The Ransom Collective (also known as TRC and originally known as Kian Ransom) are a Filipino indie folk band[2][3] known for their "spirited music that makes for perfect adventure tunes."[4]

The Ransom Collective
The Ransom Collective performing at A Space, Greenbelt, Makati in 2016. Left to right: Leah Halili, Muriel Gonzales, Redd Claudio, Kian Ransom, Jermaine Choa Peck, Lily Gonzales.
The Ransom Collective performing at A Space, Greenbelt, Makati in 2016.
Left to right: Leah Halili, Muriel Gonzales, Redd Claudio, Kian Ransom, Jermaine Choa Peck, Lily Gonzales.
Background information
Also known asTRC, Kian Ransom
OriginManila, Philippines
Genres
Years active2013–present
Labels
MembersKian Ransom
Jermaine Choa Peck
Lily Gonzales
Muriel Gonzales
Leah Halili
Redd Claudio
Past membersHunny Lee
Websitetheransomcollective.com

The band, which consists of Kian Ransom (vocals/guitars), Jermaine Choa Peck (vocals/percussion), Leah Halili (vocals/bass), sisters Lily (keyboards) and Muriel Gonzales (violin), and Redd Claudio (drums), first received wide public attention when they won first place at Wanderland Music and Arts Festival's pre-event Wanderband competition in January 2014 and played at Wanderland 2014.[5][6] The group is currently signed to Mustard Music, a sub-label of Universal Records.[1]

The band released their self-titled EP in 2014, featuring hit singles "Fools", "Settled", and "Open Road". They also released their debut album Traces on May 20, 2017.

History edit

TRC was formed in August 2013 when Kian Ransom, then an indie solo artist, came back to the Philippines after pursuing his college education in Los Angeles. He joined his high school friend Hunny Lee (the first drummer) and would later be joined by Fine Arts students from U.P. Diliman, namely Jermaine Choa Peck and the Gonzales sisters (Lily and Muriel). Leah Halili, Peck's course mate, was later invited to join. The band was named after Ransom himself. Later, Lee left the band and returned to South Korea for his military service duties. Afterwards, Lee was replaced by Redd Claudio (a friend of Halili's brother) as their permanent drummer.[6][7]

TRC's first big break was joining the Wanderland's pre-event band competition Wanderband, which they won in first place in the finals last January 2014. Their first major gig was at the Wanderland Music and Arts Festival 2014, joining the likes of local and international acts. They released their self-titled EP last September 2014, which featured their debut single Fools.[8]

In 2015, TRC joined the likes of fellow indie acts such as BP Valenzuela, Bullet Dumas, Cheats, MOONWLK and others as part of the collaborated LP vinyl album Fresh Filter Vol. 1 released by Jam 88.3 and Satchmi.[9][10]

On May 20, 2017, the band released their debut album Traces which featured the singles Settled and Open Road.[11][12][13][14]

Music influences edit

The Ransom Collective cite as musical influences Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers and Local Natives.

Members edit

Current edit

  • Kian Ransom – vocals, guitars (2013–present)
  • Jermaine Choa Peck – vocals, percussion (2013–present)
  • Leah Halili – vocals, bass guitars (2013–present)
  • Lily Gonzales – keyboards (2013–present)
  • Muriel Gonzales – violin (2013–present)
  • Redd Claudio – drums (2013–present)

Former edit

  • Hunny Lee – drums (2013)

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

EPs edit

  • The Ransom Collective (2014)[15]

Singles edit

Year Song Album/EP
2014 "Fools" The Ransom Collective (EP)
"Run"
2016/2017 "Settled" Traces (album)
"Open Road"
2017 "Tides"
2019 "I Don't Care" (Non-album singles)
2022 "3 A.M."

Compilation albums edit

Collaborated singles edit

  • "Wonderfilled" (feat. Yuna and GAC) – Oreo Asia
  • "Caution To The Wind" (with Gab & John of Urbandub) – Coke Studio Philippines

Music videos edit

Year Song Director
2015 "Fools" Sarie Cruz[16]
2016 "Settled" Hunny Lee[17]
"Wonderfilled" Carat Content[18]
"Open Road" Simon Te[19]

Music competitions edit

  • Wanderband (2014) – First Placer
  • Deezer "Young Guns" (2014) – Second Placer[8]
  • Spotify Emerge Philippines (2015)[8]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "The Ransom Collective signs record deal with Mustard Music". Bandwagon Asia. February 28, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Ong, Melanie (May 17, 2017). "Get To Know The Violinist Of Pinoy Indie Folk Band The Ransom Collective: Muriel Gonzales reveals the perks and struggles of being in the local music industry". Cosmopolitan Magazine Philippines.
  3. ^ Bueno, Anna. "The Ransom Collective on Filipino indie folk music and avoiding predictability as a band". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  4. ^ Zarzuela, Dyan (28 June 2017). "11 Songs That You Should Add to Your Road Trip Playlist". Culture Trip. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  5. ^ Patricia Denise Chiu (September 15, 2014). "The Rise of the Ransom Collective". Red Bull. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Luis Katigbak (June 20, 2014). "Ransom notes". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  7. ^ Marguerite R. Andrews, Pia H. Posadas (August 20, 2014). "Up for ransom". The Guidon. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Gilda Flores (June 27, 2015). "Success continues for the band that didn't expect to be a band". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  9. ^ "The Awesome Satchmi & Jam 88.3 Fresh Filter Volume 1 Vinyl Record Launched!". GeekyPinas. May 25, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  10. ^ "Fresh Filter Vinyl Sampler Launches Today". Pinoytuner. May 22, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  11. ^ "Settled – Single". iTunes Philippines. April 11, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  12. ^ "Open Road – Single". iTunes Philippines. December 4, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "The Ransom Collective reveal debut album release date". Bandwagon. March 19, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  14. ^ "The Ransom Collective launches debut album, 'Traces'".
  15. ^ "The Ransom Collective – EP". iTunes Philippines. September 20, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  16. ^ The Ransom Collective (2015-06-14). "The Ransom Collective YouTube Channel".
  17. ^ The Ransom Collective (2016-06-13). "The Ransom Collective YouTube Channel".
  18. ^ Oreo Asia (2016-10-13). "Oreo Asia YouTube Channel".
  19. ^ The Ransom Collective (2016-12-11). "The Ransom Collective YouTube Channel".

External links edit