Out of pocket or not, nothing is stopping August Wahh from going to Sydney
Stepping on the world’s stage comes with its respective challenges. From national athletes requiring financial support to spending their own money for training and transportation—and oftentimes, it’s not a question of having the talent or qualifications to be world class. Rather, it’s getting there—the last, if not, the hardest part.
August Wahh, a Manila-based Filipina R&B talent originally from General Santos City, is facing this final step. Known for indie favorites such as “Sahara” and “Seasons,” she’s set to perform in the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW) showcase in Sydney, this Oct. 15 to 18.
And she’s funding the whole trip herself.
“It’s really exciting to be a part of South by Southwest Sydney. I’ve been applying for three years [at] all the different South by Southwest showcases. I tried for the one in Texas two times before and didn’t get in. This time around, I tried for Sydney and I’m very excited,” shares August Wahh during our interview in Cafe Siriusdan.
Currently, to support her SXSW appearance, the singer is holding a local tour to raise funds for the upcoming trip. Following fundraisers in Kashmir Live and 123BLOCK, a third performance is well on its way this Sept. 11 at Apotheka, featuring Cyra Gwynth, Liana, PLAYERTWO, and crwn.
On representing Filipino music
As if playing alongside other international talents at a foreign country wasn’t difficult and nerve-wracking enough without the right resources, getting the invite would have been for nothing if you can’t go anyway.
“I’m anxious about the whole thing, but I’m also excited. It’s mixed feelings, all in all,” August Wahh says. After all, from funding the entire thing herself to securing a visa, there’s a lot of uncertainty in what normally would be a simple performance.
“I’m just figuring out my setup, my set there, whether I’m gonna have a band with me or not, whom I’m bringing with me, where I’m going, where I’m staying, how many shows I’m playing. It’s the whole thing, man. I’m preparing for everything,” she adds.
Unlike the usual music festival, SXSW Sydney is a melting pot for professionals across various industries—from business and tech to health and marketing. It’s practically a conference that features hundreds of keynotes, panels, and workshops. But what is business without pleasure, as SXSW Sydney will also include hundreds of live music gigs and numerous film screenings, geared towards further solidifying these brand new connections.
“I’ve been trying for how many years now, but I’m ready for it. I’ve been preparing for a while for this. I’m ready,” says the singer.
Outside logistical considerations, though not necessarily a concern, August Wahh also jokingly worries about how she’ll connect with a wider audience. “I can talk to people here in our language, and my jokes land better. I tried doing that in Japan, and I think they get it in English, but then, maybe because of the cultural differences, they’re more reserved and not as loud,” she says, reminiscing about her last performance abroad for Music Lane Okinawa.
Artistry and the great outdoors
One look at her social media accounts and you won’t see an artist holed up in the studio. Instead, someone regularly out-and-about, whether it be on the beach or a mountain hike.
“I’m a hiker outside of being a singer. If you guys didn’t know, I’m from General Santos City and I grew up doing that stuff. I’m always around nature and I think that shaped me as an artist.”
She adds, “Being in nature, you get to observe things—how life in the city is very systematic—while there’s a more natural system in nature. Tuning into that and translating it to my music plays a big role in my artistry. It’s about being kept in and attuned to my own rhythm.”
And while she’s currently based in Manila, outside of spending time in the studio and in gigs—in a perfect world, she’d prefer to be around nature every weekend. “The longest time that I’ve been in Manila and not have been in nature, was a month, I didn’t like that,” the singer laments.
August Wahh beyond SXSW
Her previous album, “Sol-Speak,” which was released in November last year, was about the journey to healing and growth. But for August Wahh, that isn’t a journey that’s so easily completed. It’s a constant work in progress—a process of discovery and rediscovery, where you get to know yourself better after you thought you’ve figured yourself out.
“My journey as an artist, as a human being, has always been about coming home to oneself,” she says. “And I find that as I grow older, I keep coming back home to myself in different parts of me, in different facets of me. If anything, ‘coming home to myself’ is something that’s constantly deepening.”
Following SXSW Sydney, she looks forward to get back into writing and is hopeful that she can release an album again by next year.
And to her supportive fans, she says: “I just want to say thank you so much for constantly supporting me. If it not for you guys, none of this wouldn’t even happen. I need you guys always and I love you all.”
