International Rapper and Singer Nicki Minaj recognizes Darren‏

MCA Music’s very own Darren Espanto the runner up for the 1st season of The Voice Kids performed for Wish 107.5’s radio show called the Roadshow. The 14-year old showed his vocal prowess with his rendition of Sia’s hit, “Chandelier”. Darren Espanto was able to hit and belt every note with ease thus impressing the DJ of the show; little did the young singer know that somewhere and somehow a very popular international artist was also wowed by his vocal chops. Nicki Minaj an international singer and rapper shared the young singer’s video on her facebook page. 

“So effortless. Incredible voice!” said Nicki, sharing her thoughts about the video. Not only had the international artist got to share her thoughts about the video but also the fans of both artists also shared their delight over the video, and how impressed they are with the young singer’s amazing voice. One person even said that Darren’s version is better than the original, while Darren’s fans thanked the international artists for sharing a video of their idol.  Nicki’s shared video garnered 5,000 plus likes, and still counting!

Krissy Releases New Single “DISTANCE”

Acoustic artist and YouTube sensation Krissy, releases her new single “Distance” off her debut album “Songs About You.”

“Distance,” composed by Krissy herself, is similar to her previous heartbreak songs like “We Can’t Be” and “Piece of You”. This heart-rending song where she bares her soul will make listeners feel what she went through in her break up. “This song is a lot different from most of my songs and really means a lot to me,” Krissy said.

She wrote the song 2 years ago.

“I had just gotten out of a really bad break up. It was the very first time I had ever been in love like that. It was the kind of break up that came out of nowhere. It was bad for me because I had given a lot to be with him. As with all break ups, you try and do what you can to forget how much you are hurting. I was constantly surrounded by friends which helped a lot. But at times, when you are alone, it helps reflect on the whole relationship,” Krissy said.

Sabrina To Represent The Philippines In 2015 Asia Song Festival

Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart Sabrina is going places! She will be representing the Philippines in the upcoming Asia Song Festival to be held on October 11 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, South Korea. Sabrina will be performing alongside Asia’s top music acts like KPop artists EXO, GOT7, Red Velvet and B.T.S, NGT48 from Japan and William Chan from China. She is also scheduled to collaborate on stage with KPop group B1A4 for their song “Lonely” where Sabrina will sing in Korean. Asia Song Festival is held every year since 2004 in Korea gathering the best singers in Asia and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Previous Philippine representatives include R&B singer Kyla and MYMP.

Darren Espanto Is On His Way To Conquer The Philippines at D'Road Tour!

After the massive success of Darren Espanto’s “D’ Birthday Concert” at MOA Arena last May 2015, D’ Total Performer is now set to start his “D’ Road Tour” across the country. Darren is living his ultimate dream in captivating the hearts of his fans around the world since the onset of the tours at Canada and United States of America.

The course of Darren’s concert series will begin at Araullo University, Cabanatuan this Friday, October 09, which will be followed the next day, October 10 at AUF Sports Center, Angeles. D’ Road Tour will be on its way to SMX Convention Center, Davao on October 23, 2015 and will trail to University of Baguio on October 30. Fans from Cagayan De Oro will also get the chance to catch Darren’s concert in Lim Ket Kai on November 20. Batangueños will also witness his moves on Nov. 27 and will stretch going to La Salle Gym, Bacolod on December 05, 2015. Darren will also invade Cebu this November on which the exact date and venue will be announced soon.

MUSIC LYF: Darren Espanto BIg Success Celebrated at MoA Arena

Months after battling it out at the ABS-CBN show The Voice Kids ending up as runner-up, Darren Espanto is set to face one of his biggest shows of his career: a solo concert at the Mall of Asia Arena.

This is not just an ordinary concert as just a few days before his scheduled concert, Darren will be celebrating his 14th birthday. Likewise, this young singer will be the youngest performer to hold a solo major concert at the Mall of Asia Arena just years after Lady Gaga performed at its inaugural.

Thus, the title of the concert “Darren Espanto D Birthday Concert.” As the concert nears, Darren is already excited and has been busy with rehearsals and preparations for the concert.

“I’m nervous because it is the first time that I will perform in a concert in such a huge venue. But in everything I do, I give all my best so I’m sure everyone will get their money’s worth during the concert,” Darren said.

MUSIC LYF: Pupil Returns In 2015 With New Album ZILCH

Pinoy Alternative Rock Band Pupil is back this 2015 with a new album ZILCH under MCA Music which will also their fourth album in total. The band composed of Ely Buendia, who also worked with another band The Oktaves; Wendell Garcia, Dok Sergio, and new guitarist Jerome Velasco. 

With the last album released back in 2013, they said that during that period they still continue to record songs. They have also tried things such as set up with different venues like warehouses to bring out a whole new sound that is not the usual studio sound. 

"Every band member or musician has dreamed of going to Tagaytay, simbahan, Baguio o sa beach. the problem then was wala pang technology to do that, ngayon meron na, so I'm suprized why many musician aren't doing that" Ely shared.

The band is also gearing up for gigs and an album launch to be held in Craft BGC. The music video of their first single is also on the works and will be premiered soon on MYX.

MUSIC LYF: Brad Go and The HUSH Project

Music may be beyond the melodies and the lyrics sometimes it tells a story. And these stories may have been inspired by real life people from a lot of places around the world. Filipino-American singer-songwriter Brad Go is out there composing songs and sharing it to the world via The HUSH Project.

The Hush Project is a unique musical and visual kickstarter project by Brad Go who went to a lot of places around the world to meet people and explore the places where he finds inspiration and turn them into songs. The album launched under MCA Music Philippiines includes performed select cuts from the self-penned and self-produced album, including the new single “I Want You Now.”

MUSIC LYF: OPM boy band 1:43 has grown up

When the boy band 1:43 started four years ago, quite a handful of detractors didn’t mince words in saying that they were K-Pop spin-offs, that they didn’t have the range to become successful music performers. They immediately dismissed the group as flash-in-the-pan, something that the audience would forget as soon as another hot male group comes along.

Three best-selling albums, a string of monster hits, multi-million views of their music videos on Youtube, and hundreds of jam-packed performances across the archipelago later, 1:43 members Anjo Resurreccion, Argee Golding, Gold Aquino and Yuki Sakamoto have not only proved their detractors wrong. They have also exceeded expectations by become one of the country’s most successful (and most desirable) music groups in recent memory.

MUSIC LYF: Shane Filan Back In Manila For Solo Concert

Shane Filan, former front man of the super group and worldwide phenomenon Westlife fulfills a promise he made to Filipino fans last year, as he holds his much-awaited solo concert on October 1, 2014 at the World Trade Center Manila.

This will be Shane’s first ever major show in Manila after the Irish group’s fond farewell tour back in 2011 and is part of his ongoing You and  Me World Tour to promote his debut album.

Shane’s new album is way more than ballads that Westlife and has been described as a “progression from Westlife’s sound.. the end result is a collection of adult contemporary songs that mix a variety of musical styles.”

The record is dominated by up-tempo and mid-tempo songs, a reflection of his own record collection, mixing pop, soul, country and even a hint of traditional Irish music. With this first solo album, Shane emerges as a pop writer to be reckoned with. Shane chooses the very first song he wrote, the catchy Everything To Me, to be his first single.

MUSIC LYF: Janice Javier BlogCon

Janice Javier has been working most of her life but still kept her passion for singing, as one of the grand finalist in The Voice of the Philippines, she is now enjoying her musical career as she launches her debut album under MCA Music. Though we are used to hear her singing more than talking, having a BlogCon with her give her the chance to voice out her story and let out her quirky and funny side.

MUSIC LYF: 1:43 scores commercial success in #KalyePop album

Filipino pop group 1:43 (one forty-three) once again scored commercial success in their third all-original album titled #KalyePop (KPop) released last week under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines).

#KalyePop was reportedly selling like hotcakes in various Astrovision, Astroplus and Odyssey record bars in Metro Manila while certain branches run out of stocks a few days after copies landed on the shelves according to the initial sales reports of the label.

MUSIC LYF: Maleficent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack OUT NOW on Spinnr & iTunes!

Award-winning, American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey has recorded a unique reimagining of the renowned fairy-tale tune “Once Upon A Dream” from Disney’s classic animated film “Sleeping Beauty,” which is featured in the theatrical trailer & end credits of the Disney film “Maleficent”-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihgvGPlSkXE . This haunting cover was unveiled as part of a 90-second sneak peek of Disney’s “Maleficent” during the 56th Annual Grammy Awards® last January 2014. The track is included in the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack featuring 71 minutes of original James Newton Howard score. Howard is best known for his brilliant theatrical scores for films such as “Pretty Woman”, “The Hunger Games”, “Batman Begins”, “King Kong” and “The Sixth Sense” among others.

MUSIC LYF: April Boy's Legacy Continues With JC Regino

Son of the OPM Hitmaker April Boy Regino, JC Regino now comes forward as a full-pledged artist with a self-titled EP album under MCA Music. Having to tour with his father and grow up with his songs and musicality, JC has looked up to his dad as his inspiration and even has acquired the same high caliber vocal prowess like his father.

He was also prepped for the world of music by performing as front acts for his father in many of his concerts. His first attempt made him more determined JC to impress his greatest critic and finished “Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Aking Buhay” and “Di Na Ako Iibig Pang Muli” both included in their father-son album, “Idolstar” in 2010. That was also JC’s first foray into the music scene and got more fascinated with the ins and outs of the industry. 

MUSIC LYF: Myk Perez BlogCon

From the Voice of the Philippines and now officially and recording artist under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines), Myk Perez has now  starting his music path after the talent show. This is the real test of musicians to make it big, and having their own album is the start. 

Being part now of the MCA Family, he is joined by his batchmates in the Voice of the Philippines like Mitoy, Janice, and Paolo Onesa. Having a distinct voice that souns soulful and works well with acoustic fits his debut album "My Acoustic".

On this album, he included the songs he performed for the Voice and also an original track "Honey Under the Moon" which he composed. He also collaborated with other artists for "Two is Better Than One" with Krissy Villongo of Krissy and Ericka and "Almost Is Never Enought" with Sabrina for her album "I Love Acoustic 6".

MUSIC LYF: Sabrina's "I Love Acoustic 6" BlogCon

6 Acoustic Albums, that is what Sabrina has now achieved in her music career. Last time I remember, she was launching her 4th album already and with a large following in Indonesia and other Asian countries. Sabrina has indeed outdone herself again and keeps on doing what she does best.

And for the new album, she is also adding new spice to her playlist in the album (album review soon on Listening Room).  She has sold more than 200,000 albums sold all over Asia from her “I Love Acoustic” series, labed as Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart SABRINA will once again excite Asian audiences with the release of “I Love Acoustic 6”.

Sabrina has also had changes with her looks, with a slimmer and playful look, it will be something listeners and fans would like to see from her while still delivering a one of a kind acoustic prowess that charmed many hearts. I asked if there will be more markets she would like to explore, she said that they are looking at them now. 

MUSIC LYF: The Morning Episodes collaborate with Solenn to create “Until The Sunrise”

After breaking through US Radio last year, The Morning Episodes kick off 2014 on a high with the release of “Until the Sunrise” -- a collaboration with actress / singer Solenn Heussaff. The track is the official theme song of Solenn’s new movie “Mumbai Love”, which is hitting theaters this January. The film was directed by Benito Bautista, produced by Capestone Pictures in assoc. with Wanderlustproject Films and is being distributed by Solar Entertainment.

"Until the Sunrise” is a breath of fresh air to the local music scene with its unique elements, arrangement and delivery. According to band frontman Miguel Escueta most of the song was written using an iPad. “Its amazing how that square piece of technology can help you so much creatively”, he shares. “Solenn heard the demo more than a year ago through a common friend and she got in touch with me right away, saying that she wanted to work on it together. Her voice was just perfect for it and it turns out that the song sounded even better as a duet.”

MUSIC LYF: Capital Cities to perform at AYALA MALLS on January 11 & 12

Los Angeles indie electro unit Capital Cities first came together as a duo of composers/songwriters Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian. The two initially met on craigslist in 2008 and worked as jingle writers until they formed the band in 2010. They released an EP independently in 2011 that included the song “Safe and Sound,” an upbeat mesh of programming and melody that went viral and gained the act a lot of Internet exposure. The music video is currently nominated in this year’s 56th Grammy Awards. Eventually, Merchant and Simonian were joined by bassist Manny Quintero, trumpeter Spencer Ludwig, guitarist Nick Merwin, and drummer Channing Holmes. Their new single “Kangaroo Court”

The fully realized live version of Capital Cities played festivals internationally. Their debut full-length studio album “In a Tidal Wave of Mystery” is exclusively distributed MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines).

MUSIC LYF: Sitti "Bossa Love" Concert and Album Launch Moved To January 18

In lieu of the ongoing efforts for the relief of the victims of Typhoon Yolanda which devastated thousands of people in the Visayas, MCA Music has decided to postpone Sitti’s “Bossa Love” Concert and Album Launch on November 28 at Music Museum to January 18 (Saturday), 2014, same venue.

Those who already purchased their tickets via SM Tickets, Ticketworld and Music Museum may get their refund at the mentioned ticketing outlets. But tickets for bought for the November 28 show will still be honored during the January 18 show. For those who bought Orchestra tickets and wish to not have it refunded, they can claim their Sitti “Bossa Love” CD at MCA Music Inc. office, 34F Raffles Corporate Center, F. Ortigas Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Just bring your ticket purchased.

MUSIC LYF: American Idol Star Jessica Sanchez Releases New Charity Single “Lead Me Home”

Proceeds From Single Sales to Be Donated to the Red Cross Benefiting Victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines

“Lead Me Home” First Single from the Forthcoming Original Cast Recording, Heartbeat of Home, A New Music And Dance Spectacular With Music By Brian Byrne

To Be Released February 2014 on Decca/Universal Music Classics

American Idol star Jessica Sanchez lends her soaring vocals to the inspiring single, “Lead Me Home,” the first track available from the forthcoming Original Cast Recording, Heartbeat of Home. The full length album will be released under Decca/Universal Music Classics (MCA Music / Universal Music Philippines) in February 2014.

As a young singer of Philippine decent, Sanchez and the Decca label have partnered to donate $0.90 from each single sold of “Lead Me Home” to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Yolanda in the region.

MUSIC LYF: Westlife's Shane Filan Philippine Promo Tour

Former lead vocalist of boy band Westlife, Shane Filan is here in Manila for a series of shows on September 28, 6PM (Skydome , SM City North EDSA) and on September 29, 4PM (The Podium) to promote his brand new EP entitled "Everything To Me" exclusively distributed under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines).

Shane is known to millions as the front man of the super group, and worldwide phenomenon - Westlife with a string of hits to the group's credit: If I Let You Go, I Lay My Love On You, Swear It Again, Flying Without Wings and many more. The group has sold over 50 million records around the world including a staggering 14 No. 1 singles in the UK alone - the third highest in UK history! in 2010, Westlife were named the top selling album group of the 21st century. Westlife bid farewell to their fans in 2012 with a successful goodbye tour. Shane has been working on his solo material since then. Last August 2013, he co-wrote and released his debut single "Everything To Me", produced by Grammy Award winning producer, Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, James Morrison, Train). This edgy pop song is the lead track of an EP which includes three other brand new songs, written by Shane. A full album is expected to follow later, according to Shane would be Novermber this year.