Zahaera, an aspiring independent, Filipina singer/song-writer.
Interview conducted on October 11, 2020
By Dan Locke
Zahaęra 🙂 dreams of creating music that connects people. To create bonds and to teleport minds to a place where you can escape and create your own reality.
You are from Cebu City. What is your upbringing?
I was brought up in the quiet part of Cebu, where you get to hear birds chirping every morning, wind breezing through our windows and doors and the sun just greeting us with a warm hug. It was a really convenient and peaceful place. My parents were the religious type since my dad was a pastor and my mom was the song leader in our church. So, it was already expected of me to follow in my mom’s footsteps and I did.
My family’s quite conservative, but also supportive. My parents were very strict. I couldn’t go out without a chaperone or I couldn’t go out at all if they didn’t trust the group I was going out with. Even though, it was all like that, I love my family and I mean the entire tree. I remember the times where we would all gather with our uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents for Christmas and new year’s. It was very fun because every year we would gather at maybe your grandparent’s place, or our aunt’s and uncle’s place and it was so much fun even with all the travelling. I love how we’re all connected with music. My mom’s side of the family are mostly opera singers, pianists, and all that jazz as well as my dad’s, but they were more on the acoustic type. I kinda miss how everything was back then when it was all still simple.
How is live music in Cebu City?
Oh, it’s beautiful, although I haven’t really listened to much live music here in Cebu, since they’re mostly open during the night time and I get quite busy with school work and I’m not a night-lifer myself. Haha!
How did you discover music?
Ever since I was little, I’ve known about music. My mom used to always sing to us when we were younger and our dad would either play his guitar or put in a CD and play a good ol’ classic, oldie song. I was taught how to play the piano by my mom’s aunt and my dad taught me how to play the guitar. I started singing when I was 4 years old. It was an ABC song and I sang it with different lyrics back then!
Why did you leave nursing to go into music?
I actually haven’t left nursing. I’m currently still taking up nursing as a course in college, but I’m quite near the end now. Hopefully! I get to pass all my subjects and graduate soon.
How did you get your first guitar and do you still have it?
It was given to me as a birthday gift from my parents. It was a pink acoustic guitar and it had really beautiful tunes. It was also handmade. No, I don’t have it anymore and I forgot how I lost it. It’s sad because it was my first guitar and I really adored it, but to think I’d just forget how I lost it!
What is the make, model of the guitar you favor now? And does it have a name?
I actually love the guitar I have right now. It’s my dad’s guitar and has been with us since I was a little kid. I don’t remember how he gave it to me or I took it and assumed it was mine? It’s made out of a really strong wood in the Philippines called “Kamagong” and the color’s maple from what I looked up about it online. I don’t have a name for it yet, but thanks for reminding me!
How did you start to write music?
I started writing songs when I was about 14-15 years old. It was a cheesy song about this crush I had back then and wanting to express how I felt through music. That’s when it all began and that’s when it all ended as well. I didn’t cling onto writing songs back then as much as I do now. It was just a hobby for me back then. Something to past time.
What was your first performance like?
My first performance on a grand stage was in South Korea. It was at our school’s festival. The first time was at a contest and they had cameras filming our presentations live and on national TV. It was very fun and liberating because I had yet to learn a lot of things back then about music and performing. After that happened, I became a regular at our school’s mini concerts and little by little I got to be familiar with being in front of a crowd. Those experiences for me actually helped me gain more confidence on stage and not have stage fright.
How did you pick your stage name?
It wasn’t easy at all! It took me a month to two months to finally come up with a name and stick with it. I had so many debates in my mind whether or not I should go through with the name I have right now. If it’ll click with the crowd or not, or if it’ll help define me as an artist. Stage names are very tricky. You could either stick with your name or create something different. “Zahaera” is derived from my first name “Jehorah”. I stuck with “JJ” for a while, but then thought “Hey, there are lots of Jj’s in the music industry and a lot of them are guys. “Then I thought of multiple names I could go with. I really wanted to change my nickname because there was already a point in my journey in music when this one guy commented and asked if I were a dude or a girl and it was very funny, really and I had to come up and tell him that I was a girl. I laughed it off, but it kinda stuck in my mind. Although, I’ve always wanted to change into a name that’s unique and that’s when I thought of “Zahaera”. I tried mixing up my name and even tried different letters and “Zahaera” was the only name that made sense.
What makes a good songwriter?
To me, it’s the musicality, the lyrics and how you relate to your listeners, and how they can relate to your music. Your music, talent, art needs to be shared, seen and heard and the way an artist expresses their emotions into their craft is very unique for each of them. We can’t just be fixated in one type of topic in your music or art. You gotta expand and explore. Create more that makes the people see what you’re seeing and feel what you want them to feel. Music is like a blanket to many. It’s there to cover you up when you just need to hide away from the world. It’s there to build a fort around you to protect you from everything and anything that’s been hurting you. It’s there to give you comfort when you need it the most. I think, what makes a good songwriter, is one that creates music that lets people feel all these different emotions. More like giving you a roller-coaster ride.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
It was called “‘Til we meet again” It’s a song about missing someone special, but you can’t really tell them that they’re very special to you. You wanna see them, wanna be with them and hang out like you used to, but now since you’re having these feelings, you can’t. I recorded it and posted it on a very old YouTube account. I wrote 3 more songs after that and a piano piece. I uploaded one song on my SoundCloud account. I cringe every time I look back, though.
You have been covering a lot of music. Which one do you feel is your best Youtube video?
I’d say it would be my cover of “Angel Bones by Aley Underwood”. I did this cover around 2013. I had fun doing the video and arranging it. We did it while I was still living in South Korea behind our church building. I love it because it talks about how we as individuals are angels inside and it just needs to come out. We just need to remember how to be kind, how to be loving and to get back on track when we’re down. This song inspired me to continue with music. There’s a line that says “There’s a golden key that opens any lock. The path to get the thing you want is never really blocked. “and it reminded me of staying strong and faithful. Our time may not come now, but it will eventually and it’ll be perfect.
How do you pick which song to cover on your Youtube channel?
It’s mostly random and sometimes I take requests or ask my friends and family what they want me to sing. I run out of ideas on what to cover and how to cover the song, but I do get inspiration from other YouTube.
Are you thinking about putting together an album?
I’m actually working on an album right now. I’ve just been waiting for the right equipment and gears to use and also the time. I’ve been busy with schoolwork recently, so I can’t really focus on my music as much, but I do my best to find time to create and release new songs and covers. So, yes, I’ve got an album in the works right now!
How did you go about writing Whispers (Open Waters)?
This song, in particular, is quite sensitive, powerful and it’s a very special piece for me. This song was the very first song that I wrote the moment I got back into songwriting this year. It’s the song that helped me understand about my advocacy and made me realize what I could do with music. I wanted to create a piece that tackles on the usual things that’s been happening around the world that we sometimes forget about. We see people getting hurt each day, and people trying to hurt themselves. Maybe it’s our friends, our families, our neighbors, or people we don’t know. We can’t really understand the extent of hurt and pain that they’re feeling right now and sometimes we try to turn it into a joke and not think of it as a serious topic when in fact it is. We forget to be human and lend a helping hand and we realize all the wrong things that we’ve been doing when it’s too late. I wanted to portray death as a whisper. It’s like poisonous words taunting you, telling you that you’re not enough, that you’re worthless and there’s nothing you can do about it. I want to show how powerful words can be and how it can easily poison our minds into thinking that we aren’t as important as all the other human beings out there. I’m hoping that everybody could acknowledge how our words are just as dangerous as guns and as toxic as poison. We should learn to be kind, to be helpful and good.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
I wish I were touring, but I’m not and my music hasn’t reached that level yet. So, I can’t really say, but maybe eating healthy fruits and vegetables and exercise while on the road is a good way to stay healthy.
What are you feeling about streaming music?
It’s fast and growing. A lot of artists these days are able to just post their music online on different platforms and get streams. It’s quite vast and not as much of a hassle unlike back then. I’ve heard how those days were the days when you’d have to actually go to a studio and get your demo done perfectly, based on what perfect is for your music, and then pass it to big recording companies or music industries to get your name seen and heard. These days, people can record on their phones, stream online, and not need to buy CD’s, but there are still a lot out there that sell vinyl’s and CDs.
Digital vs. Vinyl?
Nothing can beat the classics. Vinyl’s have a different feel. It’s like being in a place all alone or with your loved one and just dancing along to the music. I really like the old times and the things that people had back then. Digital helps you get your music out there pretty fast and it’s easy when you’ve got friends who know their way around it.
You started quarantine on March 16. What did you think at that time how the virus would affect the Philippines?
I thought there would be a drastic drop in the economy. Personally, I think, our hospitals aren’t 100% ready for any type of pandemic. We lack nurses and doctors and compliance from citizens. Most people just really won’t obey the law or can’t trust it, but I can see why from their point of view as well. It was very horrifying at first, because people were like a frenzy. The week that we knew that a lockdown was gonna happen, everyone was rushing to a nearby grocery store to shop for goods and this was the time when humanity showed its greediness. We see it all over the news, people fighting over tissue paper or something else. It’s depressing because we’re supposed to be helping each other out during this crisis, but we’re all just fighting. I was anxious and frightened about how our leaders would react to the crisis and how our citizens would act out in response to our leaders’ decisions.
What is the mental health situation of the Philippines?
The young ones are completely drained and a lot of people are scared of what’s gonna happen next or which family’s gonna be targeted by this virus next. Ever since, our online classes have started, I’ve seen news about teenagers and young adults ending their lives over their internet connection, and despite all that, we’re made to have to continue and go on with our studies. It’s a very very difficult time for all of us.
What have you been doing during yourself quarantine?
I’ve been making songs, lyrics, and studying. I’ve written a lot ever since this quarantine started, but most of them are still incomplete. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting during this lockdown and this isolation has actually helped me understand myself more and understand a whole bunch of people more. I saw more of myself than what I usually saw before the pandemic blew up and I got to reflect on the mistakes I’ve made and the traits about myself that I’m willing to change.
Do you think kids should go back to school?
No, I don’t believe it’s the safest decision. Not unless, they’ve released a vaccine here or have leveled up their precautions in school. It isn’t safe outside yet.
In Canada, they just released a new Covid-19 vaccine for school children which gets rid of the invasive nasal swab and instead asks kids to gargle and spit. Now this is for children only. Should this also be given to adults?
If it’s proven effective, better than the nasal swab and that it would also be effective for adults, then yes it would be good if testing for adults can be done this way. It’s safer than having a stick deep inside your nasal.
Studies are showing that because COVID-19 many students who were ready for college have decided to hold off because many schools are doing virtual school and changing the same amount of school as they would for on campus classes. Do you think the colleges should give some type of discount to these students?
Well, we aren’t using the school’s facilities anymore, so there would be somewhat of a need to drop tuition fees. I’ve seen this happening here in the Philippines. A lot of students are taking a time off from college/school because for starters, some can’t afford it, some don’t have stable internet connection and if we talk about modular classes, it wouldn’t be safe for any of the family members to go in and out of school just to pick up modules. You get to bump into a lot of people in school who are also there to pick up modules.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
It’s a song called “Hide and Seek” and I wrote this a few months ago. This is the song that I sang on a T.V show here in the Philippines in 700 club Asia (in one of their segments). It talks about our fear of the world. How these days we are living in closed doors, isolated from everything that’s outside while being succumbed to fear and losing faith in all. It’s when we doubt what we’re capable of; we question our strengths and the things that we used to believe in. It’s about our faith being hidden in closed doors and us slowly being familiar with the concrete walls around us. I wrote this because I wanted people to check themselves if they’re still doing okay, or are they giving up on hope already and forgetting about themselves. Ever since this pandemic broke out, we have been made aware of the many things that we need to give attention to. A lot of us are talking about our mental state, our mental health and how it’s very important that we take care of ourselves too. We sometimes forget that we’re just as important.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus is going to affect the music business in the future?
We can already see the impact that this virus has caused to the music industry. I think, since most of us are online now, we’d definitely be adapting to the new normal with social media. Live bands are being held online; concerts can also be held online. They’ll definitely be some changes in the music industry.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I’ve grown quite fond of interior designing lately. I’m actually trying to redecorate our apartment and get things fixed here and there. I’ve also been into cooking and creating new recipes. It’s quite fun and you get to have a lot of quality time for yourself during this quarantine.
Have you picked up any good books?
Yes! I’ve been reading this book by Chris Shook and Megan Shook Alpha entitled “Beauty Begins”. It was given by my aunt and uncle from the states. It’s a really wonderful book that talks about inner beauty and what makes a person beautiful. This book helps you be at peace with your reflection and it reminds us of how beautiful we truly are. A lot of people, especially women, lose sight of what true beauty is. Mostly we’ve been influenced by what we see on the internet, T.V., depicting what beauty “should” look like. Our minds immediately get clouded by the thought of us being not “perfect” or not enough. This book helped me go through a tough time in my life. We all have our ups and downs. We tend to doubt our capabilities and further be convinced that we’re just not gonna make it far. I do believe that every individual is unique and beautiful and that we should start trusting in ourselves more and having faith in ourselves more. It may not be easy, but one step at a time does the trick.
How was the 700 club Asia?
It was an exciting experience. I love talking about faith and I especially love sharing testimonies in hopes that people can be inspired. It was something different for me, and it was a bit nerve wracking because it was my first time being aired on national T.V. and I got to talk to some people working there because they had to run me through everything that I needed to do before going on. I was practicing with their line producer and I just really loved the energy and vibe. It was very fun.
95% of the people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and use their computers to stream programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I like going on Netflix, YouTube, and Facebook. You get to see a lot of free movies on YouTube and Facebook, but Netflix is a whole different level. I don’t really like watching T.V., I do like going online and streaming shows there.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on live streamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained relevant licenses. They updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create music listening experience[…] This will include [Facebook] Live”, and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only. How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
A lot of artists are relying on Facebook since it’s one of the good ways to stay connected with their listeners. This change will surely affect a lot of people. After this, more people or artists will start relying on other platforms more and changes will definitely be made.
With no real live music (mostly virtual shows) except for things like Drive-In theater shows with crowds for the past 6 months, what do you think will be the future of music?
I like drive-in theater shows. I do think that music will still always be there, but we can expect that there are going to be a lot of changes if this pandemic won’t simmer down. We can already see so many live shows, music online and performers having to adjust to what’s going on. I think this can either be a good thing or bad thing for music, but either way, music will still be there. It’ll still be something that can help us get through things in life, our outlet, despite everything that has changed.
How can bands keep their fans if they can no longer play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?
It can also depend on the loyalty of the fans. Bands can also play live online, or do something different and unique to continue catching people’s interest. It definitely is going to be difficult to maintain your popularity, but even if all things may not go your way, always remember why you started this in the first place and why you love music.
Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music, and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
Yes. This is a good way to stay connected with your fans virtually, although it’s very different from when you’re actually seeing them perform physically, it may still work.
Are you still doing TikTok?
Unfortunately, I have uninstalled tik tok on my phone and I don’t know if I’ll ever get back on it. I might, one day.
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
I guess, if it’s alright with the band and they’re doing it for fun, it would be no big deal, but professionally if they’re expecting something big out of it, they’d have to be doubtful about it. I don’t have a band, so I really wouldn’t know.
With Social distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?
For the meantime, I think it’s a smart decision to postpone music fests and not to have them for now. I know, in the future, this pandemic will blow over and things will eventually go back to normal. We just have to get used to the new normal as of now and stay safe.
You just did a performance at Monday Brewing back in September. I looked over the bill and there were a lot of performers playing that night. How was that night?
It was nice. I got to share my recent original to a lot of viewers and it was fun. It was a great opportunity for them to give to my music.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I would actually love to see that one day. That’s a really awesome idea to look forward to. It’s different and new and very fitting to what’s been going on right now.
What do you think Xmas will look like this year?
Definitely a quarantined Christmas, but I’m sure it will still be filled with love from our families and friends. Let’s try and make the most out of it and be happy despite everything that has happened. Even for a short while we can try to forget our worries and problems and just be with the ones that we love.
How do you see yourself in the next few years?
A successful singing, songwriting nurse with music that can help cure the people and the world.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you, UnRatedMagazine! for having me and for this interview. It’s opened my mind to a lot of things that have been going around with the world lately. Thank you for reaching out and for giving me this opportunity to share some things about myself and to talk about what’s been going on. Once again, I’m Zahaera, a singer/songwriter from the Philippines and wishing you all an advance Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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