Kyla’s music more ‘heartfelt,’ thanks to motherhood

MANILA, Philippines - Motherhood has changed Kyla’s music.

Now a mom to first-born son Toby Elsiah, the 33-year-old singer said she is now more conscious with herself as an artist — from the kinds of songs that she sings to the clothes she wears on stage and in front of the camera. This, Kyla said, is part of her growth as a person, and it’s only natural that the artist in her matures as well. 

“I think I became more sensitive as a singer,” Kyla said. “Singing songs became more heartfelt. Probably, this is part of my growth as a person, as a mother and as an artist.”  

She added, “I want to record songs that would inspire the youth to sing and write their own music.”

It is this maturity that is evident in Journey, her first album after almost a four-year break in recording. The hiatus coincided with her marriage to basketball player Rich Alvarez in 2011 and with her giving birth to her now one-year-old child last year. She said she missed performing during her break but it gave her time to write songs for her album and gain a new perspective when it comes to her art. 

The six-track album includes two songs co-written by Kyla — the title track Journey and I Got This. The album sees Kyla exploring new musical grounds. Kunwa-Kunwari Lang, for instance, is an upbeat track written by Jungee Marcelo, the composer of Daniel Padilla’s Na Sa’yo Na Ang Lahat.  

Kyla also recorded a duet with American R&B musician Brian McKnight for the album. The Kapuso artist considers McKnight as one of her musical idols, being one of the artists she listened to during her formative years as a singer in the ’90s, along with Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. 

“I was very young when I started 15 years ago,” she said. “Now I’m continuing my journey as an artist because for me, there is no age limit when it comes to being an artist. As long as you can sing and create music, you can go on and create albums,” she said.

The Hanggang Ngayon singer can already be considered as a veteran in the music industry, but she keeps her feet firm on the ground despite her numerous successes. It’s the virtue of modesty that she would to impart on new artists today.

“Dapat maging simple lang sila. Kasi I’ve seen some people na when they get a little spotlight, when they have a little bit of fame, it gets into their head. Kapag napunta na yun sa ulo, it can be the beginning of your downfall. You always have to be humble,” Kyla shared. “And if you want to do good, do it quietly. Let your work do the talking.”

Kyla also keeps her ears open for new music (for instance, she is listening to the American two-person musical group A Great Big World), although she admits being outdated recently because all she listens to with Rich and Toby is classical music. Does she ever find herself threatened or jealous of the new crop of singers?

“Lumaki kasi ako na sinasabihan na huwag mainggit. Pero kung maiinggit ka, kailangan yung sa ikabubuti mo. Kung maiinggit ka, dapat magiging motivation siya to do better,” she said.

Apart from performing, Kyla is part of GMA 7’s Sunday All-Stars and the afternoon drama Villa Quintana. But, of course, she does not forget her duties as mother and wife. Kyla shared she and Rich have no yaya or household help. “We share the household chores,” she said.

Kyla is aware that her cager husband is exposed to numerous temptations as an athlete. “Athletes are fit and good-looking. So, I guess, on my part, I also have to be fit. Kung titingin lang siya, okay lang,” she quipped.

But kidding aside, the singer said being a wife to a basketball player has its usual highs and lows. “But it will depend on the couple. You should always try to save the relationship. You really have to work on it every day,” she said.

Kyla added, “I guess I’m really lucky because I found someone who loves me for who I am. He would tell me, ‘If I would go for someone really pretty, I probably wouldn’t marry kasi every week, every day I will find someone prettier. I’m marrying you and your heart.’ I guess I found someone na nakilala ako as myself, not as a singer. Siya kasi, mabait din kasi siya. He’s God-fearing and he loves his family. I see his efforts every day.”