Woah, Nelly!

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos are such good singers. I’m really nervous about my show!” quipped Nelly Furtado at the press conference held the day before her Araneta concert with the Gym Class Heroes. Humbled to be singing in Manila despite recent calamities, Nelly believes music is one of the most positive things in the world. And who better to share it with than a country of waterproof spirits?

Each time Nelly Furtado started to talk during our interview, we would drown into her eyes — two pools of deep green filled with such soothing intensity. It takes time to digest all that Nelly is saying. There is so much depth in her artistry that listening to her talk is like going on a ride with her soul. “I’m in the zone. I think I have found my balance,” says Furtado who has found that perfect intersection between being an artist, songwriter, mother, and human being. “I think being a mother has contributed a lot to it. My recent trip to Africa was also life-changing.”

Perhaps true to her single I’m Like a Bird, Nelly sees her career as a spontaneous road trip. “I just follow my whimsy, like I’m a musical vagabond,” she says. From “Whoa, Nelly” to her promiscuous maneater days, her upcoming album “The Spirit Indestructible” has a more ethnic, worldly feel, while being modern at the same time.

“It’s a very positive album,” she shares. “I call it a friendly punch in the face. The sound is aggressive. It’s loud. Songs are fast and impactful. But the message is friendly and positive.”

Read through our exclusive interview with Nelly to find out more about her advocacies, what’s inspiring her to write music these days, and how the Philippines holds a very special place in this Canadian singer-songwriter’s heart. Strength begets strength, and during these trying yet inspiring times, we need enlightened spirits like Furtado’s to keep us… well, indestructible.

SUPREME: Did you follow the Olympics?

NELLY FURTADO: I did! I loved the Olympics. I think the athletes are very inspiring. When the Olympics are on, all of a sudden you look out the window and there are more people jogging and swimming. It makes you want to be better.

I also love the medal ceremony, almost more than watching the sports. You get to see the tears, the pride, and that lifetime of work in their eyes when they win.

You have a lot of Filipino fans, from your I’m Like A Bird days to Promiscuous. We have another artist from the Philippines, Anne Curtis. She’s really interested to know whom you wrote Try for?

Try was about how sometimes in life you really put in your best effort, push yourself as a human being and have it just not be enough. I wrote it with my good friend Brian West. He just had his guitar, and we simply improvised all those lyrics and melodies. I think sometimes songs can just come to you. I think of music in a very spiritual way. And I think that song has that magical connection, because everywhere I go in the world people sing with tears in their eyes when they sing Try. I’m happy I have the song.

We hear you have a new album. What was your inspiration behind the songs?

The new album is super positive and super charged with good energy. It was inspired by the last two or three years of my life, which have been the best and the happiest times. I really achieved balance. And I’ve also been able to grow creatively and get re-inspired. I’m writing songs every day. I mean, I just wrote a song today and yesterday.

You’re in that zone.

I’m in the zone, yeah. “The Spirit Indestructible” is full of this inspiration. I’ve done some cool things in the last few years, from recording an album entirely in Spanish, to starting my own indie record imprints so I can work with other bands and develop them. I’ve also been traveling to Africa the last couple of years, working with an organization that I’m really passionate about. It’s called Free the Children, and I’m getting inspired by that work. It’s just a really good time, so the album’s also got a lot of different sounds. It has everybody, from Tiesto to Rodney Jerkins. There’s a rock song, a reggae song. It’s very eclectic.

Tell us about your Free the Children project.

Free the Children is really unique because kids in North America get to learn about different communities around the world. They have schools in a lot of different places, from Kenya, to China, and Ecuador, for instance. And the children themselves raise money to build these schools, so they learn about development. They learn about the process of going from “Me” thinking to “We” thinking — to thinking about the world as a bigger piece. And it’s really important because that’s something that you’re not always in touch with.

How do you keep that balance between being an artist, a mother, and a humanitarian?

I find a way to make it all flow together. For instance, working with Free the Children has become like a second family, so my daughter’s been a part of that. We went to Africa together this year and we were able to educate her about all those things, which was precious.

And then the album, it has all the same themes of what I’m feeling right now. They’re all crossing over, which is beautiful. I feel like discovering that balance in life, making it all work, it’s kinda fun. It’s a challenge, like a puzzle. But I’m blessed. I have a really good family.

And your child is part Filipino also, right?

Yeah, she is! Her grandmother’s from the Philippines. And I always say that her beautiful genes are from her Filipino side.

Do you like Filipino food?

Oh, of course! Are you crazy? I love puto, and lumpia and pansit.

Have you learned any Filipino words?

No. Just “Mabuhay!” And I learned “Mahal kita.” If I say “Mahal kita” to you, what are you supposed to say back?

Mahal na mahal kita. I love you so, so much. It’s like an embrace.

Well, that’s what I love about Pinoy culture. It’s very family oriented, warm, friendly, and also fun.

Are you active on your Twitter and Facebook?

I am! I’m very active on Twitter. @NellyFurtado if you want to follow me. And my website www.nellyfurtado.com has really cool mini movies from the album-making process. Yeah, I love social media. It’s fun. It’s nice to be able to know what the fans think right away.