Rivermaya is : Blanco (on vocals and guitar), Mike Elgar (on guitar), Japs Sergio (on bass) and Mark Escueta (on drums.)

How would you describe your music?

Blanco : Llike sun on your skin

Who (or what) had the greatest impact on your path towards playing music?

Blanco : My bandmates.

The MTV Asia profile states "Rivermaya has treaded between the lines of mainstream mass appeal and the accolades of artistic credibility since its inception". What does 'treading' the line between 'mainstream' and 'art' entail for you? Is there a lot of pressure involved?

Japs : Not really. I guess it comes naturally -- mainly because of what we listen to.

Blanco : We just do what we do, play what we want to play. Everything else is a bonus.

Mike : I don't think we ever really plan the outcome of our music -- or the effect our music has on listeners or on music critics. Frankly, I’m just happy to have any kind of reaction from anyone 'coz it goes to show that they are listening =)

You must have waved in and out of many scenes (rock, indie, MTV, etc). Where do you feel the most at home?

Japs : By now, I can say I'm comfortable with any of those scenes.

Blanco : I'm not sure I understand what you mean by 'scenes.' Besides, I've never really felt like I belonged anywhere. And i don't really like putting labels to the things we do or create. People are free to put them in whatever boxes or folders they want to put 'em in. But personally, I
wouldn't recommend it.

Mike : Anywhere actually, as long as it's about and for music.


What determines which of your songs are written in English and which are in Filipino?

Japs : I guess it depends on how you want to express yourself at the time you’re writing the song. Some things are better said in Filipino; some in English.

Mark : When we write songs, we usually start with an idea which already includes the language we're going to use for the song.

Filipinos are globally known for their musicality. To what do you attribute this?

Japs : I guess because Filipinos are big music lovers in general.

Blanco: Japs is right, if you love something a lot, you're probably gonna be really good at it sooner or later.

Favorite bands in Southeast Asia?

Blanco : Electrico from Singapore! I also like Padi from Indonesia, and I remember hearing a couple of excellent Flure tracks on our last
trip in Thailand. I'd love to hear more Thai bands, but we're always busy when we come here. Hopefully, this time around we can check them out

This will be your third gig in Thailand. What's your impression of the Thai music scene (bands/gigs) been like so far?

Blanco : The people of Thailand are fantastic! They always know how to have a good time, they know how to appreciate music from all genres, they're also very open-minded and supportive of acts they see for the first time.
That's why we always love to play in Thailand!

Japs : Thai people always appreciate the music even if they don't understand the language. We've talked to a few Thais after our shows here and that's also what they told us. As long as the music and the vibe is good, they don't really mind about the language difference.

Mike : The Thais are very open when it comes to music. After performing at the Pattaya Fest, and getting to talk with your artists, I find Filipinos actually have a lot in common with your music fans and musicians.

Anything else to say to Thailand?

JAPS : Sawasdee! Hope you can check us out at the MTV Asia Awards show…

Mike : Looking forward to eating the delicious food!

Mark : Pls check out our website www.rivermaya.net

Blanco : Thanks for your emails, your posts on our website, please keep them coming. Thank you for the unexpected but overwhelming support.