3rd Avenue

3rd Avenue and Dianne
Elise at the SM malls
http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2007/09/22/ENTR20070922103645.html
The Manila Bulletin
Celebrity World / Entertainment Section
Saturday, September 22, 2007

Pop band 3rd Avenue and pop artist Dianne Elise are currently having a series
of mall shows in line with the promotion of their respective debut albums.

3rd Avenue

’s
music is reminiscent of the sound of classic OPM laid-back and romantic love
songs. The band’s album is entitled "In Time" and it boasts of 11
original materials including its carrier single "Aking Hiling" and a
cover version of Rannie Raymundo’s 90s hit "Why Can’t It Be."

"Aking Hiling" is currently enjoying massive airplay in

Manila

’s FM radio
stations.
The strong recall of its melody and the romantic content of its lyrics make
"Aking Hiling" one of the best OPM love ballads since such songs as
"Pagdating Ng Panahon" and "Kung Ako Na Lang

Sana

." "In Time" is
produced by Barnyard Music

Philippines

.

Both

3rd Avenue

and Dianne Elise are under the management of RTI Music. Fans can look forward
to an afternoon of beautiful music and have a chance to interact with 3rd
Avenue and Dianne Elise in the following malls: SM Manila (Sept. 22), SM
Bicutan (Sept. 23), SM Baguio (Sept. 29), SM Southmall (Oct. 5), SM Batangas
(Oct. 6), SM Lucena (Oct. 12), SM Clark (Oct. 18), SM Fairview (Oct. 20), SM
Pampanga (Oct. 26) and SM North EDSA (Oct. 27). In these mall shows,

3rd Avenue

and
Dianne Elise will perform several cuts from their respective albums including
their carrier singles as well as cover version of homegrown favorites and other
and standard melodies.

Autograph signing and photo-ops with fans follows after the show.

"In Time" and "Now & Then" are distributed by Universal
Records.
* * *

Getting that same old OPM feeling
By JERRY DONATO
The Philippine Star
September 22, 2007

Listening
to the music of 3rd Avenue is a whiff of fresh air, from the heavy
guitar riffs of musical acts that have dominated the airlanes.

With
the soothing sounds of flute and sax complementing the clear vocals in
the background, the listener is transported to that place where he can
reminisce the good old days and touch the sentimental fool in him.

3rd Avenue is a musical road, err avenue, one must travel often for contemplative and easy listening.

“It’s
a fusion of light pop, jazz, classic and OPM,” describes keyboardist
and vocalist Marlon Barnuevo of the band’s music. “It reminds one of
the ballads of the ’80s and ’90s.”

“Why such mix? Because we
practically grew up with that kind of music,” adds lead vocalist Paolo
Ledesma. “We want to immortalize it (and the songs associated with it).”

Marlon,
Paolo and other members like Teena Lim on lead vocals, Beng Gatmaitan
(drums and vocals), Lester Cerda (sax, flute and vocals) and R.V.
Amaranto (bass and vocals) are one in bringing back the moving and
expressive ballads to the fore. This time, they are jazzed up with
instruments that provide the right amount of melancholic and pensive
mood.

Besides, their passion for music has been shared and sealed with years of togetherness and bonding.

Marlon,
Paolo and Teena initially made up the group. They were then students at
DLSU-College of St. Benilde, with a penchant for joining singing and
songwriting contests or choir/vocal groups. The three expanded by
adding Beng, Lester and R.V. in the group. Neither Marlon nor Paolo
held auditions. They just met the right persons with the same musical
interest in the campus. The next thing they knew, they were jamming and
playing the music they know by heart. 

Paolo says the group is
called 3rd Avenue because it is an avenue where they can show their
other side as musicians and artists. The experience of singing and
performing is priceless, especially when they share their music to
everyone.

The “musical calling” came years after when all the
members had their respective day-jobs as industrial and graphic
designer, athlete, voice coach, musical arranger, session artist and HR
practitioner. It started  with a call, saying “Hi” and “Hello” to each
other.  That led to a reunion, going back to their musical roots and
rediscovering their passion. It was followed by one session after
another. The band members left their jobs and followed their heart’s
desire.

They did demo songs and performed in bars and
restaurants for a year. Now, 3rd Avenue is finally living up to its
dream of having a debut album titled 3rd Avenue: In Time. The album is
a proof that the members made the right decision and they are a
legitimate OPM group.

Asked what’s their secret to achieving
their dream, the band members reply, “Friendship comes first.” Although
they know each other well, their relationship as friends and performers
is not spared from personal clashes. They believe in compromise and the
importance of accepting one another. It is evident in the harmony they
make in the 11-track album.

3rd Avenue: In Time boasts of
English songs Before It’s Too Late, In Time, I Don’t Know How To Say
Goodbye, What Would You Do?, No Such Thing; Tagalog ditties Aking
Hiling, Hangga’t Tayo’y Magkasama, Iwas Lang, O, Kay Sarap, Paano Na
Ang Puso?; a revival Why Can’t It Be; and a bonus track Aking Hiling in
acoustic.

New kids on the music block 
The Manila Times
15 August 2007 | 9:41 AM

The
local music industry never runs out of fresh talents. Some hit it big,
a few linger, while others exit faster before they have even made a
little noise. Nevertheless, the door never closes for these dreamers.

A
new pop band has been christened 3rd Avenue and a young chanteuse has
chosen the screen name Dianne Elise. They just released their
respective debut albums recently and they hope to make an impression.

3rd
Avenue is a group composed of six young professionals who all share a
common passion for music: Paolo Ledesma, Teena Lim, Lester Cerda, R.V.
Amaranto, Beng Gatmaitan, and Marlon Barnuevo.

The band has been active in the live music circuit scene for
quite some time now and it has consistently enthralled music lovers
with their impressive repertoire that includes ballad, pop, jazz and
OPM among others.

3rd Avenue: In Time offers 11 original tracks
including its carrier single “Aking Hiling” plus the band’s cover
version of the nineties’ OPM ballad “Why Can’t It Be?”

IWAS LANG
Beng Gatmaitan/3rd Avenue

Teka lang,
Para bang ika’y walang pakiaalam
Sa aking paglapit, ika’y lumalayo
Ang hirap naman ng ganito!

Hintay lang
Kay bilis mo naman akong kalimutan
Sa ‘yo ay para bang gano’n na lang iyon
Kaibigan mo pa rin naman ako.

CHORUS:
Hindi ko naman sinasadya na maging ganito
Hindi ko naman naisip na ikaw ay lalayo
Hindi rin naman biglaan ang pag-ibig ko sa ‘yo, Oooh…

Hindi ko pa rin naisip kung bakit mahal kita
Kung tatanungin mo ang sagot ko ay alam mo na
Sana nama’y bigyang pansin aking nadarama
(Hindi ganitong puro…)

Iwas lang,
bilis ng lakad, parang naghahabulan
Hindi naman tayo ganito nu’ng ‘sang linggo
Kay bilis magbago ng isipan mo!

Hintay lang,
Kay bilis mo naman akong kalimutan
Sa ‘yo ay para bang gano’n na lang iyon
Kaibigan mo pa rin naman ako.

(Repeat Chorus)

Hindi ganitong iwas lang…iwas lang…
Iwas lang…

(Repeat Chorus)

Hindi ganitong iwas lang…iwas lang…
Iwas lang…
(CHORUS 2X)

Listen to IWAS LANG (click here)
(link to 3rd Avenue’s soundclick.com site)