Rivermaya – A Band Happy To Go With The Flow
While the band has been no stranger to changes throughout their near two decades on the scene, many fans may be surprised to find out that Rivermaya’s latest line-up is a homecoming of sorts for “new” members Norby David and Ryan Peralta.
Norby and Ryan were part of a short-lived band with Rivermaya guitarist Mike Elgar called Little Green Men (later becoming Mojofly) in 1998, and have been friends ever since. Norby was also actually drummer and guitarist Mark Escueta’s first drum teacher. The two musicians go as far back as the 1st grade and, by their first year of high school, had formed their first band Feedback. Mark went on to Rivermaya a few years later, while Norby became part of numerous bands playing bass, guitar and vocals.
Ryan, one of the leading session drummers in the Philippines, has been playing for the band since 1998, whenever Mark would have his sick days or needed to concentrate on his college thesis.
“I just realised Rivermaya was my very first session work!” laughs Ryan. “I remember I was so scared going to rehearsal. But everyone was just cool. The first time I rode an airplane was with Rivermaya too! I then just took the courage to say yes to every gig that knocked and took it as a challenge.”
Ryan would then go on to be one of the country’s top session drummers, working with everyone from show bands to rock bands such as Sandwich and Rizal Underground, to the contemporary jazz and latin music of Boy Katindig, to the world music of Grace Nono and Bob Aves, and to solo artists like Sitti, Aiza Seguerra, Christian Bautista, Jolina Magdangal, Gian Magdangal, Top Suzara, and Cooky Chua.
“Everytime I went up on stage with Rivermaya I felt like I was a beginner all over again – I loved it,” reflects Ryan.
Mike regards his new band-mates with the utmost esteem, considering them to be two of the most humble and gifted musicians in the industry. “Why look elsewhere when you have the perfect guys for the JOB in front of you?” he says. “Besides, we’ve been working with them in Rivermaya on and off for the past few years. The chemistry is already there – we needed band-mates – so it made sense to absorb them.”
Norby admits the pressure of joining a group he deems an icon in the music industry and in the Philippines. “Throughout the years, each member has made a big mark in the band’s history. It feels really good to think that they believe that I can possibly do the same,” he says.
“Both Norby and Ryan have the drive and passion that only true musicians have,” acknowledges Mark. “MORE importantly, they’re very well grounded in spite of being extremely talented.
Rivermaya recently signed with top major label Universal Records Philippines and released their latest album Panatang Makabanda in March. “Hopefully our new record can take the fans to a whole new level and attract more new listeners to our songs and stories,” says Norby. “We are all excited for what each of us can bring to the table, and soon to your ears.”
When asked to sum up his Rivermaya journey from 1993 to 2013 Mark says: “One of my firm beliefs is that the best part about being a musician is the process. If you enjoy the process then all your gigs, songs and albums will be celebrations after a great day at the “dream office”.
“If the process is messed up, many things can go wrong and it can even end up as a painful experience. It has to be good for everybody, not just one or two. Few people know, and I’m sure a lot of my fellow musicians will agree, that one of the most important things that keeps a band going is something that is not so musical in nature. It’s called laughter. A band that laughs together, stays together.”
See Rivermaya in Dubai alongside Gloc-9 and Kamikazee at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on Friday, November 7, 2014.
