Took me some time to write this new entry. I seem to think people are less into blogs, and more into the quicker micro social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. So the chronicles of our journey can mostly be found on our Facebook Artist Page. This blogsite however, is something that I should continue to keep on doing. For no other reason than this blogsite had been our home ever since we began our foray into Music.
2022 had really been a challenging year for me personally in terms of getting new songs out. I began planning the return of Thoughts And Notions with the same band members that have been with us since 2008. But it seems the logistics of doing it has become so hard to do. And rather than shut it down again, I decided to soldier on with a new plan. Thoughts And Notions no longer operates as a band, but has transitioned as a songwriting duo (Wilbert and Me) just like when we first started way back in 2005. Thrina however is sidelined for the moment. So that was another challenge that we had to face as neither Wilbert and me are gifted singers. So we had to recalibrate our plans to ensure that the music lives on. So most of the releases were old ones except for two songs (Brand New Reason and What Real Christmas Means to Me). And Thank God for guiding me to just hold on and to continue to write new songs with Wilbert. But before we get into that, let's start off with some recap of the year that was.
Since our return was in the last two months of 2021, I'm including those months as part of the recap. Basically, since we had two albums worth of back catalogue. Those were the initial releases. But we didn't release everything all at once. Being new with this Digital Music Stuff, I had to learn how to deal and operate in this new world of Digital Music. The first album was released on the tail end of October 2021, picking My Love Song as the carrier single primarily for the reason that it was the song that caught the attention of Praise Music's A&R Al Torres. Not to mention also that the song was responsible in paving the way for us to start our music careers. And the release proved daunting for me as this whole new world of Digital Music has left me scrapping for plans how to promote the songs. Of course, the loss of our old followers after more than 10 years of hiatus would mean that we'd have to start finding a new set of audience besides our family and friends. The only way to do it without spending any money for marketing is to thoroughly research about the best practices in navigating this Digital Music journey. And that's when I began learning about Spotify Algorithms. As of this writing, the first album "In Awe of His Amazing Love" has been streamed for more than 220,000 times. This without spending a single money for promotions.
The first album was released altogether in one release. But then I found out not long after the release that with Spotify, you are given the privilege to pitch your songs to their Editors for Official Spotify Playlist considerations. This new bit of information made me re-strategize our release plans. Instead of releasing our sophomore album in one drop, I've decided to release it in singles form before releasing the whole album entirely. The sophomore album wasn't widely released compared to the first one. Because we disbanded, and left a contract offer from a Record Label to distribute our songs nationwide unsigned. So personally, it can be treated as a new release. However, back in the day, we had released the song "Runaway Angel" on various radio stations. And it even caught the attention of NU 107, the Philippines' biggest Rock Radio Station at that time for their University Rock programming. This in turn would pave the way for our nomination in the 2009 NU Rock Awards for College Band of the year. So it was only fitting that as the new year came, we would welcome 2022 with the song that had put us on the national radio airwaves back in 2009. As of this writing, Runaway Angel is currently our most streamed song. With over 200,000 streams for this single song alone. Though it didn't got playlisted in any Official Spotify Playlists, but through third party and Spotify user generated playlisting submissions, the algorithms kicked in fast. Sending the songs to various Spotify users through the strength of the algorithms and algorithmic playlists.
When February came, we decided to release our second single, "Safer in My Heart", just to get in the Love Month mood. Though it would have been a perfect fit for any Valentines Related Official Spotify Editorial Playlist, it didn't get the nod from the editors. But, the third time to pitch proved to be the charm. With two songs from the sophomore album (Love, Faith, Hope, Redemption) released in successive months, we decided to release the full album on March 2022, choosing the Praise and Worship song "Beloved Savior" as the carrier single. The song made it to Spotify's Official New Music Friday Philippines playlist. Opening our doors to be discovered by more Spotify users who are on the look out for New Music Releases as can be found on their official playlist. This was huge for us, especially that this new foray into Digital Music would mean that we'd have to find new listeners for our songs. To date, the sophomore album has been streamed more than 261,000 times. Of course these numbers are not that huge when compared to the current big artists of today or even the past ones, but as an Independent Artist, with no opportunity to play live, this was good enough.
In between those months, and as the uncertainty to continue on as a band loomed, I decided to focus on learning about how to navigate the Digital Music world successfully. And this led me to start curating my own playlists and networking with other artists as I tried to learn with them. Primarily of course with fellow Cagayan de Oro artist, Nilo Quitoriano, of the legendary band Southrace. And since in the advent of Digital Music streaming, the potential audience for our songs has now opened up worldwide. This allowed me to reach new audiences outside of our country. With a new network of Independent Artists sharing their songs with each other. This became a potential for growth as I try to grow with them. This would lead me to discover various musical genres and expanded my musical tastes. Now, mainstream radio would no longer be my only source for music and would dictate what music is now.
But the reality of no one to interpret our songs loomed large. And all of these learnings would be for naught. But at this point, I was determined to push through. And with much discernment, I realized, that I shouldn't be stucked with the past and start recognizing the wealth of talent around me that needed to be heard and deserves to be given the break. But before I decided to move on, I needed to repay all of the people that had been with me in this journey by helping them produce their songs. One of them was Jessie Huyno. Who used to accompany us with his own band during our early days. We produced his song "Forgive My Soul", a soaring 90's alternative rock song. This collaboration would pave the way for his daughter, Kai Huyno to step up the plate and become our featured vocalist for our song "Brand New Reason". I also decided to release another old song (Iglap) that I had written in collaboration with a "brother" band from way back, Novelista Pasta. The last two releases would signal the final shift of our plans. Thoughts And Notions wouldn't be a band anymore. But a songwriting duo that puts focus on the music, lyrics, and the messages of our songs. While also providing new artists a springboard to their own careers by having them featured on our songs. I think this is a good plan while waiting for Thrina's return.
Of course, come October, the plan to help out more up and coming artists comes into full circle. Because I've finally decided to gather a team (Migs Llado of the band The Mox, Namfi Fernandez, and Calvin Anchores) and started our own Record Label. The setbacks that I had in resuming the mission of Thoughts And Notions I guess had made me stronger in the sense that I accepted the challenge to be more than before. And I don't know what the future might hold. But I'm pretty hyped up to provide a platform for all of these talented artists to pursue their craft and their music.
Thank Yous are in order for this year would have been pretty hard if not for these people. Special Thanks to Wilbert Raagas Tan, the other half of Thoughts And Notions. The ultra talented musician that brought music to my words. For sticking with me and the mission I have for our songs. A well deserved thank you to Kai Huyno and Tirada along with Elvis Rock Cabillar for lending their voices to make our new songs come alive. I've collaborated with Tirada for a Christmas song (What Real Christmas Means to Me) that made it to Spotify's New Music Friday playlist. Making it two songs on the Editorial playlist for this year. Here's to more collaborations with you guys. Though Thrina Dimaano Escaño is on the bench for this year, a well deserved thank you is also given for all her work with our past two albums. Still waiting for her comeback and do a proper third album. And to the old gang who are now part of their own bands Alternotes and OIC Music Philippines, more power to you guys and Keep on Rocking!
But as the New Year comes, bigger and newer challenges awaits. And the hardships of 2022 will only teach me to get stronger for 2023. And the coming year will be more than just about Thoughts And Notions. Praying and hoping that as I build Cre8MUSIC Records with Miguel Llado, Calvin Anchores, Namfi Fernandez, and all of our Artists, we would be able to deliver Positive Inspiring Music for your listening pleasure. And build it towards a bigger plan of making a stronger presence for Christian Contemporary Music in the airwaves and Digital Music Platforms. Because I do believe that Christian Music should not be heard in the confines of the Church only.
Praying for everyone to achive the success and happiness that you all have been longing for. But always remember to put Jesus Christ at the center of it all.
P.S.
I've realized that this post had already become too long. And I couldn't put every significant News that happened to us for the year in this post anymore. So another entry might be in order. But you can hop on to our Facebook Page and Follow us there for quick up to date news about us.
Check us out on:
