Autotelic

It's easy to love Autotelic. The band—named after the behavioural term ‘autotelic personality’, which is defined by self-reliance and self-motivation—have made a trailblazing impact on the Filipino music scene, compelled by continuous experimentation and diverse musical adventuring. Tracks on the 2018 EP Takipsilim bore the hallmarks of electronic dance music, while making forays into alt-pop, post-punk and horizon-expanding folk. Formed in 2012, the founding members envisioned melding their love for dance and electronic music with the softer shades of J-rock and intimate storytelling about the daily lives and loves of ordinary Filipinos. The groovy, synth-led pop-rock sound of Josh Villena on vocals and guitars, Pabs Vargas on bass, Neil Tin on guitars, Kai Honasan on keytar, EJ Edralin on synths, and Gep Macadaeg on drums has made stops at both mellow and dance-floor friendly outposts, while often mining a guitar-driven rock edge. Positivity and optimism inform the troupe's sonic vocabulary, which shines brightly on 2016’s debut LP, Papunta Pabalik. With synth embellishments enhancing their upbeat crowd-pleasers (“Mapa” is a nostalgia trip any 1990s-raised Pinoy), it’s easy to see how Autotelic can glean the best bits from dance and rock to earn their place on-stage with global acts like CHVRCHES, Kimbra and Dishwalla.