Photo by JV Rabano
Published on: Young STAR, 2018
A cover article and interview on the launch of Manila-based music producer CRWN's lo-fi/hip-hop album 'Orchid'.
After being gone for a while — two months spent on a creative bedroom lockout — Manila-
based music producer King Puentespina, a.k.a. CRWN hosted a listening party last June 2nd at XX XX to launch his best work yet, “Orchid.”
As CRWN took the stage and dropped tracks from his latest and most natural beat tape, we
were all sent into a zen state as we moved our bodies to the music. Naming each track in
theme with nature, it reflects the vibe of each song which is light and airy with a hint of
some live instruments.
Compared to his previous releases, “Orchid” is a breath of fresh air, sounding super
different from the ones that came before it. The beat tape and its two new singles, In Bloom
and Still Life, come off as chill, like it could blend well with streaming water and the chirping
of birds. “I incorporated a lot of soul and R&B. I listened to a lot of Frank Ocean, D’Angelo,
and John Mayer, those are the three pillars of ‘Orchid,’ ” CRWN mentioned.
In order to create his masterpiece, CRWN stuck to a strict routine while being on lockout.“I
would break down my mornings sketching out ideas, then by the afternoon I would try to
build on it, and then by the evening I would listen to it and review it.”
When asked how would he describe “Orchid” in three words, CRWN joked “Lo-fi, chill, hip-
hop.” But seriously, “I think it’s reflective. How do you say something like, you can play it during mundane daily routines? Well, I guess ‘soundtrack’ and ‘love.’” Reflective. Soundtrack. Love. That’s “Orchid” in a nutshell.
We asked CRWN about his new beat tape and the changes he’s making with his sound.
YOUNG STAR: Why is the beat tape called “Orchid”? What’s the inspiration or the story behind it?
CRWN: It’s very rooted with my family. They started the family business with orchids. I
wanted this to be a marker for the start because after this I’m going to record my album.
That’s why this is the beginning of the sound that I have right now.
What’s your favorite track off of “Orchid”? And what does it mean to you?
I think Hana is my favorite track. I got it from the graphic novel, Asterios Polyp. ‘Hana’
translates ‘flower’ in Japanese. I thought it was a super perfect match. I think I tried to make
a soundtrack out of that graphic novel.
How would you describe your growth as an artist?
I think it’s very wavy, I guess. If I was to start producing for the first time and made a record I
think “Orchid” would be the first thing I would ever put up. If I had go back in time and start
over again, this is the sound that I would really dream about making. Going through the
process of making this, it took a lot of listening to a lot of music. It’s very reflective.
What did you go through to go to the direction you’re taking with your sound?
I was in a very depressive state from 2016-2017. I was trying to have a therapeutic
experience. It was all in my head. I was in a bad phase of my life. I think “Orchid” really made
me concentrate on something productive.
When you were starting out, bedroom beat makers were still kind of a new phenomenon. What was it like to watch local music culture develop in that kind of way?
I think it’s great. You just keep passing it on. The sound, this kind of culture was passed on to
me for a reason. I just really want to pass it down to future generations, to really innovate
music in the Philippines, to push for better sounds.
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