TJ Monterde on Realizing Love and Why Songs Never Stop Growing

TJ Monterde is no stranger to big nights and big stages. At the 11th Wish Music Awards, held earlier in January, he was named Artist of the Year and became the inaugural KDR Icon of Breaking Boundaries. 

The “Breaking Boundaries” award is mainly attributed to his three-night sold-out solo concert in February last year. With that run, he became the first local male artist to sell out three consecutive concerts at the Araneta Coliseum, which is one of the country’s most iconic venues.

Now, he’s back on tour with “In Between,” which he co-bills with his wife and fellow musician, KZ Tandingan. And he’s doing all this while releasing new music, including the nostalgia-driven “teka lang.”

On July 15, TJ returned to the Wish Bus (KZ also made a surprise appearance) to talk about the stories behind “teka lang” and “Darating Din,” and why songs — and their meaning — never really stay the same.

Your three-day “Sarili Nating Mundo” solo run last year was a massive milestone, and Martin Nievera himself performed as your opening act on Day 3. What was that like?

He’s our dad, Sir Martin. I used to do front acts for him way, way back… 2014, 2015. And we're very close because he and KZ were on X-Factor. And during our wedding, our parents couldn’t fly to Manila, so he was the one who brought KZ to the altar. That's how close we are. 

And I'm just really surprised. I didn't know that that happened at that time. I was suddenly called outside, like, "Teej, there's someone performing." I just saw Martin Rivera. I just cried my heart out. The Concert King himself. There's so much humility for him to do that. He's the Concert King. Araneta is his home. Yet he agreed to do a front act for somebody like me, who's a newbie. I really can't say anything to Sir Martin. He's one of our idols in the industry.

You're clearly paying it forward. We heard that one holiday season, you gave each of your staff Php100,000?

Thank you to Direk John Prats and everybody. We did 40 shows last year, from February to October. We were together almost every weekend. So we told KZ, and KZ really encouraged me. 

Like, yes, we're tired, but imagine the tiredness of the crew. They're the first ones in the venue. They fix everything. Then, when we leave, they're still there. The band members, they're always the first ones to be there. Then, there’s the back-to-back flights. They deserve it all.

Now, you have a new material. Your new single “teka lang” has made waves, especially with its throwback-themed music video. What's the story behind it?

“teka lang” was written a few months back. I was just looking for a random song I could write. We had a bit of downtime after the tour. I said to myself, “I just want something.” Then, I just stared at my wife and asked, “How did we end up together?”

We’ve been together for 11 years. We were really good friends before [we became a couple]. I was KZ’s older brother — Kuya TJ. That’s what she called me. Then one day, I just liked her differently. I said, "Teka lang, what’s this?" It’s different. I think it’s different from before. That’s why I wrote this song. It’s like, "Hold up, what’s this?"

And yes, there’s a music video out on YouTube featuring Direk John and Heart Evangelista. To the ‘90s kids, you’re welcome. That's Direk’s gimmick.

Speaking of songs that take on a life of their own… “Darating Din” has meant so many things to so many people. How did it start?

It started as a love song, a song I wrote for a friend who was looking for the right person. In the middle of writing it, I had to adjust because he finally found someone. 

But I realized, after performing it, that it had become a new song. At that moment, looking at the stars in the sky, it became a song about my dreams, too. 

That’s how music is — it grows. The meaning is different as the years go by. It can be a dream job, it can be your honey boo… It will come. The parcel will come, too (the artist said in jest).

As a songwriter yourself, who are the writers you look up to most?

That’s hard. It’s a mix of many people. But top of mind: Gary Granada. He's a favorite. Kuya Roll [Martinez] of Hale. Sir Jim [Paredes] of Apo Hiking Society. Kuya Ebe [Dancel]. He's a great writer. From overseas, I have my three J’s: John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and Jason Mraz. Maybe James Morrison, another J. And Ed Sheeran. I like his music. 

What’s next for the In Between tour?

We kicked off in Bacolod last weekend, July 11. This weekend we're in Baguio, July 18, at the University of Baguio. Then, Cagayan de Oro, my hometown, on August 8. Cebu on September 5 at the newly opened SMC Side Arena. And our last stop here in the Philippines will be in Laguna on September 12. 

Then, we have the finale of “In Between” in the Middle East. October 9 in Qatar, and the last show will be in Dubai on October 11 at the Coca-Cola Arena.

Don’t miss TJ Monterde’s Wish Bus performance of “teka lang,” out soon on the Wish YouTube channel.