00:00 American singer-songwriter Benson Boone serenaded his Filipino fans for the first time last Saturday.
00:06 The 21-year-old rising pop star says he's looking forward to coming back in the country
00:11 and experience more of what Manila has to offer.
00:14 I got to speak with Benson and his pianist Chris Potter before the live show
00:19 and Benson told me more about his budding music career,
00:22 his latest EP "Pulse" and what he loves most about the Philippines.
00:27 So fun. Everyone has been so sweet. The food is so good.
00:31 But we just didn't enjoy it very much.
00:33 Well, you just got in last night. I mean, what about the food?
00:36 I mean, what have you tried? What have they served you?
00:39 What have we tried?
00:40 Do you remember the name?
00:41 We had so many appetizers.
00:42 We had adobo.
00:44 Adobo, okay. That's a basic. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:46 Last night we went to a restaurant and it literally like, we had like eight courses of food.
00:51 So it was like...
00:53 A lot of different foods.
00:54 I don't think I remember one of them.
00:56 But they were really good.
00:57 I had salmon and ravioli together. I've never had that before.
01:00 Okay.
01:01 But now that you're here and of course you're getting ready for your show,
01:05 what is it that you're most excited about in terms of performing and singing for your Filipino fans
01:14 who only got to know you pretty much, you know, TikTok or YouTube?
01:20 I'm kind of just excited to interact with the fans.
01:23 I think I've grown very fond of performing live.
01:27 I really love to do it.
01:29 And even today, like I was just doing soundcheck and I walked up to a girl afterwards and she just freaked out.
01:35 She was just screaming so loud.
01:38 So like I'm really excited for that energy.
01:40 Yeah. So what is it though about performing live or performing in front of, you know, crowded air?
01:47 I mean, you've had so many sold out shows already considering, you know, you've only been in the business for such a short time.
01:54 So what is it that you look forward to once you get on stage?
01:57 Is it like, "I can't believe they're going to sing my songs" or "they're going to scream so loud"?
02:02 That's a really good question.
02:03 I think when it comes to the tours and like the, you know, like the ticketed shows,
02:10 I think the most exciting thing is what is going to happen that's new that night.
02:15 Because I don't rehearse anything.
02:17 Like I just make sure, you know, Chris and the band know what they're supposed to play.
02:21 And then we all just kind of go out there and wing it every night.
02:24 So like I find someone new to pick on or find a new, you know, line that I'll say.
02:29 And it's like it is really fun for me to just see what happens.
02:34 So that's probably the most exciting thing.
02:36 And especially like getting a reaction from people.
02:38 I really love the fans.
02:40 Like I know that sounds so generic, but genuinely I would do anything for them.
02:44 And it just makes me so happy to see them react.
02:46 Well, I mean, your journey is quite a unique one.
02:50 Being a performer that wouldn't even dream or know that you would be a performer.
02:58 Yeah.
02:59 How does that even--I can't even--like most people, "Yes, I want to be a singer.
03:04 I want to, you know, dish out music.
03:06 I want to write songs."
03:07 But three or four years ago, it was like, "What? Can I even sing?"
03:12 Yeah.
03:14 It's really weird sometimes because it's definitely like--it's not the route I was expecting to take with my life.
03:20 I didn't know I could sing until three years ago.
03:23 So like, you know, I didn't even write music until two years ago.
03:27 And it's all been very new and it's happened very quickly.
03:31 But like regardless of how long I've been doing it, I'm very passionate about the music that I write
03:38 and the shows that I perform.
03:40 Like it's like I've been doing it my whole life.
03:43 It just--it feels so right to be doing this.
03:46 So I don't know.
03:47 It just--I think it's a good fit for me and who I am.
03:50 Having performed for only three years, are there any fears?
03:54 Are there any doubts?
03:55 I mean, has it sunk in that, "Yes, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life"?
04:00 I mean, when was that exact turning point that you said, "You know what?
04:04 I think I can really make this work"?
04:07 That's such a good question because I, like, I don't--there's so--
04:16 like there's really nothing that I fear in this industry.
04:20 Like I think my biggest fears are more like insecurity things and like with my family and friends.
04:26 But like Chris knows this very well.
04:29 Like I just have a very send-it mindset.
04:32 Like I don't know how my career is going to look.
04:35 I don't know how it's going to go.
04:37 I don't know who's going to like my music.
04:39 So I just like do what I do and try my best and hope that it goes well.
04:45 And that's like to the core.
04:48 That is just what I do.
04:49 So I don't know.
04:51 I really don't think like--I'm trying to think of something that would scare me.
04:56 I don't think there's anything that scares him yet.
04:58 So what is it that you know about Benson?
05:00 I mean having been with him and worked with him for a year in terms of his work ethics.
05:06 I mean is he like super O.C. when it comes to his music and then stuff like that?
05:12 No, he's pretty--everything he does, he does as best as he can, which is why I enjoy working with him so much.
05:20 But it really is a send-it mentality.
05:24 Like that's what--when they were asking me to come help with this, I was like I could just say we'll send it.
05:28 But everything we do is kind of just--it's so improvised almost.
05:34 For the type of music, it doesn't make as much sense as you would think.
05:38 But it really is just kind of let's figure it out on the spot.
05:42 And it works out every time.
05:44 It does. I mean for some reason it does.
05:46 I mean you have millions of followers all over the world, which obviously I'm sure it's like I can't believe they know me all the way in the Philippines.
05:53 But they know me all the way in Seoul or Tokyo or whatever.
05:57 And of course you're heading out to Paris and to Jakarta.
06:00 Tell me about this new EP that you just released, Pulse.
06:05 Yeah.
06:06 Why?
06:07 So--
06:08 Okay, go.
06:09 Yeah, Pulse is like--movies have trailers.
06:12 Yes.
06:13 And similarly to my debut album, which has not come out yet but will come out soon, Pulse is kind of like the trailer for my album.
06:22 I think it's a compilation of my best songs that I've put together.
06:28 They're all kind of different genres.
06:30 Like none of them are the same vibe.
06:33 So I think it's just been like these are songs I'm very proud of.
06:37 And this is kind of like the beginning for me to my whole career.
06:43 From the Pulse and the tracks that are out in Pulse, what would you say would be the sound that you are most happy with or happy that you discovered?
06:54 I mean, I know you have a few different vibes here in this EP.
06:59 Oh, that's a good question.
07:03 I think probably--
07:04 Are you more the upbeat now or are you still looking for--
07:07 There's still a lot of--
07:08 See, Chris is smiling.
07:09 He's like, "Yeah, you know."
07:11 It's funny because we know all my unreleased songs.
07:15 Oh, there's more. There's a lot more.
07:17 Oh, there's so many.
07:19 But there's a lot of emotional tracks, like a lot of sad songs.
07:23 But there's also a lot more upbeat songs than I have out.
07:27 So it's like there's a healthy mix of both.
07:30 And it's hard for me to stay in one lane.
07:34 That's kind of how I've been my whole life.
07:36 I like to try everything.
07:39 And so it's hard for me to just write a sad song and then a sad song and then a sad song and then a sad song.
07:45 I like to write a sad song and then write maybe like an in-between song, write an upbeat song, then try a rock song.
07:51 I like to dip my hands and toes in everything.
07:54 Okay, so before I let you go, of course, I do invite all of your Filipino fans while you're here in the Philippines to come out, enjoy your music.
08:03 I know you're busy.
08:04 You're going to be coming out to a lot of shows.
08:06 And basically what the Filipino fans can expect from Benson Boone.
08:11 A lot of new music.
08:14 This is obviously my first time in the Philippines, but I hope to come back soon and do an official ticketed show and perform for you guys.
08:22 There is a lot coming.
08:24 So get ready because I'm very excited.
08:26 There you go.
08:27 Thank you.
08:28 Thank you so much.
08:29 Thanks, Chris.
08:30 Thanks.
08:31 Thanks for having me.
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