There’s a band trying to make it in the industry with music meant both for the titos and titas of Manila and their pamangkins. Blue Way (Photo from their official Facebook page) Called Blue Way, the members are Ace Agamata (vocals/guitar), Josh del Mundo (saxophone), Nathan Manansala (guitar), Paul Matcott (drums), and Stephen Lachica (bass). They play blues music, classic rock and soul. The Blue Rats, Binky Lampano and Cooky Chua are some of their influences. “Ang lalayo ng edad namin pero ’pag music talaga ang nagba-bind, wala, nagsa-swak lang talaga,” Ace said in a recent interview. Blue Way has been at it for four years now. By day, Ace is a lawyer, Paul teaches while the other members are full-time musicians. The band has played in bars around the metro, most especially The RoadHouse Manila Bay. Ace wants to see a revival of interest in blues in the OPM scene. “Ang blues kasi nagma-matter sa expression ’yan eh,” he explained. “Actually kung titignan ang structure ng blues genre, halos pare-pareho lang ang chord progression, halos pare-pareho lang ’yung tempo. Nag-de-depende na lang talaga kung paano mo babaliin (’yung atake sa kanta).” The self-confessed Guns ‘N Roses’ follower said he usually sings with eyes closed. Why so? “Para mas ramdam mo talaga ’yung kanta kasi ganu’n dapat kapag blues ang genre mo,” he said to that affect. “Bahala na kung ano ang maging itsura mo.” Make a way Ace acknowledges the big help social media has lent their band. It was through a Facebook post that the Irish bar owner of The RoadHouse spotted them and eventually offered them to do shows at the venue. “It’s an honor to perform sa isa sa mga top venues for blue genre,” Alex said. Although he admits that blues isn’t a well-known genre in these parts, they hope to win the hearts and ears of the public. The band has an EP out titled “Shades Of Blue” under RoadHouse Rekords. It contains six original blues songs including the Christmas single “Simbang Gabi” which they promoted over the holidays. Other tracks in the EP are “Long Legged Woman,” The Doctor,” “Romansa Blues,” “My Woman,” and “Eleksyon Na Naman.” This year, the band plans to launch the album and shoot a music video for the next promotional song. Ace also shared they will be having a regular stint in some bars around the metro this month As for a mainstream success, Ace quipped: “If it’s meant to happen, it will happen.”