ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: BABYLUNG
INTRO
On a cool, overcast day, I had the opportunity to interview Joash Almeda, better known by his stage name, Babylung. This rising star in the BC music scene embodies relentless ambition, artistic growth, and a pursuit of a lasting impact. From his early SoundCloud days in 2016 to collaborations with Grammy winners, Babylung's journey is one of continuous evolution and pushing boundaries. This is the story of a young Filipino artist who dared to dream big and turned hustle into a thriving musical career. And he’s someone who I’ve been fortunate to have been able to track, and interact with over the years.
There’s few others as dedicated to their artistry, and have a willingness to strive for a sustainable career against all odds, as Babbylung. And so, without further adieu, kick back, and enjoy an interview with one of the cities greats.
Could you take us briefly through your musical journey, from your earliest
My earliest days in the music scene started on SoundCloud circa 2016. In 2017 I dropped a mixtape called "Look What You Did" before I left to Toronto to pursue a music career, and almost instantly it started taking off.
At that point, no young artists from Surrey were betting on their careers and investing in themselves to the extent of uprooting yourself, so it was quite a big change for me. It felt like the city was rooting for me.
From then onward, it only got more serious. From writing with Grammy award-winning songwriters at 18 to being mentored by the very best in the music business, life came at me very quickly and I knew I needed to make decisions that would make me last. Along the way, I turned down a few big opportunities so that I could further my education in the music business and build something that lasts. That led me to finish my Honours Diploma in Artist Management and receive a full scholarship to obtain an accelerated BA in Commerical Music in Scotland. The MusiCounts scholarship & mentorship program was the cherry on top.
In a crazy turn of events, this Filipino kid from Surrey was being mentored by some of the top music executives in the country and is building his career in The UK. While in The UK, the music I was releasing was exactly the type I believed would work well there. I released "Aliyah's Song" which broke 100k streams in the fall of 2019, and the alternative rock elements always translated well when I performed it live in Glasgow. It felt like I was at the cusp of a breakout. This domino effect of opportunities kept happening and it felt too good to be true - and that's exactly when the pandemic happened.
I graduated from university at the peak of the pandemic, so I had to move back to Vancouver and effectively cancel my plans to build my career in The UK. It was a little heartbreaking seeing all my work go to what felt like the trash, but I had to keep it moving. I kept making music but in 2020 I was determined to make something out of the newfound knowledge and skills I obtained while the world was at a standstill.
That year was dedicated to helping local artists write grants, create release plans, market their music, negotiate contracts, and share all I knew with those around me. When things began to open up again in 2021, I entered into an album cycle for "To Live and Die In Surrey" and got to shoot videos again and do live shows. That year, I also took on my first job on the business side, managing a network of music curators at District and working with what feels like everybody in the music industry.
Fast forward to today, I have the honor and privilege of being a partner to some of the biggest artists in the world to market their music, learning from the best in the music business, making music to the cadence of my own timing, and experiencing new cultures around the world. Life looks different than what I initially expected, but I know all good things come in due time. Don't worry, I have plenty of plans to release more music.
What specific experiences or events have inspired the themes and narratives present in your songs? Some of your most poignant remain your home town of Surrey, and the love and lives you’ve touched along the way.
In the early days, the theme was hustle and ambition, reminiscent of my time growing up in Surrey as a juvenile delinquent turned student-athlete. There was certainly an era where Surrey was a centerpiece of my muse because all I had known was Surrey. Then it became a heartbreak-lover-boy when I moved to Toronto and my life was surrounded by workaholism and longing for love. As of late, the themes are much more relatable and confident. I meet many interesting people traveling, which inspires me to write about universal themes of love, grace, betrayal, romance, etc. I like capturing stories so true to human nature that it would be impossible not to relate to them, at least at some point in life.
In what ways do you feel your music has evolved sonically and thematically since you first entered the scene in 2016?
Thematically I answered it mostly above. Sonically, I evolved a lot more into an R&B/soul artist. I started producing more of my tracks 3 years ago so it sent me down a rabbit hole of dissecting the music most true to my current form, which is R&B, Singer/Songwriter, and Gospel music. Harmony, vocal performance, and rhythm are my favourite tools now when creating music. That wasn't always the case.
Reflecting on the success of tracks like "May Flowers" and "Ride with Me,"what significance do these milestones hold for you personally and professionally?
Personally, it gave me a lot of confidence that I could make something that people love and do it independently. I always knew I had something special, but those songs are some of the first instances of external validation that I was onto something.
"Funny Innit?" has been noted as an early glimpse into your distinctive sound. How do you believe your music has evolved since that track's release, and what elements do you strive to maintain from your earlier work? Add in the Ave reference, and you know I’d bring it up!
Wow, this song is everything when it comes to the early Babylung sound. Keep in mind I made this song after doing a deep dive into R&B/Soul for nearly 3 years. I wanted to bring back the gritty Hip Hop sound that I began with, more to authentically tell the story of my early days as a juvenile delinquent on The Ave. All them boys just knew how it was, so the reference was only mandatory lol.
Can fans anticipate any new releases or projects from Babylung in the coming year, and if so, what can they expect from your upcoming music?
YES. I'm finishing up an EP that I began writing & recording in Oaxaca, Mexico. I just finished 7 weeks there living life, being inspired, and being immersed in Mexican culture. You can expect it to be the soundtrack you play when you find yourself falling for someone's everything. It's lovely, it's sweet, and very sure of itself. Stay tuned.
How do you perceive the evolution of the RnB scene in Metro Vancouver since you first began your musical journey, and what role do you see yourself playing within it?
It's inspiring. It feels like Vancouver is beginning to have its own sound and DNA. There's a certain feeling that you can pin down and say, "That sounds like Vancouver". My role in it, I see myself as the artist people put on when they want to be immersed into a storyline. The Babylung romantic universe is a thing. So I've been told lol.
Balancing your roles in music production and editorial management, could you elaborate on how these dual responsibilities inform and complement each other in your creative process?
I always feel that I understand more about music than the average music executive, and I understand more about the music industry than the average artist. It's a little confusing sometimes because I see things from different perspectives and you need to know when to use which brain. I do business like an artist and it's usually very advantageous, but doing art like a business person on the other hand is not always. I'm very much an art-first type of person, as you might tell.
Drawing from your experiences, what advice would you offer to emerging RnB artists looking to establish themselves in the industry, particularly within the Vancouver music scene?
Find your people, collab, do life, and enjoy each other's company. You are not for everybody, and that's fine. It's much better to focus on who your music IS for than to try to make people like your music, or worse, conform your artistic identity to what people like. I'm not saying isolate yourself, but try to understand who your music is catering to and don't be swayed by the opinions of those you aren't catering to. My second piece of advice, work with Good Water Remi and Tempo Festejo. Them boys will make you sound NICE.
As an artist who has been active in the Vancouver music scene for several years, how have you navigated the process of securing grants and funding to support your musical endeavours, and what role do you believe these Financial resources play in sustaining and expanding your creative output?
Damn, there are so many resources in Canada it's unbelievable. FACTOR and Creative BC have funded multiple of my projects and I've helped numerous artists secure grants to fund their projects. Sometimes it can be tedious, but it's beneficial to communicate to an entity that is not your team about your strategy and how you plan to execute it. The resources are well worth it, though, to hire the best talent and decrease some of the overhead costs of releasing a project. All Canadian artists should be taking advantage of this opportunity. There is an established pathway to fund your entire career throughout all the stages. However, I will add that it is competitive and you are competing against many other artists and teams who have Juno's, Grammy's, and global partners. See how funding fits into your strategy, but don't make it your strategy. If you do not get the funding, find a way to bootstrap your plans because some grants only take submissions once a year.
And last but not least, do you have any final words for the audience? A word of wisdom, or knowledge, or maybe a joke or two?
I leave you with this: don't be afraid to walk your own path. You might see everyone else around you doing things a certain way, and you might want to follow and do the same thing, but don't be afraid to walk alone. Everyone has a different destination, so don't rule out a different path. Especially in the music industry.
CONCLUSION
As our conversation drew to a close, it was clear that Babylung's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, passion, and authenticity. From the streets of Surrey to the stages of Glasgow, his music not only tells his story but resonates with universal themes that speak to the human experience. Babylung's dedication to his craft, willingness to share his knowledge, and continuous evolution as an artist make him a standout figure in the Vancouver music scene.
His ability to navigate the challenges of the music industry with a strategic mind and an artist's heart is truly inspiring. As he continues to create, mentor, and expand his horizons, there is no doubt that Babylung will leave an indelible mark on the world of music. His upcoming EP, born from his time in Oaxaca, promises to be a delightful addition to his discography, capturing the essence of love and life's sweet moments.
For those aspiring to follow in his footsteps, Babylung's journey is a beacon of hope and a reminder that with determination, creativity, and a supportive community, anything is possible. Keep an eye out for his future releases and remember, as Babylung himself advises, don't be afraid to walk your own path and stay true to your artistic vision.
Thank you for joining us in this insightful and inspiring conversation with one of Vancouver's greats. And as always, I bid a bone deep godspeed for the maverick whose sail appears to be ever filled.