Unconsciously Unique! A track and exhibit you can call 'Oblivion'

Photo courtesy of O/C Records

Singer-songwriter Unique Salonga kicked off the year with a brand new track and first-ever solo art exhibition, ‘Oblivion’.

Published under O/C Records last January 17, Unique’s latest track, Oblivion, mounts a soothing tone of ambient music that tenders a quick escape from the external reality — an hour-long record that reverberates the power of sound to transport listeners from a chaotic environment to a tranquil dimension.

The release of Oblivion is in line with the launch of his first-ever solo art exhibit —an immersive audio-visual show presenting various tessellation art by Unique accompanied by the ambient soundscape he produced for each art piece.

In an interview with the artist himself, Unique discussed what the audience can expect from his hour-long ambient music and his first-ever solo art exhibit, what made him decide to showcase his other artistic side, the story behind that special connection between his latest track and visual art pieces, and more.

Photo courtesy of Unique Salonga's IG (@uniquesalongaph)

TNH: What is “OBLIVION” all about?

Unique: Para sa ‘kin, ang OBLIVION ay about sa pag-escape natin instantly dito sa external na mundo.

TNH: What can you share about the story/inspiration behind it?

Unique: Nagsimula siya noong pandemic. Heto ‘yung mga panahong kinakain ako ng anxiety ko. Kaya isa sa naging paraan ko para maging okay ulit ay ‘yung gumawa ng isang ambient music na magpapa-relax sa utak ko.

TNH: What can your listeners expect from this new track?

Unique: Asahan niyo na isa ‘to sa magiging tool para makapag-transcend mula sa mga problema na dinadala niyo sa pang araw-araw. Nang magkaro’n naman tayo ng time para ayusin ang sarili natin sa panloob. Masiyado na kasi tayong stressed at busy sa panlabas.

TNH: What can you share about the overall creative process of this single? How would you describe your experience crafting “OBLIVION”?

Unique: Sobrang therapeutic ng proseso. Habang ginagawa ko rin kasi siya, kumakalma ‘yung pakiramdam ko. Napaka-organic din kasi hinayaan ko lang siya na mag-work nang walang masyadong iniisip.

TNH: How do you feel about your first-ever exhibit, and what exciting things can you share about it?

Unique: Sobrang saya ko kasi after ng mahigit isang taon, maipapakita ko na rin ‘yung resulta sa public. Ang exciting dito sa exhibition na ‘to ay ‘yung audio-visual siya. Required lahat ng pupunta na magdala ng headphones, I-plug ito sa kani-kanilang mobile device at I-play ‘yung ambient music na ginawa ko habang pinagmamasdan nila ‘yung mga piyesa.

TNH: Can you share about what kind of creative pieces you will be sharing with the public? What are some of the stories behind these artworks?

Unique: Nasa category siya ng pattern art or tessellation art. Hilig ko na talaga siyang gawin dati pa pero lately ko lang na-realize na pwede ko siyang seryosohin at gamitin para makipag-communicate sa unconventional na paraan.

TNH: What made you decide to finally showcase this other artistic side of Unique?

Unique: Isa sa mga rason kung bakit ko siya ginagawa dahil gusto kong maging inspirasyon sa mga ibang artist na may takot pa na kumawala sa nakasanayan nila. Gusto kong ipakita na hindi mo kailangang ma-stuck sa iisang field o specialization. Gusto kong magbigay sa kanila ng lakas ng loob para mahanap nila ‘yung natatago pa nilang potensiyal.

TNH: What made you decide to make your debut exhibit in time with the release of your new track?

Unique: Planado talaga sila na magkasama. Kaya rin nabuo ko ‘yung ambient music dahil ‘yon ‘yung way ko para ma-interpret ko ‘yung mga piyesa. Sadyang magkakonekta sila.

TNH: What is that special connection between your new track and upcoming exhibit, both entitled “Oblivion”?

Unique: Kapag pinag-combine mo kasi sila, mas madali tayong napapakalma nito. Hindi siya gaanong magiging effective kapag magkahiwalay sila kaya kailangan mo talaga ‘tong ma-experience nang sabay.

Unique’s Oblivion solo art exhibit is happening from January 23 to February 5 at Secret Fresh Art Gallery in San Juan, Manila.

You can keep streaming his latest track, Oblivion, on all leading digital music platforms including, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.