3rd Album from Karate School Drop Out “Kapwa” Just released.

KARATE SCHOOL DROPOUT SHARES THEIR IDENTITY AND ESTABLISHES CONNECTIONS WITH THEIR FELLOW BEINGS ON THEIR NEW RELEASE, KAPWA

Karate School Dropout consists of one dropout, from West Rogers Park of the northern lands of Chicago, named Arnold Esquieres Madlangbayan. He is the mad experimentalist behind the noise/dream powerpop shoegaze extraction of this music project. “When I play live, I have my drummer, Scott Kenemore, attack the drums while I’m feedbacking my way through your hearts.” Arnold says.

Their newest project, which has just dropped, is a collaborative masterpiece from “underdog” musicians and writers that have been around the Chicago music scene for decades now. One of Arnold’s friends suggested calling this a “Karate School Dropout Duets” album. Each song stands out in their own way because they were intentionally written for each artist Arnold has collaborated with. Even though the collaborative musicians differ from genre to genre, they have been tainted with the signature melodic noise power pop sensibility of KSD’s dojo but have also made an impression on the song with their own style!

Arnold explains, “The sound is dreamy with a fun pop attack, but it can also sound edgy with a whimsical undertone of humor and connectivity. Each song ranges from telling stories of a variety of experiences, but interpretation is all up to the listener. The new album is titled Kapwa, which is a Filipino term that means to embrace our shared identity and to care for our fellow beings. “The term is used when addressing another with the intention of establishing a connection. That is the spirit of living in Kapwa. This is what the new album is all about.”

Arnold told us that he considers KSD as “The underdogs” of the Chicago Music Scene. and that this new album, Kapwa, is a collaboration between artists. “I always wanted to create an album with other musicians and artists where we mold our creativity into one song. The result is great songwriting and catchy hooks. I recorded all the songs with my long-time producer/engineer Mike Hagler. He’s known for engineering and producing summerteeth by Wilco. The relationship I have with Mike is very special because he understands my sound and what I’m trying to say with the music. He definitely loves that my family and friends are involved in this new project because for the last 3 years it’s always been him and I in the studio, but now we’re amongst new friends that are killing it with every song we do together and it’s absolutely marvelous. This music is really about caring for each other, telling stories, creating memories, and having fun!”

Karate School Dropout took the meaning of Kapwa and went all out embracing his shared identity by collaborating with “Dropout” singers Ana Cabrera (Arnold’s cousin), Malaya Goldberg (Arnold’s Niece), and Melissa Johnston (lifelong friend). The other “Dropouts” consisted of local Chicago musicians, writers, artists, and most importantly, friends, such as Marnie Sher (singer, writer, lead guitarist), Thomas Yore (singer, writer, bass), Scott Freë (singer, writer, punk trumpet), Lars von Keitz (singer), Idle Spies, Chris Davidson and Tim Berlinghof (singers, writers, guitars, bass, lead guitar, and fellow 1977’ers!), PJ Sloan (singer, writer, guitar), Jan King and Medicine Ball (Jan King, singer, writer, guitars, lead guitar), Keith Wakefield, (bass, singer), and Tami Peden, (drums, hand claps, and singer.) Arnold then told us: “The best thing about this collaboration was that this is a group of my family and friends that said “yes” without hesitation and a very diverse gang of “Dropouts” that stand strong symbolizing community representation which is so important to me and to them! I wouldn’t have asked anyone else and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished!”

Karate School Dropout has been played on Chirp Radio, Alternative Queer Radio, joined the Tinder Box Music family for a year and his first album, HokuPsychosister made it to #1 on the Music Meeting Directory charts in 2021.

Listen to the Full Albums Here Spotify – Apple Music – Youtube Music

Follow KSD here Instagram – Bandcamp