Photo Courtesy of The Calamansi Club
In today’s evolving creative landscape, artists continue to blur the lines between culture, identity, and sound—and few embody this as distinctly as The Calamansi Club. Emerging with a name that instantly reflects Filipino roots, the group channels a fresh, modern energy that resonates with a new generation navigating both local and global influences.
Through their presence on platforms like Instagram, The Calamansi Club has begun carving out a unique identity—one that feels both intimate and expressive. Their aesthetic and creative direction hint at a collective driven not just by music, but by storytelling, lifestyle, and a shared cultural perspective. This multidimensional approach reflects a broader movement among young creatives who use digital spaces to shape their voice and connect with audiences beyond borders.
In this interview, we take a closer look at The Calamansi Club’s journey—exploring their beginnings, artistic vision, and the inspirations that define their sound and identity. As they continue to grow and evolve, their story offers insight into how emerging artists are redefining what it means to belong, create, and be heard in today’s interconnected world.
How did The Calamansi Club come together as a band?
We were friends who went to the local library for a jam just for fun. We ended up writing a song on the spot. We had so much fun, we scheduled more jams and ended up writing a song every time we met. We felt a special bond together and decided to make it official when we were invited to play at an open mic.
What’s the story behind your name “Calamansi Club”?
Like how a calamansi is tiny with huge flavour, the band is about so much more than music – it’s about friendship and community.
Can you describe your journey from your first jam session to performing live?
we just did it, ready or not! just two months after that first jam session, we got invited to perform at a poetry and music open mic. we had already written a handful of songs by then, and we just picked one. chaotic played the acoustic guitar, cloudy played a cymbal, and clumsy played the cajon while we all sang.
How does being based in Edmonton shape your sound and identity?
Being based in Edmonton is special for us. Not a lot of cities have libraries that offer free studio bookings! There is space for us here to create and express something that’s unique, only us can fill. And, we feel more connected to our filipino community in Edmonton because of our band
How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?
The Calamansi Club writes songs for the moments you can’t quite put into words – being swept away by love, steadying yourself through the darkness, and the ache of searching for home. An all-Filipino indie band from Edmonton, Canada, they bring OPM soul into a sound that crosses language and borders. Emotionally honest, melodically rich, and rooted in lived experience
What usually comes first when creating music—lyrics, melody, or a feeling?
We don’t really have a set structure for how songs come together. Sometimes it starts with the instruments, sometimes a line pulled straight from a journal, sometimes just a feeling that needed somewhere to go. It’s different every time and that randomness is actually what keeps the music honest. You can hear it in the songs. Nothing feels forced because nothing was.
How do your personal experiences influence your songwriting?
Personal experience is our foundation, it’s where every song starts. We write from what we’ve actually lived through, but it doesn’t stop there. Sometimes we’re giving voice to people around us who feel things deeply but don’t have the platform or the capacity to express it. That sense of responsibility is what keeps our music honest. We’re not just writing for ourselves. We’re writing for everyone who needed that song but couldn’t make it.
Do you approach writing differently when using English vs. Tagalog?
The approach doesn’t change much. We’re always chasing the same honesty. But with Tagalog, we become more deliberate. The language carries so much depth and there are words that simply don’t exist in English, feelings and ideas that can only be expressed in Filipino. That’s something we take seriously. We want to honor that richness, not just use it as an aesthetic. Tahanan was our first step into that space and it definitely won’t be the last.
How important is Filipino identity in your music?
The importance of Filipino identity is embedded in our music. Us Filipinos are so creative and musical! We live for the arts, the music… even if our parents and elders think we can’t make a living out of this
What does it mean to represent Filipinos in the diaspora through your art?
Representing Filipinos in the diaspora means everything to us. Especially being in Edmonton, where finding your community changes everything. Our community became our strength. When we play for a Filipino crowd it’s always a different experience.
Sometimes they’re our toughest critics, but most of the time the love they give us is indescribable. And then there’s playing for an international crowd..that’s its own kind of feeling. Being Filipino in a room that maybe doesn’t know much about where you come from, and watching them feel the music anyway …that hits different. It’s like you’re introducing your culture to the world one song at a time.
Do you feel a responsibility to bring OPM influence to an international audience?
Not necessarily. OPM is already so rich and it’s becoming more amplified. If we can contribute to influencing an international audience through our music, it would be such an honour
What has been your most memorable live performance so far?
PHILSA GALA
KALEIDO
DRTY KANTO PARTY
How do you want your audience to feel after watching you perform?
We want them to feel all the feels! A lot of our songs are intense, some hopeful, some sad, and some are just fun. We want our audience to experience the roller coaster with us.
Have you noticed differences between Filipino and non-Filipino audiences?
Not as much as you’d expect and that genuinely moves us. The connection feels the same regardless of where people are from. The only real shift we notice is between performing a Tagalog song versus an English one. There’s a different kind of electricity in the room for each but both remind us that music doesn’t really need a common language to land.
Can you tell us about your latest or upcoming releases?
We’re putting the finishing touches on our debut EP, Merry Go Round : four tracks that we’re hoping to release by end of June. It’s currently in the mixing stage and honestly it’s the most excited we’ve been. The EP is raw in a way that feels true to who we are. No filters, just real experiences translated into music. Merry Go Round felt like the right name for it. Life has a way of spinning you around and these songs are us making sense of that!
What message or story do you want listeners to take from your music?
Our upcoming EP tells the story of the lifecycle of a relationship. The first track is about starting to be open to love, the second is about kilig and the early stages of a relationship, the third is about the struggles, and the EP ends with track about things going so wrong that there might be no hope.
How has your sound evolved since you started?
Our sound has evolved as we’ve accumulated more pedals haha. We’re moving from a folky rock toward a dreamy indie pop.
Who are your biggest musical influences right now?
Chaotic: flawed mangoes, mini trees
Cloudy: up dharma down, the marias, mini trees, dijon
Clumsy: MK.gee , Oh wonder, Bennett Coast, Bon Iver, Hotel Ugly
If your band had a “signature vibe” or mood, what would it be?
Happy but sad
What’s something fans would be surprised to learn about you?
Our lead singer and bassist, Cloudy, started in the band as the drummer.
What’s next for The Calamansi Club and Are there any dream collaborations you’re hoping for?
After we release the EP this summer, we’ll start work on a full-length album. We’ve written more than 30 songs, and we want to put an album together that defines our next era.
Edmonton has so many dope artists who would be a dream to collab with, like Yema, Jananie, and Chic Chameleon.
Do you have plans to perform in the Philippines?
YES !
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