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There is something the Burnt Toast Theory and Filipino band Nameless Kids have in common: They are currently being talked about. But while being chronically online has made you encounter them recently, note that virality isn’t the only thing that bridges the four-piece Filipino indie alternative band and the TikTok-famous metaphorical concept together.
Everything that has happened to the band so far has just contributed to their well-deserved and perfectly-timed bloom right now, much like what the Burnt Toast Theory alludes to.
from left to right: Kim, Nhiko, Tati, and Imay
Nameless Kids in ‘bloom’
While newer listeners of the group have added their latest indie pop journal-like track “Still So In Love” to their playlists, the band actually has a growing discography, having been around since 2019.
The group started as two separate bands that Tati De Mesa (bass) was part of; one with Nhiko Sabiniano (lead singer) and the other with Kim Allen (vocals and guitar). However, it just made sense that they merged the two groups—then adding Imay Alconaba (drummer)—after carefully thinking of the sound they wanted to pursue, contributing to what Nameless Kids’ soundscape is like now: Vivid, introspective, and tends to create imagery from one’s environment and current disposition.
But despite the distinct identity they’re gradually building now, their debut didn’t come as easy. While the success of their debut single “Outlaws” led them to their first Awit Award (best performance by a new group) in 2021, what was supposed to be the band’s first gig was a path to a new challenge. It was the night of the lockdown, pushing them to create changes in their plans. But the band believes that the delay paved the way for them to have more time to prepare.
“It hasn’t been a fairytale for us but we definitely learned that at this point, all we wanna do is make songs and play them to the world and we’ve been getting to do that in whatever scale we could,” Nhiko said in a chat with Scout.
Thinking about it this way, that was the band’s Burnt Toast theory. At the time, they probably didn’t know what was ahead and they were ready to dive in head first. But because something they couldn’t control got in the way of their initial plans, it later on proved to be better for them as the waiting and preparation helped shape them into who they are now as a collective.
They have grown so much from then until now, including how much better their relationship with one another has gotten better. Not to mention, their understanding of their vision has only been clearer. This is now Nameless Kids in bloom.
Nhiko affirms, “All that waiting and preparation brought us [to] where we are now and made us who we are now.”
So, if you’re only catching up, don’t fret. The members themselves could recommend a song to whoever’s down to dive deeper into their discography—and it just makes perfect sense that they’d pick the funky roadtrip-like track “Manila In Bloom”.
‘Still So In Love’ with their craft
Nowadays, journaling has been having a resurgence. Although the hobby has been around for a long while, it’s been reimagined and expanded on TikTok. Maybe it can be attributed to Y2K culture’s renaissance with a vengeance, or perhaps it’s one of people’s way to heal their inner child. Nevertheless, it is arguably one of the better trends happening on TikTok right now, and even Nameless Kids is not an exception to maximizing the art of journaling.
The band heavily takes part in the production of their sound, but a name that sticks out on the credits—and even for other artists like Angela Ken and BINI—is Nhiko Sabiniano’s. The 24-year-old musician is a credited producer and songwriter for not only their band’s songs but also for the acts mentioned and more. Despite enjoying the work he writes and produces for other acts, though, Nhiko claims, “The level of heart that I have for our music will never be matched.”
He also mentions his bandmate Kim as someone he looks up to as a songwriter: “She comes up with songs I never would’ve written and vice versa.”
“Nameless Kids’ songs have elements that have become second nature to us. For me, Kim, Imay, and Tati inspired my most free and honest writing,” he adds.
That remains true as the band’s single “Still So In Love,” which packs a lot of vulnerability, was initially a Nhiko’s journal entry for something he was going through at the time. “This was new to us, which also led to us creating a finished piece that is more organic than what we usually would have made, since the process for this one was just to put our emotions in whatever way each of us could,” he explains. “It was a simple and honest journey making this song.”
When it comes to inspiration, the band has a couple of pop, rock, and alternative go-tos they enjoy like Valley, Bleachers, The Band Camino, COIN, The 1975, Joan, Phoenix, and many more.
Despite being different individuals, members of the four-piece band are bound by their common core: Their music will always be bigger than any of their egos.
Taking on the UP Fair stage
And like everything in bloom, the members of Nameless Kids are flourishing. In February, they rocked the UP Fair stage, playing at both the Hiwaga and Elements festivals. Their performance at the week-long advocacy-led annual fair, which is also one of the biggest student-initiated activities in the country, was a signal that the band has come a long way from their supposedly first gig scheduled on the night of the lockdown.
“For the sake of not getting overwhelmed, we tried to treat it like any other show, but the culture that UP Fair has created is like no other. It’s probably our biggest show with the most people that were actually there to see us. It’s definitely one for the books,” Nhiko said.
After all, one of their songs says, “Oh sa ’yo ang mundo.” And with more shows, new music, and a collaboration in the pipeline, maybe it’s their listeners who are bound to get overwhelmed this time—as the band carves their own world with their name on it.
Meet the members (and see how they describe themselves):
Nhiko. Expressive, obsessive, carefree. 24 years old. Marikina City. Music producer, songwriter, and musician.
Kim. Intuitive, emotional, quiet. 30 years old. Las Piñas City. Vocal coach and musician.
Tati. Witty, creative, sociable. 33 years old. Cavite. Graphic designer and musician.
Imay. Tomato, introvert, reflective. 25 years old. Laguna. Musician.
Photos courtesy of Tarsier Records, taken by Karen De La Fuente and Shaira Luna