His debut single “Training Wheels” reflects on distance, identity, and starting over abroad
Photo credit: Džesika Devic
Metro Manila, Philippines — Iggy San Pablo, best known for his work with Filipino alt-rock band Rusty Machines, returns with simple socks, a solo music project navigating the complexities of adult life and self-discovery through the lens of a migrant. Distinct from San Pablo’s earlier bedroom outing thenils, which represented an exploratory creative phase from his younger years, simple socks is a more assured artistic voice informed by his renewed commitment to storytelling.
“Being an immigrant is a challenge in itself, and that’s an experience I look forward to diving into further as a musician,” shares San Pablo. “Being 34 and having this new solo project, there’s a mixed feeling of a fresh beginning and familiarity all at once. I’m excited to channel that unique energy as I find my footing within the Toronto music scene.”
Now based in Toronto, Canada, San Pablo explores themes of domestic routines, career transitions, and the challenges of making connections in a new environment through simple socks, unlearning some of his habits shaped by the comfort of his upbringing.
On the heels of San Pablo’s new music project is the release of his debut single, “Training Wheels,” an indie rock track that captures the courage of stepping beyond his comfort zone. Written across several years and completed after his relocation to a new, unfamiliar country, the song reflects the emotional weight of distance from family and the determination to build a life independently.
“It was mainly [about] being apart from my family and friends and the anxiety of not knowing when I’ll be seeing them again,” San Pablo explains. “But at the same time, I felt determined to experience a different life far from my safety net. Those were the emotions that I explored while writing Training Wheels. It’s about reassurance, hoping that the special people you left behind back home would eventually be proud of your decisions as an adult.”
Musically, the song leans toward indie rock influences with a sprinkling of Midwest emo sensibilities, citing notable albums such as Death Cab for Cutie’s The Photo Album, Into It. Over It.’s Proper, and susquatch’s In This World as major songwriting inspirations.
“There’s a certain chill that runs through these songs; you can sense that they were written during the winter months. Now that I’m based in Toronto, I understand the feeling on a personal level. It reminds me of Ben Gibbard’s lyrics about finding comfort in the cold, particularly the lines, ‘I don’t mind the weather, I’ve got scarves, and caps, and sweaters…’ I’m living in the same environment, and these records somehow shaped the sound and mood of my latest release.”
Subtle production elements, including sonic references to bicycles, mirror his journey of self-discovery, reinforcing the sense of motion, risk, and progression embedded in the track. San Pablo recounts his fascination with the sound of bike chains and bike bells and his intention to integrate the experience of learning how to ride a bike in his production and arrangement choices.
“I remember sharing an early version of it with a few friends,” San Pablo shares. “It was Howard (Oh, Flamingo!) who pointed out how the song felt like a journey, and I appreciated his feedback because that’s what I wanted to achieve. It was a lot of fun working on this track because I wasn’t overthinking my recording decisions, especially with the guitar parts after the first chorus. I also had to rent a bass guitar from the music store just to record the bass lines and I created a makeshift vocal booth in our bedroom closet just to record my vocals. All of this happened while we were renting a basement unit.”
simple socks’ “Training Wheels” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.
Source: Nyou