Ben&Ben on adulting in the new normal and their upcoming 'Kwaderno' concert: 'It will be an explosion of art in different forms'
To keep making music amid the lockdowns and the pandemic, the nine-piece folk-pop band Ben&Ben moved in together in 2020.
While living under one roof allowed them to do shows together, the band has learned more about adulting with their current setup.
"In the past 14 to 15 months, we've learned a lot of things about managing a household of this size and managing your finances well," Miguel Guico said in a media interview for ING Philippines' 31st anniversary celebration.
“Of course, we have our own personal finances but as a group and as a household there's budgeting for everything: for utilities, for all the bills being paid here, of course, even down to our food. It’s important that proactiveness is practiced rather than reactiveness and planning ahead of time, budgeting. All of these are important."
One adulting tip that the group said they wish they knew sooner is to be more detail-oriented. "It boils down to the details—being aware of things like finding where it’s best to buy certain supplies or goods and knowing how to make the budget flow better."
Keep the music playing
Being digitally savvy has helped the band keep the music playing even while they were locked down. Before they moved in together, they played online shows from each of their rooms, facing tech difficulties like unstable internet connection.
"The digital landscape for online shows they’ve been an ever-developing learning experience for us. Before we moved in together, we started out doing shows separately via Zoom," Guico shared. "When we moved in mid last year, we did the shows together, but of course, there are other things to improve on like sound quality, video quality, and the way that the program or flow of the show is done."
"Eventually, we were able to come up with something now that in a way of course would never fully replace something that’s fully live but we’re moving closer and closer to that experience," he added.
What's next for Ben&Ben?
Earlier in August, Ben&Ben released their 12-track sophomore album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kwaderno, which includes collaborations with Chito Miranda, Munimuni, KZ Tandingan, and SB19.
For the last leg of 2021, the band will hold a major concert, titled Kwaderno, on December 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"It will be an explosion of art in different forms. We can’t wait to share more about the collaborations and the beautiful things that have happened in the preparations," Guico said.
18 SONGS.
— Ben&Ben (@BenAndBenMusic) October 28, 2021
Kuwaderno An Online Concert: Ben&Ben At The Araneta Coliseum
December 5, 2021 | 8PM PHT
Get your tickets here: https://t.co/vDcfJQjJfz pic.twitter.com/ZaKGn9Mc22
Tickets for the online concert are now on sale.