Music talks about lots of things like memories thoughts feelings and even finds itself representing culture in many ways. In fact, many artists use music for that very reason by doing this they bring the possibility of greater understanding with other cultures.
Like Kokoy Severino, a songwriter and member of the Kayumanggi Pinoy rock band based in Austin Texas said he thinks his music can give a voice to the people of the Philippines.
“As I encounter people along with my mission and pilgrimage, I continue to learn how beautiful my people are... They are so humble and respectful, the most resilient, and despite the many hardships they must endure every day, they are the most joyful. I am inspired by them to search for and explore my own Filipino cultural identity. That is what these songs are about.”
Like Kokoy Severino, a songwriter and member of the Kayumanggi Pinoy rock band based in Austin Texas said he thinks his music can give a voice to the people of the Philippines.
“As I encounter people along with my mission and pilgrimage, I continue to learn how beautiful my people are... They are so humble and respectful, the most resilient, and despite the many hardships they must endure every day, they are the most joyful. I am inspired by them to search for and explore my own Filipino cultural identity. That is what these songs are about.”
Courtesy of kokoy Severino
Members of the Kayumanggi Pinoy rock band Clockwise from front left: Anna Marie Santos, Shariko Pascual, Cocoy Dimala, Tan Cuenca, Ryan Ignacio, Bo Bismarck, Kokoy Severino
Members of the Kayumanggi Pinoy rock band Clockwise from front left: Anna Marie Santos, Shariko Pascual, Cocoy Dimala, Tan Cuenca, Ryan Ignacio, Bo Bismarck, Kokoy Severino
Kokoy also explained the story for the name of his band “ "Kayumanggi" means deep natural brown. It is how we Filipinos describe our skin color. When I am in the United States, my skin color turns a lighter shade of brown. When I am in the Philippines, my lifestyle puts me out in the sun more...So my skin color turns a deeper shade of brown, which is what I consider my real skin color - the shade of brown when I am in my habitat of origin. This natural brown is kayumanggi.”
As we can see Kokoy and his bandmates’ music and the overall band are founded on their culture and where they’re from.
As we can see Kokoy and his bandmates’ music and the overall band are founded on their culture and where they’re from.
Courtesy of kokoy Severino
Music can be used to give a voice to people who want to be heard and artists like Kokoy and his band make it so people from all over the world are able to listen.
As time continues to progress we will see and hear more music from other parts of the world in our playlists. The diversity and complexity of our culture and of other cultures around the world will continue to increase and hopefully so will understanding or at least familiarity with them will too.
As time continues to progress we will see and hear more music from other parts of the world in our playlists. The diversity and complexity of our culture and of other cultures around the world will continue to increase and hopefully so will understanding or at least familiarity with them will too.
Courtesy of pikrepo