released in April 2020 via Spotify and Bandcamp

i’ve been stuck inside for far too long
i've welcomed the sunlight in my room
fallen leaves rustling through the wind
but still i can’t help but think that we’re not safe

how can you say that the world is healing?
do you even bother to read the news?
you’re so out of touch
having too much begets blissful ignorance
it’s not just us who are in need

we don’t have to take sides
all we need is empathy
if we want a better life
try to see yourself in their light

music and lyrics by iggy san pablo
mixed and mastered by ean aguila
additional keys by ean aguila
produced at my house via Logic Pro

buy this song here -> https://thenilsph.bandcamp.com/track/empathy
stream it here -> open.spotify.com/artist/1VlcsxFDzK50VCgVVlG03i…

Empathy

had writing exercises with ean mid-2021. honestly a bit proud of this one which is why i'm posting it huhu.

lyrics:
paano ba kita mahahawakan, nang di ako maiyak sa dami ng ating pinagdaanan?

unti-unting nanlalambot at nababalot ng lumot

umusbong sa tagsibol, nabaon sa lupa
kaya pabang iligtas ang bagay na tuluyang pinabayaan?

writing exercise #3

only used garageband so i apologize for the faulty quality of the audio. huhu.
written and composed by iggy san pablo

tama nga, hinding-hindi mawawala
tama nga, hinding-hindi mabubura
mata'y nagkadikit sa isang sandaling ayokong mawaglit
bago magpaalam, ilalahad na ang nararamdaman

ako'y biglang nagising 2x

sa panaginip lang ang ating tagpuan
sa aking pag-idlip lang tayo'y magkikita

bakas na ngiti
manghang-mangha sa kagandahan mo
sabay lapit, sabay halik
sabay umasa na ito'y totoo

ayoko nang magising 2x

sa panaginip lang ang ating tagpuan
sa aking pag-idlip lang tayo'y magkikita

hindi makapaniwala na ang hirap mong limutin, o sinta
hanggang dito na lang ba tayo magkikita?

ilang araw nang lumipas
hindi makalimutan ang sinabi mo
"sana'y naging tayo"

Anita (draft)

lost along demo recorded in 2017 (final version available in our Making Friends album)

lyrics:
in many ways, i still feel the same
mind my mind, it’s all over the place
but my eyes stay where you are, all the time
on my highs, stay where you are,
i’ll be right there

i’ve gone off track, couldn’t find my way
missed the exit signs along this crooked highway
losing grip of my fate, i knew where i was
but letting you slip away, i wouldn’t dare

in many ways we're both not the same
take your time, pacing's not my best trait
i'm doing this for our sake
i don't want to waste your time
because seeing me in disarray is the last thing that i want

buy the song here: https://rustymachines.bandcamp.com/track/lost-along-feat-nights-of-rizal

demo

Lost Along (demo)

don't know what to do with this song! writing exercise output #1 in 2021. theme was basically "pandemic" hahaha.

lyrics:
memories are flooding my mind of a better time out in the sun
waking up feeling a little buzzed, craving a cup of coffee in the morning

it's such a shame i can't relive that feeling now
wasting away, longing for some warmth

summer is long gone, there's another lockdown
i miss going out, my friends won't believe what i just said
alone and lonely, crippling anxiety
i don't want to die not knowing if this was my best life 

it's not so easy to shake off that sinking feeling
if only i can get out of this town and drift away just to feel a sense of familiarity

i know that's too much to ask 
but don't you feel the same?
we're slowly being left out 
eaten alive by lies and false promises

if i could shake off this sinking feeling
i can live my days under the sun
if only i can get out of this town
i'd spend my days away and out of my head

writing exercise #1

a raw recording of a possible rusty machines track.

ako’y nagkamali
labag sa aking damdamin 
ang makita kang tagilid
ubos na ang pasensya mo
sa katanghan kong pa ulit ulit
at walang hangganan na pinapahalagahan

pinangakong aalagaan
hindi katulad ng iyong mga dating kasintahan
na tinapon ang puso mong hindi pagod magmahal

ang hirap magpigil
hindi ko kayang iwasan ang sadyang paglapit
ng mainit na piling ng iba na hinanap ko sa iyo
alam ko namang nawala

bakit ang bigat bigat
di na ako makahabol sa iyo

bakit hindi matapos-tapos ang lamig 
kahit dulot ito ng puso kong maligalig 

tayo’y nagkamali
labag sa ating damdamin ang 
tapusin ang unti-unting kumukupas 
at makupad nating pag-ibig
wag na nating ipilit pa


Mali (Draft)

the summer ends (in the bathroom) (amfootball cover)

recorded via garageband with scarlett solo

correction, girl please
a misunderstanding of some sort was misplaced 
did you think my replies were out of the ordinary?

they say you’ll always want what you can’t have
but that’s not the case for me 

what did i do?
she thinks i’m coming over 
how would that look?
beside her, inside her, all over her

you’re out of control, i can’t believe it
making up stories convincing yourself it’s real
but trust me, your head’s not right

i was quite loose and full of passion
don’t get me wrong!
because i was thinking straight 
and holding your hand will never make sense

what will i do?
she’s got all of these illusions 
what can i say?
i can’t stand being this cougar’s prey 

save me from her

Momma

here's a preview of what's to come! i'm planning to record an album of 10 songs and will distribute it intimately to friends. mixing and mastering still need a lot of tweaking thus this is not the very final version of this song. this is a passion project of mine which i've wanted to do ever since and hopefully i'll be able to finish everything and distribute the material around early 2016. 
===================================================
album art: Figure on the Beach by John Sumpter

recorded using GarageBand
words, composition, & arrangement: iggy san pablo

lyrics:
sometimes i can’t ask you why
maybe it’s just a matter of time
why can’t we just talk this out 
but i’d be lying if i said let’s stop

the waves were pulling us together
despite the walls that we’ve built
can’t we just stay a bit longer
until the sun comes up
until i know you a little better

why do these things happen in life
i want you, you want me, but fuck that
i feel like i’m julian and you’re courtney love
“meet me in the bathroom," that’s what she said.

but i mind, it’s true i mind
you’re not trashy, which is why i fear giving in 
‘cause loving you is not part of the plan
        
maybe this is for the best 
timing, circumstances, situations
have a funny way of presenting themselves
we didn’t want to ruin it
but we can’t say we didn’t want it

can i know you a little better?





Until

here's a track i've actually written and produced 3 years ago and is now available on Spotify and Bandcamp!

music and lyrics by iggy san pablo
artwork by Isabelle Laureta (https://www.instagram.com/iplaureta/)
buy this song here -> https://thenilsph.bandcamp.com/track/pull
stream it here -> open.spotify.com/artist/1VlcsxFDzK50VCgVVlG03i…
produced everything via garageband

lyrics:
someday, i believe everything will fall into place.
that silver lining i have tried to find all this time.

would you believe or would you leave?
or could you stay?

someday, i believe everything will fall into place.
though some things may try to avert my attention from you,
i know i will pull through.

but, i won't pretend.
time's not really a friend.

so, i try my best to see that at the end of my misery is you.

Pull

you can reach me at thenilsmusicph@gmail.com
i mainly write songs and sing for my band @rustymachines
launching a new solo project called simple socks soon

thenils will now be a demo dump account!

currently based in toronto, canada

support me via bandcamp: https://thenilsph.bandcamp.com/music

thenils

Popular tracks