From small town to the big leagues
It is every singer’s dream to have an audience. Thanks to a reality TV show, Paolo Onesa has just grown his tenfold
After competing in Season 1 of “The Voice of the Philippines,” 21- year- old Paolo Onesa moved to Manila from Zamboanga City to pursue his singing career. And while numerous artists are struggling to find a break in the industry, Paolo has been lucky enough to land a recording deal off his appearance on the show.
“To be honest, I have no clue how the music industry works,” he tells Bulletin Entertainment during the first year anniversary celebration of Spinnr at 71 Gramercy in Makati.
“Kasi I came from a small town... I was never exposed to record labels, I never knew the music scene. I was new to the experience of getting signed to a label. Parang na- overwhelm ako na ito ’ yung nangyayari… ito ’ yung album, ganito ang gagawin mo…”
Paolo says he actually grew up in Africa, noting, “(From about)Kinder to Grade School or something, tapos bumalik na dito.” He has taken up Mass Communications, but says he still has one more year to go, “and I’m hoping to finish it.”
Paolo’s love affair with music started with him playing gigs with a varied repertoire in venues around his hometown. His brush with early hometown fame came by way of a TV appearance at a local station.
“Ewan ko, hindi masyadong nag- sink in sa akin ’ yung experience doon,” he says with a laugh. “Pero most of the time, nasa bar lang ako at tumutugtog ng regular gigs like any other musician.”
Paolo now keeps himself busy pro- moting his solo debut “Pop Goes Standards,” which is exactly what it sounds like – an album of top pop hits sung in his newfound standards style.
“It was because of coach Bamboo, he was the one who said why not try this kind of style,” he says of his idol. He might not have been able to work with his former coach on his album but Paolo says, “May time na ’ pag kailangan ko ng tulong, hihingi ako ng advice ( sa kanya).”
Aside from Bamboo, Paolo credits the show, “The Voice PH,” for his place in the sun. “Nagkaroon ng fan base,” he says smiling. “’ Yun ’ yung parang kilig moment kasi it’s a thing you’ve been doing ever since tapos ngayon nare- recognize na ng mga tao ( iyong music ko). So, masaya ako.”
The first anniversary party of Smart’s homegrown music service Spinnr was held just days after news broke out that Taylor Swift had pulled out her entire catalogue from other music streaming services. The brand, however, proudly showed a video of the superstar herself enjoining her fans to check out her music on Spinnr – currently the only streaming service that still carries her music locally.
As the debate between artists and music services gather steam, it is only logical to ask a newbie recording artist like Paolo, the guest performer at the event, where he stands in the deemed war between the digital and the physical.
“Para sa akin, it’s a proud thing to have an album. Pero nowadays kasi you can download music online and it’s easy to get your music... But I think it’s still important to have the physical copy to say you have an album,” he says. Needless to say, Paolo’s music can be streamed on Spinnr and is available for digital purchase.
His album may be mostly a feast of covers now, but Paolo also envisions himself as a singer/songwriter who plays the guitar, just like his other idol Jason Mraz.
“Nakasulat na ’ ko ng mga kanta and hopefully if ( magkaroon ng) next album, doon ko na ibubuhos,” he says.
As for future collaborations, Paolo hopes to work with KZ Tandingan, “( kasi)’yung style ng music niya parang may –’ yung term nila ngayon na – swag. Baka interesting ’ yung combination.” He also mentions local rapper Ron Henley. “I think that would be nice, parang EDM style, like electronic music tapos chorus, and may verse siya na rap. Ganda,” he says.
Paolo appears on ABS-CBN’s “The Singing Bee” and will soon be heard in a Christmas album along with artists from his label, MCA Music. Otherwise, you can always catch him on Spinnr.