Interview: Raimund Marasigan of Squid 9

On Mar 28, fans of Squid 9 (aka Raimund Marasigan’s pet project) heaved a collective sigh of relief: after more than a decade, the electronic/hiphop outfit finally launched its fourth album, Origamidi.

It’s a super unique release, one that we didn’t see coming, especially from a recording industry that’s grown lethargic. But Raimund is Raimund, and he does things with much style and panache.

Origamidi comes as a digital file on USB, specially packaged in a Team Manila-designed can, complete with stickers and — you can never be too literal — squid flakes. During the launch at Cubao X, there was a special vendo machine for Squid 9 merchandise.

We spoke with Raimund, via e-mail, and here’s what the rock supremo had to say. 

What took this record so long? 
I’ve been busy producing and collaborating with other artists like Yeng Constantino, Duster, Flying Ipis, Imago, Toni B., and many others, as well as playing and recording with Sandwich, Pedicab and Gaijin. When Gaijin took a break early this year (Jesse had to take care of some things in the States), I started messing around with some unfinished songs in my computer and before I knew it, I had a whole set enough for an album.

What is Origamidi all about?
There is no intended theme really, but I set a few parameters on which songs would make the set. I wanted all the songs to be in Filipino. No guitars will be used in the recording (but we can use one live) and I used all my hardware synths in the basement, which I rarely get to play.

How have things changed since Ink Jet, your last Squid 9 release? 
I usually start out with beats and some rough musical ideas that I send to friends to write lyrics and melodies. My usual collaborators were busy at that time, so I ended up writing and singing on all the tracks. On previous albums, I used a bunch of hardware samplers, drum machines and synths. I recorded using a computer running early versions of Reason, Cakewalk, Acid, Soundforge, and a lot of plug ins. [But] these days its more streamlined. I used the latest version of Reason and a few hardware synths. The vocals were tracked in my room, mostly when i wake up when the nightmares/dreams are still fresh. The live drums were recorded at Shinji’s studio.

READ: 8 awesome studios where you can record your album

Props to the packaging and the merch! Who’s idea was this? Can you tell us more about how this came about, also the collab with Team Manila?
When the album was done, I spoke to Mon and Jowee of Team Manila and asked them to get crazy with ideas as long as our limited independent budget would allow. After several bike rides and random meetings, they came up with the reusable USB drive in a can with stickers and squid flakes dispensed from a custom vendo machine. We thought it was cool and funny.

Raims, your releases are very progressive in that it seems much thought has been given to packaging. Which artists/design studios are you a fan of, and who would you like to collab with in the future?
Thanks! Fortunately I have a lot of artist friends and I’m a fan of their works. There’s Rex and Jois of Inksurge, Electrolychee, Dan Matutina, Rob Cham, Budgette Tan, Raizel Go, and a whole lot more. I’m a big fan of the local art scene.

Is design in Raimund Marasigan’s future? Maybe a product line or a T-shirt line?
All serious bands should have a band shirt.

How do you write songs? How do you know which goes to Sandwich, which goes to Squid 9, to Cambio, to Gaijin? 
Easy, whoever I’m working with at the moment. I usually have different musical roles in each band. For Sandwich, we usually jam out ideas; for Pedicab, I come up with synth bass parts; for Gaijin, I work on Jesse’s rough demos; for Cambio, I referee Ebe [Dancel], Kris [Gorra-Dancel] and Diego [Mapa], the songwriters in that band. For Squid 9, it’s all other projects that are not in my bands [laughs].

Any new music discoveries that you’re tripping on at the moment? 
Recently I’m back on a hiphop trip, producing music with Syke and Switchtrik. I’ve been listening to a lot of DJ Premier, J Dilla, 9th Wonder, and RZA. I’m also starting a lot of beats using my iPad.

Photo by RA Rivera, as shared on social media

Origamidi (PHP495) is available at all Team Manila branches. Follow Raimund Marasigan on Twitter and Instagram @raymsmercygun, and don’t forget to like his Facebook page /Squid9.

This story first appeared on Coconuts Manila. Subscribre to our newsletter here.



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