"Wide Awake" was the reason why Apple Orchard came into existence. Manila's Definition Records included the track in the now much sought-after Filipino compilation, Mutual Admiration Society back in 2000. Fulfilled and pleased with the result, brothers Ryan and Dale Marquez then constantly conspired writing the starriest of starry-eyed pop tunes.

The Marquez brothers have played together in Dorian Of Juniper Bells (which incidentally, was also included in the Mutual Admiration Society comp), aside from their other bands: Ryan with Sodajerk and Carnival Park and Dale for Sonnet LVIII and also, Soft Pillow Kisses. Apple Orchard on the other hand was a project which arose without fine warning, but with silent anticipation. The band's name was taken from a song by Nottingham outfit Bouquet and the brothers considered The Sugargliders, The Field Mice, Brighter, Sweet William and Sarah Records as primary inspirations.

In the early years of the band after "Wide Awake", plenty songs were written on a 4-track with mostly schoolboy lyrics and near-whispered melodies. Most of these tunes appeared in various compilations, such as Stamp Collecting (For Beginners) from the Secret Crush imprint and Dashboard Teddy from Dorothy Records, as well as cassette EPs like Last Wednesday from Popgun, Paris Was A Daydream and Across Haymarket And The Triangle, both issued by Best Kept Secret. Another three of these early recordings were released by Humblebee in February 2006 as a 7" single, entitled A Hiding Smile. The following year, Cloudberry Records handed out the 3" cd-r single That Happy Glow, the title track featured Raoul Dela Cruz on trumpet.

In 2008, Apple Orchard's debut full-length Half-Steps Toward Bright Skies was released through the band's own label, Haymarket Recordings. With a more polished and dreamier sound, the album received quite a few good reviews. Following the full-length months later was a limited 3" cd-r Turning Point from Germany's Edition 59 imprint. August 2009 will see the release of another limited cd-r EP entitled Leafy Lanes, which the band will issue through Haymarket. Apart from plans of releasing a brand new 7" single later in the year, Apple Orchard also recorded covers from Prefab Sprout and The Lucksmiths as part of the online mp3 series assembled by the Filipino Indiepop Scene collective.

Website: http://www.appleorchardpop.com/

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/appleorchard

Twitter: http://twitter.com/appleorchardpop

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Apple-Orchard/12495087715?ref=ts
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