I first heard Kenneth Dionzon, a.ka. MX DIONE's one-of-a-kind voice at a Twitter space they were hosting. They were fun, crazy, and quirky to talk to, and since we got each other's vibe and music, we hit it off, and eventually, we became friends. Well, internet friends since her ass are in Canada. It was an instant back and forth, quoting songs and sharing new albums as if we were AJayII from Youtube ranking and reacting to new albums we like.
When I first told them in September last year that I was to write a profile on them and their music, they were unsure. They had just released their first bop single, "Bagong Kabanata," at that time, and as the stage friend, I wanted to write about it and let our readers listen to it. "Sa susunod nalang, maaga pa, pag may bago nalang akong single," he says, expressing his hesitation.
Fast forward nine months later, they finally agreed. Here's how our conversation went through.
Bagong Kabanata
"I'm a libra, and I love music," those were the first words Mx Dione said to me as we talked about how their music career started. "I grew up in a family that loves music, especially pop music. I grew up listening to Britney, Xtina, Mariah, and Avril. My tita would play the guitar, and I would sing. They also love karaoke kahit walang event, like every weekend nagkakaraoke sila and I would just watch, and they'd make me sing."
But not until Mx Dione moved to Canada did they realize that they wanted to make music. So when the pandemic of 2020 hit, Mx Dione put on their music hat and started making music with producer and another great artist, tome. But it was only in September 2021, that they began releasing their music, and bless our ears with good quality music.
"This is my first time making legit music, so for this project in particular. It usually starts with me giving a scenario to my producer, Tome," They shared. "I'd send him a story of what I want to write about, how I want the beat to sound sonically, and how the song's structure is going to be."
But the most interesting part about the process is how the music come to be knowing that MX Dione and Tome are oceans apart. "I would write on the laid track, and then we will revise it again to add detail and textures to make it tight. Then I'd record my vocals in my room. Then I'd send them to the mixer for the mixing and mastering. That's how it was done"
Luckily, the harwork paid off when they relesed their single they entitled "Bagong Kabanata," which is a perfect fit given that it's Mx Dione's first single. There's something poetic about Mx Dione's starting their music career with a song talking about taking new chapters.
"Bagong Kabanta is very personal. That's my debut song for a reason. It starts with my young self's perspective, just moved out of the country being so pressed and bitter about losing people in my life then it ends with my current perspective in life about losing people saying that's it's okay, it happened for a reason and it out of my control and imma just let it. period."
Is it even music if it's not pop?
Being heavily influenced by pop culture and pop music, MX Dione describes their music as "Pop music with intention." Much like their idol Lady Gaga, Adele, Sam Smith, and their current faves, Yebba, Omar Apollo, Rosalia, and Zsaris, Mx Dione wants their listeners to resonate with their stories through music.
"I want my song to be the songs they play with their friends and bop and vibe but also have this message and intention or a story to tell," They shared. "These songs have something to say. I also want these songs to be someone's go-to comfort friend. I want them to feel that nostalgia and tap into some memories they have, good or bad. That's why I like painting pictures with my lyrics. I want them to visualize or recall something."
Since Mx Dione's "Bagong Kabanata", they have released three singles, "Where U Be There?," "Dazed," and a cover of Wake Up Your Seatmate, "Panaginip" which is one of their favorite songs. "I grew up listening to that song, it was my aunt's favourite song at the time. I love that song so much. The reason why I wanted to cover that song and release it is that the original song is not on Spotify or Apple music and that song was not big back in the day and it deserves so much recognition and attention because it's so beautiful, so this is my way of reintroducing the song to the people," Mx Dione Shared.
In to the night light
Mx Dione's passion and love for music seemed inexplicably linked to their personhood. And with that, our pop gurl just released their new EP Nightlight.
The EP will include, "Bagong Kabanata," "Will U Be There," "Dazed," "Panaginip," and a new song entitled "Delirum." Mx Dione will also release a music video of "Dazed."
"This era is just the start of so many fucking things for me. I just can't wait to show everyone what I have to say, what I have learned, what I'm learning and my growth as a person and an artist. I'm finally using my voice for something bigger than me," they said.
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