TJ Monterde, Galaxy Record’s New Acoustic Pop Balladeer

5/29/2013 09:46:00 PM

The mommy in me made me think once again if today's music will eventually make me fall in love once more. After listening to TJ Monterde's music during the Bloggers' Event I believe I had once again been mesmerize by the warm and soulful voice of this New Acoustic Pop Balladeer none other than TJ Monterde or for long Titus John Monterde. Great that I have listened to his voice.

For the benefit of those who doesn't know him yet, TJ Monterde is one of the known disc jockey or DJ in Cagayan de Oro which also by the way sings in some of his gig and then became also one of the TV host of ABS-CBN’s regional show and then became a Youtube-born balladeer. With his soulful and heartwarming voice proves that this guy is not only looks but also got some good entertainment package to offer. I remember one of the blogger said that good that he got voice and looks because in some cases, especially here in the metro, DJs are just DJs... you know what I mean about that.

At the bloggers' event, TJ Monterde warm a bit the room with his voice singing “Wag Na Lang Kaya”

TJ Monterde shares that some of the songs included in the album are all his original creations which is mostly about love and most of all songs are lonely ones. He also shares the stories behind his original songs. One of his songs entitled “Ikaw at Ako” was used as theme song in "My Super Fan Girl" written and directed by Marcelo Santos III. The song “Ikaw at Ako” became his signature song.

TJ Monterde’s debut album “Ikaw at Ako” is now available in record stores. Released under Galaxy Records and distributed by PolyEast Records.

Recorded at Studio 1103 in Quezon City (owned by Lito Camo), “Ikaw at Ako” finds the singer/songwriter pushing six OPM old hits and five originally penned songs in about equal measure. Collaborating with top-notch producers and musical engineers, Monterde’s debut album boasts the first single “Ikaw At Ako” and showcases his soulful wail and guitar playing.

Currently, “Ikaw at Ako” is playing on local radios and it’s music video has caught positive feedback online garnering 40,000 YouTube viewers in two weeks and Pinoy MYX Countdown charted on #4.

“This album is a conscious decision and what I thought really needed to happen. It just felt like I needed someone to rattle my cage, take some risks and continuously love what you do. With the accessibility of the social media, I was able make it work” Monterde shared.

Fast forward to 2013, Galaxy Records signed Monterde in 2012 and have finally giving fans what they have been waiting for. As the album lightens up with a few remakes, Monterde, a big OPM fan himself included six OPM classics “I enjoy singing songs I grew up listening to. My parents, being artists too, have influenced me a lot. These are the songs that, for me, we should be proud of and I’m taking this part to relive them.”

Leaning back to the old OPM sound and yet giving another life to each song, seven covers include “Cold Summer Nights” (Francis Magalona), “Hindi Mo Ba Minamahal” (Dingdong Avanzado), “Iyong-iyo” (Big Thing), “Mabuti Pa Sila” (Gary Granada), “Mahal na Mahal” (Archie D), “Pangako” (Kindred Garden) and “‘Wag na Lang Kaya” (Truefaith).

Taking a different path aside from his hosting stints, Monterde said “I’m just being true to my craft. Sometimes it’s great to take the leash off and share a little of what you have—to my listeners, viewers online and to OPM as a whole. Although it doesn’t stray too far from what I’ve done as a host/radio jockey, I can still share my stories through this album and that was the result of taking risks.”

Original music does exist and if you want all OPM acoustic songs in its purest form, then look no further than TJ Monterde’s debut album called “Ikaw at Ako”. Laced with guitars and subtle singing, Monterde is probably the wordiest singer you will ever listen to nowadays.

Special thanks to Hairshaft Salon (Podium Mall), Mossimo and Red Box (EastWood Mall).