Sunday, May 12, 2013

Zendee’s I Believe Press Conference

Zendee

By now, almost everbody knows the story of Zendee or that “Random Girl” as she is more popularly known in the online realm. It all started when someone took and uploaded a video of Zendee belting her heart out inside a mall. Soon enough, this video went viral online and made people wonder who this vocal powerhouse was. And one of these people was Ellen DeGeneres herself who eventually invited Zendee over to her show. So, it’s no surprise at all that a major record label, Warner Music Philippines signed Zendee up. And after some months later, her debut album I Believe is finally released.

Warner Music Philippines recently held a press conference in line with the release of I Believe at Chef & Brewer Café and Restaurant. During the press conference, not only was I able to meet Zendee in person but I also had the pleasure of hearing her perform live backed up by a band. I was able to see her perform live late last year when I watched Party Pilipinas at the studio. But her number there was brief and went by so quickly, so this press conference was a great opportunity for me to see and hear more of her.

I Believe is a nine track album with six originals and three cover songs. The lead single is the upbeat Runaway that was written by US based songwriters Andrew Fromm, Matt Bronleewe, Jordan Pruitt and Tyler Hayes. An acoustic version of the song is also included in the album as well. Other songs in the album include the Dianne Warren penned The Ones You Love and Completely. I Believe and If You Want written by Lamberto Reyes, Jr., Go the Distance from the Disney animated feature Hercules, a cover of Mariah Carey’s Love Takes Time and the Leonard Cohen composition Hallelujah round up the rest of the tracks.

The songs in the album highlight Zendee’s vocal prowess but there are moments when she holds back and gets tender with the falsettos instead. It’s during these tender and stripped down moments that prove that she’s not a one note diva. One of the highlights of the album for me is having Zendee do the backup vocals there. In Hallelujah, the three part vocal harmonies was made up of nine separately recorded layers mixed together giving this track a gospel feel.

In a world where online sensations are fast becoming a dime a dozen, one has to wonder what is being done to ensure that these discoveries will not be flashes in the pan: here today and completely forgotten once the newest online sensation comes along. I asked album producer Neil Gregorio about this and he responded that this was the reason why it took some time before Warner released Zendee’s debut album. He said that he wanted to do it slowly but surely. He added that there had been numerous requests for Zendee to record And I am Telling You (the song that she was singing in the video that went viral) and release it as soon as possible. But he preferred getting other and stronger material for Zendee that will ensure her longevity in the recording industry. Utilizing his and the label’s resources, Neil was able to acquire songs for Zendee to record, and that included a couple from none other than Dianne Warren who has written hundreds of hits.


After giving Zendee’s album several spins, I think that I Believe, with its strong material and high production values, boldly announces that Zendee is indeed here to stay. There is nothing random about Zendee right now for her debut album clearly cements her place in the music business.

I Believe, released by Warner Music Philippines is now available in record stores nationwide. Runaway and the rest of the tracks can also be purchased online via MyMusicStore Philippines and iTunes.


I Believe

Tracks:
1. Runaway
2. The Ones You Love
3. I Believe
4. Go the Distance
5. Completely
6. If You Want
7. Hallelujah
8. Love Takes Time
9. I Believe (Acoustic)

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