MUSICAL THEATER SONGWRITER WILLIAM ELVIN TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM OF PERSONAL SONGS IN OCTOBER

Press release

After producing a string of original Filipino musicals, including 2011’s “Rizal X”, 2013’s “Maxie The Musicale” and 2016’s “Mula sa Buwan”, singer-songwriter William Elvin is set to release a new collection of personal songs on Spotify and Apple Music in October this year.

Having gained fan support through his emotionally vulnerable and brutally honest musical works, songs such as Ang Sabi Nila (Mula sa Buwan), But I Love No One But You and Tonight, I Break Some Promises (Rizal X) have garnered thousands of listeners on Spotify. With the new album’s release, William aims to express his musical message on a more personal level and connect with his listeners more intimately.

“I think the new album will be an exploration of where I am now as an artist as opposed to where I was creatively when I was just starting out,” said William. “It will contain a mix of songs I have recently written here in HK and some that were from when I was 17 years old,” he revealed.

William Elvin started performing music in 2003 with small band gigs in the now-defunct iconic rock club Mayric’s in Espana, Manila. He then went on to become a performer, writer and director for the stage after being trained in Dulaang UP, the official theater group of the University of the Philippines Diliman.  He is now based in Hong Kong and is active in the Filipino musician community in the city, and continues to perform with his band William Elvin and the Circus Tour.

To listen to William Elvin’s music, visit his official website at www.williamelvinmusic.com, or like his official Facebook page www.facebook.com/williamelvinmusic.

DisConTechNoThisContent: The Musicalienation of William Elvin

To most musicians, to define their own music doesn't happen in the mainstream music industry. Most of the time, you need to fund your own music label and produce your own album. These type of music are usually available during bar gigs.

I was tag along to have an informal dialogue with one independent musician in a food establishment Taumbayan in QC. His name is William Elvin. He already made some musical scores for theater productions and is having his own album under his own record label, Happy Mousey Records.

William Elvin with Gian Dimayuga

William says the album is just done at the convenience of his home using a laptop, instruments and microphone. He didn't have the luxury of using a studio but it makes it more intimate with the listeners. It was his first solo effort.

Duet with Janine Santos

William defines his music as pop rock with folk rock feel but he also have his own ballads in the album. he studied music in UST before starting in UP theater. Eventually, he got to perform his own music at the now-defunct  Mayric's.  Doing his own music gives him the more freedom than in the mainstream record label.

Musicians Gian Dimayuga, Jay Barrientos, William Elvin, and Janine Santos

William Elvin's music influence varies from Smashing Pumpkins and different rock, blues, ballads. His main influence comes from Ely Buendia and his idol, Bob Dylan. To William, his songs tells a story.

I was given a copy of his album but before I get home to listen to it, I got to hear it live from William Elvin himself. All eleven including the bonus track. William also performed with Gian Dimayuga, another independent musician. His track also includes his musical score at theater productions. I love all the songs. and among the tracks it's Alisbayan Box that caught my attention. It's about OFWs that are always packed to get back to another country they are working for. All of us Pinoys can relate since our majority of the Pinoys have OFWs relatives and friends.

 

The Youtube video above is one of his tracks in the album title, "I Love No One But You". William Elvin only produced limited copies to find out if it will gain attention and I am not sure how many did he already sold. You can get a copy of his album at his gigs. To find out where William Elvin is going to perform next, visit and like his Facebook page: William Elvin . For more updates about William Elvin and the independent music scene, like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.