Bryan Termulo ‘almost there’ with new country sound

Pinoy artist Bryan Termulo has commenced a new musical chapter with the release of the country music song, Almost There. The latter is a welcome addition to his collection of ballad, pop and love tunes. The singer-songwriter is, in a way, showing a different side of him, beyond being the Prince of Teleserye Theme Songs.

The US-based Bryan had a recent virtual chat with select print and new media members to give everyone an idea of how this exciting singing-and-recording career turn came about.

“When it comes to the country genre and to the country singers I’ve been listening to, life lessons kasi yung mga message ng mga country songs (are the messages of these tunes),” said he when The STAR asked him about the music genre, “na parang feeling ko nowadays, may mga nag-sa-struggle sa mga mental health and parang gusto ko lang mag-spread ng positive message (through the) country genre (I feel that since there are people who struggle with mental health, I want to spread inspiring messages through the music genre).”

“Like Almost There, it talks about life lessons that once you fail in life, tuloy lang (you carry on) and then just don’t look back and then just keep going,” added he, “until kung anumang dreams ang makuha mo, (whatever dreams you aspire), you will get (them) because you’re almost there.”

And what has drawn the artist to country music, genre-wise, are the lyrics that speak of daily experiences and thoughts that somehow invite listeners to reflect, as one could glean from Bryan’s answers.

“Parang, alam mo yun, nag-incorporate lahat ng thoughts ko, atsaka yung environment ko, atsaka yung atmosphere ko (it seemed that all my thoughts and the environment have come together). Sabi ko, ‘Sige this time’ since I’m doing my own thing, might as well… gawin mo na  yung pinaka-gusto kong gawin (I’ll just do what I’ve been wanting to), which is mag-produce (producing),” said he, “and there is more of me na mag-po-produce pa ako ng maraming country music in the future (I will be producing more country music).”

Earlier in the group chat, he said that his interest in singing country songs (like Take Me Home, Country Roads) started when he was young. Bryan has been living these past years in Tennessee, known as the birthplace or cradle of country music, as others describe it.

It is also the place where he has found his foothold to venture into producing songs and funding materials. He composed Almost There during the pandemic.

These have played a pivotal role for him to try his hand at country songs and tread on this musical path.

“I don’t know, kasi siyempre (of course), nung ni-record ko na siya dito sa America (when I recorded the song here in the States), siyempre, nandun yung nakikinig ka thoroughly na ng mga country songs. You will just get some techniques and all that (I’m listening thoroughly to these songs, and you’ll pick up some techniques),” answered Bryan when inquired if singing country music entails singing the song in a new style. “Sabi kasi nung nag-coach sa akin, who is American, na (what my American coach told me) ‘You don’t have to sound like them (the country singers), but the way you sound, I think, in a way, (it seems) there’s something in you… a sound (or tone) that (could be tapped that would make you a) country, singer,’ parang ganun.”

As for his typical life in the States, Bryan said he works in a museum on weekdays but performs for Filipino communities come weekends. If he has singing gigs, Bryan flies Friday and stays a day after the show to enjoy the place’s sights and sounds.

He also gets invitations to perform in Canada and last year, he was in the Philippines twice for an event. The artist also does TikTok live.

For sure, Bryan will include Almost There in his future gig repertoire, and music enthusiasts will take delight in its inspirational theme.

“It’s a reminder for everybody that you don’t have to quit, like, quitters never gonna win. So, you’re almost there,” said he during the group chat.

Instead of lingering in challenges and unfortunate situations from the past, the artist added, “‘wag mo nang balikan yun (don’t look back) because if you’re reaching your goal, you’re almost there.”

A piece of information given to this paper from the artist’s publicity team shares that Bryan is preparing another country song titled Be Thankful, about “gratitude and appreciation for life’s blessings.”

Please give Bryan’s song, Almost There, a listen by visiting his social media pages and the streaming platforms.