Darren Espanto - Be with Him

Darren Espanto, the guy with amazing pipes and billed the “Total Performer,” seems to have everything going for him at such a young age.

From a runner up in The Voice Kids, there was no stopping Darren from reaching the top after the competition.

A Platinum award for his debut album Darren, three no. 1 singles, countless awards from award giving bodies in the Philippines and concerts and gigs left and right are just some of Darren’s achievements. Add to that, international artists Nicki Minaj noticed him and so did Ashton Kutcher and Fantasia Barrino for his videos of him singing in a radio station bus showcasing his powerful vocals. The videos have gone viral. Flying from his hometown Calgary, Canada to Manila for a dream paid off.

He knows he wouldn’t be there without the support of his fans- the Darrenatics. That is why for his sophomore album, released just in time he celebrates his 15th birthday, he wants them to still be with him with the album title Be With Me.


“The Voice Kids” alumnus and platinum-selling recording artist Darren Espanto
“I want to take you guys along my journey as an artist, as a musician and I just wanna express myself through music. Since music is my passion, I just wanna share what talent God gave me,” Darren said.

With top-notch producers Kiko Guevarra, Jungee Marcelo, Jay-R, Kiko Salazar and a line-up of international and top Filipino songwriters, the standards of this sets this album from his previous one.

“It’s a bit different from my debut album that it’s more mature. The recording process for this album was actually a lot of fun. I got to work with a lot of very talented songwriters and each song has a different message and a different sound to it,” Darren said.

The first track from the album 7 Minutes by songwriters Cimo Frankel, Jochem Fluitsma, Mark van Tijn, Ramon Marco debuted at no.1 on iTunes Philippines on its first day of release and in Darren’s words, “about having just little time to show how much you care for that person who is about to leave.”

“Starlight”, by Singaporean songwriter Amir Masoh (Jacky Cheung, Ziana Zain), likewise topped iTunes Philippines Singles Chart on its first day of release.

 “It’s about living in the moment and having just one life to live. It’s kind of like a “YOLO” you-only-live-once anthem, so it’s pretty fun, you could dance to it, it’s EDM. It’s a great song to listen to as well,” Darren said.

Another single “Parachute” penned by Berlin-based Jeffrey Abrego and Xavier Schmid, according to Darren, “Talks about just letting go and living in the moment. Just being free and doing what you wanna do and doing what you love.”

This also signals his growth as an artist having penned two songs in the album: “Hanggang Hi Hello” and “Home”.

 “I actually wrote two of the songs on this which is really, really different for me because I’ve always been so hesitant with sharing the songs I write, but now, I guess I was confident enough to share it and now it’s in my upcoming album.  I wrote “Hanggang Hi Hello” originally when I was eleven but then I changed some of the lyrics to fit my age now. And then ‘Home’ talks about just wanting to be home…and it’s a ballad. It’s actually one of my favorite compositions, I’d say,” Darren said.

Other tracks to watch out are “Alam” by Jungee Marcelo, “Be With Me” (Kiko Salazar), “Surrender” (Jay R, Flavamatikz of Q-York), “My Baby & Me” (Allan Eshuijs, Marco Rakascan, Maruja  Retana Fransen) and “Talking Bout Love” (Kris Coutinho, Ricardo Burgrust).

Darren considers doing the album Be With Me a learning experience.

“I got to learn more techniques in Be With Me and I got tips actually from each of the song writers that I worked with. And I guess I developed a new sound as well. So that’s how I developed in this album,” Darren said.

Join Darren as he continues his musical journey which with his talent will span for years.

Be With Me is now out through digital downloads and streaming via Spinnr, iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and VEVO and in CDs at Astroplus and Astrovision outlets.

Catch Darren at his major concert entitled D Total Experience on June 25, 8 p.m, at Kia Theater with special guests Jed Madela, Maja Salvador and G-Force.

Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 for tickets.

*This is Press Release

More Guests at Darren's Birthday Concert Bared

It will surely be a fun night as more guests will join Darren Espanto at his first major concert entitled “Darren Espanto D Birthday Concert” this May 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena. TV Host Robi Domingo, G-Force and Asia’s Got Talent Grand Winner El Gamma Penumbra will be added to the list of guests aside from previously announced: The Voice of the Philippines Season 1 Champion Mitoy Yonting, The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 Champion Jason Dy and runner-up Alisah Bonaobra.

“I am so happy that Kuya Robi, G-Force and El Gamma Penumbra will be able to join me on this very special event,” Darren said. “I know you want to find out what we will do during the show but all I can say right now is I’m sure you will enjoy our number if you will watch my concert.”

Robi Domingo is a VJ, actor, dancer, and host. He first gained popularity as a reality show contestant by joining and ending up as the first runner up of the hit television show Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus in 2008.

G-Force is a dance group described as innovative, hip, and fresh. The group regularly performs in A.S.A.P and other special projects of ABS-CBN.

El Gamma Penumbra is a shadow play group which was recently declared the winner of Asia’s Got Talent. The group not only impressed the judges: Grammy-winning producer/composer David Foster, Spice Girl Melanie C, Taiwanese star Vaness Wu and Indonesian singer Anggun but was also voted by the audience all over Asia as the first winner of the said contest.

If you are eager on what to expect during the show, then head on to the Mall of Asia Arena this May 29 at 8pm. Tickets are available at P4,230 for VIP, P3,700 for Patron, P2,640 for Lower Box, P1,270 for Upper Box and P430 for General Admission at SM Tickets at 4702222 or smtickets.com. For VVIP tickets worth P4,760, contact Ms. Liza Ong through mobile - 09989741153 or through email - liza.ong@umusic.com.

“Darren Espanto D Birthday Concert” is presented by Talk N’ Text, Spinnr and MCA Music in cooperation with Brood Shoes distributed by Sports House. Special thanks to MUM Make-up Madness, Bangs Prime Salon by Tony and Jackey, Aficionado German Perfumes, C3 Events Place, Cravings, Clarence, Erase Certified Beauty, Eton International School and Placenta. With media partners: ABS-CBN, MYX, MOR 101.9, 106.7 Energy FM and Mellow 94.7. “Darren”, the album is now out under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) on CDs at Astroplus and Odyssey outlets. You can download Darren’s album on spinnr.ph.

For bookings and inquiries, please contact Sammy Samaniego at (632) 9162504 local 107, (0920) 9682991, (0917) 8565174 or email sammy.samaniego@umusic.com. For more information about Darren, log on to www.facebook.com/mcamusic.

The Voice Kids Season 2 Goes to Starmall

 

After the stunning success of The Voice Kids (TVK) Season 1 and The Voice franchise as a whole, it isn’t surprising that  is already laying the groundwork for the next batch of talented young singers in the country.

The reality singing competition is open to children between ages 7 to 13. Each kid shall prepare two to four songs in the audition. No need to bring tapes – the songs will be sung in a capella to better gauge the singing talent of the participants.

Auditions will be done in different Starmall branches, as per schedule:

March 15 – Starmall Alabang, 9 to 5 PM

March 15 – Starmall San Jose Del Monte, 9 to 5 PM

March 21 – Starmall EDSA-SHAW, 9 to 5 PM

March 25 – Starmall Las Piñas, 9 to 5 PM

March 29 – Starmall Prima Taguig, 9 to 5 PM

April 9 – Starmall Talisay

The above dates are preliminary auditions, inviting talented young kids to put their best foot forward and get noticed. From there, the ABS-CBN reality show judges will be weeding out contestants and picking the best of the best for their team. No doubt, the audition is just part one of the long, gruelling – yet highly rewarding process of being the next grand champion of the The Voice Kids.

The Voice Kids Season 1’s winner, Lyca Gairanod, won a recording contract with one of the best in the industry today, her career currently enjoying a fast rise with MCA Universal.

Along with that, she and her family are now enjoying their new home in Camella Tierra Nevada. Camella, the biggest homebuilder in the country, was one of the major sponsors of the show.

Additional prizes of Lyca include 1 million cash prize, a trust fund, home appliance and music showcases, and many more.

Even months after the airing of the TVK season 1, Lyca, and the other top contestants, namely, Darren Espanto, Juan Karlos Labajo and Darlene Vibares, continues to make waves and creates their own mark in the local entertainment industry, a testament to the high publicity the show has garnered.

According to Kantar Media, TVK Season 1 was the most-watched show nationwide in 2014, garnering an average rating of 34.5%.

Last season’s show was hosted by Luiz Manzano and Alex Gonzaga, and the second season promises the same setup. The team of judges in Season 1: Sarah Geronimo, Lea Salonga, and Bamboo Mañalac may also be part of this successful show’s second season.

During its three-month run (May to July 2014), The Voice Kids dominated social media with the top contestants trending in social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. More of the same are expected for Season 2 as judges embark on blind auditions and coach their picks to become better singers and performers in general.

The Voice Kids is based on a Dutch reality TV Show running under the same name. The Philippine reboot of the show will start airing soon after auditions. Stay updated for further TVK audition schedules.

Darren Espanto Of The Voice Kids And His Album!

He sings, he dances – a total performer in the making. Darren Espanto stood out among the first harvest of young belters and crooners of The Voice Kids. He flew all the way from Canada to make something special happen – to be the artist the country will be proud of. It was evident that even at an early age, Darren picked up melodies easily and sang along to different types of songs. His family helped him nurture his talent until he was able to discover that he’s more than just a singer. His grandma agreed and encouraged Darren’s family to try out for The Voice Kids. It wasn’t an easy decision to travel all the way to Manila but all their efforts were worth the journey. A turn from Coach Sarah Geronimo was all it took for the young performer to clinch second spot in the final. Even if he didn’t win the grand prize, everyone definitely noticed. 

During and after the competition, Darren raked in fans from all over the world, consistent in the trending topics list, and with millions of online views – he is an instant star. And he is just extremely grateful of the support of his family and fans. “I am lucky po because I have this talent. They [My family] always tell me that it is a blessing and I should be thankful of it,” The 13-year old teen from Calgary has more reasons to be appreciative of all the wonderful surprises that come his way. He has already checked sold out concerts, tours around the world, and an album (The Voice Kids The Album) off his long list of achievements. “I am very flattered po kasi nabigyan na po ng katuparan yung dream ko.” Add to this his first ever solo record under MCA Music simply titled “Darren”. It features the carrier single “In Love Ako Sa ‘Yo” composed by Vehnee Saturno. The hitmaker composer also contributed 3 more songs that fit Darren like “My Girl”, “Ewan Ko” and “Ah! Basta Gusto Kita”. Not to be missed are the tracks written by foreign composer like Keith Martin & Deon Hairston (“You Are The Only One”); Adrian Rezza, Lucas Rezza and Carvin Winans (“I Believe In Me”) as well as Filipino-American Brad Go (“Makin’ Moves”) and Filipino composer Kennard Faraon (“Stuck). Also included is the studio version of “Domino”, a song he performed during the blind audition. The packaging comes off as like a magazine with different pictures of Darren and a mini-standee inside.

“This is my gift to all my fans that supported me throughout my The Voice Kids journey and I hope it will also open up to new supporters and listeners,” Darren said. Darren is close to fulfilling his international career but there’s something about home that keeps him more driven to perform here. “Canada naman po will always be there. For now, sa Philippines na po muna ako,” He wants to use his singing as means of giving back to all the young Pinoy dreamers to pursue performing just like he did. “Gusto ko po makapagbigay pa ng maraming inspirasyon sa mga katulad kong bata. Makapagpasaya ng todo-todo,” With talent like Darren’s, the world seemed to fit in the palm of his hands. It’s exciting to see him grow into the likes of Gary Valenciano or even like his idol Michael Jackson. 

But he is geared to become the artist he’s dreaming to be. It won’t be long until Darren Espanto becomes a household name, proudly representing the country in the world stage. “Darren” is now out under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) on CDs at Astroplus and Odyssey outlets. It is also available through digital downloads via spinnr.ph and iTunes and streaming via spinnr.ph, Deezer and Spotify. “Darren”, the press conference is presented by Jollibee. 

For bookings and inquiries, please contact Sammy Samaniego at (632) 9162504 local 107, (0920) 9682991, (0917) 8565174 or email sammy.samaniego@umusic.com. For more information about Darren, log on to www.facebook.com/mcamusic.

The Voice Kids All-In the Concert

After competing and trending in the ABS-CBN talent search "The Voice Kids", they are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the music and entertainment industry. they continue to capture the hearts of hte audiences via their album "The Voice Kids The Album" under MCA Music, which continues to do well in record stores and digital downloads. They have also been busy being one of the most-in-demand artists for shows her and abroad as well as being mainstays of ABS-CBN show ASAP and most of them included in the network's teleseryes.

Indeed the careers of The Voice Kids Grand Champion Lyca Gairanod along with runners up Darren Espanto, Juan Karlos Labajo and Darlene Vibares are on the rise as they hold their first major concert entitled "The Voice Kids All-In the Concert" to be held on December 6, 8pm at Philippine International Convention Center(PICC) Plenary Hall. Be blown away as they deliver surprise performances and will be joined by special guests. The Voice of the Philippines Grand Champion Mitoy Yonting, The Voice of the Philippines runner-up Klarisse De Guzman and The Voice of the Philippines Semifinalists Tonton Cabiles and Edray Teodoro.

Lyca Gairanod is the little girl that could - her small frame and big voice has surprised Filipinos all over the world after her trending The Voice Kids blind audition. Many thought she's just another young biritera but her story and her charm has made everyone fall in love with her more.

Since his blind audition that saw him perform Jessie J's "Domino", Darren Espanto has been tagged as the "Total Performer" comparing him to the likes of local acts Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera.

He's a ball of energy with the Charm that can win you over in an instant. Juan Karlos Labajo became an instant favorite among The Voice Kids roster because of his smooth voice, his undeniable wit, and sense of humor.

Darlene Vibares from Team Lea has been called the "girl on fire" with her voice and inspired by the song of the same title by Alicia Keys. Her energy during performances is undeniable which endeared her to audiences aside from her bubbly personality.

Tickets are available at P4500, P3500, P3000, P2000 and P1000 at SM Tickets at 4702222 or www.smtickets.com. The Voice Kids All-In the Concert is supported by Jollibee (Official Press Con venue partner) and media partners-MYX, MOR 101.9, Philippine Concerts, www.pep.ph and Businessworld.


"The Voice Kids The Album" is now out in CD's as well under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) at Astroplus, Astrovision and Odyssey outlets; for downloads at iTunes and streaming via Deezer, Spotify and Guvera. Its Deluxe Edition which includes the songs "Isang Lahi" by Lyca Giaranod and "Domino" by Darren Espanto is exclusively available for download and streaming at spinnr.ph. For bookings and inquiries, contact Sammy Samaniego of MCA Music Artist Management at +632 9162504 loc 107. 09178565174 and 09209682991. you can also check updates by visiting www.facebook.com/mcamusic or www.twitter.com/mca_music.