This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (August 2016) |
Klarisa Rosario Honasan-del Rio, better known as Kai Honasan, is a Filipino independent singer-songwriter best known for quirky, lighthearted ukulele-driven songs,[1][2] receiving critical acclaim for her first album, "In Your Face",[3] and achieving popular acclaim in the Philippine independent music scene for her live performances. She is married to Eco Del Rio, bassist for Chicosci (a punk Filipino band) [4]
Kai Honasan | |
|---|---|
 Kai Honasan performing alongside Reese Lansangan at a gig at Century City Mall, Makati on 17 June 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Klarisa Rosario Umali Honasan |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Early life and musical exposure
editRaised in a family of artists [3] - including brothers Karel Honasan, a bassist; Martin Honasan, a painter; and later, sister-in-law Barbie Almalbis-Honasan, a popular musician - Kai Honasan first started playing the piano at age 4, and started writing music in her grade school years.[3]
Aside from the Honasan siblings' forays into the arts, the Honasan family is very familiar to the Filipino public, since their father is Philippine Senator Gringo Honasan.[5][6]
Formal musical training and early work
editTaking off from her early exposure to music Honasan studied piano and received a degree in classical music.[3]
She performed at her first professional gig in 2011, fronting for sister-in-law Barbie Almalbis Honasan. Barbie had been a strong musical influence for Kai even before Barbie married Kai's brother Martin, and encouraged Kai to perform her own music. That year, she also attended a songwriting workshop at Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain.
In 2012, she was accepted into the Philippines' highly esteemed Elements National Music Camp, where she was mentored by the likes of Ryan Cayabyab, Joey Ayala and Noel Cabangon, among others.[7]
In 2013, she wrote the song "Liwanag" for the ballet "Rock Supremo", which was a collaboration between Ballet Philippines and Rock Ed Philippines.[3] The album's roster featured 11 well established acts, including Ebe Dancel and Radioactive Sago Project.
"In Your Face (and other songs about other faces)", 2014
editIn November 2013, Honasan began working with musicians Buddy Zabala and Sancho Sanchez, and sound engineer Shinji Tanaka to turn eight of Honasan's songs into an album. The final product, “In Your Face (and other songs about other faces)” was launched on March 22, 2014 at B-Side, The Collective in Makati.[3]
The Voice
editHonasan is also known for having once been a contestant on "The Voice of the Philippines".[8][9]
Autotelic
editIn addition to her work as a solo artist, Honasan joined pop rock band Autotelic in May 2014, filling in after the departure of Keyboardist Eric Tubon.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Promising singer-songwriter Kai Honasan makes beautiful music with her ukulele | Entertainment News – InterAksyon.com". Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
- ^ Deona, Marga (28 February 2015). The making of Kai Honasan. Rappler (YouTube). Adrian Portugal (Cameraman), Emerald Hidalgo (Video Editor). Pasig.
- ^ a b c d e f Radovan, Jill Tan (22 March 2014). "Kai Honasan releases her debut album Saturday night at B-Side". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Makati: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Kai Honasan takes her music (And the ukulele) center stage".
- ^ Dumaual, Miguel (3 November 2014). "Gringo's daughter kept talent secret from dad". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ Abunda, Boy (28 April 2015). "Kai Honasan rediscovers the joys of making music". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ "DotPH domains available portal".
- ^ "The making of Kai Honasan". 28 February 2015.
- ^ Why Kai Honasan kept own dad in the dark about singing talent Kicker Daily [dead link]
- ^ Aguila, Ren (4 October 2014). "We are Autotelic: A two-year-old band releases a new record". GMA News. Quezon City: GMA Network. Retrieved 3 July 2016.