mark redito

From the new album Neutropical

Director, Camera, Editor: a Bluer Don Juan 

Actor & Model: Mai Phuoc Tri 

Lê Nguyễn Khánh Nhi 

 Producer: Rauteii 

Art Director: Zach Sch 

Stylist: La Nhật. 

Accessories: Mignonne Inc 

Makeup:Trần D Trí 

 Assistant Editor: Christian Soriano 

Assistant Camera: Xị bỏm from Lenspro 

Much had changed since Mark Redito’s last full length “Desire”. The unexpected success of his debut album, the life on the road, and the launch of his own concert series, Likido, had him landing in a place that was worlds apart from “Desire” days when he started working on his latest release #Neutropical.

“Back then, I was literally a bedroom musician, I was staying at my sister’s place not quite sure of where my life was headed,” recollects Redito. “I always imagined that if I became a full time musician and started touring and collaborating with talented musicians, the whole process would just get easier. I thought that with experience there would be this sense of confidence.” 

“I was wrong,” Redito admits. His admission of insecurity and limitation paradoxically freed him to find his new path. “I found that you can't do everything you want to; and sometimes you don't become who you think you'll be. You have to forgive yourself in order to move forward. You have to allow yourself the grace and humility to acknowledge who you are. And that's ok.” 

Redito’s revelation ultimately led him to reassess his writing process and led him to the discovery of Tropical Futurism, a cultural aesthetic inspired by Afro-Futurism. Redito pays respect to the island culture he grew up with and finds hope in the culture’s resilience despite its past oppressions and hardships. Neutropical is a hopeful vision of the future that puts the island culture and values front and center. All the while journaling the personal journey of where he was, where he is, and where he is headed.

Tracklist 

1) Break Silence (ft. Shel Bee) 

2) Everything Felt Right 

3) Barrio Fiesta 

4) Never Letting Go of this Moment 

5) Boyfriend (ft. TOFUKU) 

6) Right There (ft. Ehiorobo) 

7) Bluest 52 

8) You'll Only Love Me When I'm Gone 

9) Cloud Keep (ft. Abbi Press) 

10) Holly and Maria (ft. Henrik the Artist)

11) Dreamy Gang

12) Alright

“Ayos lang” (Tagalog). The literal translation is: “just ok.” But it can also mean: “I’m good/fine/alright” or “meh.”

It’s the typical response to: “Kamusta?” (how are you), “Ayos lang.”

Not really a bad thing, but I can’t help but sometimes interpret this phrase as something automatic or mindless. It’s an ambivalent response.

That made me think about how some of us live our lives that way-- on auto-pilot. Passive. “It’s ok.” “meh.” Ayos Lang.

But what if we switched frames and saw “Ayos Lang” as more about ownership and active acceptance? What if it meant, I see my circumstances, I know where I’m at. I got this. Ayos Lang.

That insight inspired my collaborator, Sherlan, and I to create this piece. To serve as a reminder to ourselves that we have a choice; that we can own whatever comes our way. That we can accept where we are and not be bound by it. That we don’t have to live life on auto-pilot.

Ayos Lang shirts are on pre-order for 48 hours (ends at 12/5/18). This is a truly limited run of only 80 pieces. Shirts come in black or cream and ships worldwide.   

The music video was really fun to make. The footage is from a 1980s Filipino rom-com called “Bagets.” It’s a fun coming-of-age movie about about youth  and friendship. I remember watching reruns of this movie when I was a kid. I always loved the colors and the imagery (check out those pastels! I recently saw the movie again and I got inspired to edit it down to a short visual montage to accompany the song. I hope it’s a fun watch!

“Everything Felt Right” is about those magical moments when you’re in the right place at the right time. The production is inspired by my love for tropical dance music (dembow, dancehall, etc… remember “Gasolina”?). Growing up in a tropical country like the Philippines, I’ve had a strong affinity for music coming out of the tropics and I wanted to incorporate that into this song. It’s also been a minute since I last sang in my own productions (I think the last one was “So Many Things to tell You”); and though I’ve always felt a little shy recording my own voice, for this song it felt right ❤