We find, more than ever, that the world is split. The thin lines between fact and fiction, truth, and lie have become increasingly blurry. It has been said that we are now living in a "post-truth" era, one in which, according to Oxford Dictionaries, "objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief." In short, we live in a world where people may believe anything they choose, as long as they feel it is right.
Today's complex problems demand a radical new way of thinking—one in which art, music, and culture thrives as a whole. Fortunately, this liberation of spirit and vision is already manifesting among young artists of this generation, artists like Zild Benitez.
When life imitates art
There is a unique role for artists like Zild in this new era: to keep their eyes and hearts open and become speakers of truth and beacons of hope."Art is the face of culture," the 25-year-old singer-songwriter said. "It can be powerful and also weak at the same time," he added. And it's true. Sometimes, art tells us more about the society and culture we are experiencing, and at times, art feels like the reflection and the very core of humanity.
To be an artist is both personal and, at the same time, universal as it takes the lingering responsibility to unearth the truth. But in juxtaposition, Zild also believes that art shouldn't be complicated. "The role of art is just for art's sake, honestly," he said. "It doesn't need to be grandiose or a megaphone of huge statements. Be honest, and it will resonate to people that feel the same way," he added.
The honesty in Zild's artistry and music
At the height of the Pandemic in 2020, the frontman and bassist of IV of Spades unveiled his solo debut album, Homework Machine, which includes a track entitled "Sinungaling." So during our interview, we dared to ask how important "truth" is for someone like Zild, where he answered strikingly."I am still in my stage of life where finding the truth is still a hard thing to do," He answered. "Every day, I still don't have answers for a lot of questions that I ask myself," he added.
But much like an artist that he is, his music speaks for him, especially on his latest and second album, "Huminga," which sort of exudes rawness and honesty to it that allows us to take a glance at his artistry on its truest form.
"Lately, my friends around me inspire my art that I am creating right now," He shared when asked about his recent inspirations. "There's a stereotype that artists should lock themselves in a room and create. I think great art comes from different kinds of subcultures/communities and knowing people with the same intentions or taste helps me to write something outside of my comfort zone. People around me are my biggest influence on my craft," he concluded.
Music, love, and art
Our modern culture might have somehow distorted society's perception of life. But over the dissonance and chaos of reality, music, love, and art transcend boundaries every time—Zild's newest single under Island Records Philippines, “Isang Anghel” is sonic proof.Zild has released a music video that taps into his deep emo icons and draws inspiration from a more profound and distinctly Filipino tradition of romantic lyricism. ‘Isang Anghel’ is also the first single from Zild’s upcoming third album, which has not been given a name or release date at the time of writing.
Reality as a bloodline of art
Taking art's constitutive relationship to realism, Zild persists in making music from his own experiences. "The reason why I still create music and want to be a musician is because of survivability," he said. "Writing music is the only thing that gives me a sense of control over my life. Kumbaga, wala akong ibang choice. Ito lang ang kaya kong gawin."And from these experiences, he creates a kaleidoscopic harmony of perception, art, and culture.
With this prowess and his music, Zild also translates his stance on social issues. Especially now that the offline is emerging online, along with the inescapable lies of disinformation and distortion, Zild tends to prove that reality is a bloodline of art. Just like on his recent synth-pop demo track, Dekada' 70' which refers to the decade of the 1970s, which in the Philippines was defined by martial law instituted by its then-president Ferdinand Marcos – the father of the Philippines' president Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
"It should be normal for a normal person with empathy to have a stand on ANY kind of social issue," He said. "It doesn't have to be big. You don't always need a megaphone. Sometimes, a discreet letter works too."
To the youth
In all of this, Zild wants his music to be remembered as it is. "I will just simply continue what I am doing. I will write anything I want to say or what needs to be said," he shared.And for the artists of today, he wants you to remember something "Don't settle for how things are."
━━ Photo by Shaira Luna
