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Man On The Side: New music from singer-songwriters Julianne Tarroja and Ian Penn


At this point, the only people who still insist that OPM is dead are those who aren’t exposed to local independent artists. These harbingers of doom don’t bother going to gigs or going beyond what they see on local TV or hear on their radio stuck on those masa stations.

Further proof that OPM is alive and well: two artists released all-original material just this past week. Both are consummate professionals and refuse to compromise on their artistry, which is why they both released their albums outside of the traditional major label system.

The first is Julianne Tarroja, who was once a fixture on the local gig circuit in the late 2000s before she took an extended break. Once dubbed Manila’s Soul Child, Julianne was the first local artist signed by major label MCA Music, which released her debut album "Grateful" in 2007.

Julianne Tarroja
It took eight years before the singer-songwriter released a follow-up. “I needed to experience life first,” she told a crowd of family, friends and fans at the launch of the sophomore album at 12 Monkeys in Century City in Makati last week. “It was a journey to find hope and courage and beauty in unexpected places.”

With the support of her management team at Manila Genesis, Julianne released the new record, "Ashes To Beauty", independently. It retains much of what I love about her: powerful, expressive vocals; thought-provoking, uplifting lyrics; and mad guitar skills. I used to watch her during gigs around town, assured that I would be witnessing a true artist at work every time. When I saw her up onstage that evening, it was a revelation; she seemed the same, yet somehow, something had changed.

She was radiant, effervescent and graceful, just like she was eight years ago. But this time, there was an edge, a fire, and a sense of urgency. This was a woman that had gone through trials, and lived to tell the tale, or sing about them. “I’ll tell you about a person who went on a journey to find hope, and courage, and beauty in unexpected places,” she said in between songs. “Along the way she encountered broken promises, false hopes, shattered dreams. This woman was me.”

When she sang, it was with the passion of torch singers of old—I was reminded of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Etta James. But it wasn’t all unquestioning devotion: she seemed a bit more skeptical and untrusting. The songs conveyed strength and defiance, channeled through a person who has learned to let go and continue living. “Sometimes we have to go through the darkest places on earth to know what light means,” she said.

Julianne may have built up her defenses somewhat, but she can never hide the positive, vivacious spirit underneath. The cracks show and we see that this isn’t a crusty cynic who has lost all faith in humanity. On the contrary, on songs like “Ikaw Lang,” “Never Far,” and the title track, “Ashes To Beauty,” she’s someone who sees the value in people—the right ones at least—and attempts to reach out to them, inspiring them with her words and melodies.

I bought the CD and listened to it on the drive home. Some of the intensity is lost in the production and I truly feel Julianne is better heard and appreciated live, but it was good to fill the air with her voice and her spirit. It’s a valiant effort from one of the most underrated artists of our time.

Ian Penn
The other singer-songwriter out to make a dent in the industry is Ian Penn, whom I first caught at a gig in Saguijo a few weeks ago. Signed under artist Clementine’s independent label Lilystars Records, Penn came out with a six-song EP, "Wild Abandon," and launched it Monday night at Boiler Room along C. Palanca in Makati.

The 22-year-old Pampanga native was fed a steady diet of Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and Neil Young when he was younger. Naturally, the ghosts of his folk heroes inform his own music. Wild Abandon is a gem of a record, one that you rarely get to hear these days from musicians who aren’t senior citizens.  

The recording is sparse and almost hypnotic; Penn’s sometimes joyful, sometimes mournful wailings float above the gentle strumming of the acoustic guitar. His use of the harmonica is also a nice touch. With the songs playing in the background, the imagery almost paints itself: an idyllic summer afternoon in the country, sunlight filtering through mango trees, a view of green fields from a hammock. This is back-to-roots music for people tired of the usual and the overproduced. Dylan and co. would be proud.

As a live performer, Penn has a singing style that could get a bit tedious after a while, but I’m not too worried as I know he is still evolving. At such a young age, he has already proven he’s willing to do the work and write original music, instead of getting by rehashing the work of others who came before him, and for this he has earned my respect. I can only look forward to his growth as an artist in the years ahead. — BM, GMA News

Get Julianne’s album Ashes To Beauty at ashestobeauty.ph and Ian Penn’s EP Wild Abandon at lilystars-records.com.

Paul John Caña is a magazine writer and live music geek. He is also co-founder of libreto.org, an online collective of writers and artists. Email him at pjcana@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @pauljohncana.
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