Walang Biruan: KAIA On Evolving As Songwriters, Working With Kindred, And Releasing More Music Soon

If there’s one thing you need to know about KAIA, it’s that they never do things halfheartedly.

Whether it be their utmost dedication to consistently singing live or their signature high-energy dances executed with flawless mastery, the rising P-pop girl group have consistently made a name for themselves as a unit that pours their heart into whatever they do, since their debut in early 2022.

Unsurprisingly, this also rings true in their roles as flourishing songwriters. While the quintet — composed of Angela, Charice, Alexa, Sophia, and Charlotte — have been known to constantly have a hand in bringing their tracks to life, it’s with their latest single that they’ve been the most involved as the promising composers they have grown into over the years.

Serving as not only co-writers but also co-producers, KAIA unveiled “Walang Biruan” last September — their first ever foray into the bright world of bubblegum pop. Serving as a stark contrast from their previous release, the dark and haunting “YOU DID IT,” “Walang Biruan” was a track that the members had been excited to produce for quite some time already, ultimately showcasing the diversity in their musicality yet precisely crafted in order to not diminish the spirit of their unique artistry.

In more ways than one, the creation and release of “Walang Biruan” marks a special chapter in the journey of KAIA. With this, Billboard Philippines decided to catch up with the members of KAIA in order to discuss the group’s fruitful experience of crafting “Walang Biruan” to completion, working with members of Pinoy boyband Kindred in order to do so, and how they’ve all evolved as songwriters because of this whole experience. In addition, the members also excitedly teased even more new material and other major plans coming soon.

Billboard Philippines: Hi KAIA! Your latest single “Walang Biruan” has been out for almost a month now. Congratulations!

KAIA: Thank you so much po!

It’s no secret that the track is one that the whole group has been excited to put out. With that, how does it feel to have finally released this single and have the rest of the world listen to it?

Angela: We’re very happy po na, finally, nakapag-release po kami ng another sound of KAIA since ‘yung previous tracks namin ay more on [the] “stronger” side of us. But for this, we [went] for a “softer side” of [the group]. It’s fun po while doing so and ang saya na maiparinig ‘yun sa mga listeners namin.

(We’re very happy that, finally, we’re able to release another sound of KAIA since our previous tracks are more on the “stronger” side of us. But now, we went for a softer side of the group. It’s fun while doing so and we’re happy to have our listeners hear that.)

Sophia: Actually, it’s a relief din. Sobrang iba nung sound nito from our previous releases, so, parang, ang risky ng release na ‘to because it’s very different. To see people appreciating the song and the creative process behind the song, we’re very grateful kasi hindi talaga namin alam ‘yung i-e-expect. Kung tatanggapin ba ng tao or not. Thankfully, masaya naman ‘yung fans!

(Actually, it’s a relief as well. The sound of this one is really distinct from our previous releases, so it’s like a risky release because it’s very different. To see people appreciating the song and the creative process behind the song, we’re very grateful because we didn’t really know what to expect. If the people would accept it or not. Thankfully, the fans are happy!)

Alexa: And tayo rin! (And us as well!)

Sophia: Yes! Kami rin! (Yes! Us as well!)

Angela: Marami kaming friends actually, even within the industry, na nag-ko-congratulate sa amin. They’re very happy sa outcome ng “Walang Biruan,” so we’re very happy as well!

(We have a lot of friends actually, even within the industry, who have been congratulating us. They’re very happy with the outcome of “Walang Biruan,” so we’re very happy as well!)

Charlotte: Actually, aside from that, nag-gain po kami ng maraming connections nung lumabas ‘yung “Walang Biruan.” Nag-open siya ng maraming doors for many opportunities. Hindi lang sa P-pop industry but sa OPM in general. So watch out for that!

(Actually, aside from that, we gained a lot of new connections when “Walang Biruan” came out. It opened a lot of doors for many opportunities. Not just in the P-pop industry but in OPM in general. So watch out for that!)

This single sees the five of you playing much bigger roles in the creation of your songs, with all members helping extensively co-write and co-produce the track. How does it feel becoming even more involved in writing your own music? What were the most valuable lessons you learned while doing so?

Charice: For me po, masaya na nakakapag-explore kami, most especially dito sa “Walang Biruan.” Bawat isa sa amin nagbigay ng ideas sa topic of the song and na-discover din namin ‘yung strengths and weaknesses namin.

(For me, I’m happy that we get to explore, most especially with “Walang Biruan.” Every single one of us gave ideas to the topic of the song and we also discovered our strengths and weaknesses.)

Sophia: Hindi bago sa amin for us to write our own songs kasi, for the past releases, most of our songs kami rin ‘yung nag-write. Pero, I think ‘yung bago [sa “Walang Biruan”] was ang bilis ‘yung songwriting process nito. Hindi naman siya under pressure pero parang spontaneous talaga. Dito talaga lumabas kung gaano kami kabilis magsulat.

(It’s not new for us to write our own songs because, for the past releases, we also wrote most of our songs. But, I think what’s new with “Walang Biruan” was that the songwriting process for this one was quick. It wasn’t something that was under pressure but more like really spontaneous. This was where how fast we could write really came out.)

Angela: When given the opportunity, meron pala kaming capacity to write or to co-produce a song na nag-re-resonate talaga agad sa vision namin as a group. We’re planning to release an EP right? So, [“Walang Biruan”] ‘yung “bridge” sa different sounds na kaya ng KAIA.

(When given the opportunity, we actually had the capacity to write or to co-produce a song that immediately resonates with our vision as a group. We’re planning to release an EP right? So, “Walang Biruan” is the “bridge” towards the different sounds that KAIA can do.)

Charlotte: [For “Walang Biruan”], we worked with Kindred [and] first time po namin sila maka-trabaho. Very new po sa amin ‘yung bigyan nila kami ng time to be creative. As in, magbato lang daw kami ng ideas. Kasi before, we were very scared na parang, “Tama ba ‘tong ginagawa natin?” But because of Kindred po, talagang binigyan nila kami ng freedom na isulat lang talaga kung ano ‘yung naiisip namin or mag-come up kami ng melody or adlibs. Willing po sila na kunin ‘yung ideas or opinions namin.

(For “Walang Biruan,” we worked with Kindred and it was our first time working with them. It’s very new for us for someone like them to give us time to be creative. As in, just throwing ideas around. Because before, we were very scared that like, “Are we doing things properly?” But because of Kindred, they really gave us the freedom to write what came to mind or to come up with the melody or adlibs. They’re willing to take our ideas and opinions.)

So, one of the lessons [we learned] din is ‘wag matakot to voice out ‘yung gusto mong mangyari, especially sa craft mo. 

(So, one of the lessons we learned as well is to not be afraid to voice out what you want to happen, especially with your craft.)

Angela: [Kindred] were very patient with us po. Feeling namin wala kaming enough experience to be involved in that kind of process. Pero nagtiwala rin po sila sa amin so we’re very happy for that. Nakita naman po sa result ng [song] na maganda talaga siya!

(Kindred were very patient with us. We felt that we didn’t have enough experience to be involved in that kind of process. But they still trusted us so we’re very happy for their trust. After all, it can be seen in the result of the song how good it really is!)

On that topic, as artists, what do you believe is the importance of becoming more hands-on or directly involved when bringing your music to life, especially based on your personal experience of doing so while writing “Walang Biruan”?

Angela: ‘Yung importance is mas personal and mas authentic siya. Kasi may touch mo. May sariling experiences mo siya. Sa amin, as a group, “Walang Biruan” came from our personal experiences. Siyempre, na-in love naman na rin kami, nagka-crush naman na rin kami. 

(The importance is that it’s more personal and more authentic. Because it has your touch. It has your very own experiences. For us, as a group, “Walang Biruan” came from our personal experiences. Of course, we’ve also fallen in love before, we’ve had crushes as well.)

Lahat ng songs namin very involved kami kasi gusto namin maipakita roon na ‘yung vision and ‘yung message ng songs are really personal to us.

(We’re very involved with all of our songs because we want to show through them that the vision and the message of our songs are really personal to us.)

Alexa: And I think [‘yung importance is] mas specific ‘yung ideas and kung paano namin sila ide-deliver, paano namin sila kakantahin. Mas easier to imagine kung paano namin gagawin since alam na namin ‘yung lyrics since kami ‘yung nagsulat.

(And I think the importance is that the ideas and how we’re going to deliver them, how we’ll sing them, are more specific. It’s easier to imagine how we’re going to do it since we already know the lyrics since we were the ones who wrote them.)

Charice: Siyempre, kapag nagpe-perform, mas maganda na alam mo saan siya nanggaling. Mas ma-e-express mo kasi kapag ikaw mismo ‘yung gumawa. 

(Of course, when performing, it’s better that you know where the song came from. You’ll be able to express it better if you were the one who actually made it.)

In that sense, how different was writing “Walang Biruan” compared to your previous releases?

Angela: Sa “Walang Biruan,” dito kami actually naging mas “laidback.” Parang, mas carefree kami sa paggawa ng kanta — walang maling opinyon, walang masyadong pressure. 

(With “Walang Biruan,” this was where we actually became more “laidback.” Like, we were more carefree in making the song — no wrong opinions, not much pressure.)

Sophia: Tuwing nagko-conceptualize kami for a song, lagi naming iniisip na, “Okay, may something dapat na patunayan.” [But] for this one, parang basta, “Gusto ko ‘to e,” and it turned out to be [something] na doon talaga namin nailabas ‘yung passion namin as performers and as artists.

(Whenever we conceptualize for a song, we always think that “Okay, there’s something we need to prove” But for this one, it was just like, “This is what I want to do,” and it turned out to be something where we could pour out our passion as as performers and as artists.)

Angela: Sa mga releases namin, they’re more on [messages of] empowerment. Pero na-realize namin na kahit “softer” songs, nakaka-empower pa rin. ‘Yun ‘yung gusto namin ipakita sa “Walang Biruan.” Na ‘yung pag-amin sa taong gusto mo [is] very brave. 

(With our releases, they’re more on messages of empowerment. But we realized that even if it’s “softer” songs, they’re still empowering. That’s what we want to show with “Walang Biruan.” That, the act of confessing to the person you like is very brave.)

Charlotte: In control ka sa emotions mo! (You’re in control of your emotions!)

Angela: ‘Yun! Na responsible ka for your emotions. That makes you powerful! (Yes! That you’re responsible for your emotions. That makes you powerful!)

I can see how well-thought of and special it was conceptualizing the message of the track was for the group!

Speaking of being special, the music video for “Walang Biruan” is also of note as it was shot entirely using the iPhone – the first of its kind in P-pop! What was the experience like shooting this one-of-a-kind music video?

Charice: Personally, nagulat din kaming lahat sa result! Kasi, nung fini-film po siya, sabi namin, “Hala, nakakakaba!” kasi sanay kami doon sa professional cameras. But nung nakikita na namin ‘yung mga previews kapag pinapanood na sa amin ‘yung mga na-shoot na namin, ang galing! Kasi ‘yung camera movements, same na same din [with those taken on professional cameras] and, at the same time…

(Personally, all of us were also surprised by the result! Because, when we were filming it, we said, “Oh no, this is making us anxious” because we were used to the professional cameras and equipment. But but when we were seeing the previews whenever they would show us what we had shot already, it was so cool! Because the camera movements, they were the same with those taken on professional cameras and, at the same time…)

Charlotte: Quality!

Charice: ‘Yung quality! (The quality!)

Kapag iisa ‘yung goal nyo, makikita mo ‘yun sa result e, kahit pa ano ‘yung gamit mong device. (When you have one goal, you’ll see it in the result, no matter the device that you’re using.)

Angela: We’re very thankful to Apple Music for partnering with us for this song. Grabe ‘yung tiwala nila sa amin para magkaroon kami ng partnership. Kaya ginawa talaga namin ‘yung very very best namin for this one!

(We’re very thankful to Apple Music for partnering with us for this song. Their trust in us was something else in order for us to strike up a partnership. That’s why we did our very very best for this one!)

And, ayun nga po, sa sinabi ni Charice, mas naging creative ‘yung buong team kung paano gagamitin ‘yung iPhone as the device to shoot our music video.

(And, again, like what Charice said, the whole team became more creative with using the iPhone as the device to shoot our music video.)

Alexa: And it was fun kasi may parts na kami mismo ‘yung humahawak nung phone! (And it was fun because there were parts where we were the ones who were actually holding the phone!)

Charice: Fun fact: sa first part kasi ng music video, dahil iPhone ‘yung gamit, may isa pa akong gustong isama na shot sana. So, nag-video lang ako sa phone ko mismo tapos sinend ko lang mismo sa director namin ‘yung video tapos dinagdag nila in an instant!

(Fun fact: in the first part of the music video, because we used an iPhone, I had another shot in mind that I wanted to include. So, I just took a video on my own phone then I sent it immediately to our director then they added it in an instant!)

Sophia: Gusto lang din namin mag-thank you to our directors kasi talagang binigyan nila kami ng freedom kung ano ‘yung gusto naming gawin at gusto naming i-add. Siyempre, kasi hindi pa talaga [common] to see music videos shot on an iPhone, somehow, risky pa rin siya pero sobrang thankful [namin] kasi sobrang ganda!

(We just want to thank our directors because they really gave us the freedom with what we wanted to do and to add. Of course, since it’s not yet that common to see music videos shot on an iPhone, somehow, it was risky but we’re so thankful because it looks great!)

Charlotte: And the result was so good! Actually, ‘yung frames po [sa music video], sa iba-ibang generations po siya ng iPhone shinoot! Sobrang creative lang talaga, especially ‘yung production team namin kasi hindi namin in-expect na ganun ‘yung gusto nilang mangyari. Sobrang nag-enjoy kami!

(And the result was so good! Actually, the frames in the music video, they were shot on different generations of the iPhone! It was just so creative, especially our production team because we didn’t expect that that was what they wanted to happen. We enjoyed the experience a lot!)

Throughout your musical journey, you have explored a number of different sounds, with “Walang Biruan” seeing KAIA take on a bubblegum pop sound for the very first time.

With this, while your sound continues to change and evolve with every release, in your opinion, what makes a KAIA song, a KAIA song?

Charlotte: ‘Yun din ‘yung tinanong namin sa isa’t isa before. Since first time namin mag-bubblegum pop and a lot of girl groups and even boy groups nag-re-release ng gan’tong sound, we were very hesitant na, parang, “Pa’no natin gagawing KAIA ‘yung sound na ‘to?”

(That’s also what we asked each other before. Since it’s our first time doing bubblegum pop and a lot of girl groups and even boy groups were releasing this kind of sound, we were very hesitant, like, “How will we make this sound KAIA?”)

Sophia: For me, it’s ‘yung voices namin talaga. Kasi, before, nagkakaroon kami ng instances na hindi talaga namin ma-identify kung sino ba ‘yung kumakanta. So ngayon, with “Walang Biruan,” na-utilize talaga namin ‘yung strengths ng voices ng isa’t isa. Even though may similarities pa rin, alam na namin kung saan namin ilalagay ‘yung sarili namin.

(For me, it’s really our voices. Because, before, we would have instances where we couldn’t identify who was singing. So now, with “Walang Biruan,” we really utilized the strengths of each other’s voices. Even though there are still similarities, we already known where to place ourselves.)

Charice: For me, nagiging KAIA song ‘yung isang kanta dahil sa mga personal experiences namin, ‘yung message ng song. ‘Yun ‘yung nagpapa-KAIA sa song, especially when we perform it live.

(For me, a song becomes a KAIA song because of our personal experiences, the message of the song. That’s what makes it KAIA, especially when we perform it live.)

Alexa: Kasi perspective talaga namin ‘yung ginagamit namin to write them! (Because it’s really our perspective perspective that we use to write them!)

Charice: Yes! It’s very personal. I think [our songs] evolve through time but ang nagpapa-KAIA sa songs namin is ‘yung authenticity namin as a group —‘yung energy namin, ‘yung vision namin, ‘yung voices namin, and ‘yung pinapakita namin while performing the songs. It’s very personal — [the way] we want the fans to relate sa songs namin. Alam nila na we experience those things ourselves.

(Yes! It’s very personal. I think our songs evolve through time but what makes our songs KAIA is the authenticity we have as a group — the energy we have, the vision we have, our own voices, and what we show while performing the songs. It’s very personal — the way we want the fans to relate to our songs. They know that we experience those things ourselves.)

Angela: It’s how we connect with our fans. Whether it’s bubblegum pop or R&B like “Dalawa,” nandoon pa rin ‘yung personal na connection namin with our listeners. ‘Yun naman kasi talaga ‘yung KAIA and ‘yung message namin na, “Kaya! Kaya mo yan!” We’re encouraging and empowering our listeners to be their authentic selves. To believe in themselves.

(It’s how we connect with our fans. Whether it’s bubblegum pop or R&B like “Dalawa,” the personal connection with our listeners is always there. That’s because that’s who KAIA are and our message of “You can! You can do it!” We’re encouraging and empowering our listeners to be their authentic selves. To believe in themselves.)

Finally, besides “Walang Biruan,” you also released your other single “YOU DID IT” earlier this year. It’s also no secret that your fans have been patiently waiting for a bigger body of work from you like an EP or even a full album.

With this, what else can we expect from KAIA in the near future in terms of music? 

Angela: We’re preparing for an EP! Sana talaga mangyari na siya! (We’re hoping it finally happens!)

Dito talaga gusto namin makita ‘yung diversity namin. Hindi lang as members of the group pero with [our] sound itself. We want to try different sounds and makikita ‘nyo po ‘yun. Kahit pa different sounds ‘yan, we will make sure na ‘yung message and vision namin andoon pa rin siya but in so many different ways. Nakaka-excite lang kasi excited kami to work with different producers. Manifesting!

(This is where we really want to see our diversity. Not just as members of the group but with our sound itself. We want to try different sounds and you’ll be able to see that. Even if it might be different sounds, we will make sure that our message and vision are still there but in so many different ways. It’s just exciting because we’re excited to work with different producers. Manifesting!)

Charice: Also, meron na rin kaming minamatang mga songs! Doon ko rin actually na-realize na talagang pareparehas talaga kami ng gusto. Kasi, kapag may pinlay, na song, kapag gusto namin, same talaga kami lahat! Dito sa mga pinili naming mga songs, gusto namin na mas magamit namin ‘yung strengths ng voices namin. 

(Also, we already have songs that we’re eyeing! It where I also actually realized that we really liked the same things. Because, when a song is played, if we liked it, we we would all agree in unison. With the songs that we picked, we want our the strengths of our voices to be utilized.)

Angela: Since fan favorite po talaga ‘yung “Dalawa,” gusto talaga namin umikot sa sounds na mas makikita ‘yung harmonies, ‘yung colors ng voices namin.

(Since “Dalawa” is really a fan favorite, we really want to explore sounds where the harmonies, the colors of our voices, can be seen.)

Also, along with the EP, magkakaroon din po kami ng nationwide tour to support it! Manifesting! No dates yet pero coming soon siya!

(Also, along with the EP, we will have a nationwide tour to support it! Manifesting! No dates yet but it’s coming soon!)

Listen to KAIA’s “Walang Biruan” below: