Johnnie Weekend Creators Lab Draws Inspiration From Music And Visual Arts

This year’s first Johnnie Weekend Creators Lab presented a stunning display of craft among two unique musicians and a multi-disciplinary visual artist. The result was a spectacular night of live music combined with a creative visual presentation.

The event was held last April 12 at the Burgos Park in BGC. Johnnie Walker brought together soul-jazz music producer Lustbass, alt-funk band IV of Spades, and visual artist Mvltiverse to collaborate for an audio-visual show meant to inspire and showcase the full potential of our local talents to creatively blend the best of what they do.

The Johnnie Weekend Creators Lab is more than just a series of events for local trailblazers, artists, and entrepreneurs from different fields to showcase their craft. It’s a social platform created by the Johnnie Walker brand in line with its mantra of “inspiring personal progress’” that sends a strong message about never standing still and to always keep walking.

Taking notes from classic and modern music genres, Lustbass and IV of Spades both demonstrated their take on disco, jazz, soul, and funk, while Mvltiverse, led by its founder Derek Tumala, elevated the whole experience through holographic projections and the use of LED technology.

“Johnnie Weekend is all about bringing together all of these trailblazing and like-minded artists, entrepreneurs, and people from various fields. We provide the venue for them to showcase and grow their craft. We also do workshops and events around Johnnie Weekend, so it’s an opportunity for these creative people to impart their craft to those who want to learn”, says Cesar Gangoso, Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker.

A WEEKEND FOR THE CREATORS

The Johnnie Walker brand was built around the Walker family’s progressive and pioneering spirit that always pushes the boundaries of creativity, so coming up with a concept that is both community and artist-driven is a reflection of its commitment to inspire. Mvltiverse, Lustbass, and IV of Spades are among those who are being looked up to in their respective genres as they continue to push the envelope in music and modern art and are the perfect embodiment of what the Johnnie Weekend Creators Lab is all about.

Mvltiverse is a digital project initiated in 2014, led by trans-disciplinary artist Derek Tumala, along with other young talented individuals from the same field. The project focuses on a contemporary approach to creating new forms of moving image through multi-disciplinary areas of live performance, new media, light, animation, installation, and technology.

Lustbass is the alter ego of producer and multi-instrumentalist Allan Malabanan, who plays bass for psychedelic-rock band Wilderness and soul outfit Chocolate Grass. This Thai-born Filipino shifts his focus to his love for the piano and has released three records independently. One of the most notable collaborations was with American singer Georgia Anne Muldrow for the debut release of newly founded Malasimbo Recordings.

IV of Spades is arguably one of the most sought-after bands in the local music scene. They were formed in 2014, and this funk-music inspired group has done quite a few amazing things, like their stint at the recently concluded Wanderland Music Fest, which was one of the highlights from the local act category. The lineup consists of lead guitarist Blaster Silonga, lead vocalist and guitarist Unique Salonga, drummer Badjao de Castro, and bassist and vocalist Zild Benitez. Combining different music genres such as disco, funk, soul, and classic rock and modernizing them to create a distinct flair has been an instrument of their success.

THE JOHNNIE HANGOVER

What makes Johnnie Weekend such a hip and fun place to be—apart from the live music and getting surrounded by creative minds—is, of course, a glass of Johnnie Walker. At the event, Johnnie Walker presented three cocktail mixes perfect for a hot summer night.

Johnnie’s Spade – A classic Johnnie Walker Black Label mixed with maple syrup, lemon, and grapefruit juice. A refreshing party drink with the right amount of kick.

Peaches & Gold – Using Johnnie Walker Gold Label, this undiluted drink is the closest thing you can get to “on the rocks” but with a cool fruity aftertaste. Mixed with peach syrup, Angostura bitters, and slices of orange, this will surely keep the levels of fun high all night.

Double Team – Mixing ginger beer, lime soda, and blackberry wine with a Johnnie Walker Double Black sounds like you’re looking for trouble, but this drink is a total rock star and a favorite during parties.

“Tonight is pretty humid, so a refreshing whisky highball is a good way to enjoy Johnnie Walker. And as you can see, the ‘Peaches and Gold’ highball drink is one of the crowd’s favorite drinks tonight. If you’re the type of person who wants to explore a wide breadth and complexities of flavors, whisky is the right drink for you, and Johnnie Walker gives you spice, a bit of smokiness, and a whole lot of other flavors. And over time, as you graduate from basics, you’ll seek for something more polished and sophisticated—drinks like whisky. So there’s no surprise there that the Philippines has this emerging new breed of millennial drinkers who favor Johnnie Walker,” says Gangoso.

To know more about Johnnie Weekend Creators Lab, you can check out the Johnnie Walker Philippines page on Facebook for more details. https://www.facebook.com/JohnnieWalkerPhilippines/