A high chair and mic stand are set on the stage. With an acoustic guitar in one hand and an amplifier attached to the guitar chord, Sir Divino comes up. His calm and composed stature invites the audience. The first bars strummed at his guitar prompts the listeners to lean closer, pay attention, and enjoy his performance.
Poetic, lyrical, and organic. This is how Divino Rivera makes music. Lean closer and take a deep look at how a singer-songwriter crafts music that unmasks human frailties and receives comfort through unfiltered singing.
Divino Rivera, singer, songwriter, and proud son of Baguio, is more than just a music maker. He steers away from flashy stage designs and over-polished studio production. In this way, each performance stays organic.
His clean and straightforward vocals are enough to captivate the listeners. After all, his songs, filled with honest and raw emotions are what lure the audience to pay attention and listen. Once set, he owns the stage. His cool and composed vibe lets the audience ease themselves up and connect to Divino’s singing in an instant. His lyrics are spoken poetry. Sometimes they are narratives. He is telling stories straight from a real person’s experience. Reflecting the human’s journey to different phases of life emanates from Divino’s music.
His song “Pintig” exemplifies this, where he blends folk singing with spoken poetry.
He departs from the typical song devices with long instrumentals and slurry improvisations. He is also not one to follow the new-gen singer-songwriter antics with exaggerated vocals and accents. The veteran chose to keep his style and tone natural and unfiltered.
What sets him apart
What makes Divino different from typical folk singer, and songwriter stencil is his authenticity. No layers of heavy chords. No elaborate synthesizers or drum frolics. The tune feels stripped. Bare. It mirrors the raw, matter-of-fact tone in his voice. That perfectly reflects the human journey.
Combine that with his down-to-earth acoustic strumming and the pure strength of his voice. He connects with the listener to a deep degree within seconds. Divino Rivera’s music is an invitation to slow down. His songs are for those who would truly listen and connect with the art of human expression.
It’s a reminder that once in a while, the most powerful stories are those told with the most genuine intent, free of filters and layers. As cliche as it sounds, such performances are those that come straight from the heart, for the heart.
Musical Influences and His Creative Process
Divino’s unique sound isn’t born in a vacuum. His covers of songs would reveal where he draws inspiration from.
His organic and raw approach to singing suggests that he listens to a lot of The Beatles. Their timeless melodies and songwriting prowess resonate in his work.
The Bread’s smooth harmonies and subtle guitar riffs emanate in Divino’s style. His lyrics, which also evoke the vibes of James Taylor, Jon Foreman, and Jason Mraz, are present in his tunes.
However, the strongest influences on his music likely come from his faith. His messaging and chord compositions are derivatives of classic hymns and contemporary Christian music (CCM). These sounds come from artists like Switchfoot, Chris Tomlin, and Jars of Clay.
Early in 2024, Divino released another heartwarming record, Itinakda.
Extending his passion to his community
Divino’s passion for music extends past his very own creations. He actively makes use of his platform to support local artists. He co-founded “Sibol Collective,” which serves as a space for artists in Baguio City to gain support, collaborate, and promote their music.
Divino is not just a musician; he’s a storyteller who thrives on connecting with his audience. He is a well-respected music maker who also thrives in connecting his community through the love of pure music. He has graced numerous stages, performing at notable events like Fete de la Musique, GMA Playlist, and FILSCAP Songwriters Night. These live performances showcase his unhinged talent. These appearances further solidify his reputation as a bearer of the OPM badge.
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About the Author
From Marikina City to Baguio, Bien embraces two cities teeming with art and music. Passionate about #supportinglocalartists, she gives back to her inspiring community. By day, she’s a freelance writer, but at night, she immerses in music, crafting melodies. As she crafts stories for others, hers evolves, influenced by her eclectic musical background, from classical and gospel to Mathrock and Experimental Jazz, favoring emerging Indie OPM artists.
