Come Alive
As we entered the halls of Mint College, we wondered,” What would happen if we pursued an education there?” The different facilities provided the students what they need for them to hone their creativity, and aid in the building of a student community. Although, it wasn’t just the classrooms that embodied the school’s core values but also the people who can guide them to further enhance their innate talents. One such person is Ms. Lachmi Baviera, the current program head of the Music Business Management course.
Gian: What is it about music that made you choose it as a discipline?
Miss Lachmi: Music has always been a part of me, so I think for somebody who would choose this, it would only mean that music has always been a part of them. They couldn’t do without music, you know? It’s just going to pull you into this wanting to be a part of this industry.
Gian: What does music mean to you?
Miss Lachmi: A lot of things, but what it makes me feel…music makes me feel alive. It pulls me up. There’s always a soundtrack in my head, like the songs for every feeling, songs for every situation. For me, music is part of my life. I can’t define it one word, but for me it’s everything; it’s around me.
Gian: Describe your musical journey.
Miss Lachmi: I started with Warner Music. I used to sell CDs. Our team would sell CDs at Odyssey. I left Warner Music in 2010. I put up my own label. Came back to Warner to head it. When I came back to Warner, it was the right time because it was the time of Spotify, YouTube, Deezer, Apple Music. There was an influx of new artists. We were able to sign groups such as Ben&Ben and IV of Spades. We took a chance on them. I believe Warner Music was the first one to take a chance on domestic or local acts, local artists. After that, other labels or other artists saw what was happening, that there’s an interest again in OPM.
Gian: So do you think that streaming was the main factor as to what pushed them?
Miss Lachmi: Yes because Filipinos love music in general, and given a choice, Filipinos, especially in the provinces, they would listen to Tagalog songs. It just so happened that there were not a lot of record bars in the provinces. So that’s why the people were only exposed to foreign CDs or foreign titles of CDs. But with streaming, since it’s available everywhere, Filipinos started going back to listening to their own music.
Gian: As a music teacher, what can you say about the genre of OPM in general?
Miss Lachmi: People used to hate calling it OPM ’cause for them, it’s so old fashioned. But the thing is, when I was in Singapore for Music Matters, I would be talking to Apple Music people, to Spotify people, to Deezer people. They would call K-pop K-pop and Filipino music OPM. OPM is growing. The growth is accelerating because of the streaming platforms. I don’t think there are underground artists anymore because everyone has access to music. Everyone can upload their music and put it out on Spotify.
Gian: Where do you think OPM is as of now?
Miss Lachmi: We’re just scratching the surface of the potential of OPM. We’re just starting to see what it feels like to be streamed or to have fans in other countries.
Gian: What makes OPM unique to other genres and why? Miss Lachmi: What I can say is that what is unique are the Filipino listeners. We’re unique with our behavior to love music, create playlists, love social media, and share music. That alone is unique. Filipinos can’t live without music. People can’t function without music.
Gian: What would be your message to aspiring OPM artists who want to be known?
Miss Lachmi: Just be authentic. Put your music out there, and fans will follow you. Fans who can relate to you will follow you. Get a good manager. Don’t be afraid to sign contracts. Don’t be afraid to read contracts. Don’t be afraid to consult your mentors. Don’t think you know everything, that you’ve read everything. There are lots of ways to twist contracts. Make sure that you know you’re well mentored. Don’t be afraid to be yourself.
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