Iggy San Pablo, a mainstay of the Filipino alternative rock scene through his work with Rusty Machines, has officially stepped into the spotlight with a new solo endeavor titled simple socks. Shifting away from the exploratory “bedroom” style of his previous project, thrills, this latest venture represents a more mature and assured creative direction rooted in the realities of his recent relocation to Canada.
Now based in Toronto, San Pablo utilizes simple socks to navigate the friction of domesticity, career shifts, and the isolation inherent in building a new life.
Being an immigrant is a challenge in itself, and that’s an experience I look forward to diving into further as a musician,” San Pablo said.
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.”
A New Journey on “Training Wheels”
The project’s debut single, “Training Wheels,” serves as a sonic bridge between San Pablo’s past in the Philippines and his present in North America. Written over several years and finalized post-migration, the indie rock track deals with the anxiety of separation and the drive for self-reliance.
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 explained. “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.”
Influences and Atmosphere
Musically, “Training Wheels” blends indie rock with Midwest emo textures. San Pablo cites influential records like Death Cab for Cutie’s The Photo Album, Into It. Over It.’s Proper, and Sasquatch’s In This World as primary inspirations for the track’s mood.
The songwriter noted a direct connection between his new environment and the cold, atmospheric quality of his influences.
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,” he said. “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.”
DIY Production
The single incorporates subtle foley and production choices—including the sounds of bike chains and bells—to reinforce the theme of “learning to ride” through life’s transitions. The recording process itself mirrored the scrappy, determined nature of the song’s lyrics. San Pablo recorded vocals in a makeshift closet booth and rented equipment while living in a basement apartment.
I remember sharing an early version of it with a few friends,” San Pablo shared. “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.”
“Training Wheels” is currently available for streaming on all major digital platforms.
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