A new Wynn-some acoustic heartthrob

MANILA, Philippines - “I just love music. I want people to hear my songs and to entertain them.”

These are the thoughts of Wynn Andrada on chasing his dream to become an established recording artist and composer. The first step was becoming a finalist at the Himig Handog P-POP Love Songs 2013, where the public met Wynn and heard him sing for the first time. The response was encouraging because of Wynn’s easy-listening music and young crooner performance.     

“It is the acoustic-ballad type of songs,” Wynn describes his music genre. “The stories are about courting someone, longing for a ladylove and there’s no cut about a failed relationship.”

This is the thrust of Wynn’s first self-titled album, which, according to a press statement, is “made and filled with love” and created for those who are “in love, longing to be loved and those who just want to cherish the feeling of special romance.” That explains why his camp grooms him to be the next acoustic heartthrob.

Wynn was discovered by Dondon Monteverde and the latter helped the 19-year-old lad break into the entertainment business via the ABS-CBN singing competition Himig Handog.

“Tamang Panahon was my first composition,” Wynn recalls. “It was my first time to join Himig Handog P-POP. I wrote the song back in 2009. I basically started to write songs in my early teens. Before (singing solo), I used to be in a band. I would perform rock. When I was in my first year high school, I began to show interest in music. I played pure rock and I was into heavy metal.”

Kamikazee, Letter Day Story and Sponge Cola make it to Wynn’s list of influences along with Gary Valenciano and Noel Cabangon.

But things changed when Wynn had met a girl, who won his attention and admiration. Then, he unexpectedly took a musical U-turn. 

“I thought of singing love songs,” Wynn shares. “That’s how my liking for  ballads and love songs began.” His musical journey seems similar to that of Richard Poon who played pop with his band and performed big band music as a solo artist.

“I’m open to the possibility of exploring new ideas,” says Wynn, who never closes his door to venturing into other genres and creating fusion music. “Now, I just sing love songs even on the videoke.”

Proof to that is the collection of cuts on his album. They are Dito Ka Lang Sa Puso Ko, Sana Kahit Minsan, Ako’y Sa’yo, Ika’y Akin, Sa May Bintana, Akin Ka Na Lang and Tamang Panahon. After Himig Handog, Wynn did TV guestings in shows like Kris TV and SM Mall shows.

What is his creative process as singer and composer?

“In my spare time, I’ll just play the guitar in my room,” answers Wynn. “I create the melody first. After finishing the melody, I write the lyrics that (suit) the melody. I will match the lyrics with the melody. The melody depends on my mood.” Then, the mood determines the “voice” of the song which could be cheerful, hopeful or melancholic.  

Now that Wynn has found his voice as a solo artist, it’s not far-fetched seeing him in collaboration with Himig Handog co-finalist and third placer Marion Aunor and another acoustic artist Aiza Seguerra. This is perhaps what’s up on Wynn’s sleeves.

(Released by Star Records, Wynn’s self-titled album is now available in record bars nationwide.)