LA Santos to find more OPM talents with online show
Many music artists are happy just creating music and enjoying the attention and lifestyle that being a famous musician provides. However, there are a few who focus not just on carving a niché in the local music industry but also show interest in finding ways to make Philippine music popular in the international music scene.
LA Santos is dreaming to make us, Filipinos, and the country proud of our Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs in foreign shores, not just in Asia but globally, just like how Korea’s K-pop music became a worldwide phenomenon.
“Those who have heard much about me already know how passionate I am about OPM. I want OPM to make a name for itself. I want to hear every Filipino say, ‘I love OPM,’” said LA who is hopeful on seeing his dream turn into a reality one day.
He continued, “Just like the Koreans for their K-pop, sobrang own nila ‘yun, they are truly proud of Korea. I want Filipinos to achieve that also, that certain level of love for our music and I want Filipinos to understand that we are very, very great singers talaga.”
The singer-songwriter also believes that there are still many talented Pinoys waiting to be discovered. That’s why, LA came up with the idea of creating a show through his own music label 7K Sounds that will serve as a venue for new talents to shine with their compositions. He, together with Gretchen Ho, Iman Franchesca and Nicole Asensio, launched the online show called The Search for the Sound of Seven Thousand Christmas Songs, directed by Alco Gutierrez.
“We want to discover more. We have this platform (7K Sounds) that we can take advantage of and we are very lucky to have this opportunity.”
Part of the goal is to bring out the Christmas spirit and express how every Filipino is hopeful for a Merry Christmas in spite of the pandemic and natural calamities.
LA’s mom, Flor Santos, is all-out in supporting her son’s project. She expressed excitement over the idea of giving songwriters from different regions a chance to share their talent.
“This is exciting because there’s no specific genre, all (music) genres papasok with Christmas as the theme. Mailalabas lahat ng talent, even our lolos and lolas can join. Baka may naitatabi silang mga kanta nila from all regions of the Philippines — mula sa 7,000 islands that we have ay ilabas natin. Sayang kasi. Ako, music-lover lang. Si LA na ang kakanta,” said Flor.
It was four years ago when LA had his very first onstage musical performance as one of the special guests in The Stylistics/Air Supply concert and wowed the crowd with his crooning.
In 2017, Star Music signed him up to record his eponymous debut album under Star Records which spawned the hit Tinamaan. And then the following year, LA headlined his own concert titled Petmalu that drew a large crowd at the Music Museum.
He, too, put up his own music label 7K Sounds, now busy with its aim of finding Pinoy music gems through the online search. According to director Alco, “Originally, this was not the format. But when the pandemic hit, we thought of doing it for the Christmas season. We agreed not to make it a competition but a search.”
The Search for the Seven Thousand Christmas Songs is open to all unsigned Filipino music genius — in a group or solo — aged 16 and above. Every contestant must send one original Christmas song with an introduction to [email protected].
The search airs Friday nights at 7 on the 7K Sounds Facebook page. Netizens will have the chance to vote online beginning Dec. 4 until Dec. 10 after listening to each composition entry. A cash prize of P25,000 will be awarded to the composer of the best Christmas song.
- Latest
- Trending
