After a busy year of virtual dj-sets, a/v collaborations, and highly-anticipated live shows, Manila Killa returns to the limelight with retrospective new single “Dark Places.”
A soulful collaboration with singer songwriter Kwesi, “Dark Places” is a reminder not to dwell in the past, but to look forward to what the future has in store, out March 17th via Moving Castle.
“Dark Places marks the beginning of a new perspective on how I view the world alongside music. Feelings of nostalgia have overcome many of us, including me in the past two years and I wanted to explore that realm through this song. After hearing the initial vocal demo, I immediately knew that I wanted to draw inspiration from brooding, moody and dark influences and Kwesi’s haunting voice and lyrics offer a glimpse of hope that I molded the instrumental production around.” – Manila Killa
“We have choices to make every day and sometimes, the mind can go to dark and strange places that are often unhealthy and destructive,” said Kwesi. “At one point or another, we find ourselves scared and confused about the past and what it means for the future. This song is about finding our way out of that darkness and working to be better for ourselves and those around us every day.” – Kwesi
Assembling a hypnotic safehaven from evocative words and auspicious energy, “Dark Places” faultlessly exhibits both artists’ fortes. Refusing to confine himself to one specific sound, Manilla Killa is continuously experimenting with his indie-electronic take on music composition.
The LA-based producers’ clean percussive elements reverberate alongside Kwesi’s euphonious croons, penetrating both the ears and the hearts of listeners. Navigating the desolate ocean of human emotion, “Dark Places” discovers a new chapter for the melodic mainstay.
Surveying the wonders of cultures from across the globe, Chris Gavino, best known as Manila Killa is a well-traveled producer inspired by his cross-continental upbringing. A now decorated producer with an expansive repertoire of accolades, Manila Killa cut his musical teeth as a high schooler in The Philippines by combining self-taught Ableton lessons with a penchant for electronic music.
Guided by emotion-driven soundscapes and the connective nature of melodic dance music, Manila Killa excels at synthesizing the foundations of human passion. In 2014, he formed the successful house duo Hotel Garuda and co-founded his own independent record label Moving Castle which has since housed acts like Robokid, Slow Magic, Khamsin, and many more.
Since his departure from Hotel Garuda in 2018, Manila Killa refined his solo craft with his 2019 debut EP 1993 which garnered praise from media heavyweights like Billboard, Forbes, and Ones To Watch adding to a laundry list of critical acclaim joining tastemakers like Complex, Paper, and NYLON. With official remixes for Chvrches, The Knocks, Tegan and Sara, and performances at festivals like Firefly, Ultra Miami, Electric Zoo, 88rising’s Head in the Clouds, and more, Manila Killa is defined in equal parts as a producer, performer, and in-demand collaborator.
Dedicated to the consciousness of contemporary dance music, Manila Killa is distilling years of passionate experience and expertise to unveil his debut album in the summer of 2022.
