BLACK LEATHER BIRDS

Experimental musings from the mind of AG Syjuco • Playfully pushing air (and splitting hairs) since 2020...

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ABOUT

AG Syjuco

BLACK LEATHER BIRDS is the solo project of A.G. Syjuco, best known as the producer and composer behind the experimental rock/art band Jack of None. Launched during the 2020 pandemic, Black Leather Birds is A.G.'s personal space for exploring new musical ideas and pushing creative boundaries beyond his collaborative work.

In March 2021, A.G. released his debut EP, "The Color of Memory," featuring music that did not seem to fit Jack of None's aesthetic. A.G. actively experiments with integrating software development innovations and techniques into music and video production, leveraging his professional expertise as a technologist at a major multinational tech firm.

Black Leather Birds reflects A.G.'s passion for creative exploration, technology, and storytelling through sound and visuals.

VIDEOS

MUSIC

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A.G. Syjuco

Augusto (AG) Syjuco is the eldest son of artists Cesare Syjuco and Jean Marie Syjuco.

At age 15, he was the lead guitarist, composer and arranger for FAUST!, an art-rock band of prodigious siblings that was discovered by MTV Asia in 1996. The band was quickly signed to a major label, and disbanded 2 years later after releasing 2 controversial albums. Among these was the historic "My Secret Identity" (MSI) in 1998 — likely the first full-length album in the Philippines to be released for free on the Internet by commercially signed recording artists.

Stepping away from professional music for the next eight years, A.G. graduated valedictorian (Summa Cum Laude) with a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology from San Beda Alabang. He currently holds an executive position in a multinational tech conglomerate.

In 2006, A.G. co-produced the album "A Sudden Rush of Genius" by his father — legendary Philippine multimedia artist Cesare Syjuco.

A.G. is the principal composer and instrumentalist for the experimental rock band Jack of None (www.jackofnone.net). To date, the band has released three full-length albums: 2016's "Who's Listening to Van Gogh's Ear?", 2017's "Who Shot Bukowski?", and 2020's "The Purpose of the Moon". The band also released a 4-track EP entitled "The Tattle Tale Heart", and the single "Michigan ex Machina (She Wasn't Me)".

In March 2018, A.G. was honored with the award for Best Music Producer in the eclectic category at the Independent Music Awards in New York City. Jack of None received 8 nominations and was awarded Best EP (eclectic) for "The Tattle Tale Heart".

In March 2021, A.G. released his first solo EP, "The Color of Memory", under the name Black Leather Birds. The project explored the use of his experimental rock compositions as instrumental tracks in short, conceptual releases. A music video he directed for the track "Our Angry Science" won the Best Experimental Music Video award at the 2021 Munich Music Video Awards in Munich, Germany.

A.G. currently resides in Chicago, IL with his wife, Mica, and their daughter, Muli.