Yumi Lacsamana
As knowledgeable songwriter, falling into the occasional artistic stoop is nearly an inevitability, Yumi Lacsamana mentioned. However whereas there are days when inspiration is seemingly depleted, she is aware of that, one way or the other, it should at all times come again eventually.
“You’ll actually come to a degree the place you’re feeling such as you’re working out of concepts, and find yourself considering, ‘Is there one thing I can write that hasn’t been carried out but?’” she mentioned in a video convention for her newest single, the pensive piano ballad “Pundi” (Viva Information).
However typically, all it takes is a random stimulus to get the gears turning. The thought for Sarah Geronimo’s smash hit “Kilometro,” as an example, popped up whereas she was having espresso along with her songwriting accomplice, Thyro Alfaro.
“You’ll find inspiration wherever … like, whenever you’re having espresso when a automotive comes roaring previous. You by no means know when inspiration will strike, so that you don’t actually run out of it,” she mentioned.
Private challenges
Yumi, who gained the PhilPop songwriting competitors with Thyro twice with their entries “Dati” (2013) and “Triangulo” (2015), has spent the previous decade tirelessly churning out hits for varied artists and writing theme songs for motion pictures. The previous two years—marked by a pandemic and different private challenges—taught her the worth of slowing down.
“I took a little bit of a break from writing songs. Our minds want some relaxation, too… I’m extra chill and I take my time now. In my early years, I used to be so centered on chasing after my prime as a songwriter, so all I did was work, work, work. Napabayaan ko ang sarili ko,” she mentioned. “That’s why I virtually went loopy when the pandemic occurred. I used to be so used to working on a regular basis, then all of the sudden, you may’t do something.”
Though she has been raring to place out a solo album for fairly a while now, she sees to it that she doesn’t pressure herself to put in writing for the sake of it. “I’m nonetheless attempting to achieve momentum to put in writing for myself. Now, the concepts for an album are coming again. However I gained’t pressure it, as a result of I’m nonetheless not content material with what I’ve. I cease after I know issues are usually not working,” she mentioned.
And since she has spent most of her profession writing songs for different artists, Yumi thought that maybe it’s excessive time to deal with performing. Singing is her past love, in spite of everything.
“I’ve been desirous about it since final yr. I used to be like, ‘This time, I need to be Yumi, the singer. Sure, I write songs, however I additionally need to carry out if given an opportunity. So I ponder what it could sound like if I let different composers write for me,” she mentioned.
Good concept
“Pundi” was initially written and recorded by Bea Lacson for the 2018 film “Squad Targets.” Whereas it didn’t take off, it stays considered one of Yumi’s favourite works. So she felt it could be a good suggestion to report it herself and provides it a brand new taste.
“Thyro and I wrote it and the idea is about issues that {couples} combat about consistently, issues that take a look at your persistence … the ache and excuses that you just carry on dismissing. It’s not a query of affection. You get to a sure level the place you simply get drained,” she mentioned. “Parang ilaw na patay-bukas, mapupundi rin finally.”
“I like songs about heartbreak. I hope this track lastly soars as a result of I would like extra folks to listen to it,” she mentioned. “It’s for individuals who hope to search out braveness to save lots of themselves.”
Yumi and Thyro wrote and produced a few of 2010s’ most memorable hits, like Sarah Geronimo’s “Kilometro,” “Dulo” and “Ikot Ikot,” in addition to James Reid and Nadine Lustre’s “No Erase” and “Hanap-Hanap.”
And due to TikTok and different new social media apps, Thyro and Yumi’s earlier works, just like the R&B ballad “Kiss (By no means Let Me Go)” turned viral a decade after it was first launched.
How does it really feel that their model has influenced new songwriters and that even their previous songs are getting a variety of love from younger listeners? “It’s flattering. You’re getting used as a peg, so I feel which means you’re doing one thing good,” Yumi mentioned. “We wished to be bold after we wrote ‘Kiss’; we wished it to sound international. After 10 years, it was observed by the youthful era. And we are able to’t imagine it as a result of they assume the track nonetheless sounds present. We’re so completely satisfied.”
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