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IDLEPITCH, one of the most prominent bands in Naga City, aims for a crossover breakthrough with the release of their new single “Salamangkera,” a funky, city pop-infused rock track that reveals an exciting new direction for the band.
Inspired by MOR and ‘80s groove, “Salamangkera” turns the familiar experience of being romantically smitten into a playful, metaphor-rich tune about attraction and losing oneself in the process.
“This is actually inspired by the ’80s band America,” guitarist and composer Herbert Belbes shares. “They have this song called ‘You Can Do Magic’ that sparked the idea. There’s a saying, ‘good artists copy, great artists steal,’ and that applies to this song. Well, not directly, since it only has the same theme: a love interest, or a salamangkera, suddenly vanishing after she charmed you out of your mind.”
What started as a phone-recorded demo eventually evolved into a more polished arrangement. The band worked with producer and co-writer Ahmad Tanji, whose collaborative approach pushed the group to rethink both the arrangement and the lyrics.
Jeremy Pronto’s arrival as keyboardist also proved essential to the song’s shift in sound and form. Originally conceived with a guitar riff, the track’s distinctive horn-like opening was recalibrated for keyboards, giving it an ‘80s pop sheen.
According to the band, “Salamangkera” draws from a wide range of influences, including Pinoy funk, Manila Sound, yacht rock, and the band’s early exposure to acts such as Kala and P.O.T. The result is a song that balances funk-driven grooves, melodic sophistication, Filipino lyricism, and a touch of nostalgia.
IDLEPITCH’s “Salamangkera” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.
