MANILA -- Soul and pop-inclined artist Paco Pastor has joined independent music label Offshore Music, which was founded by OPM veteran Ely Buendia.
A Manila-based artist, Pastor aspires to create his path in the industry with a genuine approach to his musicality and identity as a singer-songwriter, as well as a live performer.
“There are so many aspects to me as an artist that it really isn't just one color,” said the 19-year-old in a press release.
From left: CEO of Offshore Ely Buendia, Paco Pastor, Offshore Music general manager Audry Dionisio and artist & repertoire manager Dani Mendoza. Handout
Pastor, whose sounds draw influenced from female artists such as Sade, Nectar Woode and Olivia Dean, was encouraged to pursue music by his best friend Alysha.
“Being on stage or performing [was] never one of my dreams. But I always knew that I did love music, but performing up there? Not a chance… Until this [Alysha] girl came into my life,” he said.
He is also supported by his family, sharing his mom's words: “If you didn’t make good music, we wouldn’t have let you go this path at all. Good thing you really are our child.”
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From left: CEO of Offshore Ely Buendia, Paco Pastor, and Artist & Repertoire Manager Dani Mendoza. Handout
In span of one year, Pastor transitioned to an artist performing live and began jamming with seasoned musicians through his management team at Waddle House Manila and, in turn, was eventually signed under Buendia’s music label.
“He was someone we wanted to develop and explore," said Offshore Music artist & repertoire (A&R) manager of Dani Mendoza of the label's decision to sign Pastor.
“He is his own producer, he is his own songwriter, his own performer. He is the full package in terms of his brand, performance and music. To Offshore Music's very core, we have always been music first and champions of those [musicians] who need the support to put their music out there. It was easy to make that decision then and there,” she added.