Electronica artists come together for ‘A Night for Lirio’

Family, friends and supporters of avante garde sound artist Lirio Salvador came together for a night of music at Quantum Cafe in Makati City last April 27. The event, titled "A Night for Lirio", is part of an ongoing series of events that aims to raise funds to assist in paying off the hospital expenses of Lirio. The artist fell into a coma back in December 30 last year after a hit and run crash by a motorcycle as he was crossing the street going to his Espacio Siningdikato art gallery.

Lirio Salvador's hand-crafted masterpieces, as well as photographs showing him in action with his ethno-industrial group Elemento, were displayed at the venue during the event. Photo courtesy of John Philips Nufable

There to lend their talents for the cause were electronica acts Nights of Rizal, Cerumentric, Gentle Universe, and FireFly Logic, who are members of the collective known as "Electronica Manila". Also present to provide guest performances were electronica artists Tengal Drilon and Samuel Andre. There wasn't a moment during the show when members of the intimate crowd tuned out of what was happening on-stage, thanks largely to the eclectic brew of music each performer put on the table. From the mostly ambient approach of Gentle Universe, to the gritty sonic offerings from Cerumentric, to the improvisational/audience-participatory approach of Firefly Logic to name a few, "A Night for Lirio" not only brought together individuals who are one in supporting Lirio but also became a sort of showcase of what our fellow Filipino musicians are capable of. All performances during the show were recorded live. Excerpts from these recordings will be included as "bonus material" on a special album being put together by Electronica Manila main man Cyril "Silverfilter" Sorongon.

Artists that belong to the stable of independent electronica record label Electronica Manila, such as Gentle Universe (pictured above), showed their support for Lirio through their performances. Photo courtesy of John Philips Nufable

Aside from the music, attendees of the event were given a chance to get an up-close look and feel of some of Lirio's hand-crafted masterpieces. Photos of the artist in action with his band Elemento were also put up on display. Lirio Salvador is known for his works that, as quoted from the UP Vargas Museum website, "utilizes everyday and industrial materials such as bowls, bicycle gears, stainless steel pipes, utensils, and discards to form musical instruments... carefully composing these elements to craft pieces that are both decorative and modern..." He founded the ethno-industrial band Elemento and is a respected practitioner of electronic music in the country. Lirio's works went up on display recently at the UP Vargas Museum in Diliman, Quezon City even as he was still comatose. Lirio is now out of the hospital and is in their home in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The artist is still unconscious but his health is continuously improving according to close friend and Elemento cohort Jonjie Ayson. "Sabi ng doktor, medyo matagal daw ‘yung recovery niya kasi head trauma. Pero makaka-recover siya," Ayson adds. —KG, GMA News For updates about upcoming benefit shows for Lirio, visit the Help Lirio Salvador Facebook page