Ligaya Escueta has officially made the jump from solo act to full-fledged band.

The indie rock artist unveiled her new lineup during her signing with Offshore Music, bringing together Kristo Mercado on bass and guitar, Diego Cerrudo on guitar, and Ninja Nicolas on drums.

For Escueta, though, the change does not feel all that new. The four musicians have been friends outside of music, and that closeness has already found its way into the way they play together. What used to be a solo project had gradually become a group effort, making the formal shift feel almost inevitable.

“We were complete from the start,” Cerrudo says, pointing to the group’s easy chemistry and shared musical instincts.

With more hands involved, the songwriting process is bound to change, too. Mercado says the members will now take on more responsibilities as they work on new material, opening the door for more ideas and influences to shape the music.

Offshore Music A&R manager Dani Mendoza says the label’s signing of the group was largely a formality. By the time the paperwork was signed, the musicians were already working together as a band.

Escueta first released music in 2020 and put out her debut album, Laughing In Milk, in 2022. She joined Offshore Music the following year, releasing “Novelty,” “12 Steps” and “Blue General, Come Home.” Her sophomore album, Dollweb, came out in January 2025.

Later that year, Escueta and her bandmates brought their music to SXSW Sydney, adding an international performance to an already growing list of milestones. Her take on punk and indie rock has also earned attention for pairing loud, energetic sounds with deeply personal songwriting.

Escueta has been performing since she was 15, opening for artists including Ely Buendia, The Itchyworms and Grrrl Gang. Her influences range from Mitski and Radiohead to Weezer, and that mix can be heard in her knack for writing memorable rock songs without shying away from noisier, more experimental moments.