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Sounds of roofers and barking dogs are part of a local singer-songwriter’s first album.
Producing a full music album is no small task, but a Richmond musician managed to do it all from home.
Mar Emanuel spent two years creating his first album, Almost!, using his computer, piano, a microphone and music software.
The Filipino Canadian singer-songwriter called the album a “culmination of (his) life,” with sounds inspired by Richmond and the West Coast.
He recorded everything from roofers working out in his neighbourhood to his brother’s dog barking, and turned them into an R&B-style album.
The album features his latest singles “Red Camera,” “Footsteps” and “Still Think of You,” which draw influence from Daniel Caesar and Frank Ocean’s music.
“Red Camera” is about Richmond’s Brighouse Skytrain Station, and was turned into a music video with funding from CreativeBC.
Emanuel was born in the Philippines and moved to Richmond when he was six. He went St. Joseph the Worker elementary in Richmond before high school in Vancouver.
Music was not his original career choice, but it was always present in his life through Les Misérables soundtracks played on road trips, piano lessons as a kid, church choirs and musical theatre in school.
He even taught himself saxophone and digital music production.
“I grew up wanting to be a writer or journalist, and found that songwriting helped me scratch that itch,” said Emanuel.
“I didn’t realize I had anything until I went to college and realized I was surrounding myself with other musicians, and also getting the respect (from people) for my craft, which I never experienced.”
He told the Richmond News he saw music production as a “real career” when he realized people enjoyed his music.
Although he never became a writer or journalist, he used his skills and love for words in songwriting.
“It was fun to translate that into a kind of musical sensibility,” said Emanuel, adding he often wrote essays or just put his thoughts on paper.
“(Being) a songwriter was a completely different muscle that I needed to learn how to flex, and it’s been one of the greatest joys of exploring the art of songwriting. I think it’s a special thing.”
When asked why he uses sounds from his surroundings, Emanuel said the album is about exploration.
He explained that Richmond and Vancouver have many unique sounds that reflect the West Coast, and he enjoyed seeking them out.
“It was exciting to know that Vancouver, as a place, bred these very specific and particular sounds.”
Emanuel added that music to him is like an invitation to understand musical artists and said his own songs often carry messages or lessons he’s learned in life.
“Take the lessons that you’re gifted in your life. Every mistake is a blessing and every mistake is a chance to be better,” he said.
“A lot of my songs talk about those mistakes that I’ve made and things that I’ve taken away from it.”
Emanuel’s album can be found on Spotify and Apple Music here.
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