Ligaya Escueta Begins New Chapter as a Full Band Under Offshore Music

The Manila indie rock act officially expands into a four-member band featuring Ligaya Escueta, Kristo Mercado, Diego Cerrudo, and Ninja Nicolas.

From left to right: Kristo Mercado (guitar and bass), Diego Cerrudo (guitar) Ligaya Escueta (vocals, guitar, bass), and Ninja Nicolas (drums), Artist & Repertoire Manager Dani Mendoza, General Manager of Offshore Music Audry Dionisio, CEO of Offshore Ely Buendia

Indie rock artist Ligaya Escueta has officially evolved into a full-fledged band. During the record label signing with Offshore Music, the alternative quartet was introduced with Kristo Mercado on bass and guitar, Diego Cerrudo on guitar, Ninja Nicolas on drums, and Ligaya Escueta on vocals, bass, and guitar.
 

“It was a natural process,” opens Ligaya Escueta. “Because we are all good friends outside of the band. I think that translates into the music… It is really something collaborative, and we all have a big part in it.” 

Organic—that is how Escueta initially describes the formation of the band. The transition from solo artist to band is entirely expected, given the current course of the “Ligaya Escueta” artist identity.

“It didn’t feel much of a change because that’s already how it felt like. We already felt like a band before,” Cerrudo shares, noting how easily each member fell into place in terms of dynamics, influences, and sound synchronicities. “We were complete from the start,” he adds. 

Lead singer and guitarist, Ligaya Escueta, contract signing

Following the shift to a more collaborative setting, the band says there will be inevitable changes in the creative process of music-making.

“We have to split responsibilities more, especially when it comes to songwriting,” Mercado admits. “In the off-going future, there will be a big ‘change,’ now that we are all hands on with future projects.” 

On the other side of things, Artist & Repertoire (A&R) Manager, Dani Mendoza shared how natural this “debut” was for Ligaya Escueta and the label. “Honestly, the paper [contract] was for formality, but they have already been operating as a unit. We are happy to welcome them to the Offshore Music roster.”