The Next Track: Back and Better

From Manila to the Bay Area, 5 Filipinx artists explore their creative processes and realign their sound with their soul’s true intentions. The pandemic – a.k.a. two-year worldwide pause – led to new work of purpose, clarity, interconnectedness, and growth

Text Amyra Soriano

From Hella Pinay Issue 02: Interconnected - Fall/Winter 2021.

Ana Roxanne. Photography Tammy Nguyen. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Ana Roxanne

Despite everything going on, the experimental, ambient singer and musician (and Bay Area native) has taken this time to process and reflect on her creative practice. She says fulfillment comes from within. From the west side, with [self] love. 

What are your top 3 songs to vibe to these days?

Ana Roxanne:

“Foolish Heart” - Alicia Keys

“Tales from the Trash Stratum” - Elizabeth Fraser and Oneohtrix Point Never

“Suite No. 1 Op. 5 ‘Fantasie Tableaux’: I. Barcarolle” - Martha Argerich

What draws you to music? What is it about music that connects people?

Ana Roxanne: Music is a universal language... and I find that it allows me to communicate and connect with the world in instances where words fail. Specifically, singing does this for me.

Where are you based? What significance (if any) does this place hold to you? And how does the culture translate to your music? 

Ana Roxanne: I am currently in NYC but it doesn't feel permanent. I am a west coast person at heart and I think that shows in my music. Maybe most noticeably through the slowness and quiet?

Ana Roxanne. Photography Tammy Nguyen. Photo courtesy of the artist.

What has creating and/or life as an artist been like for you during the pandemic?

Ana Roxanne: It has been so difficult!! I have hit a major roadblock and it's honestly been quite frustrating. I still feel like I am coming out of the slump of the last 1.5+ years. But also, taking lots of time to reflect and process is good for my creative practice. Hoping something can come out of it soon, but I'm trying to allow this phase to pass naturally.

What is one thing you've realized about yourself in the past 1.5 years?

Ana Roxanne: That self worth/fulfillment needs to come from within, not external sources. 

What are you working on right now? What inspired your latest work? Is there anything culturally/socially/politically/personally that has influenced it?

Ana Roxanne: Working on a few things... but mainly trying to get my head straight to start my new album. Music has been a tool to process identity/identity politics, specifically around gender. It has been cathartic and I may continue to process this part of myself in this way, or possibly start fresh somewhere else! Time will tell :)

Ashley Mehta. Photography Sarah Ohta. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Ashley Mehta

Discovery. That’s what the past year brought Ashley Mehta. The Bay Area bred artist explored different sounds and ways of creating, which led to finding her sound. This new vibe is seen on her latest single, “WHEN I RIDE.” 

What are your top 3 songs to vibe to these days?

My top 3 songs at the moment are “Photo ID” by Remi Wolf ft. Dominic Fike, “Altar” by Kehlani and “Meet Me At Our Spot” by WILLOW, The Anxiety and Tyler Cole.

What draws you to music? What is it about music that connects people?

The healing and outlet aspects of music draw me to it. Music is universal and everyone can feel something from it. I think it connects people because whether it's lyrics, different sounds or rhythms, we all take a moment to actually listen to it; we then begin to relate to each other. Music for me has always been an outlet. I feel like I learn about myself through music every day.

Where are you based? What significance (if any) does this place hold to you? And how does the culture translate to your music? 

I'm based in the Bay Area, in Fremont, CA. The Bay Area has a huge significance to me as it is where I grew up and what I am most familiar with. The culture is very supportive and at the same time has its own energy. This energy translated to my music as it is something I always aim to capture. I think there are specific tastes of the Bay sprinkled in my music which really helps cultivate my own sound as an artist.

Ashley Mehta. Photography Sarah Ohta. Photo courtesy of the artist.

What has creating and/or life as an artist been like for you during the pandemic?

I found that during the pandemic is when I actually found my sound. I was able to experiment a lot with different sounds and see what I liked or what did not resonate with me. When it came to inspiration, there were definitely moments where I felt like I could use more inspo. Being inside all day it was a little challenging, but I was still able to tap into other segments of my life. I found many blessings in learning about my creation process, new ways of creating and collaborating. Music is such a beautiful thing that brings people together.

What is one thing you've realized about yourself in the past 1.5 years?

One thing I have realized about myself in the past 1.5 years is how open I became to being uncomfortable. I have done a lot of self-reflection and I continue to do so, but I remember a moment in particular that stood out to me. I was sitting at home and thought about the idea of discomfort. I realized that as great as comfortability feels, there is so much growth in getting uncomfortable and putting yourself out there to try new things.

What are you working on right now? What inspired your latest work? Is there anything culturally/socially/politically/personally that has influenced it?

Right now I am working on a lot of new music and I am so excited to share it with everyone. My latest work has been inspired by a lot of self realizations this past year as many of us can relate. I find that my culture of being half Filipino and half Indian has played a big role in my representation as an artist. I strive to be the best version of myself every day and spread positivity around my culture. I also aim to show my personality through my music in my delivery of songs; it's so fun to experiment and learn more each day.

Kelady. Photography danyo. Styling Kelady. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Kelady

When the pandemic popped off, Los Angeles artist Kelady was creating back to back. Yet after some reflection on her creative process, she developed a more intentional practice. Her latest video, “Kulog,” conceptualizes the Philippine folklore of the Manananggal as a parallel to identity issues and relationships.

What are your top 3 songs to vibe to these days?

My go-to song when I’m getting ready is of course “Linda” by Rosaliá & Tokischa. If I’m in the car – especially for night drives – “It Rains Love” by Lee Fields & the Expressions makes me feel all types of ways and it always gets me down the road. And for a morning rise, “Wonderful” by Burna Boy.

What draws you to music? What is it about music that connects people?

I think it’s cool to chant, to dance, to breathe, and ultimately be part of music as a phenomenon whether you’re alone or with other people. There’s some kind of emotional quality with music that, I don’t know, at a sonic level might bring the listener into their interior world of memories; like longing for a moment they want to be in, or to be released from. Sometimes songs are worlds created like a sublime place pulling in listeners to open up to a new experience. I’m drawn to a lot of different kinds of music as a listener, genre is genre, but it’s what you do with it that makes it interesting and I think this translates to making music as well.

Where are you based? What significance (if any) does this place hold to you? And how does the culture translate to your music? 

I’m based in LA and I grew up here but I’m based in other places too like some kind of nomad or like what my old friend recently described danyo and I this past summer as “traveling musicians” – ha! I got this beautiful cookbook really recently called Filipinx: Heritage Recipes from the Diaspora by Angela Dimayuga and Ligaya Mishan, and they express how their recipes have elements of tradition and also a sense of immediacy, like wherever you are and what ingredients are available to you — you make it your own. So I like to think of living and working in different places manifesting this collection of experience with the self in different environments and with different people, even different weather contributes to the work.

Kelady. Photography danyo. Styling Kelady. Photo courtesy of the artist.

What has creating and/or life as an artist been like for you during the pandemic?

I think it’s opened up questions on process and finishing projects. For those first six months or so we kept creating, but whether or not we finished anything didn’t really matter because the whole world felt frozen in place. Coming out of that period became a unique moment to reflect on that work and develop new habits. As the cynical feelings lifted I think it led to a more intentional practice of cycling through modes of incubation, creation, and reflection.

What is one thing you've realized about yourself in the past 1.5 years?

I’ve realized that you have to make your community. And that I need both familiar things and unfamiliar situations to push myself and keep that inner drive fueled to move forward.

What are you working on right now? What inspired your latest work? Is there anything culturally/socially/politically/personally that has influenced it?

Our recent video, “Kulog” conceptualized Philippine folklore Manananggal as a parallel to identity issues and relationships. There’s a Filipino artist duo, Amy Lien and Enzo Camacho, that I’ve recently come across who create sculptural artworks on Mananaggal and it was inspiring to read their discussions about the “split-body” being Manananggal’s true form and that its desired existence may be one of “dispersed multiplicity.” I’ve been thinking more now about where or how “Kulog” adds to the elements of this conversation as a diasporic artist.

Danyo and I are currently editing our next music video for a song we wrote while we were waiting for “Kulog” to come out. It’s moody and mellow — almost the opposite of “Kulog” — which is exciting for us.  And we’re working on building up a live show with the songs and the visual elements of our continuing Keladyscope series.

Kimmortal, self portrait. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Kimmortal

Following a move away from the city, Filipinx Canadian musician Kimmortal found clarity – much like the feel of a clear blue sky in June. Since then, they took a quick pause from rapping and dabbled in other mediums, like animation and virtual shows (+ P.S. an EP is otw 2022!).

What are your top 3 songs to vibe to these days?

Kimmortal:

“Time Flies” by Dena

“When I See You” by Fantasia

“get off my dick” by Zack Fox

What draws you to music? 

The portal of it to get lost, the invitation for introspection, to feel what cannot be spoken.

Where are you based? 

Just outside of Vancouver in a smaller city called Port Moody that is closer to tall trees and the water. The land I'm on is the unceded traditional ancestral land of the Kwikwetlem, Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

What significance (if any) does this place hold to you? 

It's removed from the busy, crowded feel of the city and I felt very claustrophobic in my last living situation. It's my first time living so close to the forests but also not too far from the city. I'm so grateful to be able to drive to the trees. 

Kimmortal. Photography Bella Larsen. Photo courtesy of the artist.

And how does the culture translate to your music? 

I haven't been rapping much lately, haven't been feeling the need to pack my music with many words and maybe that has to do with the clarity I want and feel with a full view of the sky.

What has creating and/or life as an artist been like for you during the pandemic?

I started doing animations for musicians for their music videos cos physical in person filming wasn't happening so that became my primary income which was cool to see that business sort of build. I also did a number of virtual shows which all kind of blur into each other now. I started attending art therapy sessions which has made me release without being so attached to how good my work was. I also recorded a new EP that is going to be released in 2022.

What is one thing you've realized about yourself in the past 1.5 years?

I learned/am learning that the most important thing is that I'm proud of myself. 

Ena Mori. Photography Telle Ramos. Makeup Sylvina Lopez. Hair Mycke Arcano. Styling Sassa Jimenez. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Ena Mori

The constant grind resulted in creative burnout for Ena Mori. Yet the momentary slump led to something better: a realignment with her purpose and passion for music. Currently, she’s working on her upcoming album – one in tune with her single, “OH, BLEEDING HEARTS?”

What are your top 3 songs to vibe to these days?

“Birthday” by The Sugarcubes

“Observer” by Gary Numan

“An Occasional Dream” by David Bowie

What draws you to music? What is it about music that connects people?

As far as I can remember, music has always been a safe place for me to truly let go of my fears and doubts. when I walk in a mundane street with music, suddenly it becomes a storyline, a movie scene of sorts. It gives things meaning. It brings them alive. I met so many people through music that I never knew we could get along. Music is the glue for the brokenhearted, and it is a way to find what’s within us.

Where are you based? What significance (if any) does this place hold to you? And how does the culture translate to your music?

I grew up in Japan, did a lot of classical training until I was 15. I moved to the Philippines to explore the other half of my bloodline. I met many amazing artists that are pushing the boundaries and stereotypes and inspired me to be the artist that I am now.

In retrospect, having two completely different cultures troubled me as a kid. I felt like an outcast anywhere I go and didn’t understand the significance at first.

But listening closely to my demos, I hear a lot of classical influences, melodies that I got from 80s Japanese ballads that my grandpa used to listen to, together with a lot of rock bands and R&B singers that my father used to listen to.

Not only is revealed to me that I was heavily influenced by where I came from, but my sound also became rich in a unique way, and that gave me the confidence to be a proud dual citizen.

Ena Mori. Photography Telle Ramos. Makeup Sylvina Lopez. Hair Mycke Arcano. Styling Sassa Jimenez. Photo courtesy of the artist.

What has creating and/or life as an artist been like for you during the pandemic?

It’s both good and bad.

As an artist, when something life-changing happens, we often take advantage of the situation and create something. And that’s what I did...for a few months. I was constantly writing, putting all of my frustration into my notebook and it was great while it lasted. As the pandemic got longer and severe, and the possibility of a live show went south, together with writing every single day for a few months, I got burned out. I didn’t wanna listen to music at all. And I lost all of my inspiration. It is hard to be an artist during a pandemic. But I’ve learned that it is okay to take it slow, financially, and creatively.

What is one thing you've realized about yourself in the past 1.5 years?

I think the biggest revelation was my relationship with my music. I guess when I was doing shows, music was more of like a job to me. And often I write, it was slightly robotic and felt obligated to finish it because, well, “work”.

But now, all of the music that I’ve listened to religiously growing up, and the feeling of learning the first chord on my piano, the reason why I am doing music for a living came back in isolation.

What are you working on right now? What inspired your latest work? Is there anything culturally/socially/politically/personally that has influenced it?

Currently, I am in the process of recording my album, and my latest single, “OH, BLEEDING HEARTS?” is a really good glimpse of what you could expect from the album. Many songs were written during isolation and lockdown, so it is a reflection of my thoughts during a pandemic, together with my childhood memories, etc. I hope this album will be something people will listen to after a bad day.

From Hella Pinay Issue 02: Interconnected - Fall/Winter 2021.

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