Kyla: Unruffled by success
May 12, 2002 | 12:00am
With the way many music critics heap superlatives upon todays new crop of artists, you cant help but be a little skeptical about each new face that triggers an industry shakeup.
After all, in an industry where looks and charm sometimes more than make up for lack of real musical talent, its way too easy to get the publics nod by sheer image alone. A trendy wardrobe, a brilliant PR strategist, the blessings of a powerful industry bigwig these can all guarantee overnight success. But then again, that kind of success doesnt come cheap.
So, if a 21-year-old bags such plum titles as MTV Pilipinas 2001s Best New Artist or the MTV Southeast Asia Viewers Choice Award, doesnt that make you wonder if the "announcement" has been well-deserved?
In Kylas case, its a reward thats long been overdue.
While she may give the impression of being a clueless newcomer in the music scene, Kyla already paid her dues at a tender age. While her teen friends busied themselves with trivial pursuits, Melanie Calumpad (Kylas real name) was already doing solo stints at the Hotel Rembrandt.
Soon, Kyla was asked to join the Heat of the Night band, becoming one of its frontliners. She performed in such glitzy haunts as the Intercons Le Boulevardier and Kampo. When the band went to Brunei in 1996, Kylas dad even quit his job just to accompany her.
Thats not all. Heres an interesting sidelight that could very well serve as an inspiration to diva-wannabes. Prior to snagging her juicy recording deal with EMI, Kyla literally knocked on the doors of several record companies. This was how she learned to deal with rejection the hard way. "I got rejected by several companies, ha!" she recalls. Those bungling record "experts" must be shaking their heads these days in utter regret.
What proved to be Kylas entrance to the record industrys inner sanctum was her initial meeting with Raymond Ryan, who composed his then Metropop entry which Kyla gladly interpreted. "It was Ferdie Marquez (of True Faith) who introduced me to Raymond," Kyla says. "Kuya Ferdie was the one who encouraged me to submit my resume to EMI."
"Although I didnt take his word seriously then, it turned out that the song that I did for Raymond was the one they played for producer Francis Guevarra, who liked it and eventually played it for Chito Ilacad.
"Boss Chito liked it. I signed the contract and we made the album na. It was that fast all in the span of a month," Kyla recalls.
That was how her debut album, Way To Your Heart, came about. Her second album, simply titled Kyla, was released just last month. Although predominantly pop, it also fuses R&B and ballads. "I also composed two songs, Im Into You and This Day," Kyla proudly adds.
It was also Chito Ilacad who christened her "Kyla" a name he thought as easy to remember and one that had more impact. Kyla agrees. "I used Melanie before when I was still doing solo stints, but I guess that name just didnt work for me then," Kyla reckons.
If theres one person whos doubly proud of Kylas achievements, its her dad Ulysses Calumpad, former bass player and folk singer who did the rounds of Manilas prominent folkhouses during the 70s. It was he who instilled in Kyla the value of discipline and perseverance.
"Frustrated musician ang dad ko eh," Kyla says with a grin. "So, what he wasnt able to accomplish for himself, he wanted me to achieve. Im proud to say that he raised his family through his guitar-playing." Kyla is the second youngest of four siblings, the eldest being the only son.
With her newly-acquired pop star status, Kyla confesses its difficult not to attract attention especially at school. "Like, some would say, Hay naku! Shes not naman good in class eh! But I keep my cool. I know myself better," says the petite chanteuse.
On a more positive note, Kyla adds, "Some of them walk up to me and say, Hey, Im so happy for you! Youre doing great! Imagine? These are people who I dont even know! And to think most of them are gays pa ha! (laughs)."
For all the accolades heaped upon her these days, Kyla keeps her feet on terra firma. "Im so overwhelmed," she confesses. And when pop superstar Gary Valenciano strode in at Ratskys a few minutes prior to her album launch, Kyla was shaking violently onstage. "I couldnt believe it," she gushes. "It was a dream come true."
Shrugging off her accolades, Kyla ends, "I really dont feel it yet. I still have a lot to learn, a lot to improve on. I still feel the same. I can walk around in school, along Taft Avenue and not worry take the jeep, you know. Im still the same."
After all, in an industry where looks and charm sometimes more than make up for lack of real musical talent, its way too easy to get the publics nod by sheer image alone. A trendy wardrobe, a brilliant PR strategist, the blessings of a powerful industry bigwig these can all guarantee overnight success. But then again, that kind of success doesnt come cheap.
So, if a 21-year-old bags such plum titles as MTV Pilipinas 2001s Best New Artist or the MTV Southeast Asia Viewers Choice Award, doesnt that make you wonder if the "announcement" has been well-deserved?
In Kylas case, its a reward thats long been overdue.
While she may give the impression of being a clueless newcomer in the music scene, Kyla already paid her dues at a tender age. While her teen friends busied themselves with trivial pursuits, Melanie Calumpad (Kylas real name) was already doing solo stints at the Hotel Rembrandt.
Soon, Kyla was asked to join the Heat of the Night band, becoming one of its frontliners. She performed in such glitzy haunts as the Intercons Le Boulevardier and Kampo. When the band went to Brunei in 1996, Kylas dad even quit his job just to accompany her.
Thats not all. Heres an interesting sidelight that could very well serve as an inspiration to diva-wannabes. Prior to snagging her juicy recording deal with EMI, Kyla literally knocked on the doors of several record companies. This was how she learned to deal with rejection the hard way. "I got rejected by several companies, ha!" she recalls. Those bungling record "experts" must be shaking their heads these days in utter regret.
What proved to be Kylas entrance to the record industrys inner sanctum was her initial meeting with Raymond Ryan, who composed his then Metropop entry which Kyla gladly interpreted. "It was Ferdie Marquez (of True Faith) who introduced me to Raymond," Kyla says. "Kuya Ferdie was the one who encouraged me to submit my resume to EMI."
"Although I didnt take his word seriously then, it turned out that the song that I did for Raymond was the one they played for producer Francis Guevarra, who liked it and eventually played it for Chito Ilacad.
"Boss Chito liked it. I signed the contract and we made the album na. It was that fast all in the span of a month," Kyla recalls.
That was how her debut album, Way To Your Heart, came about. Her second album, simply titled Kyla, was released just last month. Although predominantly pop, it also fuses R&B and ballads. "I also composed two songs, Im Into You and This Day," Kyla proudly adds.
It was also Chito Ilacad who christened her "Kyla" a name he thought as easy to remember and one that had more impact. Kyla agrees. "I used Melanie before when I was still doing solo stints, but I guess that name just didnt work for me then," Kyla reckons.
If theres one person whos doubly proud of Kylas achievements, its her dad Ulysses Calumpad, former bass player and folk singer who did the rounds of Manilas prominent folkhouses during the 70s. It was he who instilled in Kyla the value of discipline and perseverance.
"Frustrated musician ang dad ko eh," Kyla says with a grin. "So, what he wasnt able to accomplish for himself, he wanted me to achieve. Im proud to say that he raised his family through his guitar-playing." Kyla is the second youngest of four siblings, the eldest being the only son.
With her newly-acquired pop star status, Kyla confesses its difficult not to attract attention especially at school. "Like, some would say, Hay naku! Shes not naman good in class eh! But I keep my cool. I know myself better," says the petite chanteuse.
On a more positive note, Kyla adds, "Some of them walk up to me and say, Hey, Im so happy for you! Youre doing great! Imagine? These are people who I dont even know! And to think most of them are gays pa ha! (laughs)."
For all the accolades heaped upon her these days, Kyla keeps her feet on terra firma. "Im so overwhelmed," she confesses. And when pop superstar Gary Valenciano strode in at Ratskys a few minutes prior to her album launch, Kyla was shaking violently onstage. "I couldnt believe it," she gushes. "It was a dream come true."
Shrugging off her accolades, Kyla ends, "I really dont feel it yet. I still have a lot to learn, a lot to improve on. I still feel the same. I can walk around in school, along Taft Avenue and not worry take the jeep, you know. Im still the same."
BrandSpace Articles
<
>
- Latest
- Trending
Trending
Latest
Trending
Latest
Recommended