Kean Cipriano on going solo: 'I'm having the best time of my life'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 6) — Singer-songwriter Kean Cipriano has released his first song since leaving the pop rock band Callalily.

While this song called "Tayuman" is a significant solo venture, it is a product of a collaboration with singer-songwriter Martin Riggs who wrote the song a few years ago, as well as ER Alviz, who directed the music video.

"I must say this is one of the projects na ginawa ko sa buhay ko na proud na proud ako (that I did in this lifetime that I'm very proud of)," Cipriano told CNN Philippines' New Day on Thursday.

"It's fun doing things solo," he revealed. "I can do whatever I want without really thinking about kumbaga kung ano yung direksyon ko (where I'm supposed to be headed)."

"Ngayon, kaya ko siyang gawin in a snap, ako magdedesisyon for myself," he also said. "And parang kahit solo artist ako, I don't feel like solo talaga kasi ang dami kong nakaka-collaborate na musicians, producers, songwriters,"

[Translation: Now, I can decide for myself in a snap. And even if I'm a solo artist, I don't feel like it's a solo undertaking because I get to collaborate with other musicians, producers, songwriters.]

"I'm having the best time of my life music-wise because I get to do what I really want," he added.

Cipriano is also currently managing O/C Records, a record label subsidiary of Viva Records, which he and his wife, actress Chynna Ortaleza, founded in 2018.

"Ang main goal namin, umpisa pa lang, ma-value ang creative freedom," he shared. "Ako bilang artist, malaking bagay sa akin iyon na nakakakilos ako."

[Translation: Our main goal from the start is to show that we value creative freedom. As an artist, it's a big deal to me that I can do things freely.]

O/C Records is bringing together a one-night-only concert titled "Pulso," with Cipriano, Adie and Unique Salonga on Nov. 29 at the New Frontier Theater.

"Ito yung matagal na naipon sa amin na buong pandemic na mga ideas na gusto naming i-execute noong time na hindi pa natin alam anong gagawin natin," Cipriano said. "We're gonna make sure its gonna be a crazy show."

[Translation: This is borne out of the ideas formed during the pandemic when we still did not know what we should do.]

In June, Cipriano revealed that he had departed from Callalily, after almost two decades of being its frontman.

The band, now known as Lily, has recently introduced Joshua Camacho Bulot as its new vocalist.