CLAUDIA BARRETTO is the first from their clan to join showbiz via singing. Gretchen, Marjorie, Claudine and her sister Julia all joined showbiz as an actress, but Gretchen later also tried singing.
Claudia has now released her debut single with Viva Records, “Nothing to Do”, a collab with Mito Fabie aka Curtis Smith.
“I was at the studio messing around with my song and he was doing his,” says the 21 year old psychology major from Ateneo.
“Then just as we were about to call it a day, as in literally, 5 minutes before leaving, my brother-in-law Xavi Panlilio who is a producer, just played us this song (the beats and the initial instrumentation for ‘Nothing To do’).
"I asked him what song it is and he said it was something he was still working on. And I just connected with it and Mito did too. We worked on the lyrics on the spot for like ten minutes and did three takes of the songs and we had it.”
The grooving, vibe-y new song is right down Claudia alley of midtempo styled R&B.
“The song is about being with the right person when you have nothing to do, essentially. Not all songs work out that way of course, but “Nothing To Do” is one of those songs.”
The release of “Nothing To Do” is just the start. Claudia has likened the past few months to levelling up.
“I spent the past few months collaborating with other artists in the studio, writing songs and just being focused and finding the flow. It’s just about the way I see things now.
"I used to be insecure about my music. I was always very hard on myself, because obviously I wanted to produce good work. But what really changed is just this desire to get better. My mindset changed.
"It became like, if there are things I want to improve on, if there are things I want to get better at, if I really wanted to pursue this career in making music, then I really should put in a lot of hard work.”
The Zen-like focus on self and discipline has paid off for Claudia, who also shared that her improved mindset was critical in arriving at the first song she’s releasing with her new label.
Claudia shared that she spent a lot of time in the studio during the lockdowns and that’s where she went to work on her songs. Those around Claudia are excited for her as well.
Claudia describes her sound is a mixture of Pop and R&B as she thinks they go well together.
“Music has always been my passion,” she adds. “Since childhood, I’ve always been drawn to singing and I’ve always wanted to make music and perform songs.
"I also want to get to sing songs in Pilipino and collaborate with other Filipino artists. I believe we have some of the most talented musical artists in our country where almost everyone sings.”
Will she eventually try acting?
“I’m not closing my doors. I’m the type who never says never. For starters, I can act in my music videos. Or in short films.
"But right now, music is where my heart is. I just leave it all up to Viva who’s now managing me. I trust them completely.”
Claudia’s Viva Records debut, “Nothing To Do”, is scheduled for release this 18th of June on all music streaming platforms and will be accompanied by a music video that will make its premiere on the Viva Records YouTube channel on the same day.
Claudia has recorded songs before, but with Viva now backing her up, she can expect a very big boost in her career.
“We can feel Claudia’s enthusiasm is extending beyond the studio and into getting behind her songs,” says a Viva executive.
“She even made a “Nothing To Do” Spotify playlist to tease the release of her single.’ And it’s those little things that make the difference for us.
"She’s not going doing this because she feels entitled. We feel that Claudia is a genuine music artist capable of great things and we will support her in that.”
