EXCLUSIVE: TJ Monterde supports girlfriend KZ Tandingan’s edgy fashion choices

Gary Ann  Lastrilla

Popular for his songs “Ikaw At Ako,” “Tulad Mo” and “Dating Tayo,” singer-songwriter TJ Monterde is set to release his third album titled Kahit Kunwar” under PolyEast Records. This will be available physically and via iTunes starting June 17, the same date of his debut concert Ikaw At Ako at the Music Museum.With all these opportunities, TJ shared with <a href='http://push2.abs-cbn.com/'>PUSH</a> how he feels content with everything he has.“Hindi lahat ng artists nabibigyan ng chance to produce a physical album. Hindi lahat ng songwriters nabibigyan ng chance na maproduce ‘yung mga songs nila so sobrang happy ako. Tuloy lang sa pagsusulat. Sana marami pa akong masulat na mga kanta,” he said.However, TJ admitted that sometimes, he feels the pressure to produce songs. “(Iniisip ko) ‘Nagawa ko na ‘tong ganitong theme, ano kayang magandang susunod?’ Pero ‘yun lang talaga ‘yung dream ko talaga, marami pa akong masulat na kanta.” From being an online sensation, TJ is gradually penetrating mainstream media. Does he plan to go all the way? “As long as I’ll be playing originals, ‘dun ako mas papabor. Kung saan ako makakatugtog ng originals pero if it’s going to be like regular, okay lang naman pero mas preferred ko ‘yung gano’n. Pasulpot-sulpot sa TV, pero originals ‘yung mga kanta.” Nonetheless, he said that he is very open to singing for a teleserye should the opportunity knock just like what his girlfriend KZ Tandingan did. “Of course, of course. Pangarap ko ‘yun. Pangarap ko rin ‘yung kanta ko gamitin na theme song ng teleserye o movie. Isa ‘yun sa bucket list ko.” And speaking of KZ, TJ dedicated his new album’s first single “Mahika” to her as the song is basically about how love makes things magical.This, however, is not the first time that TJ had a song for KZ. Earlier, the two collaborated for the song “Ikaw At Ako Pa Rin” which TJ said was their song for each other. “Na we don’t need to force things to make things better but we just need to prioritize.”They will also have an upcoming tour titled “TJxKZ the Concert” which will start in Mindanao by August. He hopes to bring the back-to-back concert in Manila as well.As for his debut concert on June 17, TJ is hoping that KZ will sing. “Pero gusto niya kasi manood lang talaga, eh. Sabi niya, ‘gusto ko i-enjoy ‘yung gabi na nanonood lang ako sa’yo. Gusto kong i-enjoy lang ‘yung music mo.’” Although the couple have been busy lately, the singer from Cagayan de Oro said that they are “so fine.”As KZ is known for her edgy styles, he said that she has his full support.“Genre pa lang magkaiba na kami. Genre niya, hiphop, soul, arty tapos mabigat, powerful. Sa’kin relax, acoustic love songs so iba-iba kami ng ano. Pero sa style niya naman, gusto niya talagang maiba. Gano’n talaga siya. Gusto niya iba ‘yung suot niya sa iba. ‘Yun ‘yung lagi niyang pinoportray. Ako naman, I’m super supportive of her,” he said, even sharing a story of how KZ would ask him about his opinion.“Kahit anong gusto niyang look, support ako sa kanya. Ang dami na niyang pinagdaanan na hairstyle na nawitness ko. May blue, may green, may puti, may blond, may mahaba, may short. Ito naman ngayon ‘yung box-braids. Ako support lang ako sa kanya. Kung saan siya masaya, ‘dun ako,” he said.The two dated for a year and have been a couple for two.

However, TJ admitted that sometimes, he feels the pressure to produce songs. “(Iniisip ko) ‘Nagawa ko na ‘tong ganitong theme, ano kayang magandang susunod?’ Pero ‘yun lang talaga ‘yung dream ko talaga, marami pa akong masulat na kanta.” From being an online sensation, TJ is gradually penetrating mainstream media. Does he plan to go all the way? “As long as I’ll be playing originals, ‘dun ako mas papabor. Kung saan ako makakatugtog ng originals pero if it’s going to be like regular, okay lang naman pero mas preferred ko ‘yung gano’n. Pasulpot-sulpot sa TV, pero originals ‘yung mga kanta.” Nonetheless, he said that he is very open to singing for a teleserye should the opportunity knock just like what his girlfriend KZ Tandingan did. “Of course, of course. Pangarap ko ‘yun. Pangarap ko rin ‘yung kanta ko gamitin na theme song ng teleserye o movie. Isa ‘yun sa bucket list ko.” And speaking of KZ, TJ dedicated his new album’s first single “Mahika” to her as the song is basically about how love makes things magical.This, however, is not the first time that TJ had a song for KZ. Earlier, the two collaborated for the song “Ikaw At Ako Pa Rin” which TJ said was their song for each other. “Na we don’t need to force things to make things better but we just need to prioritize.”They will also have an upcoming tour titled “TJxKZ the Concert” which will start in Mindanao by August. He hopes to bring the back-to-back concert in Manila as well.As for his debut concert on June 17, TJ is hoping that KZ will sing. “Pero gusto niya kasi manood lang talaga, eh. Sabi niya, ‘gusto ko i-enjoy ‘yung gabi na nanonood lang ako sa’yo. Gusto kong i-enjoy lang ‘yung music mo.’” Although the couple have been busy lately, the singer from Cagayan de Oro said that they are “so fine.”As KZ is known for her edgy styles, he said that she has his full support.“Genre pa lang magkaiba na kami. Genre niya, hiphop, soul, arty tapos mabigat, powerful. Sa’kin relax, acoustic love songs so iba-iba kami ng ano. Pero sa style niya naman, gusto niya talagang maiba. Gano’n talaga siya. Gusto niya iba ‘yung suot niya sa iba. ‘Yun ‘yung lagi niyang pinoportray. Ako naman, I’m super supportive of her,” he said, even sharing a story of how KZ would ask him about his opinion.“Kahit anong gusto niyang look, support ako sa kanya. Ang dami na niyang pinagdaanan na hairstyle na nawitness ko. May blue, may green, may puti, may blond, may mahaba, may short. Ito naman ngayon ‘yung box-braids. Ako support lang ako sa kanya. Kung saan siya masaya, ‘dun ako,” he said.The two dated for a year and have been a couple for two.

Popular for his songs “Ikaw At Ako,” “Tulad Mo” and “Dating Tayo,” singer-songwriter TJ Monterde is set to release his third album titled Kahit Kunwar” under PolyEast Records. This will be available physically and via iTunes starting June 17, the same date of his debut concert Ikaw At Ako at the Music Museum.With all these opportunities, TJ shared with <a href='http://push2.abs-cbn.com/'>PUSH</a> how he feels content with everything he has.“Hindi lahat ng artists nabibigyan ng chance to produce a physical album. Hindi lahat ng songwriters nabibigyan ng chance na maproduce ‘yung mga songs nila so sobrang happy ako. Tuloy lang sa pagsusulat. Sana marami pa akong masulat na mga kanta,” he said.

TJ Monterde on KZ Tandingan’s fashion: ‘Kung saan siya masaya, ‘dun ako.’

EXCLUSIVE: TJ Monterde supports girlfriend KZ Tandingan’s edgy fashion choices | PUSH.COM.PH