Garrett Bolden pours his love for his deceased dad in new single "Our Love"
Garrett Bolden arrives in a bittersweet moment after composing an original song inspired by his love for his father who passed away. Read his story here.
The Clash finalist and GMA Music artist Garrett Bolden realized his knack for writing music during the quarantine. Moreover, he rediscovered the love he has for his then estranged father when he successfully penned his newest single, “Our Love.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Garrett began doubting where he was headed in his career.
He admitted in the virtual media conference for his new single, “I was quarantined alone po. Kumbaga hindi ako nakauwi sa family ko. So at that moment siguro I decided to you know parang, ‘What else can I do?’ Kasi feeling ko parang siyempre dahil walang work, wala kaming regular tapings like before, so I felt na parang stagnant ‘yung career ko, stagnant ‘yung like activities or any projects na gagawin ko. So ‘yun ‘yung time na I thought of being creative and I said, ‘What can I do?’ So I said I’ll write a song.”
To his surprise, he was able to finish a whole song, make a demo, and submit it to GMA Music as a new release this New Year. In the process, he was able to reconnect with his memories and relationship with his deceased dad.
He continued, saying, “That time when I was writing, halo-halo ‘yung emotions pero more on ‘yung na-sad ako kasi siyempre, ‘yun nga, during a pandemic and then nag-flashback lahat ng mga past experiences ko ‘tsaka sa mga kakilala ko, mga stories nila na alam ko. Pero nangingibabaw talaga ‘yung feeling ko na I was longing for my dad.”
Garrett grew up in the family of his mom and her new partner. He only met his real father at 18, when he joined a talent show that was broadcast in the US.
He said, “Siyempre nandoon ‘yung longing na makilala mo ‘yung totoo mong tatay, lalo na siyempre growing up po, usually sa environments kung saan ako lumaki, parang ako lang ‘yung ganitong kulay, ganito ‘yung itsura. So nandodoon ‘yung longing ko pong makahanap ng tatay.
“’Yung [contest] po ‘yung naging way kung saan napanood po yata nila ako sa US, napanood po nila sa isang channel doon, ‘yung kapitbahay na Pilipino doon. Then doon na po nag-start ‘yun at na-meet ko po ‘yung daddy ko. Siyempre dahil nasa US po siya, I was only able to go there a couple of times to spend time with him dahil mas based po ako dito sa Pilipinas. Dito po ako nag-aral, lumaki.”
Since, the Kapuso singer has been trying to build a deeper relationship with his dad but he had a very hectic schedule due to his recent stint in the Kapuso reality talent competition.
Garrett recalled, “Noong kasagsagan po ng The Clash, pagkatapos po ng The Clash, ayan po may projects kami. Nasa US po siya and ‘yun po, pumanaw po siya noong time na ‘yun and hindi po ako makapunta sa US. And then nung time naman na ready na at pupunta na ako sa US, doon naman nag-start ‘yung pandemic. Bibisitahin ko po sana kahit po ‘yung sa cemetery na lang po.
“Before the pandemic, I was supposed to go to see him kasi he just passed away at that time. Siguro napuno ako ng lungkot and regret na when he passed, I wasn’t there. And then even though nawala na siya, hindi pa rin ako makapunta to see him.”
Amidst the regrets and the loss, Garret found his biggest lesson in love and he translated this in his song, “Our Love.”
He said, “Siguro one thing na above all nitong lahat is never take anything for granted. Kasi sometimes we tend to take advantage of ‘Eh kasi there’s time naman. May time pang ganito, ganyan.' But you’ll never know when that will end. So that’s my biggest regret. I could’ve given more time to a lot of things and important people sa buhay ko pero I did not do it.”
“Our Love” will be available for download and streaming on digital platforms worldwide starting January 11.
