‘Louder for the People in the Back,’ indie vs. popular Filipino music

OUR LIVES revolve around music. It has indeed played a major role in shaping people’s lives, most especially to those who are blessed with the gift of music and are able to share its, which led them to pursue their passion for it.

In the Philippines, it is widely known that we have outstanding performers that even some are fortunate enough to have their talents recognized by either local or international scenes. We are fortunate enough to go around the world to perform on the biggest stages. Because of this, many artists are inspired to strive and attain that same goal.

But as the years go by, the music industry in the country has become more political, in terms that it has a tendency to be more of a business in making money than what music is supposed to be; an expression of art at its proper form.

In today’s digital age, music has become more accessible to many. It has also given the opportunity to let people share their music, especially those starting out as local independent artists who want their work to be recognized in simple ways online.

With this opportunity, many indie artists have posted their songs in the form of covers and even unique compositions. By means of publishing their work, their talents get discovered and are easily shared in social media.

But even through the small success of these indie artists, in reality, it is difficult for most of them to pursue music and get the recognition they deserve. Today, as much as they want to make their music known at its best quality, it is being surpassed by what the popular music industries promote. The Filipino masses are innately attracted to anyone or anything that’s famous, most especially when they are seen in their famous movies and soap operas.

Unfortunately, Philippine entertainment industries use this attraction to their advantage, in which it influences people to spend their money on artists who are already famous for their acting career (and whether or not they can actually sing and hit a good note). Later on, one would be surprised that music industries are actually promoting a poor album filled with shallow lyrics sung by a person who just so happens to be already famous.

Most, if not all, Filipinos tend to be attracted to the loudest thing, but not necessarily the best thing. This shows how Filipinos have such a skewed definition when it comes to the quality of the songs that they listen to, simply because of the influence that some artists have garnered through media that is not anywhere related to music.

And indie artists, however prominently talented they are, are being overshadowed by songs from inadequate people in the industry who are only doing it for their additional source of income.

Ever since the early 1970s, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) has always been prosperous, and it never fails to captivate the hearts and emotions of the people. Filipinos nowadays, tend to say that OPM is dying, or dead even, because all they see and hear are from our entertainment industries are so-called artists lip-syncing to international songs, not even promoting what is ours. Others even say that OPM is dying because the quality of Filipino music artists today are shallow or are just copies of international celebrities. But little do they know that these indie artists are the ones keeping it alive by giving what’s unique and sustaining the true meaning standards of OPM. It’s saddening that not many people appreciate these artists.

Music in the Philippines has become more of a subject of business than of art. But even if that is the reality of the industry, it is satisfying to see that here are still thriving artists who still push themselves into pursuing their music, knowing that the music business in the country is a hit or miss.

As someone who is enthusiastic for her love and support for Filipino music, it is great to perceive that little by little, authentic music is being distinguished by its unique quality over other the qualities being promoted in the media, and that people are sharing and promoting these indie artists that deserve to be heard and be proud of.