PH singer Carlos Castaño on playing for thousands at Singapore F1 concert

Paul John Caña

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PH singer Carlos Castaño on playing for thousands at Singapore F1 concert
Right alongside international superstars Jennifer Lopez, John Legend and Robbie Williams, musician Carlos Castaño represented the Philippines at this year’s Formula One concerts
SINGAPORE – The Singapore Grand Prix is one of the biggest racing events in the region, but fans also flock to the Lion City to catch the concerts by big-name international acts.(READ: Music, food, parties, races: Grand Prix Season Singapore 2014)

This year, Singapore GP organizers brought in pop superstars Jennifer Lopez and Robbie Williams, as well as John Legend, Pet Shop Boys, Ziggy Marley and Taiwanese band Mayday. 

And apart from all of those well-known international pop acts, there was once again a Pinoy artist that was included in the entertainment lineup. (Pop singer Charice wowed audiences at the Singapore GP in 2011).

While he has performed numerous times in Singapore, the Grand Prix gig, where he performed with band members Edward Enriquez, Choi Padilla, Kelvin Uy, Michael Gemina, Martin Castaño, and Jun Castaño, is his biggest yet.

“To be honest when I got the invite, I asked for proof first because I didn’t think it was real,” he says. “When it sank in that it was really happening, I was numb.”

Working a full-time job in digital communications, Carlos arrived in Singapore on Thursday afternoon before the Grand Prix weekend and hit the ground running, playing with his band later that evening during the Pit Lane Experience. 

DREAM COME TRUE. Carlos has previously performed in Singapore, but this is his first time at GPSS. Photo by Brent Rutherford

He also performed an all-original music set the next day at the Sunset Stage in Zone 1, at the Coyote Stage (opposite the Main Stage where J. Lo and Robbie Williams performed) on Saturday in Zone 4, and back at the Sunset Stage on Sunday. 

“I work a 9 to 5 job to fund my dreams,” he shared with Rappler. “The Philippines needs a better system of support for artists and musicians.” 


 

View Carlos’ music video for “Back to Color” here: 

 

Carlos said he started writing songs “as soon as I figured out, ‘Oh I can write my feelings away.’ I knew what I wanted to do. My dad is in a band so that’s always been a constant – guitars, gigs, the Beatles.” His music is informed by the work of his idols. “John Mayer’s guitar playing, Jeff Buckley’s melodies, and the Beatles are my biggest influences.”

While Carlos has released 3 independent albums here in the Philippines, his dreams stretch far beyond the borders of his home country.

He started playing in the streets of Singapore as a busker. In 2010 he played his first international festival, KinestAsia: “That was because of friends Rebecca Lincoln and Ben Low.”

Since then he has played in several other high-profile music fests, including Baybeats, Music Matters, Beating Heart in Hong Kong, the Portable Film Festival in HK and Singapore, and now, the Formula One Grand Prix. 

Here’s Carlos performing at Music Matters in 2013: 

 

His biggest goal as an artist? “To be the first independent Filipino musician to win a Grammy for original music.” It sounds lofty now, but if there’s a Pinoy artist talented and tenacious enough to make it happen, Carlos would be a safe bet. – Rappler.com

For more of Carlos’ music, visit his website here

 

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