Arzen Rose Dulzura

EXCLUSIVE: The Kennel on working with Filipino musicians: ‘We have global potential here’

Article (news)

Clarence Roi Gillego

Push Team

The Kennel, a Sweden-based international music publishing and production company, expressed their belief in the potential of Filipino musicians to be part of the global music scene.  “We have global potential here,” The Kennel told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746342704973IMG_0437.PNG" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>Known for its contributions to some of the global hits like BTS’s “Moon,” Red Velvet’s “Red Flavor,” and Girls&#x27; Generation’s “I Got a Boy,” this company recently collaborated with some of the rising music artists and P-pop groups under Viva Records.  Among the artists they worked with during their one-week visit were Janine Teñoso, Amiel Sol, Raya, Rhodessa, Rob Deniel, and P-pop boy groups GAT and Alamat.  <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/12/rookie-sensation-gat-set-to-shake-up-p-pop-scene-0036">READ: Rookie sensation GAT set to shake up P-Pop scene</a></div>The Kennel sent four producers and songwriters from different parts of the world to help the said local artists “elevate their music [in terms of] songwriting and production.” <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/2/exclusive-here-s-what-alamat-learned-in-their-4-years-as-a-p-pop-group-1331">READ: EXCLUSIVE: Here’s what Alamat learned in their 4 years as a P-pop group</a></div>Collectively expressing their admiration, they shared how unique their experience was collaborating with the Filipino talents. “I think the unique thing is we were here with the artists,” songwriter-composer Josefin Glenmark said. “I have never been in a room with an artist. Like when we write, we write the music, and our publishers pitch the music to these other international stars. But here, we’re creating it together as a team.” One of the things The Kennel loves about the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) is the beauty of its language. “I think it’s been beautiful to speak Tagalog,” songwriter-producer Josh Gabbard said. “[Knowing] that there’s a deeper meaning to a lot of phrases in the language and that it’s so poetic, for me, it’s kind of returning to songwriting, of what’s the heart of the song and what’s the meaning of the song and not just kind of saying very literal things.” According to them, the Filipino artists’ heart for songwriting remains their edge.  “I think at least as a Westerner, I really love what I’ve been able to experience this week,” Josh said. “And so, I don’t want to impose anything, I would like to help and elevate. I think it’s holding true to the passion that the Philippines has for songwriting and the heart of the song.” “I think a lot of times it ends up elevating itself. I think people can see that and recognize when the songs are very good,” he added.  Although The Kennel recognizes that one of way going global is producing English versions of local songs, they believe that the OPM music, in itself, has a great potential and marketability.  As experts in the field, The Kennel shared some words of advice for all musicians and those who aspire to venture into the world of music. According to them, persistence or “not giving up” is one of the best ingredients for a successful music career. They also added that finding your “own sound” is crucial for the industry to embrace your music.“Finding your original sound, I think it’s the biggest thing,” musical producer Bruce Weigner said. “We’ve all experienced it where you try to play to somebody else, like what they want and then [suddenly] they don’t want it. You’re like ‘now I’m doing something I don’t even want to do.’ So, I think it’s like singing in the room, practicing, getting better, and just loving what you do.” The Kennel also underscored the importance of taking risks in navigating the music industry.  “I think not being afraid to try new things,” Josh said. “You might feel quite different and weird. You might be used to playing an acoustic guitar, and if you do try to work with a producer, it can get intimidating. But I think the willingness to try to do something you might not be comfortable with (is important). “Continue to work, experiment and have fun, that’s the beauty of music,” he added.

The Kennel, a Swedish music publishing and production company, express their admiration for Filipino music artists, saying they have big potential of breaking into the global music scene.

The Kennel, a Swedish music publishing and production company, express their admiration for Filipino music artists, saying they have big potential of breaking into the global music scene.