On January 31, Gigi De Lana said she wanted to forge a different path as an artist from Pop Royalty Sarah Geronimo.
During the media conference for her album launch, De Lana reacted to people comparing her with her fellow Kapamilya singer, Geronimo.
“Nakaka-flatter po kasi pinapanood ko din po si Ate Sarah [Geronimo] at iniidolo ko rin po talaga siya sa pagkanta. Kasi napanood ko din po dati noong bata-bata pa po ako, ‘yung To Love You More ni Ate Sarah. Galing na galing ako sa kanya doon, and kung paano niya inexecute lahat, lalo na ‘yung moves niya.”
However, she clarified that she wants to follow the career path of international artists such as Avril Lavigne, Paramore, and Alanis Morissette.
“Paramore, Avril Lavigne, or Alanis Morrisette. The path that I wanted to go is parang path nila. Kasi lalo na ‘yung Paramore, kasi when I started pa lang, noong parang naggo-grow pa lang ako as an artist, my band is there with me.
“Nandoon sila since the very beginning of my career, noong alam ko na kung saan ako pupunta, ‘yung gusto ko na ‘yung ginagawa ko at sobrang mahal na mahal ko ‘yung ginagawa and alam ko na ‘yung goal ko.”
De Lana then recalled the Filipino artists who influenced her music, such as Regine Velasquez and Bamboo.
“Ate Reg po, Si ate Regine [Velasquez] po, kasi halos po lahat ng kinakanta ko, tsaka po kasi ginagaya ko po kasi siya. Noong lalo na po noong bata ako, ‘yung birit niya. Tsaka po si Bamboo po. ‘Yan po.”
Her bandmates also shared their musical influences when they wrote the songs for the album.
“Stevie Wonder, Romeo Marquez,” said Jon Cruz.
“Sa album na ‘to, ako ‘yung nai-imagine ko ha. ‘Yung iniimagine ko–‘yung finefeel ko parang Paramore, Avril [Lavigne], mga singer Alanis [Morissette], ‘yun ‘yung influence ko dito sa album na ‘to,” Jake Manalo.
“Alam niyo naman si “The Rock” kaya ‘yung mga songs medyo mabibigat,” added Romeo Marquez.
De Lana and her band Gigi Vibes co-wrote several songs for the album. Their track includes O Bakit Ba, Sakalam, Nasayo Ako, Bibitawan, First Night, Topak, Isang Idlip, Letting Go, and Huling Lapit.
Her tracklist also includes the remake of the OPM song ‘Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita?’ used in her first digital series, Hello Heart.
Gigi De Lana: the self-titled album under Star Music is available for streaming on all digital platforms.
