Joshua Emerson Manzanares, better known as “joem,” is ready to take his space as one of the most promising and hottest acts to watch out for.
First discovered through Globe’s Gen Z passion portal, the Globe Virtual Hangouts GoJAM On Stage Talent Search, joem, then only 16, achieved a brave feat after beating older and more experienced finalists at the competition. After earning nods from multi award-winning producer Brian Lotho and entertainment executive Ian Monsod, the Davao native was awarded a recording contract with KROMA Entertainment, Inc.
joem just released his first track, “Gustong Gusto Kita,'' which is sure to set your mood with its chill and sexy guitar riffs plus kilig-infused melodies. Don’t tell us we didn’t warn you of his soothing, lift-your-feet-off-the-ground chorus which would convince you: “Napakaganda mo” (You’re so beautiful). You’ll know it when you hear it: https://vhgojam.lnk.to/season1.
He is also excited to share that the “Gustong Gusto Kita” official music video was recently released last September 8 on his official YouTube channel. You would see a different dimension to the track as it shows feelings of love, wishful thinking and frustration - for a girl joem knows he can’t have. The music video is simple but visually appealing that not only highlights him as a singer but also as a proficient guitarist too. Catch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqwFQbG52JA
Who is joem?
Davao’s Joshua Manzanares - big winner of the February 2022 Globe Virtual Hangouts’s GoJAM On Stage Talent search - started making music when he was only 13 years old. He’s a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist: he started playing the piano, his first instrument, at age 9 then later on started learning to play the guitar, drums and bass on his own.
He eventually started producing his own songs which are mostly close to lofi, chill beats, then discovered his interest in indie music and R&B, to which he eventually shifted.
Artists like keshi, boy pablo, Arthur Nery, Adie, Zack Tabudlo, and beabadoobee made an impact on his songwriting. His music is mainly focused on indie, acoustic and R&B, but these artists inspired him to discover his own signature sound: ambient guitar leads and chords, harmonies from other instruments or synths, and of course his signature vocals. He continues to experiment on new sounds to keep his music evolving.
In February this year, joem joined Globe Virtual Hangouts’ GoJAM On Stage Talent Search and made it to the Top 10 and had the opportunity to be mentored by the industry’s top professionals. He along with the other 9 finalists attended a 6-session online workshop curated for young and aspiring singer-songwriters.
On April 23, at the search’s finale, his single “Gustong Gusto Kita” won him a music video production and record deal.
Follow joem on his account
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/j03mlofi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/j03mxoxo
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j03m_
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mEB6qSqzCN2H2yP8zd78T
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/j03m/1565601977