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I found out about Chud Festejo when I recently covered the PhilPop Bootcamp 2019 event at Abreeza. It was an event with a fine collection of pop artists performing for the gathered crowd.
I managed to score a short interview with PhilPop National Grand Champion for 2018, Chud Festejo.
Yeah, someone from Davao won that and it seems like no one even noticed.
Look at his page.
Just 600 people.
624 to be exact.
What a shame.
Chud Festejo is a very talented young man whose songs are haunting. His lyrics a peek into social taboos that most pop artists would definitely shy away from.
And yet here he is, this fresh-faced kid all innocent and child-like singing themes about abuse, teenage rebellion and the like.
In a pop context!!!
With one of the most unlikely instruments ever, a ukulele!!!
Genius!
Now let’s dissect this kid’s music.
On the surface, it’s a pop song. An unapologetic pop song sang by a very pop-friendly image.
He looks very young, cute even with a very likeable face. Clean-cut, well-dressed and well-mannered, check, check and check. This kid is gonna go places with just looks alone.
My job’s done.
This kid doesn’t need anyone helping him promote or support his music anymore. People are eventually gonna be drawn to him wanting to pinch his cheeks or hugging him.
But wait. Look deeper. Listen closely.
That pop song “Laro Tayo” has a very deep undertone. It is ugly. And yet the ugliness is offset by how light the music is. It makes the topic easier to introduce, perhaps raise awareness without too much of a struggle from the listeners.
It’s catchy. It’s really well made. That’s when you realize that some people are just meant to live a life as a musician.
The Davao Music Scene needs someone as young, as vibrant and as gifted a songwriter like this kid. He crams everything in with brutally honest lyrics and beautiful chord patterns on the ukulele sang with the innocence of youth in a nursery rhyme like manner.
Genius!
Chud Festejo currently has 5 songs on Spotify. All of them masterfully made.
Langit, Lupa, Impyerno
Tama, Mali, Pwede Naman Siguro
Saksak Puso, Tulo Ang Dugo
Tuloy Ako Ngayo’y Nalilito…
PS. After Langit Lupa Impiyerno, listen to Laro Tayo.
