Cebuana singer Jolianne overcomes burnt-out gifted kid phase with ‘Sweet Memories’

CEBU, Philippines — What happens when the only thing standing between what is and what could be is…you?

In “Sweet Memories”, Cebuana singer-songwriter Jolianne comes face to face with her harshest critic. Her inner saboteur.

“This song is about being a burnt-out gifted child,” the 19-year-old confides in an interview with The FREEMAN. “Growing up, I tried my best at everything. I was a top student. I did well. Then I moved to Manila and had this whole ego death.”

After lending her voice to open for acts like Air Supply and Michael Learns To Rock, she signed with Careless Music in 2021. A long way from her “The Voice Kids” beginnings, Jolianne has grown into a standout in the country’s R&B and pop scene.

Becoming a signed artist was a dream come true. But it also meant leaving home and her promising future as a high-achiever behind.

“I used to go to a psychiatrist who named me as a gifted child. So growing up, I branded myself in that way,” shares Jolianne, who is now based in Manila.

Being surrounded by artists felt exciting for her. Yet, the more time she spent around them, the more critical of herself she became.

“I felt like I could never amount to the artists that they were. And I could never amount to my past achievements. So I was mourning the loss of my old self,” she admits.

That was two years ago. Today, Jolianne has mustered the courage to speak her truth. Instead of drawing inspiration from literature and friends like she used to, she now puts the spotlight on her personal battles. This makes “Sweet Memories” among her most intimate work yet.

“At the time I didn’t want to release ‘Sweet Memories’ because it was too real. But now that I’ve kind of grown out of it, I’m comfortable releasing it. I’ve come to understand that one artist’s win doesn’t take away from mine,” she says.

And so, “Sweet Memories” was born. Released Friday, August 4, the song is a deep dive into Jolianne’s inner dialogue as she grapples with the “gifted kid” box she’s lived in for so long. Little did she know that on the other side of growing pains, an exciting revelation awaits.

“I’ve been playing with a lot of different genres. This one is a little more tethered to home while also being something new. ‘Sweet Memories’ is indie folk. I’ve never done folk before. It’s old but it’s also new,” said Jolianne, whose biggest influences are powerhouse sirens like Whitney Houston, Selena, Mariah Carey, and Ariana Grande.

True enough, “Sweet Memories” feels like a quiet confession that speaks volumes. With Jolianne’s smooth yet haunting vocals, the song captures a lifetime of growing pains into a three-minute and four-second track.

Despite the struggles of being a young artist, Jolianne acknowledges that she’s come a long way. For starters, from singing other people’s songs, she now has the platform to share her own truth. From making music by herself in her bedroom, she now has a supportive team who helps her bring her creative vision to life.

“It was through singing that I was able to get here in the first place. But when I started releasing my own music, that was the ultimate fulfilling experience. When I sing what I write, I feel more connected to the piece because those are my stories. I just want to make music that people can live vicariously through.”

Jolianne would be lying if she said she’s outgrown her perfectionist tendencies. After all, she did dedicate the first half of 2023 to refining “Sweet Memories.” The challenge here is to wield that trait in more effective ways. When asked how she manages music and school, the Music Business Management student says it’s all about boundaries.

“I love school. It’s just a matter of managing my priorities. I care about putting boundaries between all those different lives. I’m getting better at it,” Jolianne muses.

It takes time to recover from the weight of expectations. Jolianne’s journey shows that both the peaks and plateaus make the trip worthwhile. That some achievements don’t come in trophies and streams but in the people we become along the way.

“I have friends in the music industry and they all felt the same thing. They were like, ‘You should really listen to your own advice!’” Jolianne says with a chuckle. “That’s when I realized I had to be kinder to myself. I had to talk to myself like a friend. I owe that kindness to myself. So I’m good now.”

Produced by Moneo and Roberto Seña and written by Jolianne, “Sweet Memories” is the first of three releases from Jolianne this year. Until then, she looks forward to her own evolution.

To those who, like her, could be feeling the burn, she says: “Let loose. You don’t have to hold yourself to the standard of the person you once were. You’re bound to change.” — (FREEMAN)