Leanne Mamonong and Naara Acueza have always known they would be pursuing music professionally. They, however, didn’t plan to be part of a group, or a duo, for that matter. That changed when they met each other in the freshmen orientation in Assumption College.
“We were actually the first college friends. We talked during the orientation and we found out we were under the same course. We were blockmates for four years and then the singing started. It started for just one event and then it went on and on and on,” Leanne said.
Six years after they met, they’re now known worldwide as Leanne and Naara, with over a million plays of their song Again on Spotify.
Their foundation as classmates and friends allowed them to have a more harmonious professional relationship.
“It’s more fun ‘cause we’re friends. We sort out our differences. If there’s something we can’t agree on, we talk about it. It’s not hard for us anymore kasi we’ve been [through so much]. We’ve been thesis partners [which is] the ultimate test,” she quipped.
They haven’t fought on anything that posed danger to both the friendship and the singing duo.
“Petty lang [yung mga arguments namin]. Not to the point as in away [talaga] and then hindi mag-uusap,” Naara added.
Though they’ve earned a global following with the LSS-worthy song, the two girls only consider it the beginning.
“[We will be releasing] a lot of new music and actually, [people can expect] a different genre [from us that is] very far from Again. We’ll slowly be releasing songs [and] hopefully, you guys will like it,” she noted.
The two have dreams of their own, but enjoy making and performing music as a unit. For them, they’ve found the perfect partner to pursuing their craft and working on their passion.
“If I hadn’t met [Naara, I don’t think I’ll be in a duo]… It wouldn’t be the same if it’s not with her. I wouldn’t want to continue a duo without [my] original partner,” Leanne declared.
“Yeah, me too,” Naara affirmed, with a smile.
Leanne and Naara will be performing two songs on the Playlist stage this Wednesday – their hit Again, and their feel-good rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
