Getting Contacted By A Major Label
Sony Music Philippines just launched a Christian label called Waterwalk Records, and I’m part of the lineup!
suspiciously out of the blue
Crazy, right? I mean, a lot of you guys have been around even when I was just starting out with being a Christian artist. In fact, it hasn’t even been 2 years since I started releasing music. I haven’t even stepped outside my bedroom to perform any of my songs live! But almost a couple months ago, Sony Music Philippines reached out to me because their Christian music marketing consultant heard my music and loved it. They basically wanted me to be part of their launch lineup for the first-ever Christian record label in Asia. I mean how cool is that?!
Growing out of my fear
It took a lot of praying and discernment, but in the end, the Lord made it clear that He wanted me to be part of this, and that He will protect me. One thing you might not know about me, I used to hate the idea of working in the music industry. I didn’t want to be caught up in all the noise. I’m also terrible at handling human praise (I’m still working on it). But God has allowed me to grow so much in that aspect in the past year, that I believe this time I’m mature enough to understand that there is much more to my Christian life than avoiding my “spiritual danger zones”, especially when the people God intends to reach are found there.
Creating in the Secret Place
If there’s one thing that I love so much about this very rare and suspiciously unexpected opportunity, is that I really could have never seen it coming. It’s not something I specifically prayed about. I’m honestly fine without this platform. But God obviously has something revolutionary in mind, and I’m all about that. I’m all about those great Kingdom plot twists!
I honestly didn’t know that there were a lot of Christians already in the Philippine music space, so for one, it’s such a delight to finally get connected with them. Actually, if there is one thing I did pray for, it’s this: to be connected with a local Christian creative community. And somehow I found it. Or rather, it found me.
Please don’t get me wrong - the fact that I am working with a major label is not the success. This remains to be loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. He was and will always be enough for me, and He should be for you, too. But it is absolutely amazing how in my joy of creating in the secret place with Him, and simply enjoying that and faithfully sharing what we create to others, He decides to multiply my few loaves and fish.
I’m no big player even among this lineup. I’m probably one of the underdogs. There are bigger names beside me, but I also try not to let that fool me into thinking that glorifying man is in any way acceptable. Nevertheless, God has made my fellow artists such as Morisette, Stell, Hazel Faith and Gloryfall extremely talented, and entrusted with many, and I delight in the work that He is doing in them.
If there’s one thing I want to encourage you with, it would be this: stay faithful in what God has called you to do today. Yes, even if no one else sees it right now. If He calls you to share anything you’ve created, even if it’s just to that one friend, do it. As I walk on this journey with the Lord, the more I find that 99% of what the world cares about is dust. They amount to nothing. But one crucial thing that God treasures is relationships. And pretty much every gift that He has given us is to serve one another, not ourselves. So I hope that you would keep this in mind as you discover, hone, and share your talent, time and treasures.
asking for prayers
It’s still a long journey ahead. Recently I finished the full demo of the song I’ll be releasing under Waterwalk, and now I’m just getting the recordings from my sessionists. This would be my most collaborative project to date and I am so excited for you to hear this very groovy song!
It would mean the world to me if you could help by covering this project and everyone involved in prayer. Please pray for the following:
That God would be glorified in the process and in the outcome
That God would use the testimonies of each person involved to reach His lost sheep
That God would keep us humble and help us to embrace meekness over fame and success
That God would protect the church working under Waterwalk Records to keep the vision and mission without compromising their values
God bless you!
