Sitti on Bossa and her new found Love

It was a totally different “Sitti” from the person I first interviewed almost two years ago. Back then the country’s Queen of Bossa was almost as somber as the carrier single “Wag Mo Na Munang Sabihin” of her album “Sitti.”

Last week, a very sexy and radiant Sitti was all smiles as she sat down with entertainment media at a lunch organized by Backroom Entertainment for several of its talents, which also included K Brosas and  Kim Idol.  The media lunch was held at Sir Boys Food Republique in Quezon City.

She describes 2013 as a very “happy year” for her. “Masaya ang 2013 ko kase I got to be part of the musical “The Full Monty,” and I also got to enjoy a lot of out of town and out of the country trips. But the real highlights of 2013 is more personal—because I had the chance to join a song writing camp, recorded a new album, and finally I found love– or love found me  kaya parang mas may meaning na ang mga kinakanta ko,” she said almost blushing as she made the confession.

From singer to songwriter
“Joining the 4th Elements National Singing Songwriting Camp was an eye opener in a way and sobrang helpful kasi yung tools talaga of songwriting they were graciously shared by our mentors like Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, Ebe Dancel, Rey Valera, Ogie Alcasid among others.”

Sitti said the five-day workshop held in Dumaguete not only taught the participants a lot about their craft but also gave them time to socialize with other songwriters who are all passionate about music.

“I first learned about the workshop through Twitter and felt that I was at a point in my musical life where I wanted to further my songwriting. Marami na kasi akong nasulat pero hindi ko natatapos so kailangan ko talaga ng tools kasi gusto ko silang matapos and I feel like I am shortchanging myself and not pushing my boundaries if I just keep on doing covers and not create materials of my own.”

“I guess, that is my focus for this year. To write more, to discover more about the music that is really in my heart kasi besides bossa nova, I also enjoy pop. I enjoy different kinds of music pero di ko pa siya napapakinggan talaga. So hopefully, my next album would have more of the songs I wrote,” she explained.

The output for the 60 participants of the songwriting camp was to write songs about the Yolanda tragedy. “We were divided into groups and we came up with 10 songs which was included in the album Awit ng Paghilom. Dun ko narealize that I could collaborate pala with other songwriters.”

The independently produced album is available through Radio Republic.

“The chorus of our song “Hay, Nabubuhay” is ‘tama na ang buhay na nasasayang… di ka kailangan mamatay ng hindi kinakailangan’  its our call to private individuals and government that people do not need to die needlessly if help comes immediately we can save lots of lives.”

Return to Bossa

While she has found new knowledge to help her write her own songs Sitti, says she is currently focused on promoting her newest album “Bossa Love.”

Bossa Love is her debut album under MCA Music after being with Warner Music for more than six years.

The new album marks Sitti’s return to her signature bossa roots after trying out something different from previous album. Produced by Marvin Querido, the album features nine “cover” tracks including Sunday Morning (Maroon 5), It Wasn’t Me (Shaggy), Stickwithu (Pussycat Dolls), Back To You (John Mayer), Smooth (Santana), Someday We’ll Know (New Radicals), My Favorite Mistake (Sheryl Crow), I Want It That Way (Backstreet Boys), Yellow (Coldplay), Lost Without You (Robin Thicke), Don’t Know Why (Norah Jones), For You (Kenny Lattimore), Waterfalls (TLC) and Thank You (Dido).

Check out the preview below:

She describes it as her ‘Sitti-fied,’ versions of some of the top songs from the 90s to the late 2000s. “It’s the sound that my fans have grown to love.”

“Of all the songs I recorded my favorite is Thank You, because it best reflects my current state of being, I’m just thankful and happy that I’m still here to talk to you guys about my album and masaya lang talaga. In a way, coming full circle din kasi it’s a covers album for which people initially got to know me. This one is for the fans. The selections are more contemporary which is what MCA wants and at the same time reflective  on my state of being because masaya yung mga songs unlike my previous album which were puro heartbroken songs.”

One of the most interesting song choices was “It Wasn’t Me.” “It was the most challenging to do but sobrang thankful ako because I got to work with Marvin Querido and how he reimagined all of the songs were really a pleasant surprise.”

Sitti on a Sunday Morning

Since the carrier single of the album is “Sunday Morning,” what does Sitti do on a typical Sunday?

“Before, it was ASAP, then family lunch then chill out, church, massage and then sleep..”

But now that she has a love life?

“Oh then its ASAP, then he will pick me up, eat out, church, chill— ay halos ganun din naman pala,” she said laughing.

“Iba pala talaga kapag in-love, but I’d rather not reveal his name because he isn’t from the business but I think this new relationship has helped me a lot as I go on as a singer and as a person.”

For 2014, Sitti says she just hopes to write more songs. “I’m not really one of those people who set goals for the year, but I really want to write a song each month, and finish those that I’ve already started in the past.”

She hints her next album would be what she refers to as “progressive bossa” taking her music to a higher level.

Sitti recently held a successful concert to formally launch her new album Bossa Love last  January 18, 8pm, at the Music Museum.  Aside from television guestings, she is also busy doing corporate, provincial and international shows. She has an upcoming series of shows at Pagcor Casino branches on the following dates: February 7 (Mimosa Satellite); February 20 (Casino Filipino Pavilion), February 27 (Casino Filipino Olongapo), and February 28 (Casino Filipino Parañaque).For inquiries, call Backroom Inc. at 4351108, email [email protected], or log on to www.facebook.com/backroominc and www.twitter.com/BackroomArtists.