Kean reunites with Unique through new label
O/C Records chairman and Callalily vocalist Kean Cipriano reunites with his former ward Unique Salonga whom he signed up after the latter left the band IV of Spades.
According to the seasoned rock singer, his last project with that band was the hit “Mundo.” No, he has had no hand in Unique’s departure from the group.
“It’s just coincidence that he left the band then he approached me to manage him,” he said.
He didn’t think twice in accepting the young singer as he thinks Unique has “magic.”
“Unique is a storyteller,” he said.
Unique has just released his first album “Grandma.” He has on- going promotional tour. “From Beatles influence to very ’90s to songs like ‘Good Night Prayer’ – and you’ll hear the sound of Juan de la Cruz slash Pink Floyd,” Kean said of the tracks. “Unique is an old soul.” “Him doing the solo thing, it suits him very well,” he added.
“Kasi ’yun ’yung totoong siya. ’Yung totoong artistry, nalalabas niya now that he’s doing solo project.”
Perfect pick
Unique is in good company as O/C Records doesn’t relegate its artists to one corner.
“I like artists who are being true to themselves instead of those who sugar coat and adjust what they’re doing just to please everybody,” Kean said.
Other talents signed with the label are Earl Generao, Frizzle Anne Dimayuga, Rice Lucido, and Bita and the Botflies.
Indeed, the label caters to the unheard or the underground or the underrated musician.
“We give creative control to the artist,” was how he put it. “I want to contribute to the local music industry not just as artist but also by giving a chance for deserving underground artists to be heard and to put their music out there,” he pointed out.
He said that when artists sign with them, he doesn’t promise fame and fortune but just creative freedom.
He said that as a label, O/C Records is “very broad-minded,” that they are “open-minded creatures.”