The Beat Manila's Up-and-Coming Artist: Cebuana Singer-Songwriter Jolianne
The Beat Manila’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from the Philippines, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and to promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide through our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!
On stage, this up-and-coming artist is like an angel who graced the Earth with her mesmerizing visuals — but wait ‘til you hear her sing — trust us, you'll be enchanted further.
Meet Jolianne Salvado, an emerging singer-songwriter from Cebu. Hailing from the province, Jolianne is slowly but surely making her name in the industry with her groovy R&B and sentimental acoustic tracks and her smooth-as-butter vocals. Just a few months ago, the singer also collaborated with OPM R&B star Arthur Nery for his second album and took the stage as a guest at the latter’s solo concert, proving that hers is a name worth watching out for.
From fangirling to writing her own music, Jolianne is now gearing up to release her first-ever solo album.
In an interview with The Beat Manila, Jolianne shared with us the story of her beginnings as a musician, some of her biggest goals, and many more. Read on and get to know this talented Cebuana artist!
Hi Jolianne! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Jolianne, and I’m a songwriter from Cebu, taking snapshots of my creative and personal experience through music.
How did you get into music? What made you pursue the craft?
I’m a fangirl through and through. I used to run fan accounts on Twitter for One Direction, Ariana, and BTS. Those deep dives into fandoms were my gateway into the world of music.
Pursuing it as a career, however, was never my intention. Writing songs was always just something I did for my own enjoyment. But everything changed one day when a local radio station invited me to perform. They asked if I [can] play at least one original. That song was “Irises.” I decided to release that song, and it hit 10,000 streams in two months. I remember feeling like Beyoncé. At the time, that was the ego boost I needed to continue sharing the work that I’d been hiding for so long.
We are in love with your vocals! Were you always such a good vocalist even when you were young, or did you have any professional training?
Thank you! My mom used to be a singer herself. She was more Whitney Houston, Celine Dion-adjacent, which is very different from the type of music I sing now. But she laid the foundation for everything I know about singing — breath control, phrasing. The basics transcend all genres.
Your songs are mostly (if not all) written by you. How do you usually write your lyrics? Where do you get your inspiration?
Up until this point, I’ve been writing about anything and everything under the sun. A lot of my previous writing was fictional, based on books or secondhand experiences. It was only recently I realized how important it is to create art that is true to you. People can sense authenticity, and they can just as easily spot when it’s missing. So now, I write with more intention, choosing to tell stories that feel true to my experience.
You released your collab track "Lullaby" with Arthur Nery and performed with him at his solo concert! How does it feel to be able to work with him?
Working with Arthur felt like a masterclass. His technical skills are exceptional, but what truly sets him apart is his creative taste. He has this ability to make the perfect choice for the moment, whether it’s a subtle adjustment or a bold leap. It’s the kind of instinct you can’t teach; it comes from experience and a genuine love for the art. He’s also both secure and humble. He never feels the need to prove himself because his work speaks for itself. And he uses that confidence to lift his fellow artists up.
What is "Lullaby" all about? Is there any behind-the-scenes story from making the song that you would love to share?
“Lullaby” is a tender celebration of love's simplicity and depth. The vision for the song was “high school harana.” I was a nervous wreck during our recording session. The studio is usually my safe space, but I was just really intimidated about singing in front of one of my favorite artists. I ended up having to record my vocals separately (laughs).
Your latest track, "Dili na Lang," is one of PhilPop x Himig Handog Songwriting Festival's finalists! How do you feel about this achievement, and what made you decide to lend your voice for this song?
I’m really stoked to be playing a little part in this celebration of Philippine artistry. Ate Relden Campanilla, who wrote this song, is among the finest writers of Cebu, of the Philippines. I’m so honored I get to spin my take on this song and be a vessel for her artistry. I’m really proud that we get to represent Cebuano talent in this way, with a Cebuano song.
Who are your biggest inspirations in music? How did they shape your own craft?
Right now, my biggest influences are the pop girls (of all generations): Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Whitney Houston, to name a few. I listen to a broad spectrum of music, but at the end of the day, I am a pop enjoyer. I’m inspired by how they can take complex and plain emotions and convey them for people to make sense of their feelings so that people can live vicariously through it.
Any dream collaborations that's on your bucket list?
I would love to do chorus vocals on a rap song — something like Kali Uchis and Tyler, The Creator or SZA and Kendrick Lamar. That would be the dream!
Hailing from Cebu yourself, what advice would you give to other young artists from Cebu who would love to pursue music?
Get comfortable with failing. The sooner you fail, the better. Every misstep brings you one step closer to getting it right.
What's next for Jolianne? Any new albums, projects, or gigs that we should look out for?
I’ll be putting out my very first EP this January! This project is a really great snapshot of where I am creatively and personally at this point in time.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To learn more about Jolianne, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, and stream her music on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Up-and-Coming articles here.
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