Going against the flow

MANILA, Philippines - Most recording artists nowadays do revivals. Sometimes it makes you wonder if the trend is due to the economic crunch or just the lack of fresh material that gives singers that “kami rin mentality” to clinch a hit album. But not Lou Bonnevie. She goes against the flow via her comeback album Only Human after a decade-break from the music scene.

“I know doing revivals is the ‘in’ thing but not for me who has been away for so long,” says Lou. “I wanted something a little different, something fresh that will please the listeners.”

Thus, the album, under Lou and husband Toto Gentica’s Dmitri Productions and distributed by Viva Records, is composed of 13 original tracks Lou painstakingly recorded as soon as she realized how long she’s been away from the recording industry. Her last album, Tisay was released in 1999.

“Imagine, before it was just a one or two year-gap. I suppose the death in the family has somehow affected me enough to release a follow-up. So I took time to relax,” Lou offers.

During her respite, Lou focused on producing shows for Dmitri. Because of her concern for Mother Earth, Lou buried her head in environmental projects that help raise people’s awareness regarding the preservation of nature.

Earthday Jam, for instance, lets Lou who is affiliated with Earthday Philippines, share pointers about the environment through music. For the past nine years, local bands and artists have joined her in this worthwhile endeavor.

“Every time I would produce (shows) for bands or projects, some people asked me when will I record again,” she avers. “Perhaps, they miss the kind of music I play. I thought, why not? It’s been 10 years na pala since my last album.”

In coming up with Only Human, Lou has to set aside some time. “You have to sacrifice other things,” Lou explains.

She experimented with her electric guitar and other instruments in her studio to know what kind of sound she will bring to each of her compositions. Lou also values her 20-year-old son’s opinion as he gives a listen to her work which she describes as very emotional with a chill feel.

Only Human opens with the rock ditty Wanna Rock With You that defines Lou as a cool artist with her signature rock sound. “Chill tayo ngayon. The tunes are more relaxing than my past albums,” Lou explains.

Take time to listen to LAFS (Love at First Sight) and you will say that even if everyone lives and breathes in a modern world, there are still many who believe in commitment and no matter how hard couples fight, they still end up with each other because of love.

Another track, Say No speaks about how women become martyrs because of love. Lost, on the other hand, is about yearning for someone new, after losing a past love.

The album also reflects how deeply concerned Lou is about matters surrounding her. Her composition People Don’t Care touches on poverty, environmental issues and corruption.

 Hurting makes one ponder when Lou likens Mother Earth to the elderly saying, “Some people don’t care about their old folks. Same with Mother Nature, after they used and abused the gifts of nature, they just neglect it.”

The carrier Only Human has so impressed Lou’s septuagenarian mom, she promised to produce an MTV for the track.

“She can relate to the song. I don’t know why I even told her, ‘Mom, is there anything that I don’t know?’” Lou quips.

 Tomorrow, April 5, Lou will perform tracks that mirror various emotions as she launches Only Human on GMA 7’s S.O.P. She, too, will be at MOA on May 1 to promote the album. Lou also invites everyone to Earthday Jam, where she will perform wth Nina, Callalily, Hale and others on April 24.