One Click Straight is one of the six artists initially signed by Island Records Philippines. The four-man group, self-styled as “Asia’s finest softboi candy pop band,” is composed of Toffer Marquez on bass and vocals, Sam Marquez on guitars, Tim Marquez on drums and Joel Cartera on guitars and percussions.
Since three of them are brothers and the other one is a close childhood friend, the members of One Click Straight have long known each other even before they officially came together as a band in 2014.
In 2015, they joined and won The Yellow Room Battle of the Bands (Year One). Under the same label, OCS released Nostalgic, their first EP that features a single of the same title.
In 2018, One Click Straight launched their debut album The Midnight Emotion under Offshore Records. A year later, the band represented the Philippines in the Music Matters festival in Singapore. Early this year, One Click Straight released their first all-Tagalog EP: Harana Coma.
The EP’s first single, “Manila” got extensive airplay on the MYX Pinoy Countdown for 6 weeks straight and was #2 in Jam 88.3’s Top 10. The follow-up, “Paraiso” made its way into the #5 spot at the Apple Music Top 200 alternative chart.
Since signing with Island Records, One Click Straight has released their latest single, “S.S.H.” which the band says stands for “Sumaya, Sumigaw, Huminga.” Considered as “a cry for freedom in the new normal where many feel restricted and stifled,” the song was written, recorded and produced at the band members’ homes, and is admittedly a product of creative frustration mainly due to the circumstances brought about by COVID-19.
“There were a few months that we didn’t do anything. We all just tried to survive through COVID. But the thing is, if you’re a musician and a writer, you will always end up itching to write and to create more music. We were thinking let’s just write songs the way we want and the way we can. We didn’t have a studio, we didn’t have much gear here at home. [It’s the] complete opposite of what we were doing before,” recalled Sam Marquez
Rock and roll, bahala na This is for the sake of our artistry. We just want to make something that we’re happy with.”
Many of the band’s fans will also be happy to learn that “S.S.H.” is only the first of three tracks that One Click Straight will be releasing under a new EP of the same name.
“One of the things that I want people to remember about the EP is that it’s a statement coming from a hopeless situation, but with a hopeful heart.” Tim Marquez says. “It’s a hopeful outlook for the future as much as our lyrics are about missing someone, [whether] they passed away or something, and [about] frustration and anxiety.”
In a recent interview with SoundStrip, One Click Straight talked about how they got signed by Island Records, what their music is really all about and their immediate post-pandemic plans.
1) Do you have some favorites among Island Records’ roster of international artists even before you were signed by the label?
We knew that a lot of great international artists Island Records. Among them were artists like Nick Jonas, Bon Jovi, Elton John and so much more. We also knew that Sum 41, one of our favorite bands used to be under Island records as well and they released some great records under the label.
2) How were you discovered by Island Records Philippines?
A few months ago, we were in talks with Sir Enzo Valdez, the managing director of MCA. He was interested in having us and at that time we were interested to work with him as well. We were instantly inspired by his passion. We were stoked and excited to make more music the moment when we found out that we were going to be part of the six acts under Island Records Philippines.
3) What sets your music apart from other Filipino bands?
To sum it into words, we make indie pop music fused with alternative post-punk and synth pop. We always believed in authenticity and doing things DIY. That punk rock values and mindsets we have in our system have always led us into creating our own sound that we are very proud of. We think anyone in the world can play and write the music we make but we believe that our unique bond and passion as a band is something that only the four of us can recreate. We believe that we are the best at being One Click Straight.
4) Have you mapped out your immediate future and thought about your plans when this pandemic is all over?
We never really stopped learning and making music. Experimenting on new sounds and letting everything around us influence and inspire us. Being under Island records just shifted our art into a different gear. We have no official announcements yet but there might be some new music from us in the coming months.
5) What can we expect from you, music-wise in the coming months?
Maybe some new music. Tracks that will reflects our current state as individuals during the COVID situation.