Tugtog: Who gave you the moniker, Manila’s Pop Virtuoso?
Reuben: It was New Voice Company’s actor and director Rabbi Ganadan. He’s now in Disney Hong Kong.
Tugtog:Why did you release a Gospel album before “Pop Virtuosity”?
Reuben: “Langit” is my gift to the Lord before crossing the border. It was offered to me by Emmanuel Music. Besides, before anything else in the music industry, I am first and foremost a Gospel singer. My first TV appearance happened in 1986 when I was launched as a Gospel singer in the show of Joan Lorenzana.
Tugtog: Did you ever join singing contests before?
Reuben: I joined Bagong Kampeon in the 80s. I lost but it paved the way for great opportunities.
Tugtog: Practically speaking, you’ve been in the industry for 21 years. What advice can you give the fresh crop?
Reuben: Mahalin ang trabaho. Don’t be complacent.
Tugtog: As an upstart many years ago, who did you look up to?
Reuben: Nonoy Zuniga is my ultimate idol but many say I sound like Basil Valdez.
Tugtog: How did that make you feel?
Reuben:: It’s flattering because if the US has Barbra Streisand, we have Basil Valdez. His voice has a very high range and the way he holds his breath is just amazing. But at the end of the day, I would like to think that I’m still the same person who can sound like me.
Tugtog: Is there a disadvantage in sounding like somebody else?
Reuben: Yes there is, it would be difficult to create your own voice, one that would be identified only to you.
Tugtog: What’s the best remark or comment that you’ve ever received?
Reuben: “You make a song sound like your own” from Direk Floy Quintos. He told me that after watching me perform “Love of My Life” by Queen in a show where I was a guest.
Tugtog: Did you ever hire a voice coach?
Reuben: Nolyn Cabahug at the Ryan Cayabyab Music Studio. He’s my one on one voice trainer.
Tugtog: How does one become an excellent singer?
Reuben: Listen to your voice through good ear training. Expose yourself to good musical training. I owe that to my former group.
Tugtog: You’re showing much interest for stage, is stage acting also one of the reasons why you left The CompanY?
Reuben: Stage complements the title Pop Virtuoso.
Tugtog: What do you miss most about your former group?
Reuben: I miss the friendship I’ve formed with my co-members. But I have to set aside that feeling for the time being because I have the goal to be a respectable artist who can reach all markets.
Tugtog: “Pop Virtuosity” is a mixture of music from different genres, who conceptualized it?
Reuben: I did. I needed a tool that would make me break into the mainstream. “Pop Virtuosity” is a very ambitious album because it’s a double CD. One CD is exclusive for pop songs while the other one has a blend of music from all genres.
Tugtog: What or inspired you to put out an album such as “Pop Virtuosity”?
Reuben: I am a natural go-getter. I got that from my perseverance. If you don’t have that character, you don’t have hope. I must have that character and I must have hope because I have to work.
Tugtog: We heard that you produced the album by yourself. What’s the advantage of being an independent producer?
Reuben: I have the freewill to choose what songs to record and what direction to take artistically and musically.
Tugtog: Any disadvantages?
Reuben: The record company distributing it won’t market your album the same way they would their products.
Tugtog: What did you always consider impossible in life?
Reuben: Coming up with an album without the funds. But have faith in God and everything will come to you. I can be highly spiritual because I’m relying on just Him for all these endeavors that I’m taking.
Tugtog: Aside from God, who else do you owe much gratitude to for supporting you now that you’re a solo artist?
Reuben: Friends around that believe and support me. And the family is always there to support me through and through. Please allow me also to thank Yes FM, Love Radio, Mellow Touch, WRock, and DZAS for airing the songs from my album.
Tugtog: What can you say to your detractors?
Reuben: That I’ll just let you be your own person. Maybe at one point sometime in the future, you will realize that you can live a day without being too mean to people. It is possible.
Tugtog: What is your wildest dream?
Reuben: To incorporate my one man show in my concert. I paint using mixed media. I hope that one day, my works can be the backdrop of the stage I am performing on.
Catch Reuben Laurente’s shows and learn more about this Pop Virtuoso >>
Tags: Reuben Laurente, The Company, Philippine Music News, Filipino Music Industry
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