In an era where bands often fade as quickly as trends come and go, Gracenote stands as a rare OPM success story — one built not only on musical reinvention, but on the kind of friendship that withstands the pressures of a constantly shifting industry. Their new album, Walang Makakapigil, marks more than 15 years of the band’s journey, capturing not only their artistic evolution but also the deep bond that has kept them moving forward.
The record is their most personal to date — a collection of songs rooted in love, resilience, bravery, and the unfiltered realities of life. But behind every lyric and riff lies the heart of Gracenote: a group of friends who grew up together, weathered creative storms, and emerged stronger, more aligned, and more certain of who they are as a collective.
Grounded in Years of Friendship
Gracenote – Eunice Jorge (vocals, keys, guitars, violin), EJ Pichay (drums), Jazz Jorge (bass), and Tatsi Jamnague (guitars)—has always been defined by their chemistry. Fans see it on stage, in interviews, and in the effortless way their music blends their individual strengths.
But Walang Makakapigil reveals how deeply that friendship runs.
The album’s creation wasn’t easy. The band went through last-minute song changes, logistical hurdles, tight deadlines, and emotional fatigue. Yet, instead of breaking them, the challenges only highlighted what has allowed Gracenote to endure.
Drummer EJ Pichay recalls the early difficulty, “Natandaan ko yung pagpili ng album title. Minsan mayroon pang song na may last-minute changes.”
Bass player Jazz Jorge adds that even their musical direction was a shared decision-making journey, “May iba’t iba kaming pinagdaanan na genre pero ngayon, naturally, ang lumalabas sa amin talaga as a collective is that alt-rock combination. Kung sino kami ngayon is a mix of what we did before, and ito yung pinaka natural sa amin.”
Their comfort with one another, built over years of collaboration, conflict resolution, and shared wins, made it possible to push through the album’s challenges without fracturing.
Shaped by Collective Growth
Known for their energetic blend of alt-rock, pop-rock, and electropop, Gracenote has continuously evolved while staying true to the emotional honesty fans love. Walang Makakapigil reflects that maturation: confident yet vulnerable, experimental yet grounded.
The band also tapped longtime friends and OPM stalwarts for the album, including Yael Yuzon of Sponge Cola and Zel Bautista of December Avenue—collaborations rooted not only in artistry but in real camaraderie.
Even their producer and manager, Darwin Hernandez, remains a constant presence.
The Toughest Song, The Strongest Message
The title track, Walang Makakapigil, was ironically the hardest to complete.
Eunice Jorge admits, “‘Yung song na yun sobrang challenging. Nagkaroon pa siya ng apat na versions halos… Pero yun naman yung beauty ng song—kahit anong gawin mo sa kanya, okay siya.”
Eunice views the album as a deeply personal project, “It’s a journey. It’s about different experiences. It’s something we want to share about how life teaches us as individuals. Sana kapag naramdaman ng listeners, it inspires them to keep going sa kung ano mang gusto nilang gawin sa buhay.”
Friendship, the Quiet Force Behind Their Longevity
While the album is filled with themes of perseverance and inner strength, those messages are also reflections of the band’s internal dynamic. Guitarist Tatsi Jamnague encourages fans to listen to the album in full because the lessons woven through it mirror their own story, one shaped by trust and patience.
Drummer EJ Pichay reminds listeners that life’s changing seasons — joy, loss, breakthroughs — should be embraced, much like the band embraced every shift in their identity.
And Jazz Jorge summarizes the spirit not just of the album, but of Gracenote’s enduring friendship, “Walang makakapigil sa’yo kung gusto mong gawin yan basta masaya ka.”
It’s the same philosophy that kept them together for 15 years. Whenever things got hard, whenever genres shifted, whenever the path became unclear, they chose each other. They chose the music. They chose to keep going.
A Soundtrack for Anyone Fighting to Keep Going
Walang Makakapigil is a message. It’s the sound of a band that knows who they are, strengthened by years of laughter, disagreements, late-night writing sessions, and unshakeable friendship.
It’s a reminder that while talent starts a band, love and loyalty keep it alive.
And for Gracenote, that bond is exactly what makes them unstoppable.
