Daze
Council member: Daze
Claim to fame: Smoother than silk vocals and harmonies.
Daze is a fitting stage name for Daisy Ladrière, whose signature R&B vibe feels like a dreamy tour through the clouds that ends with a solid nine-hour sleep. We might be slightly projecting here, but singles like Need It and Lonely are best enjoyed with closed eyes, a lazy boy, and a cup of hot tea.
Transitioning from Soundcloud to 88rising sub-group PARADISE RISING, Daze is set to make more music that calms our anxieties while calling us out on our romantic tendencies, and we can’t wait for more.
What’s been the biggest shock with how music has grown in the Philippines?
The biggest shock was how many creatives were laying low all this time. You never know where to look because they’re from all over the country or in the smallest cities. But now everyone is flexing their talents, and it’s so vibrant.
“Go off and be you but don’t forget those who paved the way and pay respect. Say “thank you.”
What defines music in the Philippines and makes it unique from other countries?
It took the Philippines a while to get to where we are now [artistically]. Our creative culture was stuck trying to recreate Western culture for a long time. We got lost in translation when it came to what we wanted to express.
What defines our culture is our push against the grain for so long to get to this point. We now encourage our artists to find their own thing. And the fact that there’s not one color in the creative field makes it exciting. We can go in so many different directions.
Why do you think Filipinos have such an interest in music?
The interest comes down to a need for self-expression. As I said, the Philippines went through a lot of identity crises in finding our sauce. Part of finding the sauce was trying different things and incorporating different subcultures, which is why there’s no singular creative person.
There’s not just like, you’re an artist, and that’s it. There are so many facets. You can be a music person, but you’re also into fashion. Filipinos are at a point where we’re finding who we are and realizing that we don’t need to be constrained by the limits that society placed on us.
Would you have done anything differently five to ten years ago if you knew how big music would get?
Oh yeah, definitely! I would probably be less afraid. I would believe in what I was doing more ‘cause I feel as a creative coming from the Philippines, you would think to yourself, “What are the chances?” or “It’s for fun. It’s just a hobby!”
Five years ago, I should’ve realized this time would’ve come and prepared myself mentally more back then. I would be in a different game now, just in terms of how I present myself. I’ve been making music for a really long time, but just your little Garage Band music. It was only two years ago when I started really going for it.
What made you decide to push for it?
I think my heart was just calling for it! I tried so hard to be like, “No. I gotta do business, I gotta work in a company. I need to be safe. I need to think about my future.” But the more I got into it, the more I realized that no other life would fit me.
There are a lot of learning lessons in the process. It’s not as simple as being creative, and things will take their course. You have to be an entrepreneur, and you need to know how to present yourself. But I think the most important thing is: What’s your story? What’s your message? What are you trying to enhance? And that’s the thing that kept me back ‘cause I didn’t have enough of that self-awareness yet.
Do you think it’s easier for young musicians now to say, “Yes, I can do this!”?
Absolutely. Of course, there are still a lot of clique-ish mentalities here where it’s like, “I only work with people I know” but things are changing, especially with Gen Z coming up, and I love them! I’m like, girl, go off!
Of course, it’s important to recognize that many artists before them paved the way. The ones who did shows unpaid, had to sell their tickets by themselves, and were clowned upon because they were so fearless. They had to take all that shit.
That’s what I would recommend to the younger generation: go off and be you but don’t forget those who paved the way and pay respect. Say “thank you.”
Fill in the blanks for us: Youth culture in the Philippines is defined by ____ and kept alive by ____.
Youth culture in the Philippines is defined by energy and kept alive by tenacity and pushing against the grain. Like “Finally, we’re here and here to stay.”
Another one: It’s about time Complex arrived in the Philippines because ____.
It’s about time Complex arrived in the Philippines because there’s something in [our culture] that can’t be seen anywhere else, and it’s just budding. The roots are just taking shape, and it’s so exciting. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Credits
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Complex Philippines is a part of
Photos Edwin Canlas
Art Direction Alexandra Lara
Art Alexandra Lara and James Francisco
Makeup Aica Latay
Hair Angel Marinas
Styling Consultant Janna Silao assisted by Salvador Silao
Story Gelo Lasin
Production Design Luis Pelo
