“I went solo in 2018. Wala ako nun sa Philippines, nasa Guam ako. I don’t know if some of you could remember, right after maging Aliw Awards Hall of Famer ang Retrospect, pumunta kami ng Canada, dun kami nag-reside. Nag-tour kami sa Canada and sa US. Then, we got an invitation from Guam in 2010. When we arrived there and performed for six months, I never left the islands. I fell in love with the islands, it’s like a combination of Subic and Boracay. If you’re gonna go to Guam, believe me you’re gonna love it, and it’s the reason I got so busy mounting my own show, I have a TV show which will air on CBS TV 11 starting on October 6. I was so busy mounting concert as a performing artist. I was so in love with the Filipinos abroad. But now, since nag-normalize na everything, you’ll be seeing more of me in the coming months,” shares former Retrospect and now going solo artist JMRTN during his media conference.

Twenty six years into the industry dominating the retro pop scene together with his band REtrOSPECT, seasoned singer/songwriter and producer JMRTN now spreads his wings as a solo performer showcasing his artistry both here and abroad.

JMRTN, through the years, has made his mark through his electrifying live performances on stage. Now as a solo artist, he is eager to showcase Filipino-American talent not only locally but also internationally through his company, JARO Productions USA.

While some celebrities looked for other means to combat challenges posed by the pandemic, JRMTN decided to continue doing what he had always loved.

“Sa totoo lang, I decided to go solo due to economic reasons. I need to go afloat and since this is the only thing I do best, I might as well go solo,” he said.

In fact, among the projects he is very excited about is his new song collaboration with Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha titled “lisa Lang” which JMRTN co-wrote with Mandy Placheta and Emil Pama under his label and Godspeed Music released through Star Music.

“And why am I collaborating with Lani? We all know who Lani Misalucha is. I look up to her, awed by her amazing vocals ever since I saw her perform in local bars in Makati even before she became big! Hence, my dream to sing a duet with her is now realized with ‘lisa Lang,” he said.

“lisa lang” is a captivating, emotion-stirring song that makes for the perfect love soundtrack.

Their song is a compelling collaboration featuring the powerful voices of JMRTN and Lani.

Together they recorded the song and shot its music video in Las Vegas. “lisa Lang” is now out on Spotify.

What’s more, their collaboration extends onstage with their upcoming bar tours.

JMRTN and Lani are set for all-out performances at Bar IX in Molito, Alabang on November 14 and Bar 360 at the Newport World Resorts on November 15.

As for his solo gigs, JMRTN is set to conquer Bar 360 on October 11. He will also be a special guest performer in the upcoming M.A.D.Z. Festival on October 12 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium as well as the “Rated GIGI 2.0” of Gigi De Lana & Gigi Vibes Concert in Guam, USA on November 23.

JMRTN, together with REtroSPECT, is an ALIW Awards Hall of Fame Awardee for Best Performance in Hotels, Bars and Music Lounges in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Challenges of going solo

“When I first came out with a single in 2018, I did a song by Vehnee Saturno. It’s called ‘Mula Ngayon,’ it’s a beautiful song. One of the challenges I encountered was bina-bash ako. Someone bashed me saying, ‘maka-falsetto akala mo kung sino.’ I don’t get it, so na-challenge ako dun. The more ako naglabas ng mga kanta na nagfa-falsetto ako because I don’t think that person knows me. Whenever I perform even before with Restrospect, I feel at home with my falsetto. Ako lang ‘yung bumabanat ng matataas. ‘Yun ang difference namin with other groups, lalaki ang bumabanat ng female songs. Ako din ang may pinakamataas na boses samin which is like si Stell now sa SB19,” shares JMRTN

“One more thing, bakit ko pa daw pinipilit na mag-solo? Pinipilit ko pa daw, wala naman na. But siguro may mga tao lang na ganun, may masabi – mema. But I’m not affected at all.”

Watch our coverage of JMRTN’s media conference below: