Clementine (musician)

Clemen Castro (born 10 December 1976), also known as Clementine, is a singer-songwriter and music producer from the Philippines. He gained recognition in early 2000 as the guitarist/songwriter/vocalist of Philippine indie band Orange & Lemons. After the band's break up in 2007, Clementine formed his new band The Camerawalls and founded Lilystars Records - his own independent record label.^[1]

Early life & Musical Influences

Clementine was raised surrounded by 60s rock n’ roll and psychedelic music and from an early age fell in love with the likes of The Beatles and later on post punk guitar groups like The Smiths, artists that he is still inspired by today. Clementine picked up his dad’s guitar at the age of 10 and after several years of obsessive strumming and excessive effort to emulate his influences he discovered the art of song writing and composition and started by ear, through his personal life experiences, writing songs that will provide the foundation of undeniably one of the most successful bands in the country – Orange & Lemons.

Orange & Lemons

He formed Orange & Lemons in 1999 and with a collection of juvenile materials paved the way for independent recognition to mainstream success of the band. His role as chief songwriter, lead guitarist and the main creative force behind Orange & Lemons,^[2] he has produced solid albums that has reached the ears and fancy of foreign music enthusiasts in Japan, Germany, UK and US to name a few. Songs that without doubt has a touch of international appeal and sold gold and platinum records in the Philippines plus numerous awards and commercial projects.^[3]

Each album showcases his evolution as a guitarist and songwriter and his most groundbreaking and brooding work – Moonlane Gardens (2007) – ironically resulted in a fray between band mates, management and label. A battle between creativity and commercialism ensues and after a few months concluded in the parting of ways. Moonlane Gardens was hailed 2007 Album of The Year during the NU Rock Awards.^[4]

The Camerawalls and Lilystars Records

The outfit that is Orange & Lemons officially disbanded on September 2007 after a successful US Tour. Clementine went back to indie status and formed a 3 piece indie pop band The Camerawalls and released the debut album "Pocket Guide To The Otherworld" on July, 2008 under his own indie label -- Lilystars Records earning a nomination ^[5] and recognition as one of the best new local group to come out with a solid release during the year. The debut album "Pocket Guide To The Otherworld" has become a landmark release that showed people what happens when contemporary indie pop meets good old Filipino sensibilities.^[6]

Clementine signed a number of osbcure artists under his label and was the first to release physical CD singles. He also formed an events production called The POP Shoppe! to support notable indie acts and was able to produce his first major concert for the Swedish group Club 8 in Manila just recently.

Discography

Albums

• Pocket Guide To The Otherworld - The Camerawalls (July 2008 - Lilystars Records)
• Moonlane Gardens - Orange & Lemons (June 2007 - Universal Records)
• Strike Whilst The Iron Is Hot - Orange & Lemons (May 2005 - Universal Records)
• Love In The Land Of Rubber Shoes & Dirty Ice Cream - Orange & Lemons (December 2003 - Terno Recordings)

Singles

• The Sight Of Love - The Camerawalls feat. Sarah Gaugler (February 2010 - Lilystars Records)
• Wanderlust - The Camerawalls (August 2012 - Lilystars Records)

EPs

• Bread and Circuses - The Camerawalls (December 2010 - Lilystars Records)

References

External links

• Lilystars Records
• Musings Of A Commoner
• The Camerawalls