Riding the Carousel with Emmie Villegas and Pau Villanueva of Carousel Casualties
Photo by: Eliesse Del Rosario So I’ve made some new friends recently, notably vocalists and guitarists Emmie Villegas and Pau Villanueva of the up and coming band Carousel Casualties. I first heard them live at 19 East in Parañaque last December for a year-ender gig. These guys have been playing really good, my band Garage Morning have played in the same gig with them earlier this month. I’d like to get to know their music more and how they do things with their instruments.
How did you start making music and playing your respective instruments?
Pau: I started out playing the piano when I was in 4th grade cause my parents enrolled me in piano lessons. A year later, I asked them to sign me up at classical guitar lessons. Ever since then I've been playing exploring my own way of making music through my tastes, etc
Emmie: I started out as a flutist when I was six. I learned the piano through my sisters at home and learned scaling and reading music sheet with it. In high school, I attended formal violin training in the UP College of Music to learn strings and train my ears. I then picked up the guitar shortly after because I realized my love for rock and roll is that strong.
Who are your main influences? And how did they inspire you to play better?
Pau: I started out playing the piano when I was in 4th grade cause my parents enrolled me in piano lessons. A year later, I asked them to sign me up at classical guitar lessons. Ever since then I've been playing exploring my own way of making music through my tastes, etc.
Emmie: My main inspiration in guitar playing is Jimmy Page. I love his carefree style and the way he composes his parts; almost as if he’s composed an orchestra sheet. I also get bits and pieces of ideas from Hendrix, John Mayer, Frusciante, and Guthrie Govan. But when it comes to incorporating technique to our songs, I mainly got the general post-garage manner of playing from bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, San Cisco and Last Dinosaurs. My fixation to Hippo Campus, Mac De Marco and Summer Salt explains the “shimmering" reverb sound that I generally incorporate in my effects. I also try to incorporate licks that come into mind by listening to a saturated amount of math rock and prog acts like Vasudeva, Totorro, and Zoo Strategies.
“Never rely on gear. The best investment you’ll ever do is to invest on your playing. Invest on time and conscious effort to learn new chords, learn scales and apply theory and play it by heart.” - Emmie Villegas
How did Carousel Casualties come together as a band? What have you guys been up to?
Carousel Casualties was formed in the last quarter of 2016. Emmie wrote a bunch of demos and recorded them at home. He then met Pau and Jot and searched for a drummer (Xavier) to record the EP with. We kicked off our presence with our first single on Soundcloud called “Safety”. That was pretty much the start of our journey as a gigging band. Right now our album is on the works as well as a bunch of music videos and merchandise we’ll be releasing this 2018.
Tell us about your guitars. Which is your favorite one and why?
Pau: I’m pretty much using Emmie’s Fender Classic Player Jazzmaster right now.
I used to play his Fender Mexican Stratocaster until we decided to settle with the much warmer and silkier sound of the Jazzmaster that goes well with our songs.
Emmie: My current main gigging guitar is a Mexican Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster. I love how you can blend the single coil pickups with the humbies using the tone knob. The guitar just bites when you need it to but at the same time, it’s as calm as it gets.
Let’s take a look at your pedalboard. What effects do you use live?
Pau: My pedalboard consists of a Mooer Yellow Comp, an MXR Classic Overdrive, TC Electronic Shaker, Zoom Multistomp CDR and a Mooer Reecho pro. I actively use the Shaker live to create vibrant vibratos when I play fills. It has a latch mode that allows me to choose which notes I just want to emphasize for certain parts.
The compressor and the overdrive are almost always turned on. I use the multistomp pedal to add reverb, phase and chorus to my tone. I also use it as a tuner. Lastly, my Mooer Reecho Pro Delay almost acts as a live synthesizer as it can repeat modulated notes as well as normal clean notes to create a stunning soundscape when we’re abridging parts to our songs in live performances.
Emmie:
I use a Kokko Tuner, an MXR Super Comp, an MXR CAE Boost/Overdrive (passed on to me by Francis Reyes of The Dawn as a gift), MXR Uni-Vibe, a BOSS CE-5, MXR Micro Flanger, Strymon Flint and lastly a Diamond Quantum Leap. My pedalboard system is quite simple. The most passive pedals go on the first layers of the chain since either I seldom use them or they’re always turned on. My compressor and overdrive are always turned on and occasionally I step on my boost for solos and heavier parts of songs. I only use the Uni-Vibe to add more modulation and achieve the vintage “Hendrix" tone in certain fills and solos.
I put the chorus pedal (Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble) next in line since I turn it on and off from time to time depending on which songs we’re playing. It’s used to just add color to cleaner tones and achieve a vintage funky vibe to my playing. The flanger, I use to add more layers to soloing. Most guitarists would phase, but I don’t know how I arrived in flanging. Must be because of Blink 182. The Flint is a very versatile Reverb and Tremolo pedal that I often use for slower songs. The 80’s reverb setting is an excellent choice for making your guitar sound more spacious. I don’t go super crazy on the tremolo though. I just use it when some verses need more expression. I got my quantum leap placed at the very last section because I mainly use it for delay. It’s a multi-effects pedal that has most modulations available in it when you toggle it, but I mainly use the tap delay and pitch delay feature.
What amps do you use at home and live?
Pau: I recently gave back the Blackstar amp my friend lent me (hahaha).
Emmie: I still use a 12-year old Fender Frontman 25w amp my mother bought me. I sometimes use it live as well.
What are you listening to right now?
Pau: Hiatus Kaiyote, FKJ, Daniel Caesar and many other jazz-fusion artists.
Emmie: I am currently listening to Temples, Allah-las, Mild High Club and Summer Salt.
What advice can you give to your fellow (guitar players) and musicians who want to play like you do?
Pau: Just keep on playing and improving on your technique!
Emmie: Never rely on gear. Hahaha. The best investment you’ll ever do is to invest on your playing. Invest on time and conscious effort to learn new chords, learn scales and apply theory and play it by heart. Always remember that your gear contributes to only a small percentage of your sound. At the end of the day, it’s your playing technique and mastery that will save the day.
Here’s what’s next for the band!
• A new single release
• And a music/lyric video And last but not the least, they will be performing at this year’s Wanderland Music Festival 2018!
Visit their Facebook page and Twitter account below for gig schedules and contact details: https://www.facebook.com/carouselcasualtiesph/?ref=br_rs
Check out their Jam 88.3 Locals Only guesting here!