OPM artist Paolo Sandejas unveiled pre-release singles for his highly anticipated album.
The budding musician integrates various genres, including indie pop, soul, and retro pop, on tracks such as “Sway,” “Sorry,” “Bloom,” “My Girl,” “Different Shade of Blue,” and his rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You.” Remarkably, in 2020, his song “Sway” won Wish Urban Song of the Year at the Wish Music Awards.
Sandejas shared with Music Geek that he began writing music at the age of 16, and in 2018, he debuted with his self-written single, “My Girl.” He likened his sound to “comfort food with an emotional core.”
“The main ones would probably be John Mayer, Bruno Major, and recently Lizzy McAlpine,” Sandejas said when asked to name his musical inspirations. However, he acknowledged that he initially had no specific objectives when he started his career.
The singer also mentioned that he constantly loves how music makes him feel, especially when he discovers songs that match his mood and situation.
He said, “Making music was just my way of processing my own emotions and a means to tell my own stories.”
Sandejas regards music as a language to express himself, further explaining that individuals can learn to understand, appreciate, and utilize music to communicate. He also described his creative process and how he works in the studio, mainly exploring guitars and playing around with sound and melodies until he finds something impressive.
“It’s a free-flowing and playful process,” he added.
Talking about his pre-release single, “Sirens,” he explained how the sound contrasts with his previous EP, stating, “It’s a departure from my previously bright sound from the ‘Bloom’ EP. However, the song still has plenty of heart, and I’m proud of the lyrics and songwriting.”
He added that the composition drew inspiration from his experience.
“In a world of noise always demanding my energy and attention, ‘Sirens’ is about the people who can calm that storm in your head and make the world quiet,” he explained.
Preparation for the album is coming to fruition.
“It’s been an exciting and rewarding journey for me,” he said. Describing the project, he mentioned the terms “fun, honest, and secretly soul-crushing.”
When asked to name a song with a fascinating backstory, Sandejas picked an unreleased track, “Just A Song,” teasing, “You’ll have to wait for it to be released for it to make sense.”
Naming another fresh tune off the album, he selected “Roses” as a notably meaningful piece.
“It’s a song that came from a dark place in my life, but this song brought me out of it,” he disclosed.
He also mentioned “Manila to LA” as a track he’s especially keen for his listeners to hear.
Sandejas recently moved abroad to pursue further studies. Despite the adjustments, he still aims to release music and perform live shows simultaneously. He also expressed interest in collaborating with other musicians.
“From international musicians, I’d love to work with Grent Perez, Phum Viphurit, Bruno Major, Benny Sings, and Liang Lawrence. From the local scene, I look up to several artists like Zild and Clara Benin. But I would also love to work with some of my friends like Maki and Janine,” he said.
Fans can anticipate a thrilling new era for Sandejas, as he announced that his second single, “All The Time,” will be out in early September while he’s living in the United States. He expressed his sincere appreciation for his supporters and yearned to reunite with them soon when he returns to Manila.
Read more about Paolo Sandejas below:
What’s the soundtrack of your life?
It’s probably an album called “In The End It Always Does” by The Japanese House.’ It’s one of my favorite albums.
Can you share your top three favorite songs at the moment?
The top three would probably be “Eulogy” by Liang Lawrence, “Look At That Woman” by Role Model, and “Juna” by Clairo.
What is your dream stage or performance?
My dream stage would be another Asian festival, such as We The Fest or Busan Rock Festival.
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