Earl Agustin finds his groove through stories of love

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rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-1" );Singer-songwriter Earl Agustin has just gotten his big break. Had you told him years ago that one of his songs would become a part of the soundtrack of a hit web series, he probably wouldn’t have believed it.



But this is Earl’s current reality.And if there’s anything you can pick up from how he achieved all this, it’s that success doesn’t happen overnight, and it often arrives when you least expect it. How music came into the pictureEarl’s journey to becoming a recording musician all started over the pandemic.

There was another artist who discovered him on Facebook, and he eventually found himself in a bigger online community of artists who would regularly hold virtual concerts and jam sessions. “I fell in love with that community. And then, patuloy-tuloy na siya hanggang sa nakilala ko ‘yung iba pang mga singer-songwriter doon.

Nag-start na rin ako eventually magsulat for myself. Kasi ‘yung mga tropa ko din ng mga musicians, nagsusulat din sila ng songs,” he shared. (I fell in love with that community.

And then, it continued until I met other singer-songwriters. I eventually began to write music myself since my friends also wrote their own music.)Earl noticed that original music wasn’t as widespread as he had hoped in his hometown of Ozamiz City.

He and his friends then started a group dedicated to songwriting, in hopes of building a community of singer-songwriters from their city. From here, it would only be a matter of time before some of his own songs would gain significant traction on TikTok, and he’d be discovered by someone from Viva Records — his current label. Earl, of course, took this as a sign to keep going, and he’s been writing and releasing his own music since.

Earl’s penchant for loveAnd if it isn’t already obvious, Earl has developed quite the knack for telling stories of love. “Lahat ng songs ko are love songs. But ‘yung ginagawa ko when I write songs, 50% are inspired by personal experience, and then the other 50%, para siyang concept na tungkol sa shared human experience pagdating sa pag-ibig.

(All my songs are love songs. But what I do when I write songs is 50% of it is inspired by personal experience, and then the other 50% is a concept about shared human experiences when it comes to love). So, 50% of it is personal and then the other 50% is relatable to everybody,” he explained.

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rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-2" );Play VideoEarl’s songs are almost like a contemporary take on the music of timeless Manila sound icons like APO Hiking Society, Rey Valera, and VST & Company — you’ll hear traces of these artists when you listen to Earl’s discography. He also credits Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .

Paak) as some of his biggest influences. With all these legends at the heart of his sonic foundation, Earl has learned to level up his songwriting with retro soul-infused instrumentals. Through these elements, Earl is able to create some records that have made out to be the perfect soundtrack for romance, whether it’s onscreen or in real life.

Just listen to “Tibok” — one of the tracks off the well-loved series Ang Mutya ng Section E. Play Video“Tibok” is the product of Earl’s heartbreak, brought about by mixed signals in a potential relationship. In the song, Earl replicates the varying surges of different feelings that plagued him when he experienced this, which explains why it starts off with a playful opening, and quickly changes to a slower tempo when Earl’s vocals enter.

It’s a song that he describes as a “roller coaster,” as it charts the uncertainties, doubts, and the fleeting giddiness of having your eyes on someone. As the song continues to top the charts, Earl is still in the process of taking it all in. “Bilang small artist na biglang [nag-viral] ‘yung isang song, sobrang surreal sa pakiramdam.

Sobrang nakakapanibago. ‘Yung maririnig mo ‘yung song everywhere across social media, and then nakikita ko [kanta] ko sa mga charts, sobrang shocking for me na posible pala mangyari ‘yung ganon sa isang artist na katulad ko,” Earl admitted. (As a small artist whose song suddenly went viral, it all feels so surreal.

It feels unusual. Hearing your song everywhere across social media, and then seeing it on the charts, it’s so shocking for me that it’s possible for something like this to happen to an artist like me.) “I try not to let it get to my head agad na, ‘Ay wow, ito na pala ‘yun.

’ Dinadahan-dahan ko siya. Sine-celebrate ko siya pakonti-konti, na ito ‘yung mga naging milestone ng song..

.. Pero gano’n pa rin.

Wala naman masyadong nagbago for me. Super thankful lang ako sa lahat,” he added. (I try not to let it get to my head right away that, “Wow, this is it.

” I’m taking it slow. I’m celebrating the milestones of the song bit by bit..

.. But it’s still the same.

Not much has changed for me. I’m just thankful for everything.) Know his namewindow.

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displayAd( "mobile-middle-3" );With all this newfound recognition in front of him, the Ozamiz native wants to continue riding the wave of success “Tibok” has brought him — and it’s through releasing new music that people will hopefully enjoy just as much. View this post on Instagram A post shared by earl agustin (@musikaniorl)Earl’s quest to continue his craft as a musician is truly just beginning, and it’s no question why people have come to love his music so much in the first place. Groovy soundscapes aside, however, there’s one thing Earl wants to be remembered for.

Asked asked what he wants people to remember about him, the young artist said: “Honesty pagdating sa songs na sinusulat ko, especially the music behind it. I also keep in mind na kapag nagsusulat ako, I always try to make art as real as it can be. Para sa akin, ‘yun ‘yung mas nagreresonate with people e, if something is real, something is honest.

”(Honesty when it comes to the songs I write, especially the music behind it. I also keep in mind that when I write, I always try to make art as real as it can be. For me, that’s what resonates with people more, if something is real, something is honest.

)It’s this honesty that has drawn people to Earl’s discography, and it will also be the very thing that will get people to stay for good. – with reports from Kevin Lampayan/Rappler.comKevin Lampayan is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

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