Singing a different tune

With or without shades, Chris Cayzer is a dead ringer for Francis Magalona. But the moment he opens his mouth and hits a few notes, one can’t help but say he is singing a different tune. Yup, not rap but rock and a lot of John Mayer.

Listen to him and Chris is no longer the local version of his idol John but himself, the crooner who can shift from rock to pop and ballad and back.

"I’m very excited about the album," said Chris during his recent album launch at Aruba.

"Filipinos welcome new artists," he adds. "They love covers. My music is a mix (of the past and present). What’s important is I’m also learning new culture."

That’s true, since Chris is not the typical product of a reality talent search who was born and raised here. Chris has lived all his life in Brisbane, Australia with his Filipino parents. It was only two years ago that the chance to settle in the Philippines came when his dad decided to put up a business here. Last year, Chris came to Manila without any expectations of bigger things ahead of him.

As fate would have it, his family’s decision to test the local waters has led Chris to career opportunities he never thought would come his way.

He has a 30-minute weekly show, Wednesday Jamming with Chris Cayzer, on Jam 88.3, where he can play the music and sounds close to his heart like the songs of Rob Thomas, Radiohead and John Mayer. He landed a role in Bituing Walang Ningning (topbilled by Sarah Geronimo). In the soap opera genre, he plays one of Dorina’s bandmates who devises a plan to interrupt her blooming career. To top it all, he has a self-titled album from NUgen Music, where he is the first contract artist.

His entry to the music industry is no surprise because Chris’ father is a former DJ and a jazz enthusiast who introduced his son to George Benson, Lee Ritenour and Kenny Rankin. As expected, the then young Chris developed a liking to music and showed signs of what he has become today. Chris first learned to hum a tune or two before he could play the guitar. His knack for singing and songwriting has been honed since then.

"It’s not that I’m after fame and popularity," replies Chris to the question of what he wants in his musical career entails. "My music is for sharing with others and making them happy."

Is he ready for intrigues?

"I’m ready and I’m not going into something if I’m not confident," he goes on.

Chris was in his element when he gave everyone a sample of his music. He had the look and spunk of a recording artist when he sang Your Body Is A Wonderland and Stay. One experiences Chris’ intensity and flair when one listens to his eight-track CD featuring the songs I Got You and its acoustic version, A Midsummer Love Affair, Dream Away, Holding Out and its acoustic version and All I Dream About.

Aside from disc jockeying, singing and acting, Chris, 19, is also studying at Southville International School where he is taking up Mass Communication. He is bent on attending workshops soon. He will also have TV guestings and mall tours when he starts promoting his debut album in September.

Can he speak Tagalog? Chris answers, "I’m getting there. I learn the language from my friends."

The timbre of Chris’ voice will make many associate him with John Mayer. But Chris doesn’t find it a problem if he sounds close to John.

"It doesn’t bother me," says Chris. "How can I say that it’s me singing? They will know because of the feelings I put into the song."