Music
YOU SIT through lectures and push through your academic workload week after week, from morning until night. By Friday evening, all that lingers is the weight of your unfinished tasks, the constant ping of incoming emails, and the exhaustion settling deep into your mind.
Need a way to unwind and recharge from the fast-paced university grind? We’ve got you covered with our curated daylist featuring underground artists from the local University music scene—perfect for hitting shuffle and letting the music take over.
To help you tune into peace and ease into the weekend mode, we’ve curated a premium mix of OPM, indie, pop, and rock songs that are perfect for kicking back and relaxing.
City-Pop Princess: DaniQla
What sets an artist apart from the rest? For pop artist DaniQla, also known as Danielle Nicola Tan (3 BFA ID), it is an artist’s ability to create an ethereal and magical escape from reality through their music. With whimsical beats and a distinct 80s Japanese City pop style, she effortlessly transports listeners to the past.
Inspired by the charm and nostalgic feel of Disney films, musical theater, and old-school pop, the aspiring singer-songwriter from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan discovered her passion for making music at the young age of 11 years old. Despite coming from a small town, she was determined to make it to the big stage.
Her unwavering drive and intense passion led her to independently produce, compose, and release her catchy first single, ‘Regalo,’ at only 16 years old. This memorable single eventually launched her career to greater heights, opening new opportunities and paths for the rising talent.
Upon entering the University two years later, DaniQla found solace in the artistic spaces of Ateneo Musicians’ Pool (AMP) and the theatre organization Ateneo Blue Repertory. The musical groups ultimately provided a helpful avenue for cultivating her passion for performing, further advancing her musical pursuit in the pop genre.
When asked about the musical influences that reflected her songs’ nostalgic and retro vibe, she shared how Japanese artists played a significant role in shaping her style. “My inspirations for my songs are city pop icons Mariya Takeuchi, Anri, and Tatsuro Yamashita. I also take hard inspiration from old songs and their jazzy, dreamy feel,” she explained.
DaniQla’s admiration for romance and old classics seamlessly blends into her signature sweet and jazzy 80s vaporwave sound. This whimsical soundscape encapsulates her captivating and unique discography, setting her apart from other indie student artists in Ateneo.
Interested in calming, lo-fi music? DaniQla’s newly released single ‘Sweetest Melody’ is a perfect track to add to your playlist!
Indie Inspired: Take 2
Melding the heartfelt nostalgia of OPM ballads with the dynamic edge of Indie Rock, Take 2’s music transforms shared dreams into a soundscape that encapsulates the yearning and vibrant rhythm of life along Katipunan.
Take 2 began as a collaboration between Zach Moraleda (1 BS ME) and Rich Tayag, a first-year Business Administration student from the University of the Philippines Diliman, who reconnected and formed the group in early 2024 after their previous band disbanded. Their passion for music that sparked during high school inspired them to assemble a fresh group for a gig at Ateneo Senior High School’s Interstrand Week.
Joined by Annatalia Domingo (1 BS BIO) on drums, Nadinne Aro (1 AB DipIR) on bass, and Julio Cochon, a freshman Business Administration major in the University of the Philippines Diliman, on rhythm guitar, the band explored a sound of blending Indie and OPM—drawing influences from acts such as Eraserheads, Lola Amour, She’s Only Sixteen, Zild, and IV of Spades.
Immersed in an environment where peers and events celebrate the vibrant music culture in Ateneo, the band found inspiration through performances by local icons and student-led gigs. The band’s music mirrors the escapism and romanticized outlook of college life, balancing vibrant beats with nostalgic undertones.
Through Ateneo’s supportive music community and the AMP bench’s collaborative spirit, they have embraced local inspirations and evolved into a cohesive group driven by camaraderie and a shared dream to resonate with student audiences. Take 2’s sound resonates with a mix of upbeat energy as well as emotional depth, evident in their heartfelt and nostalgic single, ‘Paalam.’
A Sentimental Sound: BELLA
How do you transform moments of heartache into art? For Bella De Leon (1 BFA AM), it’s through crafting tranquil and sentimental songs in genres of bedroom pop, OPM, and indie pop. With every lyric and melody, she forges a heartfelt connection that resonates deeply with listeners, turning raw emotions into captivating music.
Bella’s passion for music blossomed in childhood through karaoke, but it was a heartbreak in fifth grade that sparked her journey as a songwriter. “I wrote a cringe and silly song about losing a best friend,” she reflects on the moment that started it all.
Her music speaks to anyone navigating life’s transitions, capturing the raw emotions of experiences that define growth and change. With a versatile sound spanning OPM, indie, and bedroom pop, Bella brings this depth to life in her serene track, ‘MUSE’.
Crediting Ateneo for reigniting her musical journey through events like O-Idol and the AMP’s Rites of Passage, Bella shares, “Ateneo has been a really great place for opportunities.”
As she continues to develop as an artist, Bella anticipates the launch of unreleased tracks, including My Favorite Mistake, a song that marked a turning point in her songwriting journey.
Unfiltered and Untamed in This New Age: Hedonist on Hiatus
Looking for something that’ll rock you to your core? Hedonist on Hiatus is here to shake things up with their daring and distinctive edge!
Formed in 2023, Hedonist on Hiatus comprises AJ Gatmaitan (AB IS ‘24) on vocals and guitar, Zed Bisenio (AB PH ‘23) on bass, Gab Hermosura (2 BS CS) on guitar, and Cymone Calpito (4 BS CpE) on drums. What began as AJ’s solo project during the pandemic soon evolved into a full collaboration with fellow musicians he met during his time in AMP.
Drawing inspiration from rock and post-punk icons like Queens of the Stone Age, The Fall, and especially Wet Leg, the band broadens AMP’s musical landscape with their unique style. “It’s about all of us being in the same room and creating something together,” AJ says.
Zed, who grew up idolizing artists like Elvis Presley and Ely Buendia, adds an experimental edge with his bass—often joking about “borrowing” riffs from bands like Wet Leg and The Faal.
A key part of their dynamic sound, Gab brings his musical heritage into play with electrifying guitar work. His favorite track from their EP, ‘Get Yr Feet Underneath You’ is its atmospheric opener, while ‘Intro’ sets the tone for the band’s sonic direction. While AJ takes the lead as the primary songwriter, Cymone adds his unique touch by designing drum rhythms that amplify the band’s sound, with ‘Intro’ and ‘Fancy White Dress’ being standout examples he holds close to heart.
As they gear up to release new music and continue performing live, Hedonist on Hiatus invites listeners to step outside the expected and embrace the extraordinary. Tracks like ‘New Age’, their most popular song at the moment, capture the energy and spirit of the band’s evolving style.
Meanwhile, ‘How Long (Reprise),’—a reworked take from its original version—reflects the band’s evolving sound, showcasing their willingness to push boundaries and refine their craft. For those seeking something bold and unfiltered, this band strikes with an intensity that refuses to be ignored!
The Woodland Voice: mayfly
With indie and folk melodies drifting like whispers through the woods, Michelle Cornejo (3 AB COM), known artistically as mayfly, channels the haunting beauty of her inspirations—Billie Eilish, Adrianne Lenker, and Pinegrove—into music that feels both intimate and otherworldly.
“I’ve been surrounded by music since I was a kid,” she shares, recalling how her love for music began with her mom playing songs around the house and her early fascination with melodies. This love for music naturally evolved into songwriting during her teens, shaped by the rise of bedroom pop and her desire to create meaningful art.
A member of AMP, mayfly has found a creative home. “Through AMP, I met people my age who understood my music and helped me grow,” she reflects. Beyond AMP, she also helps craft spaces for fellow indie artists to be discovered through Big House PH, a community that celebrates Filipino talent and provides a platform for artists to shine. For mayfly, this initiative aligns with her belief in supporting others in their creative journeys.
Every song is a step further into her world where lost souls roam in a constant search for balance in the midst of it all! This introspective approach to music gives her work a depth that resonates with listeners, allowing them to connect with her themes on a personal level.
Turn your Friday evening into a musical escape with the dynamic sounds of Atenean musicians. Add their tracks to your queue and let their beats guide you into a well-deserved weekend rest. Click the link to the playlist, hit play, unwind, and let the music speak!
