Martin Nievera and Morissette Amon are bound for the US next month and bound to mount shows for their kababayan there.
Given their own brand of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and style of singing, the self-titled musical performances on June 2 at the Graton Resort and Casino Rohnert Park, which is already sold out, and June 3 at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, California are indeed like no other.
Concert-goers and music enthusiasts will get to experience this new musical combination or partnership, formed and forged by the Concert King and Asia’s Phoenix. The upcoming musical treats are produced and promoted by New Paradise Entertainment and Enteng Perez of Enteng the Dragon Productions.
“It’s a thrill to be able to know that Filipino families are bringing their American friends,” answered Martin when he and Morissette were inquired about the feeling of performing abroad in a recent virtual media conference. “It’s just so nice to somehow (know that) Filipinos in America are a little hungrier and a little thirstier… they don’t get this combination every other day. So, they want to see what this Morissette and Martin show is gonna be like.”
The OPM icon added that their kababayan are “curious… very excited to be out and about again. We’re excited because they’re excited. We don’t wanna give them too much, but we want to somehow give them enough to want us back.”
As for her part, Morissette had this to say: “(From) my end also, having shows abroad… it’s also a chance for my supporters, who are not based in the Philippines, to be able to see me. That’s why kahit ilang beses na kaming bumabalik at pumupunta sa kung saan-saan, it’s always exciting.”
An out-of-the country work also allows the singer to get some break or find her me-time, she said. “We get to be in another environment, we get to be in another weather, even as simple as that, yun nakakapagpahinga din kami ng konti (like) in between shows. It’s a perk and a blessing to be able to do these shows abroad as well.”
During the interview, Morissette also got the chance to give everyone a glimpse of her and Dave Lamar’s married life.
“We’re turning two years in June,” said she. “It’s been a learning journey and a very humbling journey. (It’s) definitely also not as easy as some people may predict. Of course, we’re two different people.”
She continued on by saying, “What I love about my marriage is that I’ve known my husband Dave for as long as I could, even at the beginning of my career in Manila, he was already there.”
Morissette appreciated that they started as friends first and eventually became partners in life. “Parang we can just joke about the simple things and we continue to grow,” shared she, whose hubby has been helping her explore other areas of music such as songwriting and producing.
As for Martin, a “special parent” to his son Santino, he wears the hat of a founder behind Sing Out For Autism (SOFA). He established the foundation with Katrina Ojeda, his ex-partner and Santino’s mother. Its most recent activity was a gala night, held early last month to introduce SOFA’s plan in Las Vegas.
According to him, the people behind it have reached out to some public officials and corporations that show enthusiasm and are on the same page to turn Las Vegas an autism-friendly city. Efforts on this revolve around awareness, acceptance, advocacy and action, the “4 As of autism,” as shared by Martin. “We’re hoping to do more of it, maybe in other cities, (hopefully) in the Bay Area, (even in) Washington.” One of the future plans is to bring SOFA to the Philippines.
“I want to be able to have something more than just a chain of hit songs or the memories of great sold-out concerts, but this time to have some sort of substance in my singing career,” he further said of this endeavor, which has the full support of his family, loved ones and friends. He added that they are one big team, encouraging the public to get off the sofa (the seat) and sing out for autism.
Career-wise, Martin and Morissette belong to that circle of recording artists who are considered by many as storytellers. They have that gift to make listeners part of their songs.
“I hope the stories that we’re telling are the stories that you (the listener) can relate to,” said Martin, who is interested to know how his songs have become instrumental to and soundtracks of someone else’s life. “And if it was, then (I would say) I’m doing my job right,” added he.
With Morissette, she shared, “I’m in that journey of transition of how to properly take care of my voice. Like what Tito Martin has said earlier, most of the time it’s not about the ballad, it’s not about the birits (hitting the high notes). At least (for) me, as a singer, I want to be able to get the message out there and like, sing songs that you (the listener) would be able to relate to… but I really wanna focus on that side of storytelling.”
The singer added that she would like to create songs and stories “people are able to relate and be able to be a part of their lives somehow, not just be a voice.”
With that, come showtime, Martin and Morissette, as OPM prized talents, will tell stories through their songs that touch the heart.