BEFORE the emergence of boy bands and K-pop stars, the groups that were born in the 80s or 90s scream for solo artists and pop-rock band performers. One of them bears the name “INTRoVOYS” and have won numerous Gold and Multi-Platinum awards, gained quadruple platinum status earning the band the label “the No. 1 Band in the Land!” and received the Guillermo Mendoza Award.
Paco Arespacochaga was one of the founding members of Introvoys along with 3rd-G Cristobal and Jonathan Buencamino. In 1994, they released an album, “Line to Heaven,” in which Paco sang the title song which he had composed after losing both his parents.
Thankfully, Paco kept his line open to talk about what’s keeping him busy lately amongst other things.
Paco: First off, I’d like to thank your readers for spending the time to read our interview. And also to you, for featuring me on your column. Currently, the rest of INTRoVOYS and I are multi-tasking, spending the holidays with family. Buying gifts and attending Christmas parties have been the norm. Simultaneously, we’ve been in the studio, rehearsing for our shows in 2017, which includes a North America tour with Geneva Cruz, Jo Awayan and Rey Kilay.
M: Are you based here in the U.S. for good? If yes, what made you decide to relocate and settle here?
P: Yes, my family and I are based here in the U.S. We’ve been here since 2001. It wasn’t hard to decide to migrate my family here when the opportunity came my way. At the end of the day, a better opportunity for my kids was the main reason I decided to migrate to the U.S.
M: What is a typical day like for a Paco Arespacochaga?
P: A typical day for me starts with waking up early, planning what I would do for the rest of the day. Currently, aside from the band and family, I am involved in marketing for American Professional Ambulance, which provides non-emergency gurney transports for patients from Skilled Nursing Facilities to the Hospitals. That pretty much takes up the “9-5”. I do take the kids to school in the morning so that starts my day.
In the afternoon, I spend time with my family – whether it be going out, running errands, grocery shopping, etc.
Evenings vary from day to day because two days are spent with INTRoVOYS, three days are spent with the wifey at the gym and two days could be gig nights, family nights or date nights.
I always say, regardless of what I said, everything is subject to change!
M: Please tell us more about your journey to the music industry/show business?
P: My journey to the music industry was not an easy route. It involved a lot of perseverance, passion, dedication, commitment, rejections and setbacks. It was a long journey but the payoff was well worth it!
I “applied” to be an actor for VIVA Films when I was 12 years old! Haha. What did I know, right? But my mom, who was always very supportive of me, was always there to encourage me. Obviously, I didn’t get the gig.
Three years later, at 15 years old, together with Jonathan Buencamino and 3rd G Cristobal, we formed INTRoVOYS.
German Moreno gave us a break to be part of the now defunct noon time show, “That’s Entertainment”. It was a good gig because it helped us build a fan base, one we still take pride of having by our side to this day — 30 years later!
To make a long story short, forming the band was difficult in itself and is filled with memorable stories among all of us. But collectively, our journey as a band was more difficult that forming it.
M: How are the INTRoVOYS doing now? Do you still perform as a band or you went solo?
P: INTRoVOYS did 14 major concerts in the United States and Canada this 2016. In 2017, we are scheduled to do 22 shows in North America, three of which has been confirmed and is now posted on www.INTRoVOYS.com/Shows.
I believe I am more effective as part of INTRoVOYS than being a solo performer.
We recently released our 9th album, “Where We Left Off” and we’re pretty satisfied with its sales, considering that it was independently produced. Like what I said earlier, INTRoVOYS is scheduled to do 22 shows in 2017.
We’re also in production for a new album. And we’ve been doing music videos for our previous hits.
M: If you hadn’t been a musician, what would you be doing right now? Why?
P: I would’ve been a movie/television director or producer. It has always been my passion to be in the arts. So it’s safe to say that if wasn’t lucky enough to be in front of the camera, I would definitely be behind it.
M: (If you don’t mind us asking) Are with someone right now? Would you mind sharing some details?
P: Yes, I am with someone right now. Her name is Janelle. We have a daughter named Cassidy Jane Louise, who’s turning 2 in January. Between the two of us, we have five children.
M: How is your relationship with your kids? How do you maintain your presence in their lives?
P: My relationship with my children is as good as any parent. Compared to their moms, I’m less hands on. I’m more of their “mentor”. We hang out. We talk. We play. I am always in their lives. And when they hit 18 years of age, I kick them out into the real world! I did that to my first born, Heaven, and have been proud of what he has become, which is a self-reliant, self-sufficient and independent human being with a good head on his shoulders.
I’m pretty sure, his little brothers know I’m not kidding about them being out of the nest by the time they reach 18.
M: Any words of wisdom you care to share? Feel free to address your fans.
P: I just want our True Fans to know how grateful I am to be blessed the way I’ve been. I want my fans to know that they can rest assured that I will always remain humble and will continue to write music for them. Because of their support and generosity, I will always be humble.
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Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at [email protected]
