ARTIST INTRODUCTION

Hi everyone, I’m Mar Emanuel, a Filipino-Canadian musician based in Vancouver, BC. I released a song in January this year called "Yet to Come". It’s a song about finding the balance between looking forward to the exciting times ahead and being grounded in the beauty that already surrounds you. This song, to me, not only marked the start of a new year but the start of a new era in my life and my journey as a musician. 

2020 was a year that many of us will never forget. I certainly will not. 2020 for me was filled with the chaos of settling into a new kind of life, and the grief that comes with the loss of an old one. Amidst this, I found peace in myself and committed to doing something that has scared me for a long time: putting myself out there as a musician. My debut year saw me release two EPs that amassed nearly 70 thousand streams from over 38 thousand listeners around the world.

My gratitude for this journey (and for everyone who has supported me) is only matched by my enthusiasm for what I can achieve next. I think that "Yet to Come" has captured this perfectly. 

I am thrilled with the reception that this song has received since its release. Along with fervent support from loyal fans, I have gained support from those who hadn’t previously known me - even getting highlighted by Spotify on their “Fresh Finds: Pop” playlist. 

Despite how proud I am of what I have created, I know that I can extract more out of this song as an artist, and further the message and beauty that this song stands for. Ricky has encouraged me to consider a music video for this song since I showed him the demo many months ago and we have quietly been working through the logistics to make this happen. The cinematic and visual aspect of this song was always top of mind while creating it, and I’m flattered to know that another artist that I respect both saw this vision and felt strongly enough to act on it.

CONCEPT

The concept for Yet to Come came almost naturally upon first listen. There was something so triumphant and glorious about the song. The horns, the harmonies, and the soulful instrumentation elicit the visual of a 1960’s dancehall. The subconcept behind making this a period piece is to give the past a dreamlike quality. Yet to Come is about engaging the present while still remaining hopeful about the future. The idea was to give Yet to Come, visually, the cinematic texture and characteristics that the song already had musically.  

Director’s Note

Months ago, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mari sent me an early version of Yet to Come to ask me for my opinion on the song. Being a truly self-aware artist and (probably) somewhat of a perfectionist, Mari gave me the disclaimer that the song wasn’t properly mixed yet but will be “once [he] no longer hated the song anymore”.

I gave it a listen. And then I listened again. And then I hated his guts. I hated the fact that he “hated the song” because although it was just an unmixed demo – it was a masterpiece. I called him right back and told him exactly how I felt. I told him that Yet to Come was such a triumphant song with such a cinematic quality and that it deserved a visual piece that was just as powerful in essence.

It may have been pure coincidence or perhaps it was by design, but Mari’s Yet to Come really hit home at a time when the whole world was broken and halted at a complete standstill. It was a beautifully crafted reminder to soak in all the goodness of the present moment while still remaining optimistic about a future that is yet to come. 

We would appreciate nothing more than for you to participate in this process. It’s grassroot but passionate and every single contribution is truly significant. If you don’t have the convenience of contributing monetarily, we would love to invite you to at least give Mari’s song a listen to see if you change your mind. It just might end up becoming your personal anthem during these bizarre and turbulent times.

Stay positive, test negative.

Rh.

STORY

Our video opens on an empty dancehall in the 1960s. Ashtrays, glassware, and bottles liberally littered across the dancehall. We meet MAR, a busboy standing alone, broom in hand. An exasperated sigh as the music starts to play and he starts cleaning up.

As the lights come on and Mar finishes up around the hall, DANCERS start to funnel in with excitement. The energy in the room is electric and seemingly uncontainable until –

Boom. All heads turn on the hook as a charismatic PERFORMER sings to Yet to Come. All eyes on him while Mar watches on longingly from the sidelines. Inspired.

The next morning. Mar wakes up to start his day. Exhausted and dreading the repetitive mundanities of his life. He brushes his teeth and hops in the shower as he gets ready for work.

As Mar arrives at work, he looks at the mess that others have made and he takes it all in with frustration. Completely exasperated he throws his bag across the hall and ignites his anger. Mar starts to go on an angry tear and destroys the mess he was supposed to clean up. His tantrum ends when he finally collapses in despair and exhaustion. He breaks down in front of the stage and looks up.

Mar, staring at the stage in front of him, makes his way up to the stage. On the stage, he looks at the mic and the mess that he's made, and makes a move tentatively towards the mic. Finally, he musters the courage and sings into the mic.