Manila - U.S. Times August 23 - August 31, 2004 Interview w/ Lei Bautista

Manila - U.S. Times August 23 - August 31, 2004
TACOMA, WASHINGTON — Independend label Know-It-All Records is proud to announce
that the New Prettier Than Pink will be performing live at the Melting Pot in Los Angeles
on August 27.
Founding member and singer/songwriter/guitarist Lei Bautista has resurrected
Prettier Than Pink in the U.S. with guitarist Pamela Aquino; bassist Melody del
Mundo; keyboardist Macy Aquino; and drummer Annette Ortiz in this all-Pinay
new wave group.
Best known for their No. 1 Hit "Cool ka Lang," Prettier Than Pink were the most
successful all-female band in the Philippines, acquiring a gold record with their debut
from Viva Records in the late -90’s."
Entrance is only $10 at the door at the Melting Pot, 2829 Fletcher Drive,
Los Angeles, on August 27 at 9 p.m. The Melting Pot can be reached at (323)
664-2785.
Exclusive Interview
In an exclusive interview with the MANILA-U.S. TIMES, arranged by
Michael Sutton, Founding Member Lei Bautista revealed interesting matters
that relate to the group.
MANILA-U.S. TIMES (MUST): Filipinos are music lovers, and we have
so many noted singers in the Philippines. Despite the abundance of singers,
not one has penetrated the mainstream and international music industry and
become as popular as those from other countries. What do you think we must
do to make a hit record so it will be in the international airwaves on top of
the billboard?
Lei Bautista representing Prettier Than Pink (PTP): The support of a strong
label is essential. The record company needs to know how to market the artist
and is committed to having them cross over into the U.S. mainstream. So far
Know-It-All Records, the American-owned label that we’ve been signed to,
is the only U.S. record company that is taking a chance with Pinoy artists,
thanks to A&R Representative Michael Sutton, who is half-Filipino. Proper
promotion and distribution are important. Furthermore, Filipino musicians
need to bring something different to the table; if you simply imitate American
acts, you will be ignored over here because there are numerous American
artists copying other American groups already.
MUST: When did you organize yourselves as a group
singers?
PTP: Well, the band really began in 1989 in Colegio
De San Augustin in Makati. We only knew three songs
when we auditioned for Ramon Jacinto two days before
graduating from high school in 1991. We went professional
when we were only 17-years-old. That’s how our
career started. We practiced the whole summer before
going into .rst year college. Now I’m the only original
member.
MUST: Which part of the Philippines did you
come from? What do you do when not
singing?
PTP: Manila. I’m working as a .nancial
planner. Being an integral part of my church, spending t i m e w i t h
Prettier Than Pink Debuts in L.A.
LEI BAUTISTA, Founding Member of
Prettier Than Pink (middle), with her
members: Melody del Mundo (top left);
Pamela Aquino (bottom left); and Annette Ortiz (top
right).
my children, traveling.
MUST: Did you inherit singing from any member of your family (from whom)?
PTP: Both sides of my family are very artistic. My mom was a Hawaiian dancer in the
‘70s; my dad was a well-known stage actor in the ‘80s. He also had singing abilities. In
every family function we all had to perform all of the time; I had to learn piano,
ballet, theater, singing.
MUST: What is your ultimate objective as a group?
Lei Bautista: I want PTP to be the .rst Filipino band to be able to tap into the
American mainstream market. I also want to help unite the Filipino-American
communities with our music. PTP has never been about individual personalities
and personal grati.cation but rather a culmination of unique,
extraordinary female talents that can put aside sel.sh wants to come
together and create an explosive unsurmountable energy that is felt by
everyone that experiences a PTP gig.
MUST: What can we expect from your group, when you perform at
the Melting Pot? What kind of music are you going to dish out?
Please describe your repertoire.
PTP: It will be a soft debut for us; we’re just .nding our chemistry
because, aside from Pam Aquino (who is also in our KIA labelmates
the Pin-Up Girls), the other members are new to PTP. At the Melting
Pot we’ll be focusing on ‘80s New Wave covers such as
Katrina & The Waves’ "Walking on Sunshine," Xmal
Deutschland’s "Matador," the B-52’s "Love Shack,"
among others. It’s a warm-up gig; we’ll have new
original material soon.
MUST: Whom do you idolize as a group singer?
PTP: The B-52’s, the Go-Go’s, Motown, the
Beatles.
MUST: Any other encouraging comments you wish to make so
that Filipinos aspiring to be known as singers worldwide would
be motivated?
PTP: Dream big and go after it because anything is possible
if you put your mind to it. It’s just a matter of how
bad you want it, and the price you’re willing to pay
to achieve it. MUST
By Johnny M. Pecayo
and Michael Sutton