Morissette stays true to her core
The last couple of years saw Morissette expanding her breadth as an artist. While she’s still primarily known as a powerhouse vocalist, she has never been more hands-on in the creative process and is no longer as heavily reliant on collaborators.
And with her own independent record label, she has now gained greater control over her musical output and the shows she produces.
True to her core
Morissette has also ventured into film this year, starring in her first full-length feature, “Song of the Fireflies,” which earned her the Best Actress award at the Manila International Film Festival. “Before, gusto ko lang kumanta. I’m just grateful that this province girl from Cebu is having all these opportunities,” she says in a recent group interview.
But even as she puts on new hats, she says it’s important to remain true to your core—the one thing you “will go home to” when everything is said and done.
And that, for her, will always be singing. This has never been clearer to her than when she took the stage at her 15th anniversary concert, “Ember,” where she delivered a repertoire that doesn’t sound like a videoke playlist.
“I have been doing a lot of experimenting with my music and singing styles. But ultimately, ano ba talaga ang gusto mong balikan? I think I really found the answer in my recent concert, where I was able to come up with a setlist that was about 90 percent my original music,” she shares.
The common denominator
While Morissette has her share of signature hits like “Akin Ka Na Lang” and “Di Mapaliwanag,” it’s undeniable that her viral covers of songs such as Little Mix’s “Secret Love Song”—still the most-watched performance on the Wish 107.5 bus—greatly contributed to her popularity, especially among overseas audiences.
Now, she is at a point in her career where she can release her own songs and share her own stories. But make no mistake—neither covers nor originals are necessarily better than the other. Because whether she is performing a cover or an original, her voice remains the common denominator.
“Kahit anong kanta, game ako, as long as maalagaan ko ang sarili ko. That’s the gift I want to give people: to sing my own songs…and to interpret other people’s music and make their stories mine. It’s my voice that ties everything together at the end of the day,” says the singer, whose shift from pure vocalist to singer-songwriter became more pronounced with her 2021 EP “Signature,” which she co-wrote and co-produced with her husband, Dave Lamar.
“I’m also just grateful that I have been entrusted with so much amazing music over the years,” Morissette says, adding that this deeper appreciation for her instrument inspires her to protect it more fiercely. This is something she learned the hard way, after dealing with vocal strain and nodules in the past.
“I have discovered what works and what doesn’t damage my voice. I want to do this for as long as I can,” she says.
Endless possibilities
But perhaps the more crucial change isn’t about what’s happening inside her, but the impact she has on the world around her. Underdog Music Philippines, the rising record label Morissette co-founded with Lamar, recently signed with Symphonic Distribution, a music services company that supports independent labels.
Through this deal, Morissette hopes to continue championing Filipino musicians across genres—from chart-topping vocalists like herself to emerging indie groups such as The Ridleys and Over October. “Having my own company feels empowering. I’m doing my part to help and push aspiring artists to create what they want,” she says.
Morissette couldn’t be more grateful that all facets of her artistry and business are coming together at a time when OPM is not only thriving but driving the conversation. She looks at the charts and sees that many of the top spots are held by Filipino artists—a far cry from how things were more than a decade ago. “OPM is reaching more countries, so it’s really a time to be proud, and sana tuloy na tuloy na,” she says. “I hope we can continue sharing our talent with the rest of the world. I’m proud I’m seeing it happen little by little.”
At 29, Morissette is still young herself, but her 15 years of experience remain invaluable to younger artists. And the guidance she hopes to share with them is the same advice she gives herself.
“Know who you are and take care of yourself,” she stresses. “Write and release songs, and the audience will find you. The possibilities are endless.”
