Paolo Sandejas Sings about saving LDR in a happy, hopeful way
MANILA, Philippines — Singer-songwriter Paolo Sandejas has given his two cents on how to save a long-distance relationship, or LDR, in the single, manila to LA. The latter is part and parcel of his recently-launched album, the world is so small, under Sony Music Entertainment.
The listener can sense the sincere intention of the voice in the tune and the sense of immediacy to win the person back in the song’s lyrics.
Interestingly, the song’s relatable theme is set against the engaging, fun sound that provides a pervading glimmer of hope in a possible heartbreaking ending.
“When I initially wrote it, it was kind of more of a ballad,” said he in a recent virtual interview with The STAR. “…but I wanted it to sound happy. It’s always fun to do, like, a sad song with a happy sound. It’s one of the things I really like. It’s about desperation and it’s about trying to make things work and the effort to do so, which can be sad at times…(But) it’s a hopeful song.”
After listening to it, one can say that Paolo has captured such a vision.
Asked if it’s challenging to put contradicting ideas (a heartbreaking story and a joyful sound) together and make them complement each other, Paolo answered, “I think it’s not that difficult. I think it’s always a fun experiment to, like, kind of write a song and then change how it feels and it sounds.”
“I think for this song, that was one of the fun things that I tried, to make it sound more hopeful instead of like kind of sad,” shared he. “But I think, in the end, it sounds very happy… (But it also) encapsulates the desperation and the effort that you want to put into this, to make things work.” Thus, the “effect” is one can feel the hope one has to save the relationship, challenged by space and time.
Prior to the release of manila to LA last month, Paolo shared with fans his compositions such as sirens, all the time and just a song.
your favorite song, moonlight, roses and the world is so small were all presented yesterday in the album launch event.
All these ditties complete his album titled the world is so small.
As for manila to LA, Paolo began writing it in 2023. What propelled him to pursue the song, from conception to completion, were the chords he liked and the intention to narrate the experience of a long-distance relationship.
In his small facts video content, Paolo generously walked one through about the chords that inspired him, from E on major shape and A major seven shape to E major shape, G minor 7 and A major 7 shape for the verse and chorus. He also talked about frets and the guitar finger placement.
Again, manila to LA is part of the world is so small album and is connected, in some way, to other tunes.
From Paolo’s small facts content and the song videos, one could gather that sirens is about finding one’s quiet or solace in someone else, while just a song speaks about trying to reach out to the other person in a long-distance relationship.
moonlight, on the other hand, presents one the idea of finding comfort and letting go. The world is so small depicts a scenario and the possibility of running into a former lover.
The listening experience is meaningful when the songs in any album are also appreciated collectively aside from individually.
The creative in Paolo was more ecstatic, as he put it, days before the album release because he had been looking forward to it and the time when the public and music enthusiasts could take delight in giving a listen to his complete and full eight-track album.
“I think it’s very exciting and scary, obviously, because I just really hope that it finds the people who will appreciate it, and you don’t wanna write something that just falls and then nothing happens. You obviously hope for the best in terms of how it’s received,” said he, “but I’m also excited to, like, kind of work on the next project. This is the first of, hopefully, many, and definitely I intend to release many more. It’s definitely the start of a new, exciting journey for me.”
The local recording music scene also anticipates what new compositions Paolo can come up with after his album launch in Manila and with the soon resumption of his graduate classes at CalArts, near LA.
He just finished his first semester coursework for the Master of Fine Arts in Music Technology and spent Christmas and New Year with family and friends.
the world is so small, the album and its songs like manila to LA are available on all digital platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.
- Latest
- Trending
