New Versus & Flower albums out soon?

New Versus & Flower albums out soon?

by rick olivares pic by isca greenfield-sanders

It has been a long eight years since Filipino-American indie rock gods Versus have had a new album and this 2018, hopefully, will find the new one on the racks.

“Well, hopefully, it will be out this year,” clarified Versus’ guitarist/co-vocalist Richard Baluyut. “The Versus album has been done for over a year but no label as of yet.”

At the height of the Alternative 90s, Versus gave Filipino music fans everywhere a sense of pride that our brethren were making a name for themselves on foreign shores.

Versus was formed in New York in 1990 by brothers Richard and Ed Baluyut on guitars and drums respectively with American bassist, Fontaine Toups. In later incarnations, a third Baluyut brother, James would join the band with another Fil-Am, Patrick Ramos also performing on drums when Ed went on to join another outfit.

James Baluyut and Patrick Ramos also have another band, the indietronic outfit named +/- (Plus/Minus) that since 2002, has released five albums and four extended play albums). A song of theirs, “All I Do” was prominently featured in the 2004 film, Wicker Park, starring Josh Hartnett and Rose Byrne.

Versus is known for their strong songwriting and vocal harmonies and loud-soft dynamics. Since 1994, they have released five full length albums (The Stars Are Insane, Secret Swingers, Two Cents Plus Tax, Hurrah and On the Ones and Threes that came out in 2010) and about 15 extended play albums and singles. Among the local musicians who say they have been influenced by Versus are Sandwich’s Diego Castillo, Itchyworms, and Ang Bandang Shirley to name a few while filmmakers and directors Quark Henares and Marie Jamora also swear by the band.

Versus and +/- have on a couple of occasions, performed triumphantly in Manila much to the delight of local music fans. We recently caught up with Richard Baluyut about the Versus’ longevity – “persistence in the face of ambivalence” was how he described the band’s staying power – as well as any Versus and Flower (his other band) projects.

“Versus works pretty slowly these days,” admitted Baluyut. “The brothers all have kids and Fontaine has a pretty intense job. In the meantime, our old band, Flower (Ed and I are in it), has been resurrected and we’re almost finished with a new album.”

Flower was Baluyut’s old band before he formed Versus and this four-piece unit released an extended play and two full-length records before folding into Versus.

So there are two new albums that will be out from Baluyut’s bands – Versus and Flower with the former as of yet untitled but definitely the priority – something that fans especially local ones will be looking forward to purchase.

“I think this new record (by Versus) is our best, but bands always say that so take it with a grain of salt,” added Baluyut. “You be the judge.”

As for the beloved Versus, the band’s co-lead singer (along with Toups) and guitarist admitted there are concerns. “The main challenge facing the band is that Merge Records is no longer our label, and we have to find a new one. We’ve never had to do this in the past so picking one is difficult. But we’ve had a few offers. (However) because labels know we can’t tour half a year to promote the record, labels are wary.”

Baluyut maintained that despite not being currently signed to any label, the band is still around. “In essence, Versus ‘exists’ when we are inspired to write songs,” he revealed. “And if fans get to hear them, that’s even betters Even if it’s 10 years from now. We still enjoy the songwriting process which is always done in the practice space. I’ve been spoiled to be able to do music with people who can do this which is why I don’t bother writing songs at home on my own.”

My collection of Versus albums on CD.