(L-R) Universal Records Operations Manager Peter Chan, Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go, Maine Mendoza, Business Manager Rams David
After weeks of anticipation, Maine Mendoza has officially signed a record deal with Universal Records. The contract signing was held at the Universal Records office. Present during the signing were Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go, Operations Manager Peter Chan, Business Manager Rams David, and Maine.
Hints of Maine’s signing first hit the web after Universal Records posted a teaser photo of a ‘mystery girl’ wearing a leather jacket bearing the word Universal on it. Fans were quick to catch on, as #MaineForUniversalRecords became the #1 Trending Topic on Twitter in the Philippines and Worldwide not long after the teaser was posted.
The mystery girl was finally shown to be non-other than Maine herself on June 22, as posted through a Big Reveal video, further exciting her fans.
Signing with Universal Records is just the latest accolade for the 23 year-old star, as she celebrates her third anniversary in show business. Rising to stardom after being introduced as Yaya Dub on the hit noontime show Eat Bulaga, Maine has amassed a number of endorsements, TV shows, box-office hits, and a best-selling book. Now, Maine is more than ready to trade in her dubsmash skills to pursue a recording career, adding to her many talents.
Maine with Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go
Talking about Maine’s signing, Kathleen Dy-Go, General Manager of Universal Records says “We’re very happy to welcome Maine into the Universal Records family, and very excited to be working with her for her upcoming projects.”
Maine now joins Gary Valenciano, Christian Bautista, Noel Cabangon, The CompanY, Parokya ni Edgar, Gloc-9, Sponge Cola, Ice Seguerra, Shanti Dope, Christian Bautista,and Elmo Magalona in the elite roster of Universal Records’ prime artists.
Stay tuned for Maine's debut single under Universal Records this 2018.
With almost 500 people in attendance, young
singer-songwriter Jensen Gomez’s album launch for Umpisa transformed Guijo
Street in Makati into a concert venue last February 1. Jensen, along with his
band, performed all the 10 songs included in the album.
To his fans, Jensen’s strength as a
singer-songwriter is his uncanny ability to turn heartbreaks into beautiful
songs. This is evident in the 10-track-album, which talks about heartbreaks,
moving on, regrets, and wanting to start all over again.
“Playing music is my vehicle to express my
personal mishaps, experiences, stupidity,” says the young singer-songwriter. “I
hope my music will make you feel that you are the only one who is experiencing
stuff- heartbreaks, and heartaches. There is, after all, safety in numbers.”
True enough, the number of people who
attended the launch proved that people appreciate Jensen’s music. Hosting the
event were singer-actress-TV host Karylle and Robin Nievera, a good friend of
Jensen. TV, movie and theater star Tippy Dos Santos performed Umpisa with
Jensen (the album includes their duet), while former Rivermaya vocalist Jason
Fernandez jammed with the song Sisikat Ang Araw.
Jensen's launching concert hosts- Robin Nievera and Karylle
Jensen with Tippy Dos Santos
After Jensen’s 10-song-set, musician
friends of the young singer-songwriter performed for the after-party held at
Saguijo – Mayonnaise, Carlos Castano and She’s Only Sixteen.
Jensen then performed an acoustic, intimate
set for the fans and friends, which further highlighted how musically-gifted he
is. Sponge Cola frontman Yael Yuzon showed support by attending the acoustic
set.
“The whole process of mounting the album
launch was one exciting roller coaster ride,” admits Jensen. “So many changes
had to be made, but better things came our way with other people’s help. “
From being one of the most promising names
in the independent music scene, Jensen was discovered by Universal Records and
management group Orion Entertainment because of the album’s title track and
single Umpisa.
“Like any musician my age, I have
experienced many difficulties. Luckily, amidst all the struggles, people have
been supportive of me and my music. This made me pursue my passion,” expresses
Jensen. “The release of this album summarizes everything I’ve been through in
the past five years as a person, lover and musician.”
It has been three years since the popular Pinoy rock band, "Callalily" had their last album. During the band's bloggers conference held just recently at the Universal Tower with the Universal Records top execs, lead vocals Kean Cipriano, together with co-band members Tatsi Jamnague, Aaron Ricafrente and Lemuel Belaro, admitted that they've been working on their latest album for three years and that they've been working so hard on it that every detail, every article, every word that they had put on every song really matters. "Flower Power" doesn't only mark as the band's comeback album; it is also their first record from their new label, their new home, the Universal Records.
Callalily signing their contract with the Universal Records top execs during the blogcon
After the contract signing, Callalily performed 3 songs from their latest album
Check out their song "Buhay," one of my personal faves
Some of you might be wondering why Flower Power? Oh well, according to Kean, "Callalily is a flower kaya Flower Power. Power of Callalily." The lead singer even added that, "During the late 60's and early 70's, ang flower power is para s'yang advocacy, parang campaign noon na about peace and love. And feeling namin ito na 'yung right timing kasi sa mga fans namin, sa mga "Callalistas," flower power kami, tapos they love us very much, kami 'yung flower power nila. Tapos dahil three years nga, naisip namin s'yang gawing comeback campaign." That really made a lot of sense, right? Very well said, Kean. :))
While we still couldn't get over with their live performance during the blogcon, yet, we still had another very rare experience with the band. I was so delighted for the very reason that we also get to listen three more cuts from their latest album. And of all the songs played and we've listened to, the song HKM (Hindi Kita Malilimutan) caught my ear and attention. It was so touching and the words had so much meaning that it really struck me. Even Kean admitted that, it is also one of his fave cuts since according to him, "Tungkol ito sa mga na-mimiss ko na tao na wala na kasi sila dito, kasama na nila 'yung mga anghel. Saka iniyakan ko ito sa studio eh, I have to admit, unang kanta ko pa lang ng first line."
Finally! Callalily's "Flower Power" album cover
Flower Power Tracklist:
Pasasalamat
Sabik na Sabik
HKM (Hindi Kita Malilimutan)
Lapit
Buhay
Pansamantala
You and I
Buhos ng Ulan
Walang Sumipot
Para Sa'yo
Tatsi, Aaron, Kean and Lemuel
That afternoon was filled with surprises; it was also a very memorable, fun, happy and informative meet-up with Callalily. It was like a "getting to know" moment with the band, we never expected (I bet you don't either) that Lemuel's family owns the very famous "Lala" chocolate factory, cool huh! Aside from that, Lem is also a member of a band named "Banda ni Kleggy," which Kean asked us to also support, all for the love of OPM. We've also known that Tatsi is a culinary graduate, cool! And here's another interesting trivia --- they're all still single! Well, Kean adamantly admitted that he's exclusively dating; Aaron's status is "It's complicated," while Tatsi said, "Nag-iipon muna talaga ko ng solid eh bago.... pera muna haha," and Lemuel's reply was "Career muna s'yempre, di ba, madaling magmahal pag mas maraming pera hahaha (joking)." Everyone was laughing and enjoying every moment shared with the band as if we were a big, happy family. :))
Callalily with the bloggers
Seriously, Callalily expressed their hopes about their latest album and their upcoming launch on October 12, 2012 at the Eastwood Central Plaza, 8pm, they said, "Gusto sana naming marinig s'ya ng mas maraming tao, gusto sana namin na marinig s'ya ng mga kaibigan n'yo, mga kapatid n'yo, mga pinsan n'yo na masabi namin 'yung kwentong sinasabi namin dito sa album na 'to." It is a celebration of new beginnings, friendships and good music. So guys, feel-free to watch them and be part of their comeback album launch this Friday, okay? They promise us a different kind of experience, isn't that exciting? So let's join them! ;-)
They'll be also having mall tours as part of the Flower Power album promo, check out their schedule:
Oct 21, Sun - Robinsons Nova Market, Activity Area, 5pm
Nov 2, Fri - Robinsons Place Lipa, Activity Area, 5pm
Nov 3, Sat - Robinsons Sta. Rosa Market, Fountain Area, 5pm
Nov 4, Sun - Robinsons Metro East, Activity Area, 5pm
Nov 11, Sun - Robinsons Place Dasmarinas, 5pm
Another trivia: Their single "Pasasalamat," which is included in the album, was the bestselling single of www.mymusicstore.com.ph and trended on Twitter during the day of the release itself.
International
singer-songwriter Per Sorensen, the voice behind the bestselling Norwegian
music export Fra Lippo Lippi, has released his new solo album Master of
Imperfection, which includes his new recordings of Fra Lippo Lippi’s classics
Later and Beauty and Madness.
The album has Loneliness as his first single and a cover of
James Taylor’s Fire and Rain.
Master of Imperfection highlights the endearing
vulnerability to Per’s voice, where melancholia pours down to the cracks of
these tracks.
Per adds, “In 1986, I wrote the song Beauty and Madness with
lyricist Rune Kristoffersen for the upcoming Fra Lippo Lippi album Light and
Shade (1987). You're either too young to remember, or too old, for that matter.
Anyway, I love that song, so I re-recorded it for this album. Hope you like it,
too!”
Master of Imperfection includes ten songs, which, hopefully,
will lift music fans’ souls for some forty `minutes.
Incidentally, Per Sorensen will be having a two-day concert here in the Philippines with the "Tears For Fears" duo this August 10 and 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Newest OPM Sweetheart Emmanuelle launches
her debut single Happy from her
self-titled debut album this Sunday at ASAP 2012. The album is produced by
multi-platinum producer Ito Rapadas for Universal Records.
Happy,
an original, feel-good song, is composed by
Emmanuelle herself.
Because of her sweet voice, amazing
songwriting talent, pretty face, Emmanuelle is poised to be OPM’s music
sweetheart.
Aside from Happy, Emmanuelle penned songs like Dear Diary, and Tonight.She also interpreted songs of Ito
Rapadas (Sandali Lang) and Jude
Gitamondoc (Sarap Mabuhay). She also
has her rendition of the hit ballad God
Gave Me You.
Another highlight of the album is her duet
with Yeng Constantino in the song Manong
Guard.
Emmanuelle is being managed by Cornerstone
Talent Management Center (www.cornerstonetalents.com).
It was a big day
for Universal Records as two of its prime artists Noel Cabangon and Christian
Bautista were presented record awards for their respective albums. Noel’s Byahe was given a Double Platinum Record
Award, while Christian’s Outbound was
awarded a Gold Record Award.
“At this day of
piracy and downloading, it is really an achievement that albums still sell,”
says Universal Records Kathleen Dy-Go. “We are so proud to have the bestselling
artists in our roster.”
Noel is
currently working on a follow-up to the successful Byahe album and is now currently promoting his latest album Panaginip.
“Mabuhay ang lahat ng nagmamahal sa OPM,”
declares Noel. “Maraming salamat sa lahat
ng sumuporta.”
Christian, on
the other hand, has just released an expanded version of his Outbound album called First Class.
“What a fitting
way to start the celebration of my 10 years in showbiz,” shares Christian. “I
am so blessed to have everyone supporting me and my music.”
