MANILA, Philippines - There comes a point in naturally progressing creatures to spread their wings and fly. Evolution makes it so. In the case of Acel Van Ommen and Champ Lui Pio, few questioned the what’s and why’s of them leaving former bands and forging their own paths as solo artists. One only needed listen closely to their new material and be struck with the obvious. It’s evolution.
Moonstar 88 (Acel’s former band) has a number of popular hits like Torete, Ang Pag-Ibig Kong Ito, and Sulat. Hale (Champ’s) is the same, having churned out the chart-topping monster, The Day You Said Goodnight among other things. But people change and so do their hearts. Acel is now happily married, and no longer (can no longer?) sings about heartbreak, cheating boyfriends or unrequited feelings. Instead, her new songs radiate with love, “the real kind”, as one of her songs passionately croons.
Champ, on the other hand has graduated to more mature material, singing songs that reflect social issues of a third world nation. An example is “Sari-saring Mga Kwento”, a collaboration with heavyweights Noel Cabangon and Gloc-9 where Champ heeds us to wake up and face the (somewhat more serious) reality of his music.
Still wondering why artists go solo? Because it’s time for them to fly.
Check out their interview below: