Now that she is a mom of two kids and a wife to Spanish journalist husband, Kitchie Nadal has “made conscious effort” for her music to sound more optimistic and light as compared to her rock-influenced hits in the early 2000s.
“I feel like my songs now meron din akong conscious effort for (them) to be more positive. Like, for example, the last single that I released, it’s called Lahat. It’s about my motherhood (journey). So mas light na siya, hindi na siya heartbroken,” shared the now Spain-based Kitchie at a recent presscon for her upcoming concert in Manila.
“I just want my songs to be more authentic… since now that I’m a mom and I have a husband. (It’s still) relatable, of course, to my audience,” she continued.
The former Mojofly vocalist was surprised that her earlier ditties still resonate with the new generation and create a buzz on various social media and digital platforms.
“The others said baby pa daw sila (when they heard my songs), they came up to me and said that ‘I was like in grade school, I’m already a fan.’ Of course, I’m really thankful that the songs continue to find new audiences and (my music) still resonates with people across different ages.
“For me, it’s very encouraging because pwede pa palang gumawa ng mga songs. And that’s actually one of the reasons why I decided to do this anniversary concert, it’s also for the new generation.”
Kitchie will headline her own solo concert on June 2 at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.
Aptly titled “SAME GROUND: Kitchie Nadal’s 20th Anniversary Concert,” the homecoming show will serve as a celebration of Kitchie’s journey in the local music scene.
According to a media release, the Same Ground singer is still in the Top 10 of Spotify Philippines’ most-streamed OPM female artists and has recently gone viral with Gen Zs and younger millennials.
Barbie Almalbis, Aia de Leon, Lougee Basabas, Hannah Romawac, Acel Bisa, Monty Macalino of Mayonnaise, and other artists will join Kitchie at her concert.
The music event is presented by Big Brew and Rolling Gum, in partnership with GNN Entertainment Productions, and supported by B Hotel Alabang, JB Music, Ellen Drilon Makeup, and Southbay Studios.
In a one-on-one chat with The STAR, the Bulong and Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin hitmaker shared that she wants the audience to feel nostalgic as she performs her songs at the concert. At the same time, she also wants to express her gratitude to them for supporting her music.
“I want them to feel that we’re really grateful for them. And this is like an opportunity for us to thank them. So we want to make sure that their requested songs (will be played) because I’m sure they are the ones who will watch (the show)… So this time, gusto sila naming pagbigyan, hindi lang yung masa, but also the fans who really listen to our songs.”
“We brainstormed with our producer, with my band. And the repertoire, medyo alam na namin yung gagawin eh kasi like the songs, we know what they want to hear. (And these are the songs that) were featured in the movies or TV series. Parang gusto namin silang ma-remind dun. It’s sort of like nostalgia.”
Asked if she also had what-ifs after leaving the music industry in the Philippines, she said, “Even before I got married I knew that if I decided to have my own family, I knew that they would be my priority…. That has always been my dream — to be hands-on and to take care of my kids. That’s really my dream so I knew that I had to put the music aside.”
It wasn’t a surprise for Kitchie to take on the motherhood path. She said, “Wala akong masyadong naramdaman na regrets. I miss music, more gigs sometimes. But I try to enjoy it also like the time with my family ‘cause I could still do music.
“Nami-miss ko lang siguro yung interaction na yung paminsan (like) you get to play and then there are other bands like you watch them. Yun yung medyo deprived ako doing that area, but I just enjoy music. Now I try to write and record and kahit malayo ako collaborate with other artists.”
What she missed the most back in the day, when she was active in the music scene, was the interaction she had with other bands, she reiterated.
“I missed the days when we played in Saguijo tapos chikahan ng mga banda-banda because that’s the fun part for me. Like you get to watch other bands also and like you learn (from them), it’s interesting,” she recalled.
“And then, parang you share your hobby in a way, not hobby, but you share your passion so that’s nice kasi nagkakahawaan kayo ng mga trip.
“During my time, we (became) really friends in the music scene. Parang we really know each other and we have a real and authentic relationship that even though we don’t have gigs, we still hang out together,” she said.
(Tickets for “SAME GROUND: Kitchie Nadal’s 20th Anniversary Concert” are available at all Ticketnet outlets nationwide and via their website.)