Filipino and Singaporean artists Trisha Denise, Marian Carmel, kotoji, LU.ME and KIRI team up to promote mental wellness through music.
ABS-CBN’s Star Pop music label and Singapore-based creative production company AOR Global released the EP called “My Safe Place”, a cross-cultural collaboration that seeks to promote mental wellness through music.
My Safe Place features six tracks from Filipino acts Trisha Denise and LU.ME., and Singaporean artists KIRI, kotoji and Marian Carmel. The project was co-produced by ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo and Star Pop label head Rox Santos.
Singer-songwriter Trisha Denise wrote and performed the song “Cracks,” which is about accepting one’s imperfections.
“We believe that our pain and our difficulties make us unworthy of love, but those things have led us to a better version of ourselves. Kahit na may ‘break’ tayo, let’s just enjoy the journey,” he encouraged.
Up-and-coming soul-pop artist and kumu streamer LU.ME sang the song “Surrender” for the timely EP.
“Sometimes we feel na mag-isa lang tayo sa world but hindi ganun yun. We are all loved,” he said. “Giving up is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.”
Independent singer and advocate for the destigmatization of mental illness and trauma, KIRI performed the soothing track “Get Well Soon.”
“I was excited to sing the song because it’s all I need. It’s like a reminder to yourself that things will get better,” she recounted.
A multi-instrumentalist who composes, writes and co-produces her own works, Kotoji wrote and sang the song “Survive”, an ambient dream-pop song inspired by her friends’ experiences.
She narrated, “When I was working on this song, I was thinking about my friends who were struggling. I wanted to send them a word of encouragement despite all the bad things that were going on.”
Finally, Philippine-born, Singapore-raised singer-songwriter Marian Carmel recounted her personal struggles that led her to accept the opportunity to sing the song “Wish That I Could Tell Me.”
She said, “These are the things I want to say to myself. It’s a letter to my 19-year-old self who just found out she has panic disorder.”
In addition to the solo tracks, the EP also features the uplifting pop-rock song “My Safe Place”, which was performed by all five artists. The song is about finding a space that provides comfort and allows you to feel safe.
“My Safe Place” is now available on various digital streaming platforms.
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