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What was it like for these artists at the start of their music journey?
A music artist’s ultimate goal has always been to get their voices and stories heard. This, however, does not happen overnight. Many successful musicians in today’s industry began as independent music artists. Starting out indie usually means doing all of their own labor until they would hopefully be picked up by record labels. Some may find producing songs, making tunes, and finding their way into the music industry too difficult and begin to doubt themselves, therefore abandoning their ambition entirely.
However, this is not the case in the Queen City of the South, Cebu, as many young music artists aspire to revolutionize the local music industry. These artists are gradually making their way through the underground music scene, dabbling in several genres in order to develop their unique voice.
Young independent music artists Leela Laburada, Mac Mafia, and Kate Livewire share their stories and experiences as they slowly build a name for themselves in the local music scene even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES
The artists share about their musical gigs and experiences before COVID-19 struck.
MUSIC PRODUCTION
One of the biggest goals for any musician is to produce their own songs. As independent artists, it is not easy to find a good break to record their stuff and release it for the public to listen to.
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They have expressed that having good support systems from family and friends are one of the keys that make their efforts in producing music worthwhile. But some factors that are currently out of their control make it difficult to go all out on the songs they release.
Click on each photo to read more on their stories.
ACCESS TO RESOURCES
Independent artists learned how to make the most out of the available resources they have in order to produce their own music. Leela mainly worked with composers in order to put out original songs. Mac Mafia learned to produce his music by tinkering with beats. He first borrowed free beats online then added his own lyrics and vocals to them. Kate Livewire started out with recording her guitar track and vocals through a headset microphone only.
Both Mac and Kate shared that it was difficult to gain access to professional studios if an independent musician did not have connections.
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I’ve always struggled with having opportunities to get my music out there. My production process for the past few years was the absolute bare minimum since I couldn’t really afford to go to a professional studio.
Kate Livewire
Before the pandemic when I was still borrowing beats online, it was hard to find a good beat that matched an idea I had for a song. Back then I had to compromise. I’d listen to a beat and go, 'I guess this is good enough,' since I didn’t have much of a choice.
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Mac Mafia
MENTAL HEALTH
Leela Laburada
Ever since the start of her career, Leela has received nothing less than full support from her friends and family.
They were very supportive just like when I record a particular song. In my family, my mom would be there and she would really critique me during recording sessions. She would say, “Inday, don’t do that!” She would be there, being supportive. When it’s released, my friends would really share it and listen to it. If there are events, my friends would watch me perform and they even created a fan club called “Leelanatics” which they also made themselves. So I think they really have given me full support.
Mac Mafia
Mac shared his difficult feats of balancing his studies and his music career. It gets even harder when people echo to him that a career in the music industry is not practical.
You know, you really have to balance your school life and your song writing. At that time, I wasn’t sure yet where I was going with the hobby I was doing. For us [the youth], if we want to follow something that isn’t really as practical as what our parents want, it’s like, they always try to correct us. They always tell us, “You have to have a degree. In case all else fails, then you have a back-up plan.” It’s always like that, isn’t it? It’s somehow discouraging, because for you, you’re already happy with the kind of work you have, and then they try to – again, because it’s not really practical. Like, the chances of getting something out of that path is really low. So yeah, kinda discouraging at first, but, I don’t know, maybe because I’m really passionate about this, I didn’t have thoughts like, “Ahhh, I should just quit.” I just really like where I am now [in my career].
Kate Livewire
Friends with the same passion have encouraged Kate to put herself out there more in the music industry.
Well, my musician friends… they’ve given me a lot of emotional support, and just encouraging me, and I guess the feeling of camaraderie and being in the trenches together and trying to put our music out there. But in terms of helping me create, inspiring me, I do have to thank one friend in particular, cause he really gets my music. I can’t exaggerate enough how rare it is to find someone that gets your music. I have a lot of friends, and a lot of people who appreciate my music, but it’s really different when someone hears your music and they get what you’re going for. They understand it and they’re able to add onto it and help you realize that sound. It was just priceless, finding that connection.