Spotlight on Nyko Maca
Nyko Maca has been dubbed as the premier Brazilian fusion artist of the country. A free spirit, she is an artist who doesn’t settle for conformity and her music reflects that. While not everyone can immediately appreciate or understand the kind of music that Nyko Maca plays, in no way does it mean that anyone is excluded or is not invited to attend any of her gigs and performances. It just takes the right kind of “open-mindedness” and willingness to be exposed to new kind of music which is not readily found. You’ll never know, you may just like her music!
So, music aficionados, come join me as we get to know more of Nyko Maca:
1) How do you mentally prepare yourself before every performance?
It’s good to have a quiet moment to yourself, even in a crowded room, to just be centered and calm.
2) How many musical instruments can you play? Were you self-taught or did you take lessons?
A combination of some experience and mostly self-taught after a point. Started with piano thanks to my Mom and my great teachers Mrs. Segundo and Mrs. Canlas. I took some voice lessons yes, some pop and classical. I also got some theatrical training through repertory philippines, and doing musicals in Pearson and a capella in McGill University because of capoeira, a bit of brazilian percussion like the berimbau (bow-like instrument, afro-brazilian in origin).
3) What motivates you as an artist?
I can feel so much. Not only from myself, from others, from the way the world is. There is this deep solitude, like you are looking for something you miss, then you get onstage in front of a crowd or on an album to express it, and suddenly it’s there, this intense emotional reality. As if it’s made to bring you to that moment to that crowd, to cry out and communicate something they also want to but can’t seem to say. I feel like I become their voice, the “me” is no longer there, I’m just an instrument myself.
4) How did your experience in “Star in a Million” help you as a artist?
As an artist it helped me gain confidence in front of an entirely new animal – TV! ahaha. I got to meet incredible performers and idols, like Mr. C (Ryan Cayabyab), Gerard Salonga, Gary V., Fritz Infante, all of whom showed me what true artistry drew from – genuine talent, passion, and dedication to the craft. It was Mr. C who told me “Go against the wind! Don’t follow the crowd, follow the beat of your own drum.” Gerard Salonga advised me “Filipinos have a musical IQ way beyond their financial status – they can appreciate good music even if they don’t have the background.” And when Gary V. remembered me because of a remake I did on his own song, man that was icing on the cake – all I could remember was being a kid dancing to his music, then realizing he knows my name! Those moments made the experience classic.
5) What lessons did you learn from that experience?
It reminded me how much TV dictates people’s perception – at the time when I was doing RnB songs it was considered too “far” ahead, and the season after that it was “acceptable”. Timing is everything! and that you have two choices – one is to conform yourself to fit the crowd’s tastes, or two be truly yourself and give the crowd a chance to decide if they like that.
6) Growing up, who were your musical influences?
Classical, Jazz legends and pop stars alike, you know Ella, Mingus, Miles, Lauryn Hill, Backstreet Boys even, Fela Kuti, Caetano Veloso, Badu, Nina Simone, Michael Jackson, Wolfgang the local band and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
7) How would you define your musical style as to those who are not yet too familiar with the music you represent?
Original artistry, being Filipino with an ear to the ground. Electronica and Live ensembles, the whole gamut, performing covers and original tracks. A love for sound and languages, the pictures we paint with words. Some days I write songs with no chorus, some days pure pop tunes. It’s always got to come from somewhere real, with true emotion and from an experience in my life, even if some parts are imagined. Otherwise it doesn’t come out convincing, you know? People always connect with the songs that come from this real part of you. You can tell what song they’ll vibe with before you even put it out.
8) Was there an unforgettable/funny experience you have encountered while performing?
Oh man this just happened this week – I was onstage with SINYMA at a private function in a hotel, and normally you think “Ah, well after they eat and leave we’ll be playing to an empty room.” And before I knew it this pink cannonball of an awesome woman was zigzagging all over our stage, lost in the music and enjoying a good drink I’m sure! She dived straight in between two amplifiers headfirst and i remember singing my line and thinking “Gosh I hope she’s ok, that looked painful!” She bounced right back up then started dancing with the crew, grabbing each of us members and spinning us around, even Gangnam styling right off stage! We were cracking up and she was a good sport, we haven’t had a party like that in a while.
9) How old were you when you realized that music will be an integral part of your life?
Oh wow. I think I always knew, but only had the courage to admit that it was all I wanted at 16. And to come to terms with how life-giving it is, that vital magic which exists in it, I think I’ve only started to understand now at 32.
10) How many bands/groups are you a part of?
My first ever group was Mary’s Rock (BC, Canada). I did Batuque Brasil, then Playground, now I have GAFIEIRA! and sometimes jam with Puro Suingue, now SINYMA here in Manila.
11) What brought about the formation of SINYMA?
Craziest thing – I had the strange urge to walk into a coffee shop in Alabang and I ran into Madz, who told me earlier that day he ran into Cy (Silverfilter), and that we should form a band. So I said “Hey sure”. Hahaha easy! And when Art came into the picture the sound really solidified. We all got to jam in different degrees with each other thanks to the Henessy Tour, which was based on creating artistry with various mixes, so it came true! Got to thank Driven for taking a chance on us like that.
12) If you could choose to perform with any artist, living or dead in their prime, who would it be?
Man, James Brown. And Jay Kay of Jamiroquai. Too much fun in one package of a person!
13) Who is Nyko Maca?
Someone who believes in heart-based sight, following your dream, and that by doing so you can truly make yourself and others happy, and bring light into the world.
14) What is your message to your followers?
Have the courage to be who you really and have a good time while you’re at it!
