Mention the name Kitchie Nadal and what comes to mind are the alternative rock and pop rock sounds infused in her songs. Only a few know Kitchie is also part of local TV soaps as composer and singer of the teleseryes’ theme songs.
“I liked putting a song to a story ever since I was a kid. That’s why it excites me more than just a performer to do themes for TV series,” Kitchie says.
Songwriting, the pop rock princess reveals, gives her a different kind of high since she was in grade school. That is why she always comes up with something touching and pleasing to the ears.
From fantasy series Majika, romantic comedy I Luv NY, action adventure Rounin to Koreanovela Lovers in Paris, Kitchie’s rhythmic take on the different stories of life reflects in the compilation album of teleserye themes titled Drama Queen TV. Every song in the album, produced by Roca Cruz of Be.Live Artists Management and released by GMA Records, complements the TV series. Kitchie looks into the background of each story before coming up with something that would linger on the listener’s mind — teleserye lover or not — even if the soap has already ended.
“If you listen to the songs, you will notice the diversity in the album. The different dramas reflect on the songs,” Kitchie states.
Kitchie also admits learning a thing or two in composing theme songs. The fantaserye Majika pushed her to dig deep into Filipinos’ belief about superstitions. She started thinking for the right terms that would jive with the mystical sound in every fantasy tale.
“It was during my Filipino Psychology class that I came up with the right words for the song. My teacher was a great help in those Tagalog words na malalalim. That is why it only took me a few days to write the song and I gave my teacher a copy of my composition,” Kitchie relates.
Kitchie also experiments when composing. The song Buwan, which she wrote for the Canadian indie film Aswang and is included in the album, has that reverberating sound from India’s musical instrument Sitar.
“As a musician it’s important to always come up with something new. I want to grow as a performer and I cannot play the same songs forever,” Kitchie says.
But her audience during gigs seems not to get enough of her old songs and keeps on requesting for songs she’s been known for. If that is the case, Kitchie gladly obliges, letting the audience sing with her.
Still, she makes it a point to introduce her new song by letting the audience know how she was able to come up with the ditty.
How does she know if her new song would become a hit?
“It’s great to have hits but it’s not a priority when I’m composing. What matters is for me to come up with something touching and sincere,” Kitchie replies.
That is why Kitchie finds Cynthia Alexander an inspiration. The pop rock performer renders songs with such sincerity Kitchie can’t help but remark, “Her (Cynthia’s) songs are so real and come from the heart.”
With Drama Queen TV, Kitchie promises listeners will not only get the feel of the story. The song will also touch them. The album also contains a rearranged Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin and its instrumental version.
And since she is into local TV soaps, does Kitchie plan to be one of TV’s drama queens?
“No, but I’m not saying I cannot act. Maybe if the story is something I can relate to, I’ll go for it and if I’m just half-hearted, I don’t think I would do it,” Kitchie answers.
Besides, Kitchie says, she may not be able to cope with the intrigues and controversies of local showbiz. As a singer, she has tasted how it was like to be the rumor-mongers’ subject when she was rumored to be pregnant with Rico Blanco’s child, and when she was said to have got into a car accident that made her family feel bad.
“The issues were so weird. How could that be when Rico is a second cousin?,” Kitchie wonders aloud.