Upcoming girl group Rogue is making a debut. The indie quartet, who is already popular online through its covers of popular songs from the ‘60s to the present, is composed of members Kara Mendez (bass), Princess Ybanez (violin), Jeri Oro (guitar), and Gyan Murriel (drums).
If their names ring a bell, it is because the group made it to the semifinals of ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5. It was also cited at the 29th Await Awards for Best Performance by a new recording artist, and won the Best WISHclusive Performance by a group. Wish also named the group finalist for its Alternative Song of the Year award.
Rogue is finally making that big leap as its members are ready to take off putting their best efforts to make a name on the local music scene. This early, their original composition “Hanep,” has already amassed more than 80 thousand hits on Spotify, not to mention the track has been included in Star Music’s OPM Fresh Compilation that also features Iñigo Pascual and Alex Gonzaga.
“Apart from playing instruments, all of us can sing. And I’m proud of our collaborative effort. Everyone has her own contribution when we create a song just like our latest record,” Gyan Murriel told Manila Standard when the group launched its single “GGB” (Gulong-gulong Buhay).
Murriel, who at the tender age of 10, had already joined along with her two older brothers competing in different battle of bands around the metro. She recently landed in the top 5 (out of 117 aspirants) for an international online contest, Hit Like A Girl.
Asked what separates them from all other groups that try to penetrate the music scene, the youngets in the group said everyone in their band is an achiever, quite accomplished individual.
Kara is the bassist and the leader of the group. Her experience from her beginnings to ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Academy Season 2, to her international gigs honed her to become a versatile and mature musician.
Princess is the violinist who started playing when she was just 10 years old. She was a member of the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra Junior Ensemble. Apart from playing the violin, she has also won awards for clay sculpture, poetry writing, illustrative story-telling, and expressive reading.
Jery plays the guitar while her passion for singing led her to pursue it as a profession the time she entered university. She has performed in bars and is an entrepreneur by day.
Saying that these young ladies rock is an understatement as they sing, play instrument, and harmonize all at the same time. They show their versatility by incorporating light rock songs with classical violin lines to add to the unique musicality of the group.