In a thrilling turn of events, SONGSONG, a Cum Laude graduate from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and a proud native of Cagayan Valley, is now riding the airwaves with his song being broadcasted on Radio Taiwan International alongside SB19 and Ben&Ben. Despite being overlooked by major media outlets during the pitch, we simply can’t let this moment pass unnoticed. It’s time for a well-deserved feature and recognition.
The 27-year-old’s debut single, ‘Love in Secret,’ which hit all streaming platforms on June 9, 2023, captivated audiences with its distinctive sound and intentionally disjunct lyrics which quickly gained attention and landed at the 2nd spot on Spotify’s Editorial Playlist “Fresh Finds Philippines”.
Building on this success, SONGSONG released his second single, ‘It’s Raining You,’ on August 14, 2023, further solidifying his presence in the music scene. The B-Sides for ‘Love in Secret,’ including the tracks ‘You Were My Sunshine’ and ‘Lipstick,’ were released on October 17, 2023 under the EE “Not My Stories to Tell so I Sang Instead” adding depth to SONGSONG’s growing repertoire.
Interview By Kristelle Leigh Reyes
Congratulations on your releases this year! What was the inspiration for the EP?
“If I’m gonna be honest, I wasn’t actually inspired by anything during the writing process of the tracks. It just so happened that there was a deadline for our Major Demo Production class, which was the thesis-equivalent course for Music Production students in Benilde, and I had to show my professor something. I was really burnt out trying to think of ideas and I feel like I was being overly critical of myself back then because it somehow stuck to me that the first track I’m gonna be releasing might define who I am as an artist.”
If you weren’t really inspired back then, how did the EP come about?
“I stole. I stole stories of my friends IRL and put myself in their shoes. The whole concept of the EP was trying to portray what my friends are saying out loud and what they really felt inside. I took my songwriting professor’s critique of my lyrics and stuck with it even though it wasn’t necessarily a good thing grade-wise. I was told my lyrics sounded like two different entities and might come off as inconsistent tone-wise. That actually made a lot of sense considering I used to listen to boy groups a lot and there was really no merit to writing with an ensemble in mind and then singing the piece as a solo. And then, the idea hit me. What if I wasn’t a single entity?
Ooh! “Not My Stories to Tell so I Sang Instead” was really a collection of not-your-stories! How did this reflect in your lyricism? Can you talk about who the stories are about?
All I’ll say is that they’re about my friends back home in Tuguegarao City. Each song is a different person. For the lyricism aspect, the ways I address my lover change throughout the EP – it starts with baby, and then a woman’s name, and then love in secret, and then the b-word, and then sunshine, moonlight, and then finally the b- word again.
Why was It’s Raining You not part of the EP?
“Kasi the original version wasn’t mine. It was one of my classmate-and-mixing-engineer’s tracks for his MADEPRO. His name’s Rommel Enemecio. I sang in all three of his tracks. Kenny Kaw, his friend, helped, too, in my EP. Kenny co-produced Love in Secret. I originally had a drum kit for the drum part pero I asked Rommel if he could switch it up to EDM-style drums. Rommel asked Kenny; and then Kenny changed more than the drums. He added so much ear-candies and switched up some chords resulting to the version of Love in Secret that is available on all streaming platforms. Napalayo na ako ah. Back to It’s Raining You! It was originally Rommel’s and then he gave it to me at a price. I re-wrote some of the melody and changed some lyrics resulting to what it is today. Franco Emil of Why July also volunteered to play the guitar solo section of the song!”
“It’s Raining You” made a splash on Radio Taiwan International’s “SEA in Melody” segment, hosted by Colwin Tanhehco. Airing on December 26, 2023, this episode spotlighting vibrant Philippine music brought a delightful fusion of Filipino talent to listeners both within and beyond Taiwan. This marks yet another milestone for the Rising Musician, not just for its international exposure, but also for the ongoing airplay of “It’s Raining You” even after its initial broadcast.”
As one of the world’s oldest radio stations, Radio Taiwan International plays a crucial role in bridging Taiwan with nations across the globe. Offering 18 language services, including English and Filipino, the station expands its global footprint, engaging with listeners worldwide. Through this diverse platform, Taiwan welcomes the world, promoting cultural exchange and inviting audiences on an enchanting musical odyssey. Listeners from every corner of the globe can tune in to Radio Taiwan International 24/7 via rti.org.tw, to experience the celebration that transcends borders and connects the world to Taiwan’s vibrant cultural tapestry. “SEA in Melody,” hosted by Colwin Tanhehco, emerges as Radio Taiwan International’s freshest bilingual pop music show. Its mission? To reveal the enchanting array of Southeast Asian pop music and culture.
The episode featured not only SONGSONG but also other renowned Filipino artists such as SB19, ZACK TABUDLO, BEN & BEN, KARENCITTA, IV OF SPADES, and more. The episode promises a diverse blend of mainstream, indie, and Visayan pop music, showcasing the richness of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
It’s noteworthy that Colwin Tanhehco, the host of “SEA in Melody,” is himself a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from De La Salle University Class of 2015, further emphasizing the connection and shared success stories within the Lasallian-Benildean community.
This accomplishment not only speaks volumes about SONGSONG’s talent but also marks a proud moment for both the artist and the institution that played a crucial role in nurturing his musical journey. As SONGSONG’s music continues to resonate globally, it opens new doors for Filipino artists, contributing to the rich and diverse landscape of international music.
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