In The Spotlight: Rising Singer-Songwriter Jikamarie | ABS-CBN
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In The Spotlight: Rising Singer-Songwriter Jikamarie
In The Spotlight: Rising Singer-Songwriter Jikamarie
Grace Libero-Cruz
Published Jan 09, 2024 07:00 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 10, 2024 08:01 AM PHT
British rock band Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” concert is almost here in the Philippines, and we can imagine how excited their Filipino fans must be. But if there’s someone whose excitement cannot be contained these days, it’s rising Filipino singer-songwriter jikamarie, and that’s because she’s featured as the opening act and special guest in that much-awaited concert.
British rock band Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” concert is almost here in the Philippines, and we can imagine how excited their Filipino fans must be. But if there’s someone whose excitement cannot be contained these days, it’s rising Filipino singer-songwriter jikamarie, and that’s because she’s featured as the opening act and special guest in that much-awaited concert.
“Sobrang surreal po. Hindi ko siya ma-process hanggang ngayon,” the Warner Music Philippines artist told Metro.Style. Utter disbelief was jikamarie’s first reaction when she received the news that she was chosen to open for Coldplay for their two-night sold-out shows this coming January 19 and 20 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. It came so unexpectedly for her that it almost felt like an April Fools’ Day joke.
“Sobrang surreal po. Hindi ko siya ma-process hanggang ngayon,” the Warner Music Philippines artist told Metro.Style. Utter disbelief was jikamarie’s first reaction when she received the news that she was chosen to open for Coldplay for their two-night sold-out shows this coming January 19 and 20 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. It came so unexpectedly for her that it almost felt like an April Fools’ Day joke.
Full circle moment
“I got a call from my label, saying, ‘You’re gonna open for Coldplay.’ And I was like, ‘No, you’re joking! No, this isn’t real,’” jikamarie recalled. When she realized it was for real, she couldn’t hold back her tears. She said, “I literally cried. I ugly-cried. I couldn’t keep my composure… Sobrang honored ko that I get to open for them.”
“I got a call from my label, saying, ‘You’re gonna open for Coldplay.’ And I was like, ‘No, you’re joking! No, this isn’t real,’” jikamarie recalled. When she realized it was for real, she couldn’t hold back her tears. She said, “I literally cried. I ugly-cried. I couldn’t keep my composure… Sobrang honored ko that I get to open for them.”
Coldplay is one of the biggest and most successful bands today, so this gig is a huge deal. As if that isn’t reason enough to feel the pressure, the band also happens to be one of jikamarie’s all-time favorites. She grew up listening to their songs, mentioning that “Fix You” was the first ever Coldplay song she ever heard. Recalling the first time she discovered their music and how she felt about it, jikamarie remembered telling herself, “‘Sobrang ganda naman ng kanta na ito. Parang nata-touch ’yung damdamin ko.’ I get emotional every time I hear that song. Sobrang timeless kasi. Hanggang ngayon hard-hitting pa rin siya.”
Coldplay is one of the biggest and most successful bands today, so this gig is a huge deal. As if that isn’t reason enough to feel the pressure, the band also happens to be one of jikamarie’s all-time favorites. She grew up listening to their songs, mentioning that “Fix You” was the first ever Coldplay song she ever heard. Recalling the first time she discovered their music and how she felt about it, jikamarie remembered telling herself, “‘Sobrang ganda naman ng kanta na ito. Parang nata-touch ’yung damdamin ko.’ I get emotional every time I hear that song. Sobrang timeless kasi. Hanggang ngayon hard-hitting pa rin siya.”
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She also had newfound appreciation for the track, which was released in 2005, when her other favorite band, Korean supergroup BTS, released a cover of the song in 2021. She said, “Super happy ko po nu’ng nag-cover sila nu’ng kanta. Every time I listen to that song specifically, parang naalala ko lagi ’yung time na I was young. Life was simple, and I would hear this song na sobrang hard-hitting. So parang full circle moment po siya sa akin, na I get to open for them.”
She also had newfound appreciation for the track, which was released in 2005, when her other favorite band, Korean supergroup BTS, released a cover of the song in 2021. She said, “Super happy ko po nu’ng nag-cover sila nu’ng kanta. Every time I listen to that song specifically, parang naalala ko lagi ’yung time na I was young. Life was simple, and I would hear this song na sobrang hard-hitting. So parang full circle moment po siya sa akin, na I get to open for them.”
This won’t be the first time that jikamarie serves as an opening act for an international artist. In August last year, she had the privilege of performing at American singer-songwriter Benson Boone’s show alongside Rangel, also a Warner Music Philippines artist.
This won’t be the first time that jikamarie serves as an opening act for an international artist. In August last year, she had the privilege of performing at American singer-songwriter Benson Boone’s show alongside Rangel, also a Warner Music Philippines artist.
This time, jikamarie is kicking off 2024 with the one-for-the-books gig for Coldplay, and she’s been taking her preparations and rehearsals for it seriously. But more than the technical aspects of her training, what she considers most “laborious” and something she’s paying more attention to is her mental and emotional state. “Whatever happens, when that day comes, [sana] maayos ’yung pag-iisip ko, ’yung pangangatawan ko,” jikamarie emphasized.
This time, jikamarie is kicking off 2024 with the one-for-the-books gig for Coldplay, and she’s been taking her preparations and rehearsals for it seriously. But more than the technical aspects of her training, what she considers most “laborious” and something she’s paying more attention to is her mental and emotional state. “Whatever happens, when that day comes, [sana] maayos ’yung pag-iisip ko, ’yung pangangatawan ko,” jikamarie emphasized.
Making music
The Coldplay stint is a major opportunity for an emerging artist like her to showcase her talent and musicality. And while jikamarie can undoubtedly give justice to song covers, her original music is worth shining a light on, so her setlist will be a sampling of her own tracks.
The Coldplay stint is a major opportunity for an emerging artist like her to showcase her talent and musicality. And while jikamarie can undoubtedly give justice to song covers, her original music is worth shining a light on, so her setlist will be a sampling of her own tracks.
It’s amazing how far this 23-year-old has already come since she first released the song “lutang” in 2021 in the thick of the pandemic. Her flourishing music career had humble beginnings at home, in her room, as she found her school requirements as an architecture student and the uncertainty that came with the pandemic overwhelming. jikamarie turned to songwriting to find her center.
It’s amazing how far this 23-year-old has already come since she first released the song “lutang” in 2021 in the thick of the pandemic. Her flourishing music career had humble beginnings at home, in her room, as she found her school requirements as an architecture student and the uncertainty that came with the pandemic overwhelming. jikamarie turned to songwriting to find her center.
That wasn’t the first time she dabbled in songwriting, though, but it was only that year when she “spent time writing songs with the intention of releasing.” She comes from a musically-inclined family, after all; her father was a musical director in their church, her mom was part of the choir, and her brother and constant collaborator, Ken, is an all-around musician.
That wasn’t the first time she dabbled in songwriting, though, but it was only that year when she “spent time writing songs with the intention of releasing.” She comes from a musically-inclined family, after all; her father was a musical director in their church, her mom was part of the choir, and her brother and constant collaborator, Ken, is an all-around musician.
“Even if our parents didn’t intend na taniman kami ng musical inclination, that’s just how we grew up,” jikamarie shared. “I’ve always enjoyed music and singing pero ’yung talagang i-actualize na mag-release, naisip ko lang po siya na gawan ng paraan talaga nu’ng lockdown. Pero dati ko pa siya dream.”
jikamarie had the perfect person in mind to collaborate with: her kuya! Her older brother is no stranger to producing music; one of the singles Ken produced was Sassa Gurl’s “Maria Hiwaga.”
jikamarie had the perfect person in mind to collaborate with: her kuya! Her older brother is no stranger to producing music; one of the singles Ken produced was Sassa Gurl’s “Maria Hiwaga.”
jikamarie and Ken would do gigs and open mic sessions together pre-pandemic, but “lutang” marked their first songwriting and recording collaboration. “’Yung mood namin and ’yung enjoyment and fulfillment na nakukuha namin from working together in music is, I think, one of the biggest motivations namin to this day. To keep making music with each other because we enjoy making music together, putting it out, and sharing it with other people.”
jikamarie and Ken would do gigs and open mic sessions together pre-pandemic, but “lutang” marked their first songwriting and recording collaboration. “’Yung mood namin and ’yung enjoyment and fulfillment na nakukuha namin from working together in music is, I think, one of the biggest motivations namin to this day. To keep making music with each other because we enjoy making music together, putting it out, and sharing it with other people.”
“lutang” was well-received by Filipino music lovers, and it even reached #22 on the Spotify Daily Chart; currently, this song has almost 25 million all-time streams on Spotify, and jikamarie has almost 370,000 monthly listeners on the same platform. (Speaking of Spotify, jikamarie shared that the top five artists she listened to in the past year were SZA, Phoebe Bridgers, Troye Sivan, BTS, and Lizzy McAlpine. As for the top song, it’s “Kyoto” by Phoebe Bridgers.)
“lutang” was well-received by Filipino music lovers, and it even reached #22 on the Spotify Daily Chart; currently, this song has almost 25 million all-time streams on Spotify, and jikamarie has almost 370,000 monthly listeners on the same platform. (Speaking of Spotify, jikamarie shared that the top five artists she listened to in the past year were SZA, Phoebe Bridgers, Troye Sivan, BTS, and Lizzy McAlpine. As for the top song, it’s “Kyoto” by Phoebe Bridgers.)
Fresh releases
With the music they created from their humble studio setup at home, jikamarie made waves online and got the attention of Warner Music Philippines; it wasn’t long before she signed up with them. “Until this day, I feel so blessed, so lucky that I was scouted by the right people,” she said, adding that she and her brother truly felt the label’s love for music and its artists.
With the music they created from their humble studio setup at home, jikamarie made waves online and got the attention of Warner Music Philippines; it wasn’t long before she signed up with them. “Until this day, I feel so blessed, so lucky that I was scouted by the right people,” she said, adding that she and her brother truly felt the label’s love for music and its artists.
Last December, jikamarie had the honor of recording her version of the classic OPM hit “Bulong,” which was released in 2004 by one of her favorite artists, Kitchie Nadal. It was included in Warner Music Philippines’ 30th anniversary compilation album titled Warner 30th, which reimagined popular songs from the past decades. Given another chance to interpret an iconic song, jikamarie said she’d love for that song to be Eraserheads’ “Maselang Bahaghari.”
Last December, jikamarie had the honor of recording her version of the classic OPM hit “Bulong,” which was released in 2004 by one of her favorite artists, Kitchie Nadal. It was included in Warner Music Philippines’ 30th anniversary compilation album titled Warner 30th, which reimagined popular songs from the past decades. Given another chance to interpret an iconic song, jikamarie said she’d love for that song to be Eraserheads’ “Maselang Bahaghari.”
With her and her music label’s shared passion for the craft, jikamarie is set to have another career milestone to kick off her 2024: the release of her five-track EP titled “Lover Girl” on January 12.
With her and her music label’s shared passion for the craft, jikamarie is set to have another career milestone to kick off her 2024: the release of her five-track EP titled “Lover Girl” on January 12.
The songs she has released so far are deeply personal, giving a glimpse of her personal challenges. As she said goodbye to 2023, jikamarie opened up about how that year was both the best and worst year for her, mentally and emotionally. “I started the year with a turbulent psyche and I sort of ran out of energy… fortunately, the turbulent energy I had when I started the year with, eventually subsided until I came to a point where I could sit silently, and my mind would be genuinely silent. Not just silent but also quiet,” she shared, adding that releasing her song, “Balang Araw,” was instrumental in her healing journey. “I’m excited to take on the next year with more love to give, teach myself to create a bigger space in my heart for people to occupy, and allow people who want to love me, to love me.”
The songs she has released so far are deeply personal, giving a glimpse of her personal challenges. As she said goodbye to 2023, jikamarie opened up about how that year was both the best and worst year for her, mentally and emotionally. “I started the year with a turbulent psyche and I sort of ran out of energy… fortunately, the turbulent energy I had when I started the year with, eventually subsided until I came to a point where I could sit silently, and my mind would be genuinely silent. Not just silent but also quiet,” she shared, adding that releasing her song, “Balang Araw,” was instrumental in her healing journey. “I’m excited to take on the next year with more love to give, teach myself to create a bigger space in my heart for people to occupy, and allow people who want to love me, to love me.”
This level of authenticity easily makes her songs relatable. Overflowing with love and passion, for her EP, her lyrics are still imbued with the same honesty, sincerity, and relatability. But this time, it’s all about love, and we can never have enough of these heartfelt tracks.
This level of authenticity easily makes her songs relatable. Overflowing with love and passion, for her EP, her lyrics are still imbued with the same honesty, sincerity, and relatability. But this time, it’s all about love, and we can never have enough of these heartfelt tracks.
“It’s not something that I usually write about,” jikamarie pointed out. “For this EP kasi, I wanted to try something. I really just wanted to put out something fun and something that anyone can vibe to. But in terms of the concept and the theme of the EP, it was written from the perspective of someone, myself, and my views of what love is. The standards I set for myself when it comes to dating, the partner that I want, what I believe I deserve in love. I also tackled ‘situationships,’ ’yung frustration of someone not having a clear label with the person they’re having a relationship with.”
“It’s not something that I usually write about,” jikamarie pointed out. “For this EP kasi, I wanted to try something. I really just wanted to put out something fun and something that anyone can vibe to. But in terms of the concept and the theme of the EP, it was written from the perspective of someone, myself, and my views of what love is. The standards I set for myself when it comes to dating, the partner that I want, what I believe I deserve in love. I also tackled ‘situationships,’ ’yung frustration of someone not having a clear label with the person they’re having a relationship with.”
jikamarie put a modern twist to the classic concept, taking inspiration from the Gen Z dating scene. The result is a body of work that sums up one’s experience with love: “the joys and pains of loving and admiring someone, whether or not they love you back.”
jikamarie put a modern twist to the classic concept, taking inspiration from the Gen Z dating scene. The result is a body of work that sums up one’s experience with love: “the joys and pains of loving and admiring someone, whether or not they love you back.”
Joys and pains also defined jikamarie’s 2023, describing it as a year that took her on a roller coaster of emotions. “Sobrang dami kong pinagdaanan na emotional and mental turmoil. But I learned so much. I’m also super, super grateful and blessed to be where I am right now,” jikamarie said.
Joys and pains also defined jikamarie’s 2023, describing it as a year that took her on a roller coaster of emotions. “Sobrang dami kong pinagdaanan na emotional and mental turmoil. But I learned so much. I’m also super, super grateful and blessed to be where I am right now,” jikamarie said.
It’s just the start of 2024, and yet she’s already booked and busy promoting her EP and preparing for her performances at Coldplay’s concert. Though she’s not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, one thing she wants to constantly remind herself to do this year is to take risks一from dreaming to doing! Now, the stage is set. She has arrived, and she’s here to stay and slay.
It’s just the start of 2024, and yet she’s already booked and busy promoting her EP and preparing for her performances at Coldplay’s concert. Though she’s not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, one thing she wants to constantly remind herself to do this year is to take risks一from dreaming to doing! Now, the stage is set. She has arrived, and she’s here to stay and slay.
Photos from @jikamarie and Warner Music Philippines
Photos from @jikamarie and Warner Music Philippines
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