Photo Credits: Fatti
For the second and final week of the City Stories: Bands Edition finale, we sit down with the band for a candid conversation about their music, influences, songwriting, and journey.
They share the real-life experiences behind their songs, including “Bumper Cars,” a track that became a meaningful reminder of friendship, change, and an important chapter in their story.
Get to know the voices behind the music and discover what continues to inspire their sound.
Could you introduce Half Hour to our readers and share how the band first came together?
Half Hour is a five-piece alternative pop/rock band from Manila.
While the name has been around since 2013, the current band took shape in 2017 after a one-off project for a friend’s birthday gig brought a group of musicians together.
What started as a single performance quickly turned into something more, and after a few more shows, the decision was made to continue under the name Half Hour.
Since then, the band has naturally evolved through a few lineup changes while staying true to its passion for creating original music.
Today, Half Hour is composed of Jax Aragon on vocals, Val Vicera on lead guitar, Bryan Acleta on rhythm guitar, Reden Torres on bass, and Lino Sarinas on drums.
Half Hour was formed in 2013 and later reunited to create original music. What inspired the band to make that comeback?
We wouldn’t really call it a reunion, it was more of a new chapter for the band. While we carried on the Half Hour name, we wanted this lineup to have its own identity.
After realizing how well we worked together, we decided to move beyond playing covers and focus on writing original music that reflected our own experiences and influences.
That decision became the foundation of the Half Hour people know today.
How did you come up with the name Half Hour, and what does it represent?
Honestly, there’s no deep meaning behind it.
We were trying to come up with a band name during practice when we realized we only had about 30 minutes left before we had to pack up.
Someone joked about it, and “Half Hour” just stuck. It was completely spontaneous, but somehow it ended up becoming part of our story.
How would you describe Half Hour’s musical identity to someone discovering your music for the first time?
Our music is inspired by our own experiences, emotions, and perspectives on life.
We don’t like putting ourselves into a single genre because every member brings different influences to the table. While we’re often described as alternative pop/rock, our songs naturally blend different styles.
We simply want to create music that feels honest and connects with people in whatever way they interpret it.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both locally and internationally?
Val: Each one of us has different musical influences, but as a band, maybe Eyes Set to Kill, Paramore, Barbie Almalbis, and Talata.
Lino: Personally, I’ve got Blink-182, Sugarfree, and TWICE. Stay tuned for our dance song.
Jax: As a band, I’d also add Flyleaf and Sobs to the list.
Bryan: I’d say Neck Deep, Fall Out Boy, and Franco are my favorite bands, and they’ve had the biggest influence on the kind of music I enjoy.
Your songs capture relatable emotions and experiences. What usually inspires your songwriting?
Most of our songs come from real-life experiences.
We write about emotions and situations we’ve personally gone through, hoping someone else out there has felt the same way.
If our music makes someone feel understood or less alone, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.
How does the songwriting process work within the band? Does everyone contribute ideas?
Our songwriting process isn’t fixed. Most of the time, it starts with a guitar riff or instrumental idea that someone brings to practice.
From there, everyone contributes, from arranging the music to refining melodies and lyrics.
Every member leaves their own fingerprint on the final version.
Every band has its own chemistry. What do you think makes Half Hour work so well together?
At the heart of everything is our friendship. We’ve known each other for years, so there’s a lot of trust and mutual respect within the band.
We’re honest with each other, open to feedback, and we communicate whenever something needs to be addressed. That openness has helped us grow both as musicians and as friends.
Your recent releases have introduced your music to more listeners. Looking back, what have these songs meant to the band?
More than anything, these songs are a reminder of this chapter in our lives. We never started this band with dreams of becoming famous, we simply wanted to create music that reflected who we are.
Knowing that our songs have reached listeners and resonated with people makes everything we’ve worked for feel worthwhile.
Is there a particular song in your catalog that holds a special place in your hearts? What is the story behind it?
“Bumper Cars” will always have a special place in our hearts because it was the first song where every member contributed creatively. The idea originally came from our former lead guitarist, Joseph, during one of our writing sessions in Bulacan.
That same night, he told us he’d be leaving the band because his family was migrating to the U.S. We hadn’t planned on recording anything yet, but after hearing the news, we decided we had to preserve the songs we created together.
“Bumper Cars” became that memory a song that represents friendship, change, and one important chapter in our journey.
What has been the most memorable live performance you’ve had so far, and why?
Without a doubt, it was performing in Taichung, Taiwan alongside Mayonnaise. Playing abroad had always been one of our goals, but it felt more like a distant dream than something we’d actually achieve so soon.
Sharing our music with our kababayans and hearing people sing along to our songs made the experience unforgettable. It reminded us that music really can connect people, no matter where they are.
How has performing in different venues shaped your growth as musicians?
Every venue teaches us something new. Performing in different places and alongside different artists has helped us grow both as musicians and performers.
It has also taught us to adapt, whether it’s working with different sound systems, adjusting to different audiences, or simply becoming more confident every time we step on stage.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an independent band in the Philippines?
One of the biggest challenges today is getting your music heard. With so many talented artists releasing great music, standing out takes more than just writing good songs.
As independent musicians, we’re also responsible for promoting ourselves, booking shows, and building our online presence.
It’s challenging, but it’s also part of what makes the journey worthwhile.
How do you balance your individual lives while staying committed to the band?
Communication is everything.
We all have work, personal commitments, and other responsibilities outside the band, so we make sure to plan rehearsals and gigs around everyone’s schedule.
We even keep a shared calendar where everyone logs their commitments. We respect each other’s time, but when a big opportunity comes along, everyone does their best to make it happen.
If you could collaborate with any Filipino or international artist, who would it be and why?
Val:
Locally, Kamikazee. I’m a huge Kazee fan—Narda was the first song I learned to play on guitar. Internationally, I’m a full-fledged Maggot, so Slipknot.
I mean, Tubero and Lola Amour did a collaboration, and those two are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to style and genre. That’s why I think collaborations can lead to something really unexpected and exciting.
Red:
Locally, we’d love to collaborate with Paramita if they ever reunite, and Talata. Both bands have been a big influence on our sound and have inspired us throughout our journey.
Internationally, I’d be grateful to collaborate with any band. I see every collaboration as a chance to learn, grow, and create something meaningful together.
What do you hope listeners feel after hearing a Half Hour song?
We hope our music gives people a sense of belonging.
If someone listens to one of our songs and feels understood, comforted, or reminded that they’re not alone, then we’ve achieved what we set out to do.
How do you think the Philippine independent music scene has evolved since you first started?
The Philippine independent music scene has changed tremendously since we first started. Today, recording and releasing music is more accessible than ever, giving more artists the chance to share their work.
At the same time, social media has become just as important as performing live.
While it’s easier to reach people now, it’s also more challenging to stand out, which pushes us to keep improving both our music and how we connect with listeners.
Are there any upcoming releases, live shows, or projects that fans should look forward to?
We have several local shows lined up from July through September, including our July 25 show at Hangar 18, our August 1 performance at Bartech in Baguio, and our September 5 unplugged set in Tagaytay.
We’re also working toward recording our first EP. Hopefully we’ll be able to release it later this year, but if not, you can expect it sometime early next year.
Stay tuned!
What advice would you give to aspiring bands who are just beginning their musical journey?
Val:
The first audience you need to satisfy is yourself. Prioritize improvement rather than perfection, and most importantly, enjoy the ride.
Red:
Stay true to yourselves and enjoy the process. Stay open to learning, keep growing, and never stop making room for improvement.
Lino:
Skills come with practice. Stay humble.
Jax:
Just do it! Take the leap and start.
Bryan:
Just do what you want. If you’re passionate about being in a band and making music, go for it. Don’t let negative comments from other people bring you down. Instead, take inspiration from those who encourage you and keep doing what you love.
Finally, do you have a message for your fans and for the readers of City Writer PH?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our interview.
We hope you’ll give our music a listen and maybe discover a song that resonates with you.
To everyone who’s been supporting us, whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or just found us recently, thank you.
We can’t wait to see you at one of our shows soon!
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