Armi Millare is rising above, growing up, and can never be boxed

Armi Millare is among the first names to come to mind when we talk about women in OPM, and for good reasons.

There's that no-nonsense yet humble atmosphere about her, with a focus solely on the music and art alone, as well as that distinct voice, raw emotions, and intricate storytelling.

All throughout her time as a UDD vocalist turned solo artist, Armi presents a distinct confidence that took years of self-discovery and sheer artistic prowess in the making.

This is because her true superpower is a woman's refusal to be put in a box, as well as the strength to keep on growing.

Beginnings

Starting out as a woman in the scene, the artist was not immune to judgments and other unnecessary comments from industry peers, and admitted that she "really felt bad about it" during her early days.

"I sulked and self-examined too often," Armi told GMA News Online.

"Everything has its pros and cons. The cons came from people who couldn't work past their own stereotypes. The pros came from those who understood both the simplicity and the complexity of being a woman," she said.

Armi also saw how some would want women in music to look or do things a certain way, when there shouldn't be "a specific type of woman who would be qualified to do music."

"As I got older, I began to understand that I literally have nothing to do with other people's judgments towards me," she said.

"I have my own set of things to work on—having a more meaningful relationship with who I am now and the people around me, which requires a kind of devotion."

And if there's another thing she learned, it would be "the skill of stating our boundaries with clarity" which she calls "heavy lifting." She also said it's important to have a healthy support system when going through hard times.

Life after UDD

As the former vocalist and keyboardist of UDD (formerly Up Dharma Down), Armi is the soulful voice behind some classic OPM hits like "Oo," "Tadhana," and "Unti-Unti" which all made waves because of their memorable melodies and honest lyrics.

Armi left the band in 2021, which shocked fans.

Looking back at her time fronting the group, Armi said, "What felt really important to me at the time was the music and nothing much else. It was that basic for me, I just wanted for us to get along."

Before leaving, Armi was positive she would get judged after seeing it happen with her peers. However, she got a different response.

"To my surprise, people understood where I was coming from without me having to exhaust the reasons why I left."

"I just think that we should always seek what's true and what's right. Always ask the questions we mean to ask. Seek counsel from those who have had experience in the same things," she said.

Armi called life after UDD "an uphill climb," but that that change was needed.

"I wanted the life I had in that setup since I was really young," she said. "I've been such a dreamer my whole life, I forgot the reality that we all change and that more than half of who we are will need to evolve or our spirit dies."

"Quite some inner work to maintain being okay with one's evolution without hang-ups. It doesn't come without challenges and that's okay, because it makes us sharper," she added. "Anything we can overcome if we keep moving."

Growing up

There is non-stop growth and a willingness to learn for Armi. Now a solo artist, she has the time and freedom to try out new things.

She dropped the single "Roots" in 2023, which views relationships through the themes of magic and spirituality. In "Whatever," released in February, Armi showcased her vocal skills and signature songwriting with a beat reminiscent of an '80s love song.

She has been performing at gigs across the Philippines and is set to release her debut solo album "South Node" this year.

"My priority is to learn more about what I do on a level that I couldn't engage with before, so I can improve and do more," Armi said. "Time is the most valuable thing we gain having control over our own lives."

"I think the key is to just try in whatever capacity that is and so far, we are on schedule with the trying part. I see no cons that feel like a permanent loss. It all works out with time," she added.

Armi said that one of the most significant lessons she learned in the past year is that it is absolutely OK to start again at her own time and pace, which is evident in this new chapter.

"I've always believed that our timelines are original to us and the choices we make, like shifting careers or going back to school. We just have to want it, do the work, and it will work out in some way," she said.

"I find it funny that we have to rationalize our own growth when it's the most natural thing for us humans. Our bodies have the answer and will make us feel like it needs some change from where we dwell to who we surround ourselves with. We shouldn't vilify anyone who wants to seek what's true for them," Armi said.

With this growth, or should we say, rising from the "Roots," Armi's work as a solo artist has been coming to life in the ways they're meant to.

"It's always great to see these plans hatching and I've since enjoyed the twists I had nothing to do with even more," she said.

"I always land on my feet, even when the rug gets pulled underneath me. I'll always find something to be grateful for."

To be understood

Whether she's behind the keyboard, holding a microphone, or through her writing, Armi's soul in her art is what keeps her and OPM fans going.

As one of the artists that people look up to, Armi can't help but look at this in awe.

"What a privilege it is to be understood—not for being exemplary, but to be seen plainly in the space of four minutes in the songs I write," she said.

"We all seek to be understood even if we don't call attention to this need, so I'm grateful for those moments and I'm grateful to be given the chance to experience having other women to look up to, for me to follow their lead," she said.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News