Artists sometimes need to step out of their reclusive existence (e.g., temporarily leave their workshop, study room or recording studio) to further enrich themselves and create something new.
That’s how the song titled Nasusunog (Pants On Fire) by singer-songwriter dwta came into being.
Earlier this year, she attended a songwriting session or camp by Sony Music Entertainment and Mono Stereo Groove. There, dwta met eventual collaborators and co-writers Tiana Kocher, Ashley Mehta and Martin Estrada.
“Artists from different parts of the world were coming together,” said dwta in a recent virtual interview with this paper. “(It took place) this year, in February, here in the Philippines, in a studio and (it was conducted) for a few days, and every day, you got to meet a different group (of artists) and different songs were made.”
By the way, the name dwta is a combination of the Filipino terms, “diwa” and “tala,” shared the artist, who defines “diwa” as “essence,” while tala means “star.” The essence is the giver of dwta’s songs, and the star serves as the guarding light to her listeners.
From the fertile soil of such a musical endeavor emerged Nasusunog (Pants On Fire), a stark contrast to past releases and the recent one, Sampung Mga Daliri, a collaboration with SB19’s Justin.
“(With) my previous songs, their genre is folk pop, while this one is more alternative, darker din (and it somehow shows) dwta’s fiercer side,” said she.
The words “darker” and “fiercer” may be viewed in the sense of being “stronger” and “courageous,” especially since the persona in the song is exploring “graceful wrath,” based on a piece of information. She, again the persona, remains calm and collected as she handles the situation.
“Maybe I just wanted to try a new style (and show) a different dwta this time,” said she about the shift, genre-wise. “Alam mo na mas mature na rin yung way of writing nung song na yun (you know that the way the song was written shows maturity).”
“The song is bolder and fiercer,” shared she, adding that even before becoming dwta, whose real name is Jhasmine Villanueva, the artist had an interest in writing darker and progressive songs. After she ventured into recording love songs, dwta felt she wasn’t ready yet to release that kind of tune, but the songwriting session gave her the opportunity to revisit it.
The song may also reflect the growth and change in the artist and some listeners in terms of theme and music preference.
“I think… all of us evolve, that also includes a person’s music taste. It also changes,” said she. “So, ako rin, parang gusto ko rin na sumabay din sa nangyayaring evolution na yun (I also kind of want to ride on the evolution that’s happening). Also, I, as an artist, marami rin akong napagdadaanan at natututunan from other artists (I’ve gone through and learned a lot from fellow artists) that I’m applying. That’s why my way of writing songs evolves.”
The chat, on the other hand, also allowed dwta to give her two cents on the song title.
“It’s a Western (statement): ‘Liar, liar, pants on fire!’ It’s an idiomatic expression that says that someone is lying, someone is obviously lying… (as for the song theme), it’s about anger.”
To write the song, dwta and fellow artists had trauma dumping, recalling past experiences of people who lied to them and became manipulative.
As they unleashed their recollections, they also became vulnerable. And that collective emotionality was utilized as a basis and inspiration for Nasusunog (Pants On Fire).
The song narrative is told in English, Tagalog and Bicol. Yes, certain lyrics were written in these languages, informing one that it came from different songwriters.
It’s a welcome approach to writing and recording songs as gives one a feel of listening to an empowered and sincere voice in varied perspectives.
The voice and singing of dwta hold the listener’s attention, as one may put it, and help it navigate the point or message of the song. It’s also about valuing women’s opinions and taking up their space.
What can the listening public and the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) enthusiasts expect from her after Nasusunog (Pants On Fire), dwta had this to share: “(Since) my way of writing in Nasusunog is very mature, yun din ang maaasahan ng tao sa next, upcoming songs ko (it’s also the same kind of writing they can look forward to from me).”
“Kasi yung parang before dwta as pa-cute, pa-cute era (before I seemed to be in my cute era), (this time around and) this one is more mature,” concluded dwta, who is a full-time artist and also intends to paint and foray into digital art.
The ditty Nasusunog (Pants On Fire) indeed serves as a marker of a milestone in dwta’s musical career, genre shift and journey.
Give dwta’s Nasusunog (Pants On Fire) a listen on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Be the first to comment