How often have you been asked, "Who is your favorite singer?" or "Which genre of music do you listen to?"
Throughout the years, there has been an incredible rise of musical artists and bands that have seemed to define our music taste. And, for some reason, some of these artists are on the airwaves of mainstream radio play, while many of them fly just under our radar.
Of course, the more music the better. It's exciting as there's so much to choose from every week. But as the music industry gets saturated with generic pop songs, admit it or not but it gets tiring.
Fortunately, in the middle of redundant melodies, old chord progression, and words repeated over and over, PARCINQ found two distinctly unique artists you should listen to. Meet ena mori and PIKOY!
ena mori and Her Playful Sound
The word "surreal" is a perfect way to describe the music of ena mori, a half-Filipino and half-Japanese experimental pop artist and musical storyteller.
Using her old piano and synth, she paints an elegant portrait of harmonies creating an effervescent calmness in her music. Which takes every listener on an illicit journey of convivial euphoria.
Starting with your path to being an artist, what got you into music?
I started music when I was six years old. Not necessarily a singer, but I was a classical piano. Typical Asian. I did some competitions and stuff like that. So I guess like what that piece started is my mom's acoustic, upright piano. I discovered that piano and my grandpa actually wanted me to kind of, you know, experiment with the keyboard that I have. From there I started playing by year and I think that's where like my love for music.
What was the story behind your songs? Was that the start of you creating your own music?
Yes, of course! You know, every song has its own story, even though there's a different level of how personal it is. It depends on the song. Of course, sometimes I write songs for the sake of writing songs but of course, every piece has its own backstory.
How would you describe your music? How did you come to find your voice in that?
I guess playful, even though I'm writing something that is more on a serious note, let's say, you know, there's a backstory and stuff like that. Like I always try my best to put a playful side into the music, whether it's the production or the lyrics, or maybe like the melody of the, of sorts. I try my best to kind of make everything, not that too serious. You know what I mean? Because you know, music is at the end of the day, it's on entertainment and I, I want to be entertained as well with my music. So, I guess if I were to describe it would be playful!
What's the mindset you always try to put on when making music?
I discovered this mindset with the course of, you know, doing music or writing original music for so long. It's that at the end of the day, if you like it, then foster it. I think especially now, you know, when we see trends in the Palm of your hands all the time, it's very hard to have the integrity and like have it your own original in a way. If you like what you are writing, then push through it. If you don't like it, don't because there's someone who could do that for you instead. I know they could do something.
Since this is the "Future is Female" issue, we wanted to know what are your initial thoughts when you hear that statement. What does it mean to you?
Future is female. Well, there are so many, but I guess the time has come that females should be the main character. Do you know what I mean? Well, there's still, you know, work that has to be done. Not just for us females, but other gender as well. But I could say that right now it's the time that we could all celebrate the future of women. That will be, you know, a brighter future than before.
It's Women's Month! What is your message to young girls who want to pursue this path?
There are a lot of hardships to be a woman still to this day. I can't believe it still. And, especially in a career that doesn't really like reminds you of women, like in a majority of, you know, ideas, idealism. I could just say never, never do things just for the sake of impressing others. Cause if you're not impressed, then what's the point. Right? And just, you know, stick to your word. You guys have to work harder, right. Extra, extra. And sometimes it will suck. Sometimes there will be, you know, times that you'll doubt yourself and stuff like that, but the future is female. So just do what you want to do and don't let them, you know, say otherwise.
PIKOY POPSTAR
Pikoy has an open-minded view of the world. So much so that she often finds the subject of her music on the off-chance, whether it's by a walk on the street or other mundane encounters. This exact personality trait transfers so distinctively into her music, which makes it unique in a sense that allows her to rediscover herself through melody.
As a self-proclaimed "DIY popstar," Pikoy's journey to success is a mischievous journey to take. But nothing more fires an artist's spirit than a drive towards self-made success.
Starting with your path to being an artist, what got you into music?
I was really obsessed with Popstars when I was a kid. But all of these [refering to being a musical artist] started as a "Joke" when I was in school. Back when I would write original songs and even change the lyrics of pop songs at that time. This is also the same time when I was introduced to Asian Pop, such as J-pop and K-pop. I can say that the Pop scene before has influenced me a lot since there's Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Britney.
What was the story behind your songs? Was that the start of you creating your own music?
It depends on my mood or the emotions that I'm feeling at that moment, and the music I put out there. Basically, that's how I get on what to write. Sometimes it goes with ease because your creative spirit just takes over but sometimes what I do is that I create fictional characters and scenarios in my head so I can get into the emotions of what I'll be writing on. It's definitely a balance of my personal experiences and things that I imagine in certain situations.
How would you describe your music? How did you come to find your voice in that?
I really can't pinpoint or choose a word to describe my music since there have been many changes in the span of 10 years of being an artist. I started with acoustics, then pop-rock, I even experimented with bedroom-type rock. But as I've collaborated with other artists and have improved a lot, I think if there's an art-rock category, that would be it.
What's the mindset you always try to put on when making music?
My initial thought is to go crazy! Since I create my music at home, I have the liberty to do what I want to do and make as much as I want and whatever I want. I always say to myself that 'Wala pa namang makakarinig nito kundi ako lang,' so I go all out and listen to it over and over until I get what I wanted.
Since this is the "Future is Female" issue, I wanted to know what are your initial thoughts when you hear that statement. What does it mean to you?
I firmly believe that it is not impossible. We may be currently living in a patriarchal society, but we know that women have always been the foundation of everything ever since. But what makes it remarkable is that, nowadays, people are now open and accepting towards new ideals towards women. With the online movements through social media in empowering women, the future is bright. Indeed, the future is female.
It's Women's Month! What is your message to young girls who want to pursue this path?
START NOW! Start creating your art. Play as much as you want. Create and start discovering what you like and what makes you, you. If you want to sing and dance, then do it! Go crazy and go BIG! Every journey starts with a step, and by starting now, you'll definitely go far in your journey.
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Photography by Philip Vargas
Makeup by Nadynne Esguerra
Hair by Mycke Arcano
Words by Mark Baccay
Special thanks to Audry Dionisio of Offshore Music Philippines (for ena)
and Believe Music on behalf of electric kiss (for Pikoy)