Electric dreams with the duo of MYMP

MYMP to enthrall fans at Dubai performances

From starting outas a college band in the ‘90s to releasing its tenth anniversary album Electrified this year, MYMP (short for Make Your Momma Proud) has come a long way indeed on its musical journey, surviving changes in line-up, churning out hit songs like Get Me and A Little Bit and scooping up numerous awards along the way. UAE fans will no doubt be delighted to hear that MYMP is putting Dubai on its gig itinerary, as part of the band’s tenth anniversary tour.

City Times caught up with Jacques ‘Chin’ Alcantara, guitarist and founding member of MYMP, prior to the band’s Dubai performances.

What can your UAE fans expect from the upcoming concert?

We’re going to perform songs from the new album and of course all their favourite MYMP songs.

What can you tell us about MYMP’s new album Electrified?

This is our tenth anniversary album and it’s sort of a “rebirth” because we have a new singer, Jana Laraza, and sort of a new sound also. We were always associated with the words “acoustic” or “unplugged”. So in this album, it’s sort of the opposite – it’s “electrified” or “plugged-in”. Of course we kept our signature acoustic sound but we slowly introduced other instruments rather than just my acoustic guitar.

You started the band way back in 1996. What have been the most memorable moments of your career?

There have been so many memorable moments. Everything that happened was more than a dream come true. Two sold-out concerts at the Araneta Coliseum (in Quezon City, Philippines), more than 10 platinum albums sold, two U.S. tours, a number of Asian tours, especially the recent Korean Music Festival where we played for more than a 20,000-strong Korean audience, touring almost all parts of the Philippines - it’s hard to pick one really because everything has been memorable.

MYMP has seen changes in line-up since its inception. What can you tell us about your current bandmates?

Our newest member is Jana Laraza. She started singing for us about nine months ago after a lengthy audition process. She sang on the new album and co-wrote our single Electrified.

Where is your anniversary tour taking you next?

We’re currently on a nationwide album tour promotion. There are plans for an Asian tour specifically Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia since these are the countries that our music has reached. Hopefully the U.S. tour will push through. And we’re finalising plans for a major concert at a big venue for our tenth year in the industry.

MYMP will perform at KitaKits Kafe & Klubb, Marco Polo Hotel, Deira, on Friday, March 28 at 10pm and Saturday, March 29 at 9pm. Doors open at 7pm. For more information, call 04 391 4304.