LIEU got the chance to meet and talk to Clem Castro, the man behind The Dragonfly Collector a few minutes before his gig in Sales Bar Tekanplor last October 17.

Why is this solo project named The Dragonfly Collector?

I have an old blog site named The Dragonfly Collector which I put up last 2010. I was with The Camerawalls that time and we were active. I went to the States and The Camerawalls went on a hiatus, so that's when I decided to push through with a solo album. I didn't want to use my name, I didn't want to use Clem Castro or Clementine.

The Dragonfly Collector had an international appeal and you know, for "Googlability" purposes. You know what I mean?

Yes, SEO?

Yes, for SEO purposes. So I just used my blog site and turned it into an artist site. That way, it's easier to Google.

So yes, that's the story.



How long have you been playing as The Dragonfly Collector?

More than two years, probably, but I released my album only last January. Tapos 'yun na, I'm touring na.

Why did you decide on having a nationwide tour?

Because no one's doing it.



How many cities are you touring?

44 cities or towns or provinces. Something like that. Pero hindi pa kasama yung mga side gigs dun. Like in Davao, I'm surprised pag-dating ko dito may mga gigs ako. I only expected one, and I only alloted a few days because I wanted to go to Samal and perhaps hike Mount Apo.

A few days to hike Mount Apo? I think it's not enough.

'Yun nga eh, sabi nga sa akin and the weather is not good.



We've inlcuded your track, 'Timothy, My Own Timothy', in our October Mixtape. What was the song about?

It was about my nephew in Los Angeles. Once a year, I visit my brother there and I was able to take care of my nephew, Timothy. At that time, he was 1 and a half years old and 'yun naaliw ako sa kanya.







One last question, did you choose to have only one opening act for this gig?

Yes. Ian Penn is opening for me. He is a folk musician from Mt. Arayat, Pampanga. He released an EP under my record label Lilystars Records. So I tagged him along, to open for me and document me as well.






Is there anything you'd like to say to those who haven't known The Dragonfly Collector yet?

Well, if you're interested to hear my music after Orange and Lemons and The Camerawalls, log on to my website - http://dragonflycollector.com/. Everything's there.