JF Somido – When signs point to the MOON

Jeremy Frenmar C. Somido or JF Somido is taking music platforms by storm with his songs reaching thousands of streams in just a few months from launch. This 20-year old music artist from Caloocan City is a sophomore, taking up Business Management at the De La Salle University.

“Bata pa lang ako mahilig na ako kumanta. Nagstart ako sumali sa mga singing contests noong Grade 5 pero nahinto yun kasi natakot ako na ma-bully sa highschool. Pero once na nacut-off ko yung mga negative na tao, nabuild uli yung aking self-esteem at nagstart na ako magkaroon ng gigs with my former band, Director’s Cut.”

This pandemic situation made JF more busy. “Nitong pandemic lang, nakasulat ako ng 6 songs at nagdecide na mag online gigs sa Musikang Lokal kung saan nakakilala ako ng maraming mga kaibigan na tinuring ko as family.”

“That time, nagkaroon lang ako ng idea na bigyan ang sarili ko ng exposure. So nagsearch ako for pages na pumapayag mag-online gig yung mga artists at nahanap ko ang Musikang Lokal.”

JF’s genre is original Pilipino music, alternative rock, and rock. “Sobrang laki ng influence sa akin ng mga OPM bands like Cueshe, Parokya ni Edgar, Spongecola, Silent Sanct, at marami pang iba. I love supporting local music and so I decided to make my own. I also love yung mga English old songs specifically mga 90’s or 2000’s bands.”

As an aspiring artist, JF encountered challenges. “Napakarami talagang pagsubok lalo na pag student ka. Kasi need mo talaga pagsabayin yung mga gawain mo sa pagiging artist and sa academics. Isa pang challenge is yung exposure. I know beginner pa lang naman ako so I believe na balang araw darating din naman ang opportunity na para sa akin”.

Likewise, JF knows how to overcome challenges. “Sa time management, syempre inuuna ko pa rin yung academics. Studies dapat ang first priority dahil ‘yan ang pinaghihirapan ng mga magulang ko.”

“Sa exposure, I know wala ako masyado naging friends nung highschool pero during this pandemic, nagkaroon ako ng connections at dumami ang mga friends ko which is a blessing in disguise during these hard times.”

At present, JF has 5 songs which are on various music platforms and on his YouTube channel. These are ‘Panaginip’, ‘11:11’, ‘Moon’, ‘Hinga’, and ‘L.A.F.S’.

But did you know that JF started writing songs in 2020 which is about his life experiences and concerns of his heart. “Itong mga songs na ito – about sa kung ano naging experience ko in the past sa iba’t iba aspects ng buhay. ‘Panaginip’ is about heartbreak na umasa ka sa akala mong meron. ‘Moon’ is about unending love, ‘L.A.F.S’ is about admiration, ‘Hinga’ is about injustice around the world, while ‘11:11’ talks about things that we took for granted when we still didn’t have this pandemic.”

A surprise to his followers, JF has written his 6th song which is for release on all streaming platforms come May 21, 2021. “This song is about waiting for your favorite person and your willingness to stay for her when times get hard.”

His successful songs were arranged and produced by good friend Nicholas Castro of Mang Kulas Music Production. “Si Kulas, I met him noong unang gig ko sa Musikang Lokal. That was August 15, 2020, I think. Then ayun naging magkaibigan kami tapos one time nagkwentuhan kami about sa background ng mga songs ko and namention niya na nagpoproduce siya ng mga songs. Pinarinig niya sakin yung mga prods niya and naisip ko ang linis niya magprod ng kanta. So ayun inuna namin yung Moon kasi matagal ko na gustong magawan ng remastered version yung song na yon. So ayun nung naprod yung Moon naisip ko na agad yung mga potential ng kantang yan. Then nagtuloy tuloy na pati yung LAFS pinaprod ko na rin. Sa mga pinoprod niya na songs, isa lang masasabi ko. Malaki ang potential ni Kulas sa pagprod ng music wherein hindi na imposible para sa kanya na makuha siya ng mga malalaking recording labels.”

Presently, ‘LAFS’ has 1,092 streams which was only released on February 14, 2021 while ‘Moon’ has about 1,810 streams which was launched only on January 2, 2021. “Itong number of streams na to, hindi ko inanticipate lahat yan. Akala ko by the end of the year nasa 700 pa rin yung streams ng songs ko pero ayun mali pala yung doubts na yun. I believe that 2021 will be a great year for me as an artist. I am claiming it.”

JF discusses about his career path. “Yung plan ko is hindi magpayaman or makilala lang – bonus na lang yon. Gusto ko magkaroon ng impact sa OPM. Yung sa genre na kinalakihan ko is parang ang satisfying pag nagkaroon ako ng pangalan or impact sa OPM.”

“Gusto ko rin na yung mga songs ko ay marinig ng mas madaming tao and matouch ang kanilang mga puso. Once this pandemic is over, looking forward ako na magperform sa harap ng maraming tao and ientertain sila ng live.”

He extends gratitude to those supporting him. “Pinasasalamatan ko unang una si God. Marami akong prayers na hindi niya sinagot, but little did I know na bibigyan pala nya ako sa mas magandang outcome. Pinasasalamatan ko rin yung family ko na napakasupportive, which includes yung parents ko, grandparents, mga tito and tita, at mga mga pinsan.”

“Salamat din sa mga kaibigan ko na nandyan kahit noong panahon na walang wala pa ako. Patuloy silang sumusuporta ngayong may progress na ako towards my goal. And yung Musikang Lokal fam, sila boss Lorenzo kasi tinanggap nila ako as a part of their family at hinatak nila ako for exposures like this.”

His advice to fellow music artists is not to allow their past to define their future. “If you think that you are doing terrible right now, choose to have that ‘Growth Mindset’ on how you can make yourself better. Once you start, maraming disappointments and frustrations na darating sa iyo and might consider giving up. Pero dadaan lang yung mga negativity na yan and you will still produce better music than you are currently doing right now.”

“At the end of the day, yung ‘failures’ ninyo ay hindi magde-define sa inyo, kundi yung way ng paghandle ninyo ng failures na yan at kung paano kayo babangon sa pagkadapa. Of course to be yourself lang. Hindi mo kailangan maging ibang tao para lang magustuhan ka.”

JF’s message for Mendira Media: “Maraming salamat sa opportunity na binigay ninyo sa akin and for believing in me. I am looking forward na makasama kayo and have deeper bonds with the Mendira family sa mga darating pa na taon. Hoping na marami pa kayong matulungan na aspiring artists to get their spotlight.”

All of these successes are just the beginning of JF’s colorful career. He has a long way to go, but he will never be alone.