Indie band Syato might have three more radio hits by last quarter of 2009.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin Online, Syato band leader and chief songwriter Yugel Losorata said that apart from promoting “Panaginip Lamang” from their CD,“Sticking By,” their song “Jeddah Queen” and their remake of Jolina Magdangal’s “Laging Tapat” might also be pushed in radio and TV.

“Jeddah Queen” has an electro house mix version similar to the Club MYX version of  Hale’s “The Day You Said Goodnight” released in 2007.

“Queen,” a song about a Filipina caught on tape having sex with an Arab (not her husband) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the 80s, will be tested for reception in the local club scene.

Syato's cover of “Laging Tapat” is from a forthcoming compilation album bankrolled by radio station DWRR 101.9 in lieu of its 12th year anniversary. The band opted to remake the song over Aiza Seguerra’s “Pagdating Ng Panahon.”

“Laging Tapat,” a radio hit for Magdangal a few years ago, is the first of many singles that endeared Jolina to the masses including “Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal,” “Mahal Mo Ba Ako,” and “Tameme.”

If all three songs become hits, these will add to Syato’s vault of recognizable songs that includes “Scorpio” and “Kailanman” (both from their eponymous debut album) and their current chart-topper, “Tibo.”

Losorata said he is confident releasing “Panaginip Lamang” because it was voted by local music writers as the Syato song that is most likely to succeed.

He is happy with the current lineup of Syato members all of whom he described as “technical musicians with the right skills and attitude.”

To wit, their drummer Arly La Guardia and guitarist JM De los Santos teach music. Their other guitarist, Elmer Sandig, used to be a member of pop-rock band, Barbie’s Cradle.

Losorata described Syato’s sound as an amalgam of  the members’ musical influences.

Losorata listens to pop music while Syato lead singer Mark Villagomez used to front for a death metal band. La Guardia, De los Santos and Sandig mine classic rock music.                 

For gigs, Syato plans to sing not only songs from their latest album but also from their debut - when they had a different vocalist. Villagomez said he has no qualms studying and performing those songs live.

Losorata admitted that since they were like starting from scratch after Syato got new members, they thought of going by a different name. Two of their options were Mastermind and Candelabra.

They, however, retained Syato because Losorata realized that there was no point “burying” something that they had worked hard to build up.

The group, supported in part by Mossimo Music, Lucida dietary supplement, Joel Mendez clinic, and RJ Guitars, will tour Padi’s Point branches this August and September.
 
These are in Mall of Asia on Aug. 6; Starmall (Alabang), Aug.. 7; Novaliches, Aug. 13; Las Piñas, Aug. 14; Araneta Coliseum, Aug. 20; Baguio, Aug. 28; Dagupan, Aug. 29; Avenida, Sept. 18; and EDSA Shaw, Sept. 30.