We had the pleasure of chatting with Manila Killa, aka Chris, where he took us on a deep dive into his musical journey, shedding light on the challenges he faced, the importance of family support, and his evolving artistic vision, just shortly after his Countdown NYE b2b with MYRNE.
From the outset, Manila Killa emphasizes the crucial role his family plays in his career. Once hesitant about his creative pursuits, his family has become his biggest fans, actively supporting and seeking out his performances. He shares how communication and openness, especially with parents, were key in gaining their support, despite initial apprehensions stemming from his mother’s past experiences in entertainment.
“ At first when I broke the news to my parents that I wanted to try music out, it felt like I was talking to a wall. They didn’t understand that you could become an artist and do this for a living. I had to be very transparent with what I was doing with who I was working with. It was like a long journey. But eventually they came around and like, they’re like my biggest fans now. They can’t stop talking about me to my other relatives. ”
Delving into his music projects, including Manila Killa, Hotel Garuda, and CHROMEBODIES, Chris reflects on the hurdles he overcame. From struggling to secure payment for club gigs to grappling with self-confidence issues, he authentically reveals the grit it took to persevere in the industry. However, with time and experience, he found joy in exploring diverse musical genres and embracing changes in his artistic style.
“ I’m a lover of a lot of different kinds of music and I want to represent that through my own music. So if one day I wanna release a progressive house song, I’ll do it the next day, I wanna do something darker like Heaven’s Gates, I’ll just do it. I’ve been trying to kind of adopt a way of thinking of putting a song out and then just forget about it. ”
Navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris underscores the importance of maintaining connections with loved ones and fans. He stresses the significance of prioritizing mental health and highlights therapy as a valuable outlet for coping with the pressures of the music industry.
Looking ahead, Manila Killa shares his excitement about upcoming performances, including a headline club show at Academy LA on April 5th. While he remains passionate about music, he also finds solace in hobbies like remixing music and pottery, which offer a creative outlet beyond the realm of music.
In essence, our time with Manila Killa offers a candid glimpse into the trials and triumphs of his musical journey. With a supportive family by his side, a resilient spirit, and an unwavering commitment to his craft, Manila Killa continues to carve his path in the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music.
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