Stell on New Song ‘Crazy’: ‘Don’t be afraid to fall in love’

Coming on the heels of SB19’s successful Lollapalooza and Summer Sonic stints in Chicago and Japan, ace vocalist Stell is back with a new solo effort: “Crazy.”

Penned by Filipino-Australian musician Maribelle, the song captures what it means to be consumed by love. And it’s a great showcase of Stell’s powerful and versatile vocals (those notes in “I think I’m crazy for you” are so silky!).

On August 31, the “Room” hitmaker returned to the Wish Bus, which was parked right outside Ayala Malls Arca South, and drew a crowd of 1,100. His latest Wish Bus guesting also coincided with XONARA and J2X, artists who are also managed by 1Z Entertainment.

Wish 107.5 sat down with Stell to talk about “Crazy,” his take on love, and his ultimate wish.

Let’s talk about “Crazy.” What made you decide to bring it to life?

Actually, after releasing ‘yung “Room,” ‘yung songs ko nung nag-solo ako, parang narinig ko na siya. Na-offer na agad siya sa’kin. At gusto ko lang palang mag-thank you kay Maribelle for writing this song for me.

Noong narinig ko siya, nagustuhan ko agad ‘yung song. Sabi ko, I want to do this song, pero I’m not sure if I can embody the song at the time. Kasi parang iba pa ‘yung kinalalagyan ko noon. Nag-release ako ng “Room,” ng “Classic” — medyo iba ‘yung feel niya. Kasi ito, very demanding ‘yung song eh. Iba ‘yung hinihingi niyang emosyon. So, sabi ko, i-set aside muna natin para mag-focus muna ako sa kung ano ‘yung mga na-release ko.

This year… dahil nga crazy — ang daming nangyayari sa paligid ko — and I think very timely siya... I think it’s time for me to, like, do this. And I think I can give ‘yung emotion na hinihingi ng song.

What do you think listeners will discover about you once they hear “Crazy”?

Natutuwa nga po ako kasi after kong ma-release ‘yung song, nagbasa ako ng mga tingin ng tao, comments nila about the song. And sabi po nila, finally raw, nahanap ko na ‘yung sound ko. Parang happy sila na nag-release ako ng ganitong klaseng song, kasi for them, parang na-highlight ‘yung voice ko, ‘yung singing style.

Natuwa ako doon, kaya sana patuloy ninyong suportahan. And I promise you, pagka nagkaroon po ulit ng time for a solo, I’ll release ‘yung ganitong mga klaseng songs pa, so you can relate hindi lang sa story ng song, kundi pati sa mga current na pinagdadaanan natin. Kasi, I think love is a very universal feeling na talagang lahat can relate and understand.

Speaking of relating to your listeners, what takeaway, feeling, or vibe do you want them to walk away with after hearing your new song?

Don’t be afraid to fall in love. Kasi sa’tin ‘di ba, once na ma-feel natin ‘yung pain, aayawan agad natin. Pero hindi natin alam, doon sa pain na pinagdaanan natin, doon natin makikilala pa ‘yung sarili natin — kung paano natin haharapin ‘yung sakit at hirap na ‘yun.

And then, ‘yung pain din ‘yung nagtuturo sa’tin ng lessons, kung ano ‘yung dapat pa nating matutunan at malaman sa sarili natin. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung nagpapatibay sa’tin.

Sabi nga nila ‘di ba, kung handa kang magmahal, dapat handa ka ring masaktan. So, ‘wag kang matakot magmahal, kasi ‘pag nagmahal ka, for sure, mahahanap mo rin ‘yung taong magbabalik sa’yo ng pagmamahal na binibigay mo… At ‘pag dumating ‘yung time na ‘yun sa inyo, masasabi ninyo na talagang, “Wow, this is crazy, I finally found you.”

What’s your ultimate wish for your fans and yourself?

For everyone na nandito ngayon, my only wish for you is sana mahanap niyo na ‘yung totoong nagpapasaya sa puso niyo — hindi man ito tao, hindi man ito materyal na bagay. Pero sana, kung saan masaya ‘yung puso ninyo, sana lumagay na siya doon. At kung ako man ‘yun, ako na ang bahala sa inyo (laughs).

For myself, sana lumagay na rin sa masayang lugar — I mean, masaya naman ako, pero, ayun, hindi naman ako nagmamadali. Basta happy ako kung nasaan ako ngayon, kung nakikita ko ‘yung fans na masaya sa ginagawa ko, 100%, masaya rin ako.

Watch out for Stell’s Wishclusive performance on our YouTube channel. Stream Stell’s “Crazy” here.

Editor’s note: Minor edits were made to the original interview transcript to improve grammar, clarity, and flow.