There’s no special inspiration or deeper meaning behind Cup of Joe’s band name.

Shortly after their formation nearly five years ago, the six members of the Baguio-based group found themselves performing for an event. There was a small problem, though. They still hadn’t decided what to call themselves. With their spot about to start, lead guitarist Gab Fernandez threw out random words to see what would stick.

“The name ‘Cup of Joe’ just came to mind,” Gab related in a dinner interview hosted by Viva Records.

The rest of the band—lead singers Gian Bernardino and Rapha Ridao, keyboardist Xen Gareza, bassist Seve Severino and guitarist CJ Fernandez—had no objections. “Sige, OK na ‘yun!” they chorused.

But as time wore on and the more songs they released, they began to realize that the name “Cup of Joe” couldn’t be more fitting for the kind of music they do and the vibe they give off. For their growing fanbase, listening to the band’s catchy, feel-good melodies is like having a sip of coffee on a cool and cozy Baguio afternoon.

“It gained meaning as time passed. We incorporated the name into our sound and vibe. Some people say that listening to our music makes them feel like they’re drinking coffee ... it’s relaxing and chilling,” Gian said.

Coffee, of course, comes in different varieties and can be whipped into a multitude of concoctions. Same goes for the band’s music. “With each release, we serve different recipes, different blends. We don’t stick to one sound... We’re experimental. But at the same time, you know that it’s Cup of Joe,” Gian pointed out.

7-digit streaming figures

Their initial releases, “Sinderella” and “Nag-iisang Muli,” are harmony-driven, slow-burn acoustic pop anthems. Showcasing their alternative pop leanings are the midtempo ballads “Sagada” and “Hayaan.” Further expanding their repertoire are “Bukod Tangi” and “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko,” which touch on new wave and neofolk, respectively.

It was the 1980s- and ’90s-tinged hits “Mananatili” and “Estranghero,” however, that put the group on the Philippine mainstream scene last year. Now, they average 3.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify with multiple songs reaching seven-digit streaming figures.

“We don’t have a particular genre in mind when we write songs. We just want them to have a unique quality. From ‘Mananatili’ to ‘Estranghero,’ each song has its own sets of characteristics. We want to stick with that approach, because we don’t want to end up limiting ourselves musically,” pointed out Xen.

The band’s debut EP (extended play), “Patutunguhan,” features “Mananatili” and “Estranghero” and four other tunes: the title track, the rousing, synth-laden bop “Tataya” and the cinematic “Tingin.” ‘The EP is a milestone for us. It’s based around the song titled ‘Patutunguhan.’ We envisioned it as a lighthouse of sorts. It illuminates amid the darkness, telling you where to go,” Xen said.

Baguio music scene

The members aren’t Baguio natives: Gian, Rapha, Gab and CJ hail from Pangasinan; Xen is from Abra; and Seve is from Isabela. But while they come from different provinces, they’re all steeped in Baguio’s music scene and culture—things that helped turn their music into the potent brew it is now.

“‘Nag-iisang Muli,’ for instance, was inspired by the scenery when we started to write it. The opening line gives it away: ‘Kay lamig ng simoy ng hangin.’ Gininaw kami sa school! We form different imagery based on the environment that we have in Baguio,” said Gian, who attended the St. Louis University Laboratory High School together with the five other members.

As such, the group couldn’t be happier about the recent charge of Baguio-based hitmakers led by the likes of Dilaw and David La Sol. While small, the city’s music community is tight-knit and brimming with untapped talents.

“Baguio has always had a rich music scene. It’s a city where people from different provinces and cities meet, so all their influences and culture are molded into something very unique... Now, because of social media, people are slowly starting to discover them,” Xen said.

“We support each other. We represent Baguio as one. We’re very proud of the relationship artists have with each other” CJ said. “There are so many underrated artists there that remain undiscovered.”

“We’re proud to be formed in the same city. We’re happy they’re making a name for themselves. There’s no competition; we view them as brothers. We’re proud of everyone’s achievements,” Rapha added.

Cup of Joe started out as a cover band that dabbled in songwriting as a way to commemorate their senior high school graduation. But the songs, uploaded to Spotify, found their way to the rest of the country through the streaming app’s chart and algorithm. It was all unexpected, they admitted, but it gave them a taste of what could be ahead of them.

Now, they’re pursuing their respective degrees in different universities in Baguio, but plan to go full blast with music. “We didn’t have plans when we started. But when we saw the wave our music created, it became a dream for us,” Gian said. INQ