with a certain approach. She said, “It’s more (of a) passion project siya. Hindi na siya yung tulad ng dati na gig lang ang buhay (namin). Ngayon madami na responsibilities (ang) mga tao. The focus is more on creating and releasing originals, promoting our singles and making albums, and playing concerts. Mas pili na lang yung gigs this time round.”
Kat, now a devoted mother, was once the singer of the band Passage as she also did session work for the late rock icon Wally Gonzales. She has always collaborated with talented musicians. She recalled, “I remember how Sinosikat? started like a jam band. I would call for an open jam and that is where I discovered the musicians that would eventually play for the band.”
While associated with Pinoy soul, Sinosikat? prefers embracing music regardless of the genre. Kat said she can’t just disregard other people’s styles or art just because it is different from theirs. She pointed out, “Good music is good music no matter what form. I’m more into quality over quantity. It’s all about memories being created while making it. I don’t want to be just a fad. I want my art to be timeless and to transcend. I think in each decade there’s the spirit of the time.”
Kat’s heart, and that of the brand Sinosikat?, has called out on her to enjoy the prevailing mood of today’s music scene and along with it rekindle a key facet of her past glory.