ALL THE RIGHT NOTES | Caren Tevanny still rocking; Adjeng ‘still kilig’

Tevanny, ex-General Luna guitarist, has a new single, while Adjeng, who has written songs for other artists, has released her own album.

I have vague memories of General Luna, the all-women Pinoy rock band that Warner Music Philippines launched in 2010. Was it at SaGuijo that I watched the group play live? In any case, what mattered was, it was quite a sight—Nicole Laurel Asensio on vocals, Caren Mangaran (lead guitar), Audry Dionisio (rhythm guitar), Alex Montemayor (bass), and Bea Lao (drums)—and the band sounded loud and proud.

General Luna disbanded after only three years. Asensio has since gone solo in various incarnations (mostly with a jazz band). Dionisio is currently a member of Ely Buendia’s band. No idea what Montemayor and Lao have been up to.

Which brings us to Caren, who has dropped her last name and is now using her middle name, Tevanny. In the past few years, she has released a few singles on Spotify, and my impression is that these songs mirror the problems of a complicated relationship (“Hiram) and depression (“Anti-Hero – Sick Viral Version”).

On her new single, “Pano,” launched recently with a live performance at Supersam BGC, Tevanny goes full on as a rock guitar goddess, channeling classic heavy metal and grunge, with lyrics about, again, the woes of a strained love life: “Pa’no pa ba ibalik kung lilisan kang paulit-ulit/Bakit papalayain kung ’di na sa ’kin/Pa’no pa ba mahalin kung hindi na para sa ’kin…”

It doesn’t have to be personal, or even about romance, Tevanny says about “Pano.” I think what she means is that a song sounds better if it’s sad or conflicted.

Here’s Tevanny obliging me with an online chat.

You sounded intense at the launch of “Pano.” How long has it been since you last performed before a live audience?

It’s not that long since I’ve been busy with various productions while getting ready for this new track. But my last major performance in front of a large audience was with General Luna

Is that your regular band you played with at the event? Tell us about it.

Fortunately, all of them were present at the event. I’ve been collaborating with these musicians for quite a while. Initially they did sessions for me. However, as time passed, we developed a close friendship. They are not only cool and patient, but also contribute ideas and do things with the band’s best interests in mind.

What have you been doing in the last few years, musically or otherwise?

I’ve been focusing on enhancing my songwriting and singing skills. While I consider myself a proficient guitar player, I now realize the importance of developing my abilities in other aspects. I enjoy playing the guitar and exploring new techniques, but I also want to strike a balance between musicality and singing and songwriting.

Are there more new songs we can look forward to hearing soon?

Absolutely! I’m planning to release new tracks and an album this year. I’m feeling nervous and excited, but I’m prepared for whatever comes my way.

What’s on your playlist these days?

I’ve been listening to Caroline Polacheck, Bring Me the Horizon, Taylor Swift, Bjork, Halsey, Polyphia, Narvent, and Architects.

Unraveling Adjeng

Meanwhile, another woman artist, Adjeng, has released Unravel, an eight-track, all original album also available on Spotify.

Born Adrienne Antoinette Buenaventura, Adjeng has been around the scene, writing songs for other artists and performing with them.

At her album launch at Red Rhino, Adjeng sang classic pop-rock covers and tried her best to please the crowd despite being under the weather.

What’s notable about Unravel is that it puts me in a good mood with the songs’ light, breezy melodies and head-swaying rhythms which would sound great on a road trip.

Adjeng sings about life from her viewpoint, such its heady thrills (“Rollercoaster”), as well as romantic musings (“More Than a Little”), virtues (“Be Kind”), encouragement (“Kaya Mo Yan”), and the scary feeling of drowning in a helpless situation (“Quicksand”).

Her vocal phrasing in “It Must Be Love” saves it from being just another trite tune.

In “Still Kilig,” Adjeng describes what it’s like to be married for 18 years, laying down a creative recipe for a successful union: “Sa 1 teaspoon ng selos, 10 tablespoons ng lambing, dagdagan ng date nights, 10 cups more understanding, haluan ng 1 kilong halik, unlimited yakap na kay higpit…”

Not every couple can follow it, but if they do, what a fu**in’ wonderful world it would be.