Category Archives: Music

Rakuten Viber Brings Filipino Music Idols and Their Fans Closer Together with Backstage Music Pass Channel

February 24, 2023 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

Filipino singer-songwriter and producer Zack Tabudlo is taking over Viber’s Backstage Pass Channel, just in time for the launch of his anticipated sophomore album, Z∀CK: FOR ∀LL, on Valentine’s Day.

Backstage Pass, with now over 1.2 million subscribers, is a space where artists like Zack and their fans can have a good chat. It gives music enthusiasts access to never-before-seen photos, videos, and other content that’ll allow them to get to know their favorite stars better. It’s where fans can ask their ults questions and get messages straight from them too!

As part of the takeover, fans of the 2021 hit song Binibini music genius can expect not only to exchange messages with him, but they also get to enjoy exclusive sticker pack and custom Viber Lens. The musician is also expected to hold a group video call event with his fans through Backstage Pass.

Zack is one of the top artists of UMG Philippines that serves as a regional branch of multinational music corporation, Universal Music Group (UMG). At only 21, he has been crowned as the most streamed local artist in the Philippines on Spotify with 7.5 million monthly listeners and the third overall, trailing behind global pop behemoths Taylor Swift and BTS.

Known for his melancholic songs and tunes about falling in and out of love, Zack got his big exposure as a contestant in the first season of The Voice Kids when he was 12. While he didn’t make it to the finals, he still pursued music and started a solo career in 2018, eventually signing with UMG to release his debut album, Episode, in 2021. His hits include Nangangamba, Habang Buhay, Asan Ka Na Ba, and Pano.

Z∀CK: FOR ∀LL marks a new era for Zack, offering music that fans haven’t heard from before. Fashioned with 70s soul, R&B, funk, and a bit of pop, the 10-track album serves as an ode to the artists he grew up listening to. As a writer and producer who has poured his heart and soul in each track, Zack hopes that his new sound will get listeners dancing and grooving.

“I’m happy to connect with my fans in new ways through Viber’s Backstage Pass, especially now that I have released my second album,” says Zack. “The fans have been part of my journey as an artist so it’s great to keep this connection going. Thankful to Viber for making this happen.”

“Viber has always been rooted in connecting people. Backstage Pass is a channel created specifically for our music-loving Viber users,” adds David Tse, Senior Director APAC at Rakuten Viber. “We’re excited to have Zack Tabudlo on board. As one of the brightest stars of Filipino music today, we know that he has been a favorite among Viber users. We’re glad that we’re able to provide a platform where the artist and his fans can deepen their connection and create fun memories together.”

Get all the updates about Zack and his new album drop, subscribe to Backstage Pass Channel on Viber now!

Music, New Music

FELIP defies the status quo with new single “ROCKSTA,”announces debut EP under Warner Music Philippines

January 30, 2023 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

Ken Suson is no stranger to the limelight- after all, he is 1/5th of P-pop titans SB19, who recently conquered the world with their “Where You At?” Tour. There’s no denying their collective success, who are also hands-on with their personal endeavors. FELIP, Suson’s solo music project has been on everyone’s radar since its inception in 2021. His previous releases, “Palayo” and “Bulan,” are punchy and catchy tracks highlighting his straightforward lyricism, vocal range, and proud “Bisdak” heritage. This unique and passionate approach to music sealed a deal with major label Warner Music Philippines for his highly-anticipated EP launch.

FELIP is ready to go harder against the grain this year with his new single “ROCKSTA.” He lives up to the rockstar lifestyle for this short yet powerful track- a no-nonsense attitude to his artistry. The 1-minute, 47-second track takes inspiration from hip-hop and R&B music. “ROCKSTA” is also a fitting teaser for his debut solo EP, entitled “COM • PLEX,” coming out on February 3. Often used to describe something difficult to understand, a complex may also mean a facet of a person’s unconscious, influenced by their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

FELIP’s debut EP encourages listeners to be in tune with themselves, embrace their complexities, and know that they’re one-of-a-kind. Even with the solo project, he remains active in SB19, and he’s happy to have the ever-loyal A’TIN’s support. Join him on his journey as he takes you into his inner psyche. It can get too much to handle- but it’s a fitting description of what’s to come from this breakout artist.

“ROCKSTA” is out now on major streaming platforms.

Entertainment, Music, New Music

1ST.ONE announces comeback with the highest budget PPop music video

January 26, 2023 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

Renowned Philippine Pop boy group 1ST.ONE comes back to the music scene with the highest budget P-Pop MV yet worth 20 Million Pesos for their new song ‘Problem Child’ helmed by company CHECK which has worked with K-Pop household names BTS, BlackPink, and EXO.

As Philippine Pop (P-Pop) groups rise to the occasion of delivering high-quality music and performances, the genre has proved itself to be a force to be reckoned with and boy group 1ST.ONE has undeniably contributed to raising the standards in the industry with the enchanting melody and concept of their tracks.

1ST.ONE represents their management well as the name of the group itself carries the legacy of their company, First One Entertainment. Being known for their strong and charismatic persona, the group will showcase their fierceness in their latest comeback, Problem Child.

Korean company CHECK helmed the music video for this comeback, working with some of the biggest names in the industry, including but not limited to BlackPink, EXO, BTS, and Cha Eunwoo. With this and a budget of a whopping 20 Million Philippine Pesos for the song’s music video, being the highest budget ever of a P-Pop group to date, the pressure to be extremely ready for the shoot was really challenging for the group.

Nevertheless, of course, 1ST.ONE pushed through and was still at their best. Jayson, the group’s maknae and rapper shares, “It was definitely a blast working with them [CHECK]. I’m very thankful because they gave us a unique experience compared to the past music videos that we have done. We are very grateful that they took care of us so well.”

Aside from the impressive production of the song, Problem Child really pushes the boundaries when it comes to its musicality. Max, the group’s main vocalist, mentions how it is their toughest and heaviest song yet, not just with its choreography but also lyrically.

The track has an interesting concept of “breaking the norm,” referring to an existing defective system filled with “inequality, disorder, and machinations.” It tackles the idea of initiating change and making it right in our own way.

Jayson talks about the likes of Robin Hood who steals from the rich to help the poor, while in the process, not glorifying doing bad deeds to achieve a good end but is more of being willing to sacrifice oneself in order to make things right.

“You can think of Robin Hood and Batman as vigilantes, and many more heroes being misdirected as villains by a corrupt system. Nevertheless, they remain as heroes within themselves still willing to sacrifice continuously even if they are considered the bad ones,” he reiterates.

This concept explores a territory in P-Pop that has never been completely looked at, that’s why J, one of 1ST.ONE’s rappers, hopes that this comeback will be a good representation of the future of the P-Pop industry, aiming to expand and grow more.

As for upcoming projects, Alpha, one of the group’s rappers, wants to take Philippine Pop to the highest level, and to achieve this, he aims on collaborating with fellow P-Pop artists such as Alamat, BGYO, BINI, VXON, KAIA, G22, and PHP.

The rapper further states, “Initially, of course, we’d love to kick things off with our dream collaborations within the P-Pop industry, and that would be with DIONE and SB19. We go way way way back just with these 2 groups. We think it’s going to be an explosion.”

Not failing to mention their supporters who they call “For.One,” meaning “Forever One” for wanting to be with them through ups and downs until the end, the P-Pop ensemble ensures them that their comeback will push the group’s limits and get them out of the box they are used to being in.

On behalf of 1ST.ONE, Alpha desires for the P-Pop community to not miss out on their comeback Problem Child for this marks the first time ever for Philippine and South Korean directors to collaborate and create an outstanding masterpiece of an MV that fans “haven’t seen before.” The rapper states that the group really planned and prepared everything to give everyone “the best MV of all time.”

1ST.ONE will come back with their track Problem Child and will release it on January 31, 2023 that can be streamed through Spotify, Apple Music, and other music platforms. Meanwhile, its high-budget music video will be streamed on 1STONE official Youtube channel.

Music, New Music

Karencitta signs with Def Jam Philippines

January 9, 2023 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

Karencitta officially signs to Def Jam Philippines, a sublabel under UMG Philippines Inc. defJam Recordings is home to superstar acts Rihanna, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, and Ludacris, to name a few.

The agency has been producing cutting-edge music for over 35 years and, as a global brand, commits itself to make creative and undeniably quality music. Def Jam eventually ventured into South East Asia talent in 2019, dedicated to honing effervescent hip-hop culture that continues to shape the world.

With operations flourishing in the Philippines, it’s now home to top Philippine talents, including JMara, VVS Collective, 8 Ballin’, Fateeha, and now, Karencitta.

Moving Back and Choosing Def Jam Philippines
After moving to Los Angeles in 2015 to pursue film, Karencitta moved back to Cebu for her music career. She’s proud to be based in the Philippines, especially since she believes working from the ground up is key to success.

Now, Karencitta is a force to be reckoned with—the messages she sings about and her overall work encapsulate the Modern Filipina and how each can break free from traditional molds and scrutinizing eyes.

Bridging her roots also makes her work more meaningful, and signing under Def Jam Philippines, under the Universal Music Group, is a dream come true for Karencitta. This move highlights one of the many things both she and the agency believe in—authenticity. In the words of Karencitta, “Authenticity is the catalyst of business.”

“One of the biggest factors is that they truly believed and invested in my vision. The team’s first impression also gave an entrepreneurial spirit. [They are] forward-thinkers with strong work ethics, as well as transparent, collaborative, and family-driven.”

And with Def Jam, Karencitta wants to be “evolved yet humanized.”

Creating An Impact
As an artist, Karencitta wants to leave an image of being carefree, witty, and impactful. She wants to create meaning out of her art—one that can inspire and uplift others.

“The main thing I want to achieve in my career is to make every song unforgettable. I want to make sure that my art is a gift to people to help their lives [be] better and brighter.”

And to ensure these messages are heard, Karencitta will release her debut song entitled “Blow,” an ode to femininity and how one can use it to empower themselves.

It’s about bossing up, ensuring that the women listening remember to reach their goals while staying true to themselves. The singer also draws inspiration from her real-life experiences, including the industry’s ugly side—hate comments and “bashers.”

“You need to face life with a bring-it-on attitude. Having agency and freedom is the best feeling in the world! We should encourage young girls to sit down in the leader’s seat, too!”

As for the rhythm and beat, Karencitta decided to stay true to her roots and draw inspiration from Cebu’s Sinulog Festival, a celebration of the region’s Patron Saint, Señor Sto. Niño.

“I hope that when they hear “Blow,” it will make them dance the way they dance during Sinulog! I also hope it will make them laugh. The lyrics to me are so funny!”

As we enter 2023, Karencitta promises the Cittababes (her fans) more music releases, collaborations, tours, and meet-and-greets! More importantly, she’s excited to grow and work alongside OPM artists she has adored for years.

Hallyu, Music, New Music

ATEEZ conquers global charts with new EP ‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’

January 6, 2023 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

South Korean boyband ATEEZ continues to dominate several global music charts with the release of their new EP, ‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’. The eight-member pop group’s latest release debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in several major music markets worldwide, including South Korea, USA, Italy, Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, and more.

The pirate kings of the K-pop high seas are starting the year right with one of the most exciting new ‘single albums’ from Sony Music Entertainment Korea so far, taking comprehensive musical storytelling one step further with the release of a spin off that recount their tales through a third-person witness account. In this extended universe, a new perspective is explored, with more questions than answers given through the cinematic trailers and powerful delivery of their new tracks.

‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’ contains five tracks – featuring ‘HALAZIA’ as the title song. The title track delivers the message of finding hope in the darkness. It’s followed by three remix tracks of previously released popular songs, and makes a grand closure with ‘Outro : Blue Bird’.

True to ATEEZ style, the released preview video labeled as the prologue garnered over 2 million views on YouTube (at the time of writing) with comments noting the grandiose themes and Hollywood movie-like quality.

This EP comes after the announcement of the European leg of the ‘THE FELLOWSHIP : BREAK THE WALL’ tour, already making a statement with dates added due to high demand. The octet will be going on tour to Europe in seven cities for nine shows starting in Amsterdam on February 10 and closing the tour in Paris on March 8.

From the success of their North American ‘THE FELLOWSHIP : BREAK THE WALL’ tour to reaching new career peaks with their previously released EP ‘THE WORLD EP.1 : MOVEMENT’ debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200, ‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’ is set to mark an awe-inspiring ending to 2022 that leads to an impressive 2023.

LISTEN TO SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS HERE
‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’ TRACK LIST
01.HALAZIA
02.WIN (June One of Glen Check Remix)
03.I’m The One (Eden-ary Remix)
04.Take Me Home (IDIOTAPE Remix)
05.Outro : Blue Bird

Entertainment, Music, News

Give Yourself a Musical Surprise in January 2024 With Spotify’s Playlist in a Bottle

January 5, 2023 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

2023 is here and in full swing! Whether you’re still feeling the holiday hangover or already welcoming the new year with a new you, there is surely a mix of perfect songs to encapsulate your mood. To celebrate the new year and add a soundtrack to your 2023 feels, Spotify is launching a timely user experience to help you capture this moment.

Playlist in a Bottle, Spotify’s latest interactive in-app experience, captures who you are musically right now and then lets you revisit your 2023 musical self one year later. Fast-forward to January 2024, and you’ll find this playlist on your account as a treat from Spotify and your 2023 self.

Here’s how to make your Playlist in a Bottle:

1.Ensure your Spotify mobile app is up to date with the latest version.
2.Click spotify.com/playlistinabottle from your mobile device.
3.Select your time capsule of choice—you can pick from a bottle, jean pocket, gumball machine, lunch box, or teddy bear.
4.Answer a series of song-inspired prompts. For example:
○“A song you’re going to kiss someone to this year”
○“A song that reminds you of your favorite person”
○“A song you need to hear live in 2023”
5.Digitally seal your musical time capsule and send it off!
6.Share a personalized card to your social channels with the tag #PlaylistInABottle.
7.Come January 2024, if you made a Playlist in a Bottle, you’ll receive your personalized time capsule reminding you what you were listening to one year prior.

Playlist in a Bottle is available in the Philippines for both Free and Premium users across iOS and Android devices. Do it soon! Spotify will seal the Playlist in a Bottle experience on January 31st!

For more information about Playlist in a Bottle, and other delightful announcements from Spotify, visit www.spotify.com or follow Spotify on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Local, Music

FALLING HEAD OVER HEELS FOR LOLA AMOUR’S MUSIC

December 2, 2022 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

Despite the local music scene being hit hard by the pandemic, musicians from left and right are releasing hit singles, full-fledged albums, to viral and interactive content. And one of those artists who are enjoying their fair share of success is Warner Music Philippines’ seven-piece band Lola Amour with their breakthrough single “Fallen.” A year after its release, “Fallen” is now at 25 million streams on Spotify and peaked at #11 last Saturday, November 19 on Spotify Philippines’ Top 50 chart. “Fallen” is a danceable tune with catchy trumpet hooks and lyrics that are easily relatable – how do you tell a person that you’ve fallen for them? “Fallen has been getting a lot of great feedback and is continuously being streamed more times than we expected,” the band says. Apart from millions of streams, the hashtag #FallenStory took TikTok by storm, with people telling stories about their love life.

Lola Amour has been on the wild ride of their lives being one of the most sought-after bands in the country today. The band is composed of Pio Dumayas (vocals, guitar), Zoey Gonzales (guitar), Raymond King (bass), David Yuhico (keyboard), Angelo Mesina (trumpet), and two session musicians. Naming themselves after Dumayas’ grandmother, they started making waves in the local music scene after winning Wanderband 2016, an annual competition by Wanderland Arts and Music Festival. Fusing pop, rock, and funk, Lola Amour’s music became an instant favorite among listeners, particularly the millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. The band has been on a non-stop musical journey since, from playing in multiple music festivals and fairs, collaborating with contemporaries such as Leanne & Naara, Clara Benin, and Al James, and numerous nominations from Wish Music Awards and Awit Awards.

From establishing a solid fanbase in the metro and online, they embarked on a journey across the country, playing music for jam-packed venues in partnership with Ayala Malls. The band’s Fallen Tour staged 10 shows in 9 major cities- Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Makati, Quezon City, Davao, Subic, Pampanga, and two shows in Cebu. The tour housed over 30K attendees, with Davao having the largest crowd of 11K people. “As much as we’re happy that we were able to gain a lot of fans throughout the pandemic, performing live in front of an audience is a different experience,” they state after seeing a downpour of supporters on their socials and live shows.

The band also surprised the fans with a new single in the middle of the tour. Entitled “dahan-dahan,” the new single is far from the upbeat track “Fallen”. The song is about two people who have fallen in and out of love multiple times. It’s familiar and anticipatory, all while feeling like the first time all over again. The song now boasts almost 335K streams on Spotify alone, with its lyric video on YouTube at 184K views. As they take in the success they’re having now, the band is inspired to work on new music for the upcoming year. “We blocked off almost our entire January so that we can finish as many songs as we can.” Lola Amour hopes that they can finally deliver a full-length album after years of promising this to their fans.

Watch Lola Amour’s Media Showcase

Music, New Music, News

Spotify Wrapped 2022: OPM Artists NOBITA, Zack Tabudlo, and Ben&Ben Lead the Charts

December 2, 2022 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

Spotify unveils its 2022 Wrapped campaign — announcing the top artists, albums, songs, playlists, and podcasts that showcase the vibrant kaleidoscope of more than 456 million listeners around the world. Spotify users can also find their personalized Wrapped experience, with latest features that celebrate how they soundtracked their year.

Globally, Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift and Drake topped the Wrapped lists across most-streamed album, track and artist. For the third year in a row, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny took the number one spot for most-streamed artist globally, with more than 18.5 billion streams this year.

Closer to home, FIlipinos are taking their Wrapped results local.

Outranking global hits, NOBITA’s Ikaw Lang is the most streamed track in the Philippines, followed by Arthur Nery’s Pagsamo (#2), Adie’s Paraluman (#3), Zack Tabudlo’s Pano (#4) and Arthur Nery’s Isa lang (#5). Listeners are feeling all the hugot this year, where Pinoy love songs take center stage, even beating out Troye Sivan’s Angel Baby (#6) and Justin Bieber’s Ghost (#11).

Jaeson, Mark, Roman, Sam and Richmond of NOBITA thank their ‘Nobibis’ who helped put them on top, “We are truly honored to be part of Spotify’s Wrapped Top Lists this year and be recognized alongside other great Pinoy artists. Undeniably, our fans had been a huge part of this but we’re also grateful for Spotify’s untiring support to our music and its clear vision for their artists. Like most artists, we’re also eager to see our band’s Wrapped and see what we have done throughout 2022 as musicians.”

Clinching five out of the top ten spots in this year’s Top Artists are Pinoys, and breaking through the list is Zack Tabudlo, who secured the #3 spot and emerged as this year’s Top Local Artist. Pulling listeners into his own cinematic universe, Tabudlo’s cathartic “Episode” album is also the second most streamed album in the country. Ben&Ben proved themselves to be a mainstay among the local favorites as they maintained their fourth place from 2021 and kept a spot in the top list for the fourth consecutive year.

“We are thrilled to see that Filipino artists have continued to shine on the local stage, as seen on 2022’s Spotify Wrapped results. This shows that the Philippines are increasingly listening to and supporting their homegrown talent and we have seen an almost 50% increase in streams of local music the past year” said Kossy Ng, Head of Music, Spotify Asia. “We’re excited to continue working closely with local musicians and pave the way for more aspiring artists to flourish on the platform.”

Spotify’s RADAR program, an initiative to support emerging artists, has enabled new local artists and tracks to be added to the daily soundtrack of Filipinos’ lives. Other emerging artists like P-Pop groups, BGYO and BINI, are amongst the Top RADAR Philippines Artists, alongside Adie.

It has been another stellar year for podcasts in the Philippines, as Spotify continued to launch Exclusive and Original content with a slate of Filipino podcasting talent. Pinoy creators reign in this year’s Top Podcasts. Intimate sharing of life stories and advice are a hit amongst Filipinos with Barangay Love Stories, Spotify Exclusive skypodcast, Dear MOR: The Podcast, and Spotify Original Hugot Marcelo taking up the top four spots. Comedic conversations also resonate amongst locals with Spotify Exclusive Punchline with Alex Calleja taking up the fifth spot.

“Our Spotify Exclusive skypodcast is our first collaboration together as a couple, and it had been truly amazing to receive overwhelming support from our #skyfam. Podcasting has enabled us to talk in-depth about intimate topics. It’s even been a real help for our relationship as we’re able to spend time together and discuss things we normally wouldn’t. Being part of Spotify’s Wrapped Top Lists inspires us to keep growing as individuals so we can keep sharing new ideas to our listeners.” shares Kryz Uy of skypodcast.

Starting today, eligible users can also access their personalized 2022 Wrapped experience exclusively in their updated Spotify mobile app (iOS and Android). As an added treat to this year’s Wrapped season, Spotify is bringing Wrraped Playground to the Philippines! Between 10-11 December, Filipinos are invited to come to play at SM Mall of Asia (MoA). Experience different exciting activities and catch none other than BINI and BGYO!

Spotify 2022 Wrapped Philippines Top Lists

Philippines Top Artists

Taylor Swift
BTS
Zack Tabudlo
Ben&Ben
Justin Bieber

Philippines Top Female Artists

Taylor Swift
Ariana Grande
Moira dela Torre
Olivia Rodrigo
NIKI

Philippines Top Male Artists

Zack Tabudlo
Justin Bieber
Arthur Nery
The Weeknd
Adie

Philippines Top Groups

BTS
Ben&Ben
LANY
BLACKPINK
TWICE

Philippines Top Albums

Proof, BTS
Episode, Zack Tabudlo
Red (Taylor’s Version), Taylor Swift
SOUR, Olivia Rodrigo
Midnights, Taylor Swift

Philippines Top Tracks

Ikaw Lang, NOBITA
Pagsamo, Arthur Nery
Paraluman, Adie
Pano, Zack Tabudlo
Isa Lang, Arthur Nery

Philippines Top Local Artist

Zack Tabudlo
Ben&Ben
Arthur Nery
Moira dela Torre
Adie

Philippines Top Local Tracks

Ikaw Lang, NOBITA
Pagsamo, Arthur Nery
Paraluman, Adie
Pano, Zack Tabudlo
Isa Lang, Arthur Nery

Philippines Top Spotify Playlists

Hot Hits Philippines
Today’s Top Hits
OPM Favorites
Tatak Pinoy
Kalye Hip Hop

Philippines Top Podcasts

Barangay Love Stories
skypodcast
Dear MOR: The Podcast
Hugot Marcelo
Punchline with Alex Calleja!

Philippines Top Podcast Genres

Love & Relationships
Pop Culture
Self-Help
Horror & Paranormal

Spotify 2022 Wrapped Global Top Lists

Most-Streamed Artists Globally

Bad Bunny
Taylor Swift
Drake
The Weeknd
BTS

Most-Streamed Songs Globally

“As It Was” by Harry Styles
“Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
“STAY (with Justin Bieber)” by The Kid LAROI
“Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny feat. Chencho Corleone
“Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny

Most-Streamed Albums Globally

Un Verano Sin Ti, Bad Bunny
Harry’s House, Harry Styles
SOUR, Olivia Rodrigo
=, Ed Sheeran
Planet Her, Doja Cat

ARTHUR MIGUEL sings about love and loss in debut album “Pasahili”

December 1, 2022 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

The internet proves itself to be a powerful tool for budding musicians- and for 22-year-old Arthur Miguel, it just propelled him to greater heights. If you’re wondering how this young artist accumulated 1.6 million listeners on Spotify, he started by covering songs on YouTube and Soundcloud at the height of the pandemic. “When I was a kid, I always listened to music a lot kahit hindi ko pa siya naiintindihan, naeenjoy ko pa rin siya. Then one day, I tried covering a song and posted it on my social media,” he says. He then decided to write his own songs. “Biglang pumasok sa isip ko na magtry magsulat ng songs and it went well,” he added. With a guitar on hand and taking inspiration from personal experiences, he took courage and recorded his original music. He notes two major influences for his songwriting: Taylor Swift and Moira Dela Torre. “Whenever I listen to their songs, I get inspired to write more stories for my songs.” Arthur Miguel now has over 974K subscribers on YouTube.

Because of his success on YouTube, he was signed under Warner Music Philippines in 2021, which landed him on a bigger platform as an artist. With the help of his new label, Arthur Miguel released “Ang Wakas,” shortly followed by “Dito, Sa Ilalim ng Buwan.” After these successful singles, he dropped his single “Leron,” which is a heartfelt track with long-time friend Trisha Macapagal. “I met Trisha on Facebook. Kasali kami sa isang fandom group then a friend introduced me to Trisha. She suggested that we should do a song cover, then we tried.” This interaction led to them working together on songs Arthur deemed fit for her. “I know when I need Trisha on a song, nararamdaman ko agad if yung nasulat kong song is for a duet or a solo,” he explains. The reimagination of the Filipino children’s song “Leron Leron Sinta” eventually became a part of his debut album, “Pasahili.”

A shortened term for “para sa hindi pinili,” “Pasahili” is an 8-track album that banks on Filipino hugot culture and dedicates it to everyone going through any form of heartbreak. “Even if they didn’t choose you, life must go on, and it just means it isn’t for you,” he describes. Apart from “Leron,” a reimagined version of his hit single “Ang Wakas” is also in the debut album, to further suit its new sonic quality. With three music videos out already, two more songs from the album will have their official live performance videos in collaboration with critically-acclaimed director Dean Marcial. Marcial, who was born in the Philippines, is a New York-based director most popular for his work for “The Green Guilleras,” and is the co-founder of CALAVERA USA, a Brooklyn-based production company who’s also garnered several awards from SXSW Film and TV Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and Tribeca Film Festival. “I’m grateful to work with such an amazing, hardworking director. He’s really good especially when he creates stories,” he explains. The live performance videos for “Pasahili” and “Di Man” are set to premiere on Friday, November 25 on Warner Music Philippines’ YouTube Channel.

With immense talent at a young age, Arthur Miguel is also a part of Warner Music Group’s global showcase for 2022. He recently landed a collaboration with American R&B star Pink Sweat$ for the Asia edition of his hit “I Feel Good.” It’s a full circle moment for the young artist, who’s also an avid listener of Sweat$. “Working with Pink Sweat$ is such an honor for me. I’ve covered some of Pink’s songs, and now we have a collaboration. That’s crazy,” he says. With his rise in the OPM charts, Arthur Miguel sees no sign of slowing down in his music career. He has one goal in mind- to be a relatable and comforting voice for his audience.

Music, News

Get to know more about joan’s debut album, superglue

November 21, 2022 manilaconcerts Leave a comment

Acclaimed alt pop duo joan announce details of their long awaited debut album superglue, out April 19th, 2023 via Photo Finish Records. The twelve-track full length is over three years in the making, following their beloved EPs portra, cloudy, hi and bye, and is an existential journey influenced by the duo’s recent transition into fatherhood. joan explain: “It’s totally wrecked our world and we both have been going through a lot of the same growth that comes alongside being a parent. It’s changed our whole process of writing, and way more than just like having a kid and making every song about them. It’s made us think more about who we are as people, what we want to put into the world and what we want to get out of it, just reflecting on life way more than I think we ever have.

This album as a whole is about the past and the present happening at the same time, it’s about dreams for the future and hoping for a better tomorrow but missing yesterday. It’s by far the best and most meaningful music we’ve ever made, it has something for everyone, and we hope it means something to you too.”

To accompany the news they’ve also shared the record’s second single and video ‘flowers’, the last song joan wrote for the album which became one of their personal favorites. The highly emotive and nostalgic narrative discusses how time is fleeting and how people grow and change, paired with wistful acoustic guitar riffs under cinematic synths and heartfelt melodies. The accompanying video shows captures joan’s riveting performance against bright hues of yellow.

The band share “I remember running around the streets of my best friend’s neighborhood after midnight, skipping around from friend to friends house. I remember rushing to my friend’s house after school to rehearse our new songs in his garage. I remember driving around town after the sun went down just because we could. you make so many memories in those formative years. You never think to yourself, “this won’t last forever”. but then you grow. It happens slow – years go by, seasons change. That’s just life. If you’re lucky, some of those people stick around. but for a lot of us, you’re left asking, “why don’t we talk anymore?”. That’s what this song is to us.”

superglue tracklist

life death & everything between
simple
loner
nervous
backseat driving
coffee shop
don’t wanna be your friend
monsters
hi
feeling like dancing
falling in love
flowers

MANILA CONCERT SCENE