As a budding singer/songwriter, it is an advantage to find a group of people who share your passion in the craft of creating music. It has always been that way – artists long to be among artists. This has propelled their craft into another level, cultivating their artistry by becoming vulnerable enough to share their creations to people who are probably going through the same struggles. For “Kuya Kurt”, the front person and president of the organization Songwriters Philippines, sharing music to other artists and listeners has brought more singer/songwriters out of their shells and into the indie music scene.
We sat down with the president himself and talked about what it meant to be a songwriter in today's indie scene in Metro Manila.
Rice Radio: Tell me more about yourself and the band Sigwada Experiment? Give us a short history on how you got your band together and the reason behind it.
Kuya Kurt: “Kuya Kurt” ang tawag namin ng bahista ng Blue Martian Cookies, na dati kong banda, sa frontman ng Nirvana na si Kurt Cobain. Then ginamit ko na siyang nick kapag nag-chat ako online, pseudonym ko kapag nagsusulat, at stage name.
Sigwada Experiment, around 2007 lang yan. Paano kasi wala akong mapagsalpakan ng mga songs ko na medyo serious. Kasi sa Blue Martian Cookies, most of the songs (were written), teenagers pa kami noon eh. Ngayon matatanda na kami at the same time nag-grow na rin ang music sa akin. So naghanap ako ng outlet na kung saan puwede akong maging seryoso, kaya lang lumaon nahaluan na rin ang Sigwada Experiment ng mga kanta na comical.
Rice Radio: What are your influences when it comes to making songs in your band?
Kuya Kurt: Influences, marami. Noong nagsimula akong mag-gitara, ang mga tinutugtog ko madalas Eraserheads, Yano, tapos The Youth. Batang ‘90s. Gitarista ako ng choir sa lugar namin, so masasabi ko rin na namulat din ako sa gospel, chorale, at classical music. Tapos noong napaalis ako sa simbahan at umanib sa kampon ng kadiliman (Laughs), trip ko noon mga metal, ‘yung talagang maingay. Tapos Seattle grunge. Noong high school ako, fan ako ni Andrew E at Francis Magalona, so nagra-rap din ako.
Rice Radio: What is it like being an indie singer/songwriter band? What are the challenges that you face during live performances, practices and promoting your own music?
Kuya Kurt: Mas adventurous pa nga kapag independent ka. Marami kang natututunan. Nakakapag-experiment ka pa sa music mo. Tapos paririnig mo sa live performances ‘yung bago mong kanta, tapos mag-aantay ka ng feedback na maganda. Kapag pangit feedback, tadyakan mo tapos gawan mo ng kanta. Haha!
Ang malaking challenge lang ay kung paano mo maipaparinig sa mas malaking audience ang mga kanta mo. Ang hirap kasi ‘di naman lahat magugustuhan ang lasa mo. Pero nakakatuwa na yung after ng performance mo ay may lalapit sa iyo at sasabihing, "Sir, gusto ko ‘yung kanta nyong ganito, naka-relate ako." Masaya. Mas masaya kung chicks – "Sir, gusto ko ‘yung kanta mo..." – tapos sabay himas sa dibdib mo. (Laughs)
Rice Radio: What are the channels you use for promoting your music? Do you use YouTube, Facebook, Live Gigs, or something like that?
Kuya Kurt: YouTube, Facebook, Gigs... lahat ng possible na venue kung saan may mga tao. Lahat ng networking sites may account ako. Radio Pilipinas diyan makinig din kayo diyan! (Laughs) Kapag ako ang nakasalang na DJ madalas ko patugtugin even ‘yung mga raw na recordings ko. So ako ‘yung prostitute na hindi lang sa Quezon Avenue matatagpuan. (Laughs)
Rice Radio: What does it mean for you to be the unofficial leader or head of the Songwriters Philippines organization? What are the things that you think are great about your position? Also, please talk about your challenges as the organizer,
Kuya Kurt: Tinawag lang naman nila akong president ng Songwriters Philippines dahil walang maitawag sa akin. Haha! Promotor lang ako niyan. Nagsimula ‘yan sa munting pagtawag ko sa mga songwriters na mag-Songwriters’ Night, gumawa ako ng website para magkaroon kami ng venue kung saan puwede mag-usap online, then... boom. ‘Yan na. Naging responsibilidad ko na. (Laughs)
Masaya naman ako kasi ang layunin ko lang naman ay matulungan ko ‘yung mga kasamahan na songwriters sa kung anong dumating sa akin na blessing ay mai-share ko rin. And inaaamin ko na ‘di ako magaling na songwriter at maraming mas magaling sa akin. ‘Yun ang gusto kong ilaban – magagaling itong mga ito, pakinggan ninyo.
Rice Radio: Thank you and more power to you Kuya Kurt. At mabuhay ang Songwriters Philippines!
The Philippines is a cesspool of budding talents. Every day we see a lot of new musicians trying to make it into the industry. More bands are recording, posting and promoting their music through every available channel. And for us, we will always support people who go out of their way to get their art out there. And with individuals like Kuya Kurt helping out, at least we know that we never have to go through the grind alone.
