Original interview recorded by Rider PH Studios
Translated to English for the general public by mocha cake
Original interview upload: April 27, 2023
Full Backstage Interview on COM.PLEX, SB19
Staff: Please sit down (directed at the media).
Media: Hello
Felip: Hello. Good day to you all.
Staff: Please move to the other side, for better lighting.
Media: For your unorthodox music style, where do you draw your influences?
Felip: I think mostly from different western artists. I’m a fan of unique voices, hence I tried to execute it in my EP too. Through the process, I discovered I can do it, so I tried to incorporate it in the songs I created. I always had a deep voice. It started in high school after puberty hit.
Media: Your sound has heavy metal influence.
Felip: Yes
Media: How were you able to conceptualize the genre you wanted to pursue? Or, what genre would you say your music is?
Felip: I actually don’t know, haha! To be honest, I’m not sure either. I actually receive lots of questions about which specific genre my songs fall into. I’ve been a fan of metal rock bands for a long time already, especially Slipknot. I’m a huge fan of them. I’m also into gospel bands, as someone who was raised in a church. My grandfather is a pastor, my father too. I’ve always been fond of musical instruments. I’ve been exposed to music since childhood. And, ah yes, I incorporated heavy metal sound in my own music combined with hip-hop. You may call it hip-hop metal, or Hip Hop rock? Haha!
Media: And jazz too right?
Felip: Ah, yes there’s jazz influence too. One song has a Latin vibe.
Media: Thank you.
Felip: Thank you so much.
Media: Hi Felip, I’m Jamie from Soundcheck Manila.
Felip: Hi
Media: You have so many fans. Our Twitter account gets overwhelmed with notifications whenever we post about you, haha! My question is for your EP COM.PLEX. Would you say that you are a complex artist? Why did you title your EP COM.PLEX? What is the message that you want to convey to your fans?
Felip: Like what you mentioned earlier, I think even the sound of the EP is also complex. And also to acknowledge that there are in fact negative thoughts in all of us. But despite that, I’m encouraging the listeners to fight back and not let negativities overtake them. We all have bad days.
Media: Complex life, huh.
Felip: I’m encouraging everyone to keep believing in themselves. Trust that you can do it, whatever happens. I’m hoping the confidence I bring on the stage can encourage them to be confident in real life too.
Media: Thank you.
Media: What is your favorite track in the EP? Which one do you consider the most challenging to create?
Felip: I think it’s Drinksmoke; it’s really special. It’s amazing how I wrote the lyrics myself, but it still reminds me each time I hear it. It’s telling me to be strong and not let negativities win. Haha! You should all read the lyrics of that song (media cheering).
Media: Did you have any worries before embarking on your solo project? Also, how do your fellow members support you?
Felip: What was that again?
Media: Did you have any worries before embarking on this EP project? And how do your fellow members support you?
Felip: Ah, yes of course there were worries. I was worried about how people would react to my music. Will they like it? That’s it, I think. But thankfully, our fans appreciate everything we do. I just choose to focus on that more— on our fans instead of what other people will say. It’s not healthy to focus on bashers. You’ll only get hurt. However, I also acknowledge that it inspires me to be stronger.
But sadly there are some really below the belt comments that aren’t even connected to the music. Not even related at all, but just an effort to pull you down. Those are the comments that I choose to ignore. But if the opinion is actually constructive criticism on my music, to cite the things I can improve, then of course I take notice. So long as it helps me improve I still give notice to comments even if it can have a harsh or frank tone.
Media: Why is it still important to do a solo project when in fact you are already from a big group? I mean, some people might say you are just testing the waters if eventually you go solo. What do you think of that?
Felip: Ah, actually this question has been raised to me countless times already, questions such as: Did I just use SB19 as a stepping stone just to be famous and get a name for myself? No, it’s not like that. We’re all different and each one has their own preference in music. Some of us prefer ballads, but because we’re a group we need to incorporate each other’s preference. That’s why one song can have different influences. That is the main reason why I pushed to create my own music, to share to all the listeners. My lyrics are much more straightforward. It may just be misunderstood by some, but I get them.
Media: DRINKSMOKE is your favorite song in the EP, right?
Felip: Yes
Media: But which one is your favorite to perform? Of all your COM.PLEX songs performances, which one do you like the most?
Felip: Honestly, it’s really DRINKSMOKE (media laughing).
Media: We circled back to DRINKSMOKE, haha!
Felip: It’s really DRINKSMOKE. It feels different whenever I perform it. I really feel it, even more whenever the fans sing along. It’s a slow song that fans can easily sing along with.
Media: Can you share your favorite or most memorable moment in your solo career?
Felip: It’s whenever I perform my solo songs on the stage. Especially when I hear the audience sing along, to the point that I can stop singing and they carry on. It’s really amazing to think of people appreciating my solo work. Although, I actually don’t need a lot of people, even just a small audience listening is already enough for me.
Media: Hi Felip, I’m Gel from PPOPCom. How do you feel to be invited here in We Play Here as the main act, with all these other amazing bands in the line up?
Felip: What was that again?
Media: How does it feel to be in We Play Here with all these other amazing bands in the line up?
Felip: To be honest , I don’t even understand how I became the main event (media laughing). I think I’m the newbie here. They are all very talented. I listened to them while practicing, and oh my god, they are really good musicians. I grew up as a sucker for bands. My whole family is musically inclined, that’s why I really appreciate musicians. I really feel honored to be here. Do I deserve this? I’m a bit confused why I’m the main act, haha!
Media: You’re an international artist.
Felip: I’m very honored to be invited here, in the same line up as all these amazing artists. They have different genres and types of music. We all have different messages in our music. I think the audience will be delighted with all the different music and messages they’ll have today. I’m very honored and very happy to be invited here.
Media: If you would perform in a music fest, local or abroad, who do you want to be in the same line up with?
Felip: Here?
Media: Anywhere, international or local music fest. Is there a particular artist you wish to be in the same line up with?
Felip: Post Malone (media amazed). He has some songs that really go straight to the heart. I really like him a lot as a person and as an artist.
Media: What type of support do you get from your fellow members?
Felip: They congratulate me and they compliment the melody and the songs. They each have their own favorite track in my EP. I can see that they really appreciate the songs that I created, being exposed to different types of music and artists. They give me feedback on their most favorite song and line. They’re telling me they really like the melody, that it keeps repeating in their heads, haha! Such comments really make me happy. To me that already counts as support. Such comments empower and boost my confidence.
Media: Do you know a fellow artist who writes Bisaya songs like you?
Felip: Someone I already worked with?
Media: Yes
Felip: Soulthrll is someone who I already performed with in Cagayan sometime ago. There were three of us. We performed ‘Pangga’. So far, he’s the only fellow Bisaya artist whom I performed with.
Media: Aside from Slipknot, which other metal bands do you listen to too?
Felip: Ah, sorry I’m prone to mental block whenever I’m asked to choose.
Media: How about Korn?
Felip: Metallica , ah yes Korn too! Their lyrics are just a bit… (media laughing). I mean I really like their vibe and their confidence. You know how good rock music really gets you going. Sleeping with Sirens, and many others to mention actually. I also used to listen to FM Static, also Paramore. I casually listen to heavy metal too.
Media: And then gospel songs? haha!
Felip: Yes, I listen to a really wide genre of music— from hard core to really chill music. I think that also helps me as a music artist myself.
Media: Can you say that you prefer the music from that era more than today’s music?
Felip: There are times when I feel really into music from the past. But I also enjoy listening to new music a lot. Although classic music is always really good to listen to. I can’t help but compliment how good classic music is. It really stays in people’s hearts and minds. It’s hard to say I like one music era more than the other because music continuously evolves. That’s how it should be, it’s supposed to grow.
Staff: Did everyone already get the chance to ask questions?
Media: I have one more question.
Felip: Sure
Media: How about Filipino bands? Are there particular bands you wish to work with in the future? The ones you currently look up to.
Felip: Other than the bands who are already here?
Media: Yes. Any local band you wish to perform with in the future or maybe have a collaboration with.
Felip: Slapshock or Urbandub maybe. I’m a fan of both those bands, Kamikazee too and Parokya ni Edgar. I also like The Juans, they’re more into gospel music.
Media: I see. Thank you so much.
Media: You dropped merch today right?
Felip: Yes
Media: It went out too fast.
Felip: Oh! That’s a problem.
Media: Will you restock? Hey, this question is important, haha!
Media: Yes, for your fans.
Felip: I don’t know. We’ll see in the future. Most probably we’ll have new designs.
Media: Do you mean there won’t be any restock for the design you released today?
Felip: Yes. Because I only release a certain number of merch for each design. Why? Do you guys like it?
Media: Of course! From what we heard, not more than 60 people got to buy your merchandise.
Felip: Really? Oh no.
Media: Yes
Felip: Maybe next time we’ll do one merch per person
Media: Some people are buying multiple items.
Felip: Maybe some of you bought too much (media laughing).
Media: Yes, because some fans organized ‘Pasabuy’ (buying in bulk for others).
Felip: Ah!
Media: For myself I bought two designs. But I’m willing to resell the other design for those who didn’t get any.
Felip: Oh, so it’s you! You’re the one at fault (media laughing).
Media: Hahaha! But that’s the concern of the fans. The merch is too limited.
Felip: I’ll think about it. We’ll see if we can accommodate it. But currently I’m still busy with group activities. I’m more focused on our group activities at the moment.
Media: Ok thank you so much for accommodating us
Felip: Thank you so much for your questions. I’m happy to answer your questions. Such questions prompt me to open up.