Morissette marks 15th music anniversary with ‘Ember’ concert

Morissette’s 15th anniversary concert, happening on Oct. 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, will be her grandest music event to date.

She mounted her first major solo concert in 2016 and has headlined several shows since then.

But her latest one, dubbed “Ember,” is “probably the biggest one so far,” she told The STAR in a one-on-one interview. It is presented by the Asia’s Phoenix herself, the Underdog Music and co-produced by Gabi Na Naman (GNN) Productions with Troy Laureta as the music director (who has worked with Ariana Grande, David Foster and Ailee), Jason Max as the show director and indie-folk group The Ridleys as the opening act.

Aside from celebrating her 15 years in the music business, Morissette aimed to showcase the “spark” in both her vocal performance and various aspects of her career during the concert.

In her words, “I also wanted to, I guess, show them like different levels of fire, which is something that I also went through na parang going into an ember, it starts with a spark, which to me is like my childhood. Kung paano ko na-realize na this is something what I wanna do for a long time.

“(It’s like a flame including) the opportunities that came until the peak of my last Araneta concert and the collaborations that I got to do in the past 15 years.

“And now going into this, for me (reflects) where I am in my life, which is an ember. It’s long lasting and that’s something that I’m also working towards (in my career) and more longevity, trying to make a name and helping in a way in the music industry.

“And I feel like one of the things that I like to resonate to an ember is parang kung gusto anytime gusto kong magpasabog, kaya!”

Just like an ember, she wanted to keep that “spark” alive as she continues to create music. “It lingers and makakarating kung saan-saan yung embers. And then when it’s time to make a big fire again, we’re capable of doing that.”

Morissette recalled that pre-pandemic she was busy with many projects. But when the pandemic happened, she laid low to focus on her personal life, got married, nurtured relationships outside the industry and filmed “Song of the Fireflies.”

Meanwhile, the former “Star Factor” runner-up wanted to highlight her original songs that catapulted her to stardom at the concert, such as Akin Ka Na Lang and Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw, and some deep cuts.

“Like, this will be the only concert and might be the last kind of concert that I will do na all of these songs are in that one show. And so I wanted to do that with my team and for myself as well. I wanted to do this before turning 30.”

Looking back on her modest beginnings, the 29-year-old singer-songwriter mused that when she was just starting out, her goal was simply to release original music and be known as a singer even if it was just for one song.

But her personal goals have changed later on as she continued to navigate the music scene.

“Now, I’ve learned a lot. And just talking with other artists as well, hearing their goals, I think my goal now is just to be able to enjoy where God puts me,” she reflected.

“I’ve also gone and supported a lot of concerts of my peers and I realized that there are artists who have different goals for themselves but kung hindi aligned with God’s plan, ‘di din siguro mangyayari. But then at the same time, you could have your own personal goals but God’s plan is bigger than your dreams.”

So she put her trust in God, in His plans, for where He wants to lead her. “Of course, I still have my goals of trying to push more original music that I co-write and co-produce as well with my collaborators. But kung saan man ako ilagay ni Lord, I just wanna have peace and be happy with where he puts me,” she maintained.

At this point in her life, Morissette is content with where she is, surrounded by her loved ones and team. “I also want to show people (a positive impression where they would say), ‘In fairness, she knows what she wants and she is passionate and looks like she’s gonna be doing that for the rest of her life.’”

The last 15 years in the music industry have pushed Morissette “not just to be a singer but to be more of a well-rounded artist.”

“So I’m trying to also step outside of my comfort zone like producing. Actually, this concert I’m also co-producing because I have a lot of concepts that I want to personally execute. And so I’m putting in my own financial capabilities into the show para po mapaganda,” she declared.

(Please visit www.ticketnet.com.ph for concert tickets).