Singer-songwriter and producer Patrick Magada Delantar grew up surrounded by music, watching his mother performing in bars in the Philippines before moving to the United States at the age of seven years. From his early live performances and contests across Oregon to writing his first song, inspired by Bob Dylan’s “Knocking On Heaven’s Door”, he developed his impressive voice and recognisable sound to the remarkable level that has garnered him widespread acclaim today. Most known for his song “SANTA CRUZ”, a parody of the Chainsmokers, he is currently signed to the Philippine based record label Dreamify Records. Combining 90’s-00’s Filipino rock, pop, and electronic sounds with infectious melodies and meaningful storytelling, he is capturing the hearts of listeners everywhere.
We caught up with Delantar about his early love of music, future goals, and his new track, “I’m Happier”.
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How did you first discover your passion for music?
Around 5 or 6 years old or maybe even earlier, my mom would take me to watch her sing. She had a band and went to gigs around Manila, Philippines. Eventually, at my home town of Malabon, she became a lounge singer at a restaurant called Mary Jay. Some nights she would make me go up on stage and I’d sing and try to echo how she performed. I still remember singing a request from an older gentleman and being handed a hundred pesos afterwards! In the dead of night, at random Manila bars, my passion for music was born.
Can you tell us about some of your musical influences and how they have shaped your own style?
Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty was my original influence in songwriting. His song “Little Wonders” had such an impact on me as a kid. It was inspirational, it talked about forgetting the pain of the past and building a better future, and that the time we have is precious. I wanted to make music that hit deep into the core of people. So early on I tended to choose more of a ballad style with sweeping choruses and belty melodies: things you’d find in 90’s songs. Later on I got into Indie music: Local Natives, MGMT, Arctic Monkeys, Temper Trap and then mixed into more pop artists like OneRepublic, HAIM, Chainsmokers, Dua Lipa, Avicii etc. I’m a pretty mixed bag artist, but as long as it feels authentic to my art, then I don’t really care what style a song ends up landing in.
What is your typical creative process like when you’re writing a new song or composing music?
I sit down and think of a life experience I’ve had. I’ve written songs about movies and books but there’s nothing like the songs where I KNOW the raw emotions of. If I have the story in my head, usually the next step is humming a melody. From there if something catches my ear, I get on the piano and start to pick chords. Depending on inspiration I can get a song fleshed out in about an hour, but some have taken me years to finish.
Can you tell us a bit about the process of writing and producing your latest track, “I’m Happier”?
“I’m Happier” is 110% my favorite song that I’ve ever written, BUT it did come from heartbreak and A LOT of inner introspection. The whole “I Need A Change//I Need To Change” album is this massive journey of discovering and bringing to life your true and most authentic self, including the pain and sacrifice of doing so. My sexuality was one of the blocks that prevented me from living out my authenticity. Although my family and friends were accepting, there was always a self-hatred that I couldn’t get rid of. So there I was in December of last year. In the middle of metro Manila, scrolling through dating apps, and trying to find a date. Eventually I met this guy. We were in a relationship, developed feelings, and I was hurt in the end. The lesson was: I never needed a girlfriend or boyfriend; I needed to learn to love myself. Happiness comes from inside.
Producing wise, in all honesty I have no idea how I created it. I just tend to get in a flow state when I’m in Ableton. I disappear for a couple days, forget to eat, and suddenly I have a produced demo ready to be mixed. One thing I do remember is that, at the time, I finally got my hands on guitar rig 6 from Native Instruments so I wanted to incorporate a lot of guitar ear candy onto the track.
Could you share a memorable experience from your musical journey that has had a significant impact on you?
Back in 2017 I wrote a song called “Santa Cruz” as a joke. It was making fun of the Chainsmokers. It received 100,000 views on Youtube in a couple days and went a little viral. My inbox was flooded with music emails for weeks and eventually the song landed on a Bank of America commercial! It was the first time that one of my songs received any attention on that scale, and made me the happiest in the world! I was a pretty bad producer at the time, the mix was awful, timing was off. BUT it did capture a feeling that resonated with people. So I was grateful to find out that I had that ability somewhere in me. Everytime I start to have imposter syndrome or feel like I don’t deserve to take up space in the industry, I try to remember that experience. Remind myself that I have some sort of potential locked up in my brain somewhere.
What do you believe sets your music apart from others in your genre, and how would you describe your unique sound?
My voice sets me apart. I think I’ve got vocals unique enough to be recognisable the moment you hear it. It’s weirdly high pitched but has a body that supports it. If anybody puts on my music they can instantly say, “that’s Patrick Magada”. If you listen through my discography I also tend to be in the key of A major, which to me feels nostalgic but at the same time open to possibilities. Every song comes from my authentic self, and so I believe you could copy the chords and melodies but it wouldn’t have the heart of a Patrick Magada song.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
Anytime anybody has said that I inspired them to go for their dreams. I’m just having fun and doing the thing I love and so to be a positive influence in a person’s life is an incredible consequence. I once lived in a bathroom inside a graveyard, then ended up in America, literally everything is possible. I want to continue to prove that to people.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals as a musician?
I want to build a community! I also want to establish my name in the music scene. One day, I’ll be at the top.
What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond?
A lot of exciting stuff! At the end of this year, I’m back in the studio with an album, and we also have the “I’m Happier” Manila Tour January and February of 2024. There’s so many possibilities and I’m excited to share my art with those looking for a new voice.
And finally, what can fans expect from your future projects?
2024 will be a knockout! My up-coming project is set to be worked on by the talented friends at Dreamify Records, my label in the Philippines, so I won’t be the only person writing, producing, and mixing everything for next year. Expect for all the knobs to be turned to 11. The I Need A Change//I Need To Change album of this year really helped me develop who I am as an artist, and lean more into my personal life. I want these next songs to be completely raw and soul reaching. I want to show my full authentic self.