When the pandemic and its consequent lockdown hit in 2020, Sandwich was getting ready to release new songs they had recorded a few months before. Since then, they've gone through different challenges, both individually and as a group. But at last, the alternative rock band is finally releasing their newest EP titled No Goodbyes -- an album that offers personal introspection and social commentary.

A launch for the new EP will be held this Friday, June 17,2022 at 123 Block, Mandala Park, Mandaluyong City. Of course, fans can expect to witness another phenomenal live performance from Sandwich. Meanwhile, No Goodbyes is now available on digital music streaming platforms under PolyEast Records.

In 2019, the band had already hiked off to Batangas and put up an ad hoc studio by the beach to record songs for the new EP. Before everything shut down, they even released the single "Buhol Buhol." After that, the band continued to look for ways to put together live performances wherein they could still produce and stream online. They released a second single "No Goodbyes" with the help of Chicosci drummer Eco Del Rio. For Christmas 2020, they asked friends from different bands to send videos for a cover of "Potluck."

Continuing their momentum after releasing "Curtains" early this 2022, they recently dropped another banger song titled "Negatives." Written way before the pandemic back in 2019, the song unsurprisingly takes on a different meaning for everyone now. Cris Escolano masterfully directed the music video for "Negatives" with the brilliant Mycko David as cinematographer. After the band met with them initially to discuss the visuals' mood, look, and feel, the video was immediately shot the following week in Sheraton Hotel in Pasay in half a day with mostly available light and a skeleton crew. To sum it up, a bonus track titled "You Don't Know What You Have" completed the No Goodbyes EP.

Near to celebrating their 25th year together as a band, Sandwich is collectively working on new live show formats for their fans and a documentary of their journey. Aside from that, they feel grateful to be actively still playing and staying creative with their peers and friends within the music community.

Meanwhile, the members tried to keep themselves busy with various personal projects. Raymund Marasigan (vocals) has a YouTube series of his biking adventures titled Allryd and a podcast named Offstage Hang. Currently in the United States, he's been taking a lot of videos for the past few weeks, which he is excited to share on his channel. Mong Alcaraz (guitars) has also become a bike enthusiast, going strong as a consistent finisher in various competitions, all while continuing to make music and soundtracks in his home studio. Mike Dizon (drums) continues his food vlog called Nagsimula sa Patikim-tikim, while Myrene Academia (bass) is happily making demos at home. Lastly, Diego Castillo (guitar) has taken on his new role as a father while continuing his podcast Foaming At The Mouth and regularly doing live DJ sets. 

In a recent online press conference, the band are surprised to have achieved this level of longevity in the music scene. Raymund even jokingly said that the band has outlasted most of their relationships.

“I think we’ve established that we’re more than just a band, but a family. Parang every new thing that we discover, new music, new fans, new bands are going to be part of our family. We are just grateful to still be Sandwich at this point,” Marasigan said.

Mong also shared that another secret is that they genuinely love the music that they do: “The best music is something that’s honest and written from the heart… naniniwala kami na kapag honest yung music, may makakaintindi dun sa song na yun, maybe not a lot, pero meron (We believe that if the music is honest, there’s someone who will understand the song). That’s where we always jump off from.”

“Kailangan mahal din namin ‘to, to begin with," Diego added. "Kasi kung inisip namin ‘yung audience bago kami – although, oo, gets ko – hindi na namin tutugtugin. Wala rin ‘yung heart namin. So tama si Mong, du’n kami, kaya kami umabot sa silver anniversary.”

To more years of Sandwich and more music from the band soon! 

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