We finally have a name. It took us roughly a month to pick one, but it was well worth the wait.

We scrapped the contest idea for two reasons:

• Setting up a gig integrated with a "name-the-band" gimmick would take a lot of time, and would stir focus away from song-writing. We badly need all of our weekends, as well as every extra time in between, to perfect the arrangement of our songs.
  
• We have gotten some offers for the album's funding. We need an identity so that we can start developing our marketing materials (press kit, web presence, the works).

Guile’s latest entry (see below) is intentionally brief. But close friends of his can easily tell that his restraint is a façade for something more.

Yes, the departure of Joy and Murray still stings. Pardon me this cliché, but it does feel like a bad break-up. There’s too much history there, and it’s extremely difficult to let go. But we all know it just wouldn’t work out. Parting, it seems, is the only answer.

For the record, we are in good terms with both Murray and Joy. As with every other break-up, there is a smattering of strained emotions on the surface (Resentment, perhaps?). But Joy, Murray, Guile, and I have been together for 8 years. Our friendship has survived many storms. This, too, shall pass.

For those who are still in the dark, let me shed some light on your confusion.

Vision. It all boils down to that.

In every relationship (or love affair, if you will), there are certain expectations. For it to work, both parties must be moving towards the same direction. If one just wants to “play” and the other wants to get married, you can expect a bit of dissent. That is, in a nutshell, what happened here.

Joy and Murray are moving in a different direction. They have made choices that no longer support our band’s goals. I fully respect their choices, and I mean that in all honesty. (Bai Moi, Joy, I wish you the best of luck. I know you will do great outside of the band. It was an honor playing music with both of you.)

That being said, the band must move on. The music must live on.

Will Squirrel Talk survive this huge bump in the road? Yes and no. Yes, Guile, Jayson, and I will keep the music alive. But no, there can be no other Squirrel Talk outside the original line-up. As of two Wednesdays ago, we officially buried Squirrel Talk. The mourning will probably last longer than I expected. But Squirrel Talk is no more, and we all must move on.

Hence, we are proud to introduce you to a new band. It is our simple way of saying that…there is life beyond Squirrel Talk.

As yet, we are nameless. But we now have beautiful and radiant Tessa as our frontrunner. Her voice and her music make me proud to be a musician. And we are hoping that Roy will complete our ensemble. This is a new group, a new band, a new and stronger Squirrel Talk.

Suffice it to say that I am now very, very enthusiastic about the future. Tessa is a breath of fresh air, a wonderful gift. “A goldmine,” as Ian Zafra pointed out. In addition to her sultry voice, she shares our enthusiasm for original music. To date, she already wrote 16 songs (lyrics and melody). Guile, Jayson, and I are currently working on the arrangement for the first few songs.

For those who are wondering, the songs in our current repertoire will be assimilated into our new band. These, plus Tessa’s songs, make up more than 20 pieces that need to be honed and developed for the album. We have our work cut out for us, and we are all eager to get going.

As you’ve probably guessed at this point, we will be revising our website as well as changing our domain name soon. We just have to pick an apt name (we have too many great ideas that we just can’t seem to agree on one choice), and then we can move forward. We will keep you posted.

Once again, I would like to thank our supporters. Although we know that only a few people recognize us as a band, or have heard and appreciated our music, it means a great deal to us to know that they do. And this is such a small thing, but it is really uplifting to know that bloggers like eLa, Ariel, and McVie always take the time to drop by our blog. To Ian Zafra, famed guitarist of Sheila and the Insects and a force to reckon with in the Cebu music industry, salamat kaayo bai for believing in us. And to YanYan (my life partner as well as our band manager), thank you so much for your patience and understanding. You inspire me, and all of us.

- makoy

The only thing that remains constant in the world is change. Whether we like it or not, life is rife with it.

And right now, the band is undergoing a lot of it.

Murray can no longer devote enough time doing lead guitar duties because of personal reasons. As for Joy, she will be taking up Nursing this year. Likewise, she could no longer dedicate most of her waking life to sing for the band.

Be that as it may, we move on.

Finding a lead guitar player is never easy. We’ve asked Roy (a close friend of ours) to fill in. Although we haven’t got definite affirmation yet, here’s hoping he’ll say yes to our offer.

As for the vocalist replacement, Tessa—a former schoolmate of ours—has agreed to lend the band her amazing pipes. Mischievously dishy and blithe, she has already done sessions with the band and so far, she’s doing quite good. Hopefully with a new guitar player, we’ll be able to continue with the songwriting for the album.

P.S. Many thanks to the following people: McVie for the cd (it was great), eLa for the follow-ups (sorry for the delayed entries—procrastination made me do it) and guilelessly bonny Kitchie Nadal for a great Cebu gig.