Based in Makati – Metro Manila - Toti Garcia is a DJ and vinyl addict with a heavy collection. During the 90s, before launching his record label, he ran Groove Nation record store and organized parties with an avant-garde line-up. Then in 2003, the Terno Recordings adventure began. Starting as a label dedicated to local indie pop, the catalog expanded to include foreign artists and various genres. They would meet in the back room of the This is Pop record store to discuss his passion for electronic music, post-rock, pop, and dope groove. Interview taken from the Manila special star wax edition.

Was music an important part of your childhood? 

I was born and I grew up in Metro Manila - Pilipinas. During my grade school years, we used to live in Quezon City. But after that, we left for a brief US trip. And when we came back, we moved to the South of the Metro in Parañaque for my high school years till we migrated to Los Angeles after I graduated high school. Music has and always been a part and of importance during my childhood.  I was influenced by my mom and dad with their music. And then my uncles Rene and Dennis Garcia of HOTDOG, progenitors of Manila Sound. 

When and how did you become a vinyl junkie and DJ? 

Because of music exposure at an early age,  of course, the only medium then were records. So I ended up having my parents buy me records every now and then. As young as 10 years old,  like around 1976.  Then in high school, I joined a mobile disco outfit called Positive Noise and I learned to mix records. So that would be around 1982. I also supplied the group’s records, and it was mostly punk, newwave, postpunk records that I and we played then. 

Before launching your label in 2003, you organized concerts and clubbing event during the 90s in Manila. What are the best memories you have?

All of them were memorable, but experiencing Laurent Garnier play from house, techno to electro and drum & bass, from 12-7am in the morning for CONSORTIUM would be my favorite one.  Another would be riding down Roxas Boulevard on my Vespa with Jamie Bissmire of Space DJz  shouting “we are mods, we are mods…“ after his CONSORTIUM gig. As I have said, countless memories, Derrick May giving me his famous bear hug , there was a Manila bombing two days before my wedding and Josh Wink’s guesting for CONSORTIUM but of course we pushed through and many more…

Was it during this period that you met most of the artists in the Terno catalog?

No, Terno Recordings came about in 2003, after I stopped bringing in foreign bands like China Crisis, The Lotus Eaters, D’Sound, etc., due to SARS scare. 

It was inevitable that I would put up my own independent label having been into a lot of foreign indie acts and labels. Back then, the music had to be exciting and different, and originally it was to be strictly in the indiepop vein, but it became more of a diverse mix of local acts that consisted of different styles that’s not mainstream (electronic, post rock, synthpop, shoegaze, etc) yet not too overly underground. Different yet accessible. Also, simply I just need to like the artist at times. It might not be their music, but the attitude or the vibe alone. 

How would you define your label? Are exclusively Filipino artists featured?

Well, for the most part, it is local but in recent years, I have released on vinyl foreign artists that I discover or have been recommended to me along the way. Tenant From Zero (Brooklyn - NYC), Julia Kwamya (Brooklyn) The Lochness Mouse (Norway), Bertoia (Tokyo - Japan) on vinyl and on digital Ousel (Brazil) 

UDD's latest album is very well produced. Can you tell us about this group and the production process of the LP “UDD”?  (Video below)

They produce their albums themselves, though some inputs by sound engineer call Noel DeBrackinghe. The first few albums would also come into play in the studio, but for the most part, it is the whole band who produce and arrange the songs. On the last self titled one, mixing and mastering by Emil De La Rosa provided extra depth to the production and end result as well. 

What are your favorite releases from the label?

Obviously, UDD releases, but also defunct Radioactive Sago Project’s releases. Digital releases from LORY, Lunar Pools, Peachy Dukes, Panoplay and Daily Routine are quite good too  and sounds even more accessible than ever.  

Who are the artists you dream of signing on Terno?

Mostly, foreign who are already signed with other labels. Too many to mention. but even just to put out a record, even a one off is more like it, say vinyl releases from Andy Partridge of XTC, Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout,  David Sylvian of Japan, Paul Buchanan of The Blue Nile… You did say dream of. So, they're just dreams (laugh).

Your cousin Pasta Groove is a sound engineer and produces trip-hop. Are his productions still being released on your label?

Yup, Paolo or PG, AKA Pasta Groove, is more on the organic tip and excavating music from the past, while I’m more on discovering new stuff and preferential wise, more on indie and electronic. I put out his first CD on the label. His first album was on the Terno catalogue, but he really sold it on his own. And currently, he does things on his own which is really fine with me. Not mandatory that it has to be on Terno because he’s my cousin. 

When did you open This is Pop store and how does it relate to the activity of your label?

I opened TIP in 2017 because it is inevitable as record collecting and selling is what I enjoy the most. I already had a record shop in the early to mid 90s with Groove Nation who was originally the name of my shop and eventually, the promoter name for the roving club CONSORTIUM. It’s related to the label by way of retail and distribution. What I put out, I also sell at the shop and other shops overseas.  

You have a big vinyl collection. Maybe 10,000 records? What is the predominant genre, and today, what kind of vinyl and music are you obsessed with digging?

Probably more than that by now, but nowhere near other collectors who have warehouses of records.  I still collect mostly indiepop, twee etc.,  new wave/postpunk , synthpop, and electronic like house, techno, experimental , ambient. (Listen to Toti mix below)

During the 90s, you invited European and American DJ-producers. There is a historic connection between the PH and USA, but ultimately, there are quite few American artists who perform in PH. Am I wrong?

Actually, most of the performers or artists that come or perform in the Philippines are Americans . Filipinos are exposed to Hollywood and same with music, American top 40  mainstream.  In my case, the reason why it was mostly American DJs and producers is because the originators of  house and techno are black Americans. 

Are you interested in local beatmakers or just bands?

I have yet to come across local beatmakers that blow my mind, unfortunately. And I also mostly just release bands and their releases. 

You share your passion with your son who became a DJ. Does he also play music?

Yes, my eldest plays the guitar , piano and dabbles in production but more active as DJ. 

You also appreciate French music. You recently invited Tahiti80 to Manila. Can you tell us about this concert? Where it was held ?

Yes, I appreciate artists all over the world, and when it comes to French bands, Tahiti 80 is one of my favorites, or is my favorite, given their music resonates with me. They played for me in 2012 and 2017. 

You also dig and collect films and Hi-fi stuff…

We love film, my wife and my two sons, and that’s from the obscure to Hollywood so again, inevitable to source movies we might like and discover unknown gems. As for Hi-fi, i wouldn’t really say I collect Hi-fi but more of a design fan in which I collect vintage furniture, vintage turntables, and recently stereo Hi-fi sets from the 50’s to the 80’s. I sell them as well. 

Aside from that,  are you opening a new store soon? Will there be secondhand stuff only?

No, there will be new records as well apart from pre-loved. But if you mean overall, a bit of secondhand and new interesting stuff like watches, knick knacks.  The name of the shop is HODGE PODGE. 

What are your top 3 places to eat in Manila?

So many to choose from and difficult, but here’s three on top of my head. Nothing fancy, but regular go to La Chinesca,  Manam , and Milky Way

Are you still party animals at the night club?

I have never been really a party animal. I go out only if i’m playing and back in the day, it was not about the party but it was about the music. So I’m the opposite or the antithesis of a party animal. Never did drugs, not even smoked weed , music was and still is the drug  

What are your top 3 favorite music venues in Manila?

To listen ? None. I don’t really listen or go out of my way to catch a band in a venue. I mostly listen to music at home or at the office. 

What is your favorite Tagalog adage?  

“Ang hindi marunong tumingin sa kanyang pinangalingan ay hindi makakarating sa kanyang paroroonan”.  Literally : if you can’t look back to your past or your origins, who you were, or where you came from, you won’t get to where you want to be in life. Something to that effect. Also means:  you have to be humble even with success and not forget how you started. 

Interviewed and photo by Dj coshmar