Kitchie Nadal Seeks New Horizons With Purposeful Songwriting
Philippine rock icon Kitchie Nadal says she is compelled to write and perform music beyond sappy love songs, and to advance her work to art that holds more weight and draws from social and global issues. She is set to hold her first solo concert in Manila next month.
The “Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin” singer reflected on her career that was built on heartbreak and love songs that many of the younger generations still resonate with.
“I would write songs like 'Huwag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin,' 'Same Ground,' and they’re heartbreak songs. There’s a bit of conscious effort for me now, as a mother, to write more positive songs because I have children,” she told Esquire Philippines in an interview.
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Nadal, who lives in Madrid, is married to Spanish journalist and musician Carlos López with whom she has two kids, Keon and Iago.
Before the release of her iconic 2004 self-titled solo album, she was the frontwoman and lead vocalist for alternative rock band Mojofly that had radio classics such as "Minamalas" off the outfit's debut album Birthday.
Her solo album achieved certified platinum status seven times with sales of nearly 215,000 physical copies.
The local rock icon also said that she is keen on playing songs like "Fire," "You’re Worthy," and "Run," which weren’t released as singles but have stayed fan favorites or cult classics within her fanbase.
Nadal reflected on listening to a lot of Tori Amos and Damien Rice when finishing up her eponymous record. The LP gave us hits such as "Bulong!!!," and the aforementioned "Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin," and "Same Ground."
Who Is Kitchie Listening to?
Among the alternative rock star’s favorite artists to listen to right now are mostly part of the new age of local acts in the music scene, such as Zild Benitez, Enamori, Janine Berdin, and Arthur Nery.
Zeroing in on the IV of Spades alum, Nadal praised Zild’s songwriting ability and musicianship heard in his current solo run.
"I invited him to perform 'Same Ground' with me the last time in our concert, I think two years ago, and I can’t even say that I’m better [at songwriting]... I feel like he’s a lot better than me. I super love his tracks,” she said.
Nadal also cited "Lia" from Zild’s latest LP Superpower as one of her favorite songs from him as well as the accompanying music video shot in Japan.
On global artists, she is currently into Swedish electronic band Little Dragon and Willow Smith for their jazzy and experimental releases.
"I’m just enjoying the fact that people are so open-minded with blending genres," the rock icon said.
"I like listening to different genres and experimenting with my music. So even for my original songs, even for my first album, I like to deconstruct it."
Kitchie Nadal's New Ground
Nadal is having her first solo concert, New Ground, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 21 at 8 pm. She earlier teased that the show would feature artists and new collaborations that she had never worked with before.
Ticket prices for New Ground:
- Upper Box - P1,600
- Lower Box Regular - P2,200
- Premium - P2,700
- Patron B - P3,800
- Patron A - P4,800
- VIP - P5,900
- SVIP - P8,000 (with meet and greet)
Tickets are available through TicketNet.
