And soon, the world
Elements Music Camp to champion Original Pilipino Music globally
After two years in hiatus, the Elements Music Camp returns with the bigger purpose of bringing Filipino music to the world than just locally.
The songwriting competition has already produced six batches of campers from 2010 to 2015. And now, some of the alumni like Ben&Ben, Moira dela Torre, Thyro Alfaro, and Yumi Lacsamana are making it big in the mainstream music scene.
The founder of the camp – Twinky Lagdameo, Ryan Cayabyab, and Julio Sy Jr. – are grateful they were able to partner with Globe Telecom, through Globe Live, that helps them financially in further re-energizing Pinoy musical talent.
Version 2.0
This time, the project aims to find artists who could break into the international music worldwide; an Original Pinoy Music (OPM) that would become a hit everywhere. They believe the Filipino talent deserves such recognition.
To do that, this year’s campers will be guided by the greatest producers: Five multi-awarded and worldrenowned record producers along with 10 local mentors.
Among the international record producers involved in the camp are Bernard Harvey, who’s produced tracks for Justin Bieber; Bassie Blue, who’s also worked with Usher and Bruno Mars; Steve Lillywhite who’s produced for U2 and Dave Matthews Band; Tuo Clark, who has produced for Big Sean, Nicki Minaj, and John Legend; and EDM pioneer Ferry Corsten, who has worked with Benny Benassi, DJ Tiesto, and Armin van Buuren.
Also back in the same role are veteran Elements mentors Ebe Dancel, Gabby Alipe, Quest, Jungee Marcelo, Jimmy Antiporda, Thyro Alfaro, Jay Durias, Jazz Nicolas, and Jonathan Manalo.
“We want to create the venue for talented local musical artists to showcase their craft, assist them, nurture and curate their creative products, and help them bring their music out to the world and hopefully, discover the next great big thing in Original Pilipino Music,” said Joe Caliro, the Globe Senior Advisor for Creative Marketing & Multi Media Business.
The camp will focus on three important aspects: Technical, creative, and business. They will also take up a wide range of topics including Philippine music history, music theory, lyric writing, and musical arrangement.
“So these guys (mentors) are coming in to challenge that. Not to change but to challenge,” Joe reiterated. “I hope that they (mentors) will discover and make a sound that’s not been heard before.”
Who is it?
So, this year, 10 aspiring music artists will get the chance to get into the Elements Music Camp. Selection is open to all musicians or songwriters nationwide, from ages 21 to 35, including previous Elements alumni. But, they must be a resident of the Philippines and of Filipino descent, or be a Filipino citizen.
However, contestants should know how to write and sing their original music and they should have never signed a contract as a recording artist with any record label.
The participants should submit to the camp one or two original songs, and these should not have been previously recorded or released.
After the selection process, the 10 finalists will undergo the five-day training and development workshops. These include an on-site practical teaching and application in mobile recording studios; and lessons from some of today’s best local music artists, namely singer-songwriter Clara Benin, known for songs including “Tila,” and “Closure;” singer-songwriter and visual artist Reese Lansangan; and independent composer and musician Bullet Dumas, among others.
The 10 artists are expected to excel in genres of pop, rock, hip hop, R&B, and electronic sound.
Helping hands
With Globe at the helm and copresented with FrontRow, the artists and producers will get leverage through Globe’s partner platforms as Spotify, Facebook, and YouTube, so more people can experience the content and the music created through the camp.
Fans should also watch out for a series of videos by Globe Studios following this year’s campers as they go through the mentorship program.
Joe noted that viewers could experience what is happening in the camp through the documentary to be shown on a digital platform.
“So it’s an exciting content as they could see the process. They will get to see the behind the scene and the process of making the song,” Joe said.
Interested singer-songwriters can submit a demo and fill out the application form at glbe.co/jointhecamp. Application period is until July 31.
To kick-off the celebrations, there will be a reunion concert featuring past mentors and campers such as Ben&Ben, Bullet Dumas, Joey Ayala, Nyoy Volante, and many more, on July 21 at UP Theater.