Retro is back, up-and-coming singer Frank Elysaid. The Filipino artist, who’s signed with Hong Kong-based record label, Evosound, is best known for his viral song “Kay Ganda Mo,” which earned him over six million streams on Spotify. His latest single, "Maisayaw," however, is ultimately what caught the attention of listeners, especially as the track has recently been reinterpreted on vinyl.
“Evosound reached out to me to have my single pressed on a postcard vinyl,” the artist revealed. “I thought it was cool to be the pioneering act to have my song pressed in a format that’s never been done, at least locally.”
Dubbed a “visual treat,” Frank’s latest vinyl was inspired by record postcards that were popular across Europe during the 60s and 70s. “It’s interesting how music packaging can change the course of the game and offer an exciting glimpse into the future of releases,” shared Frank. “The possibilities are just endless.”
The new vinyl for “Maisayaw” borrows visual elements from the 70s; on it, we seeFrank posing in a leather jacket and jeans, sporting the stylish Beatle haircut.
“I think [the sound on] vinyl is more dynamicand raw [than digital]. But ultimately, it’s the tactile feeling of it rather than the sound that makes a difference. It’s wonderful how you can physically hold a vinyl record and have the music in your hands.”
As it is with all artists and enterprises in the modern day, branding is critical. A consumer himself, the young singer is drawn to items that are aesthetically pleasing; this has caused him to increase his efforts in editing his own visuals from album art covers to posters and thumbnails. “How you present yourself is an important part of being a musician,” Frank admitted. “It makes you stand out if you try hard enough.”
Yet, while the art on his Spotify account tend to be artistic interpretations of cartoon portraits, Frank’s latest postcard vinyl veers more towards a nostalgic feeling. That’s because the song which it represents – “Maisayaw” – is a nod towards the traditionalkundiman style of music. This classic Filipino genre was the traditional mode of serenade for many young lovers. It is characterized by Tagalog lyrics, gentle rhythm, and dramatic intervals.
Frank learned to love the genre during his childhood years. “Growing up, my father always played his favorite artists on a DVD player and it molded my taste in music,” Frank shared. “I have always been a fan of Rey Valera and Freddie Aguilar. I appreciate the simplicity of old songs more than the songs we have today.”
“Maisayaw” borrows from this kind of simplicity and infuses romantic sincerity into its lyrics. “My girlfriend inspired me to write the lyrics,” Frank revealed. “The song itself is a serenade for someone whose heart you want to win, a poem for the person who’s made you feel something you’ve never felt with anyone else.”
A romantic at heart, Frank admitted that his current artistic trajectory is set solidly on the ground of love songs. “I don’t see myself making songs about anything other than love. I’ll probably make an album containing 12 love songs,” he teased.
For now, Frank continues to work towards musical stardom; needless to say, he’s excited about the future of music production. “It’s about accessibility,” the artist mused. “Back then, everything was analog. You had to go to a studio to record songs. Today, all you need is something with a microphone on it. In my case, I used a broken laptop, a cheap microphone, and a Digital Audio Workstation program,” he laughed. “Who knows how accessible music production can be in the future?”
Listen to Frank Ely on Spotify
