Electronic act Tarsius dropping new album

Electronic act Tarsius dropping new album

by rick olivares

Electronic act Tarsius (Diego Mapa and Jay Gapasin) are in the thick of recording their second album which should drop this year. 

Following 2012’s full length debut, Primate, and 2017’s extended play record, Igado, Tarsius is the only local act to have all their releases thus far on vinyl. Both releases have sold out. 

Mapa, who also performs with Pedicab and the Diegos (with Diego Castillo), says having their music out on wax started merely as a “DJ tool” since he himself also spins records. The cool factor though is when Tarsius’ music is also included in podcasts by foreign DJs.

British DJs Dark Sky and Laurence Guy have used Tarsius’ music in their weekly podcasts. 

“As someone who regularly DJs now, I now understand how the music on vinyl really works as a tool for DJs,” said Mapa who also dismisses the duo’s use of wax as a hipster thing. 

“I am quite proud when someone is playing an all-vinyl set and then they slip in something that you made,” beamed Mapa. “It is rewarding to say the least. Furthermore, people know me and Jay as artists. You know when they say, ‘Wow! You have that on vinyl?’ It is a proud moment for us.”

“Seeing other DJs or acts gives us perspective,” bared Mapa. “With our other bands, I try to steer away from what we’ve done. And make sure we don’t do it with Tarsius.”

Mapa isn’t the only one who is busy with all his side projects. Gapasin performs with Lourd De Veyra’s doom metal band, Kapitan Kulam, and the Radioactive Sago Project. 

The duo are currently in the studio recording new tracks. “The new record will feature more live drums,” revealed Mapa of the sessions. According to the duo, the sounds they make should – as much as possible – be translatable during live performances. 

Electronic music has enjoyed a resurgence in the Philippines with indie acts like Pamcy Fernandez, Knights of Rizal, Levanstock, Shape/Shift, and Squid 9 to name a few performing in Manila’s multitude of gig spots and releasing new material in the past year. Tarsius is one of the country’s more high profile electronic bands.