What do you get when two powerhouse musician-songwriters get-together, start fusing simple, spontaneous and uncomplicated melodies and words, and use their unmatched ability to expertly craft honest songs?
The answer is straightforwardly simple: SUZARA.
Comprised of critically acclaimed solo artist/songwriter Top Suzara and former First Circle bassist Bolichie Suzara, Balcony Entertainment’s all-new dynamic duo was spawned from the simple idea the two cousins had from the past to simply start making good music, without any grand ambition nor masterplan: all they knew was they had a shared love for their favorite era in music (the 80s…), and a burning desire to keep doing what they love despite the obvious challenges at-hand, and never mindful of their decorated pasts. And around July 2020 – right in the middle of the pandemic – both Top and Bolichie were finally able to get together and make it happen, and the results were nothing short of magical.
As inspiration was at an all-time-high, both Top and Bolichie would find themselves writing words and music during monthly trips Top would make to Bolichie’s house, continuing over the phone and online, simply armed with candid sentiments, their tight bond as family with their honest-to-goodness fun-loving personalities and the knack to translate all that into finely crafted tunes. In just a few days, the duo was able to write a handful of songs already, and they were excited more than ever because the results seemed to have one thing in common: the music was new, fresh and exciting.
It was around this time when Top would also reach-out to Balcony Entertainment CEO Rico Blanco, and what was originally intended to be a 10-minute phone suddenly morphed into an hour-and-a-half’s worth of exciting exploration of possibilities between both parties. It was here when Blanco (himself an acclaimed songwriter/musician…) deftly proposed the challenge for the duo to keep writing more songs, and agreed to produce them as well. After a month’s time, the duo already had more than a dozen songs – all recorded and ready to go.
“We realize now that the question whether to do this all along was never ‘what if?’ but really, more like ‘why not?’” shares Top, who alongside Bolichie, can barely contain his rejuvenated excitement for the vast musical possibilities. “It’s going to be an awesome year ahead.”
Suzara officially released their debut single “MTM (Magkakasama Tayong Muli)” which dropped on all digital music platforms midnight of February 24, 2021. The song, inspired greatly by the “new normal” way of life and the positivity to look forward to better days, features Top handling all vocals, guitars and synthesizer duties (alongside Raul Policarpio), Bolichie playing bass and both Top and Blanco programming the drums.
“I’m so thrilled that Suzara – made up of two amazing artists – is part of the Balcony family, and I’m even more excited to share this fresh new side of their music as it is currently unfolding,” says Blanco, who himself, is no stranger in writing and producing anthems that have spanned generations. “The minute I heard their demos, I immediately knew we were on to something special. We have truly stumbled-upon a gem with Suzara, because of how natural and organic it all came together; despite their impressive body of work in the past, they’re not rock stars at all – it’s all about now. It’s all very exciting.” – Rico Blanco
