Random things you need to know about Jace Roque’s mainstream album ‘Paradiso’
Singer-songwriter Jace Roque has finally made his much-anticipated mainstream debut with his album “Paradiso,” released under ABS-CBN Star Music. This milestone represents a significant leap in Jace’s career, marking his transition from an independent artist to a recognized name in the music industry.
Looking back on his efforts, Jace expressed gratitude to the key individuals who have supported and believed in him. He specifically acknowledged Roxy Liquigan, Jonathan Manalo, Mela Ballano, and the team at ABS-CBN Music. “Going mainstream has always been a dream of mine. The journey I had to go through to get to where I am today was tough. I’m very grateful that I’m now seeing and reaping the fruits of my labor,” he shared.
A pivotal moment in Jace’s career was his initial collaboration with ABS-CBN Music, particularly his involvement in the ABS-CBN Music Christmas Station ID soundtrack. “Becoming a part of the ABS-CBN Music Christmas Station ID soundtrack was also a dream come true,” Jace added, underscoring the importance of this project to his career.
The album’s lead single, “Casual,” is a vibrant blend of Dancepop, Latin, and Reggaeton influences, exploring themes of love and intimacy. Released on September 15, 2023, “Casual” swiftly climbed the charts, securing the number 11 spot on the iTunes Philippines Top Songs Chart and number 10 on the iTunes Philippines Pop Chart. This initial success heralds a promising promotional journey for the album.
In 2023, Jace’s single “Back To The Beginning” garnered a nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Recording, and he was nominated for People’s Voice Favorite Male Artist at the 36th Awit Awards. Additionally, he received nominations for Philippine Pop Male Soloist of the Year and won the award for Philippine Pop Male Star of the Night at the 8th Philippine Pop – PPOP Awards. Early this year, Jace started the year strong with a nomination for Male R&B Artist of the Year at the 15th PMPC Star Awards for Music for his single “Trust.”
Coming from a showbiz family, Jace inherited his artistic talents from OPM stars Gino Padilla and Luke Mejares, as well as iconic action villain Boy Roque. His background includes acting studies and appearances in commercials, films, and TV shows. In 2017, he was cast in the multi-award-winning movie “Across the Crescent Moon,” and has since released numerous hit singles, amassing millions of views.
“Paradiso,” a Pop-EDM album that has been seven years in the making, features Jace’s international hits along with newer tracks from his previous EP, “Inferno.” Inspired by Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy,” the album chronicles Jace’s journey from and back to paradise, visually represented in the album art by photographer Raymond Cauilan.
Debuting on May 24 across all digital platforms under ABS-CBN Star Music, “Paradiso” quickly reached number 3 on iTunes Philippines Top Albums and number 2 on the Pop Albums chart. This album not only highlights Jace’s growth as an artist but also his dedication to crafting music that resonates deeply with his audience.
In an exclusive interview, we delved into the inspiration behind Jace’s work, his creative process, and what fans can anticipate from this exciting new chapter in his career. Here are the random things you need to know about Paradiso:
Primary Inspiration Behind the Album
“The primary inspiration is to share my life story and to tackle topics that are often too difficult to discuss but showcase them in a way that’s danceable and not depressing,” Jace explains. His goal is to create music that is both meaningful and enjoyable, allowing listeners to connect with his experiences while enjoying the rhythm.
Creative Process
Jace draws heavily from his musical influences, stating, “I grew up listening to Western music that’s why I opted to build a sound that’s heavily influenced by American Pop and European House.” His commitment to authenticity is evident in his songwriting process: “I see to it that I live up to my brand which is – truthful, honest and authentic.”
Recurring Themes
“The main recurring theme is love,” Jace says. His album explores various dimensions of love, including self-love, romantic love, and the pain of heartbreak. “Love for myself, romantic love, romantic heartbreak, heartbreak brought upon by family and many more,” he elaborates, showcasing the depth and variety of his lyrical content.
Personal Experiences and Growth
Jace describes his album as a musical diary, stating, “It’s like looking at my diary in a music form. The lyrics are raw, unfiltered and unapologetic.” He believes that his songwriting has evolved significantly over the seven years it took to build this album: “As for my growth as an artist, I believe that my songwriting evolved with each single I released.”
Highlight Track
Jace is particularly excited for his fans to hear “Casual,” the carrier single for the album. “It’s fresh, new and it signifies the end and start of a new era,” he says, highlighting the track’s significance in his musical journey.
Special Significance
“‘Trust’ is the one I hold close to my heart because I created this track at my lowest point and most vulnerable state of mind,” Jace reveals. He describes the song as deeply personal and a showcase of his vocal range.
Collaborations
Jace collaborated with two international producers for two tracks on the album. “‘Days With You (Jace’s Version)’ was produced by an India-based DJ/Producer and ‘Everytime We Touch Pt. 2’ was produced by a Dubai-based DJ/Producer,” he shares. Additionally, he worked with a music engineer who has collaborated with prominent industry names like BGYO and BINI.
Challenges
“The challenge in creating this album was I had to create standalone tracks that evolved with every release yet will still sound cohesive once the project is finally released as a whole,” Jace explains. He aimed to produce timeless songs that remain relevant for years to come.
Connection with Supporters
Jace hopes that at least one of the thirteen tracks on his album will resonate with his audience. “I’m grateful that upon release, the album was well received and charted high on iTunes Philippines,” he says, noting its success on the charts.
Promotion Plans
Jace and his team at Star Music have extensive plans for promotion, including TV, radio, and digital appearances. “Hopefully with me charting high, we can get more opportunities for promotion,” he adds.
Upcoming Tours
“I’m very much looking forward to bringing this album to the live stage,” Jace says excitedly. Although specific plans have yet to be finalized, he dreams of embarking on a multi-city tour.
Representation as an Artist
“This album is everything that I can offer to the industry,” Jace states proudly. It showcases his multifaceted talents as a singer, songwriter, arranger, music producer, and music engineer, as well as his skills in fashion, multimedia production, and music marketing.
Listener Takeaway
Jace hopes listeners learn from his life experiences and that his songs evoke an emotional response, helping them face their own challenges.
What changed?
“The main difference is that I worked with an industry professional for this one,” Jace explains. While his past releases were experimental and indie, this album boasts a more professional sound, meeting mainstream music standards.
Evolution as an Artist
“My confidence has grown but my core of being authentic has never changed,” Jace affirms. Authenticity remains a cornerstone of his artistry, and he continues to champion this value in his work.
Jace Roque’s latest album is a testament to his growth and dedication as an artist. This is it for an artist who powers through challenges with passion and grit.
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