With their newest song, “Roses,” the second single from their upcoming album, SOS continues to forge new paths and broaden their repertoire.

The five-track EP, It Was A Moment, is scheduled for release on September 29, 2023, with songs centering on growing up and dealing with these feelings, including the moments and concerns that accompany it.

It Was A Moment will also mark the band’s first release under local label Careless Music. Continuing last year’s significant alteration to its ten-year existence, the band, composed of Roberto Seña on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Andrew Panopio on lead guitar, Anjo Silvoza on bass, and King Puentespina on drums, welcomed Ram Alonzo on keys. Since the group’s college years, Alonzo has served as a session musician for SOS and has always been regarded as an unofficial member.

SEE ALSO: SOS embraces intimacy with “Roses”, welcomes Ram Alonzo to the band lineup

Ahead of the release of their forthcoming album next month, Seña, Panopio, Silvoza, Puentespina, and Alonzo provided Philippine Concerts insights into their career, including recent changes, upcoming schedules, and band plans.

Philippine Concerts: The past year has seen considerable changes and transitions for SOS. How have things been going for you since you began working with Careless Music?

Anjo: I think it’s been a smooth transition – it also came at the perfect time with us maturing as a band and making smarter decisions about where we want to take our music. Careless made it easy for us to plan what we want to accomplish, and a lot of our goals as a label are the same.

King: I also have to add that since working with Careless, we’ve had a good team to back us up with our projects. We’ve been doing everything on our own for a while, so it’s a refreshing feeling knowing that we can just focus on making the music.

PC: That transition is going to be marked with the release of your upcoming album, It Was A Moment. How will your most forthcoming EP capture that transition, and how significant We this record to you?

Anjo: It’s very significant! I think most bands reach a certain point when they’ve been in the industry for a lengthier amount of time. With our EP, it’s a jumpstart to a new stage. Kinda feels like we’re just starting out again to be honest!

King: We also did a lot of pre-production before making the project. We set our intentions, shared the stories we wanted to tell, and gave the project a deeper layer to it. It’s very honest.

PC: How would you sum up the past years, particularly in terms of your artistic growth? Is there anything you wish you had done differently when you first started?

Anjo: I wish we were more active in socials back then. HAHA.

Andrew: We’ve always been excited about the music we put out. I think that’s because we make sure to keep changing things up. There are way too many demos among us that I wish we had put out when it was at the peak of our interest. There are probably two more SOS albums out there. That’s OK. The best record is always the next one.

Seña: I wish we put out music more consistently. Personally, I’m slow. I like to take my time. I love marinating in the music I make to the point that it turns me off. I’m slowly letting go of that bad habit of getting stuck. Oops

PC: Which song from your new album are you most looking forward to performing for your Filipino fans and why?

Anjo: Honestly can’t tell – it’s gonna be a surprise when it comes out!

King: There’s this one song I want to mention, but it’s unreleased, so I also can’t spill the tea on that.

Seña: It has happened more than once that a popular song from us wasn’t what we thought would be enjoyed by listeners. So we would have to see once we start road-testing all these new songs.

PC: If you had the chance, among the artists you haven’t collaborated with, who would you want to work with and what kind of project would you collaborate on?

Andrew: Rico Blanco! He’s so good at capturing hooks and forming anthems. I’d make a rock opera with him. That would be cool.

King: I really want to get Tim Marquez as a producer for a project. He’s always killing it and he’s at the top of his game right now.

Seña: I wanna work with Ena, Zild & Toneejay. These guys are crazy talented and I’m curious what any of that would even sound like haha.

PC: With everything you’ve accomplished and all the years you’ve spent in the industry, what’s next for SOS?

Anjo: Well – for me, we’re just getting started. It’s exciting to see all our plans come to fruition.

King: More music, more stories!

Seña: We’ve always seen ourselves as working musicians. The train doesn’t stop. Hopefully, you’ll see us around Asia more often.

PC: What valuable lessons would you like other artists to take away from your career?

Anjo: Keep at it! Just keep at it. The roads will never be smooth – just go through it and work hard!

King: Practice, practice, and practice. Learn how to fail gracefully and have a good daily routine.

Andrew: Finding your own sound is so valuable and honestly beyond any outside validation. Good work has a way of catching on. So keep at it!

Seña: Treat it like a job. Fame doesn’t mean anything. Having even just one person loving your music is enough to keep you going. Do not be disenfranchised by what you see online when it comes to making music. Express yourself. It isn’t a race.