Words by Fatherly Echoes | Interview Answers by R-E Esguerra (Guitarist, KOMO) (fatherlyechoes.com)
There are bands that chase volume. And there are bands that chase a feeling—something slow-burning, cinematic, and quietly devastating.
From Quezon Province, KOMO is a post-rock / ambient project formed in 2024, built on the kind of sound that doesn’t need a vocalist to speak. Their music leans into space, tension, release—and the kind of stillness that makes an audience listen harder.
A Name Born from a Single Image
KOMO didn’t start with a random “cool word.” It started with a moment of awe: a photograph of sunlight slipping through leaves—beautiful enough to stop you mid-scroll.
And then came the discovery: there’s an actual Japanese word for that exact scene.
“May nakita akong picture sa internet—yung sinag ng araw na dumadaan sa mga dahon. Na-stun ako sa ganda. Tapos nalaman ko na may specific na term pala doon: ‘Komorebi.’ Para mas unique at mas madaling tandaan, pinaiksi ko na lang—KOMO.”
— R-E Esguerra
KOMO is taken from Komorebi—the “dappled light” effect of sunlight filtering through leaves—translated into a band identity: warm, haunting, and impossible to fake.
“Ang ‘KOMO’ ay hango sa ‘Komorebi’—yung magandang effect ng liwanag na sumasala sa mga dahon, nag-iiwan ng pattern ng ilaw at anino.”
— R-E Esguerra
Building a Three-piece Dream (Even If It Starts Alone)
Post-rock has a way of making you feel like you’re inside a memory. For R-E, it was a genre he’d loved for years—but starting a band around it didn’t come easy.
Not because the idea was unclear—but because the right people were hard to find, and doubt was always louder than the plan.
“Matagal ko talagang gusto magbuo ng three-piece post-rock band, pero hirap akong makahanap ng mga taong kapareho ng trip at influence ko. Iniisip ko rin noon na baka i-reject nila ako.”
— R-E Esguerra
Still, the decision was simple: make it happen anyway.
In 2024, he reached out to drummer Jerome “Totoy” Cedeño, a longtime friend and previous bandmate—someone he already had chemistry with.
“Noong 2024, kinausap ko si Jerome ‘Totoy’ na drummer. Matagal ko na siyang kaibigan at nakatugtugan na rin namin dati, kaya madali kaming mag-jive.”
— R-E Esguerra
The bass slot has been the challenge. They’ve had movement in that role—Jerome Cejane in the past, and Botok Banacurrently holding it down (when schedules allow).
“Sa bassist, wala pa kaming permanent. Ngayon si ‘Botok’ ang bassist namin, at sana mag-stay siya kasi sobrang busy niya. Haha.”
— R-E Esguerra
The Members Behind the Atmosphere
KOMO currently moves as a trio—minimal on paper, heavy in impact:
- R-E Esguerra — Guitars
- Jerome Cedeño — Drums
- Botok Bana — Bass (current)
(Jerome Cejane — Bass, past)
Sound & Influences: Taste, Not Templates
KOMO sits in the wide open field of post-rock / ambient, guided by artists who value emotion and texture over flash.
Their key influences include: Andy Othling, Hammock, This Will Destroy You, Earthmover, Typecast, Underoath.
“Malaking bagay yung influences namin sa riffs at sa paggawa ng kanta. Maraming ideas at tunog ng mga kanta namin may ‘timpla’ ng bawat isa sa mga binanggit ko.”
— R-E Esguerra
Writing Process: Structure First, Freedom After
Because KOMO is instrumental, the “message” lives in dynamics and arrangement. R-E usually builds the skeleton—starting from guitar riffs and overall structure—sometimes even drafting drum ideas to guide the initial direction.
But once rehearsal starts, the drummer takes over the feel.
“Instrumental lahat ng kanta namin. Ako usually ang bumubuo ng structure—nagsisimula ako sa guitar riffs. Minsan nagsusulat at nagre-record din ako ng drum patterns para may reference.”
— R-E Esguerra
“Pagdating sa rehearsal, hinahayaan ko si Totoy pumili ng style niya. Respeto ko role niya—gusto ko komportable siya sa pagtugtog.”
— R-E Esguerra
That approach keeps KOMO honest: planned enough to be solid, free enough to stay human.
MUTEDIVIDED: A First Song That Feels Like a Farewell
Every band has that “first track” that becomes a marker—proof that the sound is real, not just imagined.
For KOMO, it’s MUTEDIVIDED.
“‘MUTEDIVIDED’ yung unang kantang ginawa namin—at para sakin, paborito namin ‘to.”
— R-E Esguerra
And the imagery behind it is quietly heavy—like a separation scene, suspended between questions.
“Naiimagine ko yung kanta na parang ‘separation music’—yung paghihiwalay ng tao mula sa mundo papunta sa afterlife o void… tapos nagtatanong ka kung magkikita pa ba ulit sila.”
— R-E Esguerra
Post-rock doesn’t need lyrics to tell stories. KOMO proves it can still break your heart without saying a word.
The Moment They Knew the Crowd Was Listening
One of the most meaningful live moments for KOMO wasn’t about applause. It was about silence—the kind that feels earned.
“May gig kami na habang tumutugtog, napansin ko tahimik yung crowd—halos walang nag-uusap, nakikinig lang sila. Yun talaga yung gusto naming effect.”
— R-E Esguerra
Because without a vocalist, the mission is simple: hold people with sound alone.
“Dahil wala kaming vocalist, gusto naming mahook sila sa tunog lang. Small thing siya, pero ramdam mo na naa-appreciate nila yung music.”
— R-E Esguerra
Challenges So Far: The Bass Seat
Like many rising projects, KOMO’s biggest struggle has been stability—specifically finding a bassist who can truly stay.
“Sa ngayon, biggest challenge namin yung hindi pa kami nagkakaroon ng permanent na bassist.”
— R-E Esguerra
Still, they keep moving—writing, rehearsing, building the catalog.
What’s Next: More Originals, Bigger Space
Right now, KOMO is focused on creating more original songs. No pressure to rush—just the commitment to keep shaping the sound.
“Nasa proseso pa kami ng paggawa ng mas marami pang original songs.”
— R-E Esguerra
And in five years?
“Sa loob ng limang taon, gusto naming magkaroon ng isang full album at makapagpatugtog sa mas malalaking stage.”
— R-E Esguerra
Dream Collaboration: Earthmover
KOMO’s wish list includes Earthmover—a Filipino band they respect deeply.
“Gusto naming maka-collab ang Earthmover, kasi Pilipino rin sila.”
— R-E Esguerra
Message to Listeners: Let the Music Mean What You Need It to Mean
KOMO isn’t here to dictate interpretation. Their songs are built to be wide enough for your own story to live inside.
“Gusto naming i-appreciate ng listeners yung mensahe ng music namin sa paraan na gusto nila. Broad yung meaning ng kanta—kasi unique yung stories at experiences ng bawat tao.”
— R-E Esguerra
“Iiwan ko na sa listeners yung pag-unawa sa mensahe.”
— R-E Esguerra
Final Echo
KOMO is the kind of band that doesn’t force emotion—it invites it. A project named after light through leaves, making music that feels like shadow and warmth at the same time.
From Quezon, they’re building a world where silence is part of the hook—and the loudest moments are the ones you feel, not the ones you hear.
If not music?
“Simpleng buhay lang siguro.”
— R-E Esguerra
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