Sixty-second documentaries that don’t come up short with the essentials, the second run of Globe’s Portraits series refocuses on the love of craft and leads us right to the core of where it all began—the courage to #MakeBigMoves in pursuit of passion. This digital series shows us the story of five people who braved it all, and UNIQUE is one of them.
Transitioning from being the lead singer of a band to a solo artist isn’t the easiest thing in the world. There are countless headlines, disappointed fans, critics, and the daily dose of observers and listeners who make it seem like getting involved in the world of negative comments and hatred is an effortless thing. Setting out to show that he is more than just a face in a band, UNIQUE made the big move of challenging the status quo and breaking free from limitations.
Not listening to all the background noise and choosing to follow only his own voice, UNIQUE released his solo album Grandma just three months in his journey flying solo. This did not come without a price, but he handled everything with grace: “It’s hard to contain people who only want to see what they expect. But I understand them because they are not in my position, and I can’t blame them,” he says. Aside from dealing with the public outcry, this also meant doubling the workload, but all of these were not enough to discourage him. In fact, it has only sparked him to do better, learn more, and be more productive.
Photos by Karen De La Fuente
What makes everything so worth it is his undying love for his craft, which is something he had in him since childhood. Now, as an individual artist, UNIQUE is not afraid to tread unfamiliar territory and uses this to fuel his passion. “I am always hungry for new experiences and lessons to create and experiment my craft.” Adding to this, he chooses the word “strange” to encompass how he sees his craft. “Because it is not known to all. Even some people do not understand what my craft means,” he says.
True enough, this “strangeness” becomes evident when asked about what sets Grandma apart and of the kind of music he wants to make in the future. In Grandma, each track is never the same. “It tells a story and every song has a different sound. It is completely random but what’s good [about it] is that it will take you anywhere.” As for his future plans, UNIQUE simply says, “For now, I have nothing. Let’s just wait and see.”
In identifying what has changed in his music, he notices that the difference between then and now is that the courage to make big moves allowed him to have a bigger grasp on his own artistic expression. “I can say what I want and what I need to make them feel it,” UNIQUE notes.
Through his big move, he hopes to inspire aspiring artists to choose their own path, which is something he came to value. “Be smart. Because in this industry, you can’t trust everybody. What is given is not always an opportunity. Sometimes, it will just come for the benefit of others. Be more meticulous on where you are headed.”
Watch UNIQUE #MakeBigMoves in his episode of PORTRAITS. To know more about UNIQUE, you may follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
