The Philippine independent music scene continues to thrive with artists who bring unique influences and fresh perspectives to their craft. Among them is ROSIER, an OPM rock band that has carved out its own identity by blending the energy and emotion of Japanese rock with original Filipino songwriting.
Drawing inspiration from J-Rock, anime culture, and alternative rock, ROSIER delivers music that is both melodic and emotionally driven, resonating with listeners through powerful stories and heartfelt performances. What began as a shared passion for Japanese rock has evolved into a distinct musical journey that continues to connect with fans across the local music scene.
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with ROSIER to discuss their musical roots, creative process, inspirations, and the experiences that have shaped their path as one of the rising acts in the Philippine alternative rock community.
For readers discovering ROSIER for the first time, how would you introduce the band?
We are an indie rock band from Manila and our music is a blend of free-spirited OPM rock and melodic J-rock. We sound unique compared to the current landscape of Pinoy indie rock scene.
What inspired the formation of ROSIER?
When we found out that everyone wanted to jam some anime/j-rock music, we decided to form ROSIER. Though it’s kind of different now that our current direction is to create original music to share to everyone!
How did the members first meet and decide to create a band together?
Long time ago really. It was 2013 when a fan group called L’arc~en~Ciel Philippine Street Team a.k.a. #LArcMNL (yes, there is a fan club of the legendary J-rock band L’arc~en~Ciel here in Manila) organized a summer acoustic session/fan gathering. Founding members Leu and Paolo, together with some of their friends, formed a one-shot acoustic act. It turned out really well and decided to continue as a J-rock/anime cover band. That’s the birth of ROSIER.
What does the name “ROSIER” mean to the group?
Leu and Paolo wanted a one-word band name, so they decided to name the band after “ROSIER,” a famous song by Luna Sea (give it a listen—we highly recommend it!). They chose it because it sounded cool and mysterious.
At the time, it seemed like a simple decision, but looking back now, we feel it was the perfect name for us. Over the years, we’ve built our identity, brand, and image around the name ROSIER, and it has grown along with us.
So, thanks to our younger selves for making the right call!
How would you describe ROSIER’s music style to first-time listeners?
For casual listeners, we sound like your favorite anime songs—but with lyrics you can understand and relate to on a deeper level.
For fellow musicians, our sound revolves around OPM rock, melodic rock, and J-rock. Our music blends the raw, free-spirited energy of OPM rock with the melodic and technical elements of J-rock.
As for our themes, we write about the emotions and experiences that connect us all—love, friendship, sadness, challenges, joy, and nostalgia. Through our music, we aim to tell stories that listeners can see themselves in and carry with them throughout different stages of their lives.
What makes ROSIER different from other bands in the local indie scene?
It’s very different. Our sound is, if not the only one, one of the few bands in the local indie scene that truly blends OPM rock and J-rock into a single identity.
That uniqueness is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it helps us stand out and get noticed during bar gigs and live performances. On the other hand, we’re never entirely sure how many listeners will immediately connect with our sound.
We understand that the current music scene is largely dominated by genres that are already familiar to Filipino audiences, such as Manila sound, pop-punk, and alternative rock—genres that have enjoyed significant exposure in the mainstream. Despite that, we remain committed to creating the music we love and sharing our distinct fusion of OPM and J-rock with as many people as possible.
Which artists or bands inspired your sound the most?
As a band, L’arc~en~ Ciel is our number one influence. Although we also have Luna Sea, The Gazette, Acid Black Cherry/Janne Da Arc, and others on our plate. Individual members have their own influences as well so it’s really diverse.
What are the main themes and emotions behind your songs?
It’s from the thoughts and experiences of every member. We don’t dwell on a single theme or emotion. We wanted to tackle every emotion in its spectrum. There is also a story in our songs, but we intend to word it in an abstract way, so listeners can interpret it according to how they personally perceive it.
It’s from the thoughts and experiences of every member. We don’t dwell on a single theme or emotion. We wanted to tackle every emotion in its spectrum. There is also a story in our songs, but we intend to word it in an abstract way, so listeners can interpret it according to how they personally perceive it.
Our music comes from the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of every member of the band. We don’t focus on a single theme or emotion; instead, we aim to explore the full spectrum of human feelings and experiences.
Each song tells a story, but we intentionally present it in an abstract way. This allows listeners to interpret the lyrics through their own perspectives and connect them to their personal experiences. We believe that music becomes more meaningful when people can find their own stories within it.
If someone is listening to ROSIER for the very first time, which song should they start with and why?
That’s a difficult question—it really depends on the listener’s personality and what kind of music resonates with them.
For our anime-loving friends, we’d recommend starting with “Sandali” or “LANDAS.”
If you’re looking for something more emotional and introspective, give “Hardin ng Buwan” or “ethereal” a listen.
For those who prefer heavier rock sounds, “Quarter to Midnight” and “Mundo sa Daigdig” are great choices.
And if you’re part of the working class and looking for songs you can relate to, we suggest “OOO” or “Buntong Hininga.”
How would you describe the band’s chemistry and dynamic?
We are a tightly knit band, and we support each other wholeheartedly. After countless gigs and years of performing together, we have come to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Whenever one of us is struggling, the other three step up to provide support. Everyone is encouraged to speak their mind, and every idea is welcomed, challenged, and carefully considered.
We believe that the reason we’ve stayed together for nearly 13 years is simple: we support one another, respect each other, and share the same commitment to the band and its growth.
What has been the most unforgettable moment in ROSIER’s journey so far?
One of our proudest achievements was our run in the 2024 Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban, where we qualified as Grand Finalists representing the Greater Manila Area.
For us, it was more than just a competition—it was a statement. It proved that our unique sound could stand alongside some of the best acts in the Philippine indie rock scene.
What challenges did you face when starting out as an indie band from Manila?
The Manila indie rock scene is highly saturated, with the majority of bands performing within the Metro. With so many talented and aspiring artists striving to be heard, opportunities can be difficult to come by.
Despite these challenges, we continue to do our best to establish our identity, strengthen our branding, and share our music with a wider audience. We remain committed to growing our presence and reaching more listeners through our passion and dedication to our craft.
How important are live performances in introducing ROSIER’s music to new audiences?
This is very important to us because the best way to experience what ROSIER is all about is by watching us perform live.
While our songs are available on Spotify and some of our live performances can be found on Facebook and YouTube, nothing compares to the energy and atmosphere of a live house show. That’s where our music truly comes to life.
We take pride in our visuals, showmanship, and ability to express our music on stage. If you ever get the chance to see us perform live, we highly encourage you to come by—you won’t regret it!
What lessons have you learned throughout your journey as a band?
There’s so much we’ve learned from all the experiences we’ve been through. One of the most important lessons is to trust your bandmates and surround the band with the right people—those who genuinely support your vision and growth.
An honorable mention would be to stay away from drama. It’s a lesson that applies not only to being in a band but to life in general.
What do you hope listeners feel when they hear ROSIER’s music?
We hope our music can touch the lives of our listeners and evoke emotions that remind them they are doing their best to live life on their own terms.
We also hope our songs can become companions through different phases of a person’s journey—serving as bookmarks in time. Someday, when they hear those songs again, we hope they can look back and say, “This song reminds me of the past. I’m glad I kept moving forward.”
How has the support from fans and the local music community helped the band grow?
Like what we said, we surround the band with the right people who truly support us. They have contributed significantly to who we are today.
We have our friends from The Manila Sonic Collective and NewVibePH, who have been there to critique us when needed and celebrate with us whenever we reached new milestones.
To our friends in #LArcMNL, thank you for believing in us from the days when we were just a one-shot acoustic act up until our recent performance at L’Arc Night last May 24.
And to our Beautiful Creatures—our loyal fans—thank you for spreading our music and sharing our journey with others. One day, our community will grow beyond anything we could have ever imagined.
What are ROSIER’s goals and dreams for the future?
Make OPM rock /J-rock fusion to mainstream! And then, we go international!
Are there any upcoming projects, songs, or performances fans should look forward to?
We always have live bar gigs so be sure to follow us on Facebook for our gig schedule! Also, we are creating a new song and planning to make a music video for that so stay tuned!
Lastly, what message would you like to share with everyone who is discovering ROSIER for the first time?
Follow us! Listen to our song. Watch some of our live performances. Follow our story. It will be an experience. Let’s meet!
Love ROSIER’s unique blend of OPM rock and J-Rock influences?
Stay connected and be the first to hear their latest music, upcoming releases, and live performances by following their official social media accounts through the links below!
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