What's up, good people of the internet? It's time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Alfa.
Who are you?
I'm Alfa.
What are you?
I'm a female human. I'm a musician and songwriter.
Where are you?
I'm in my corner desk in my 500-square-foot apartment in the NoHo Arts District, trying not to hunch over my laptop (posture!).
Where are you from?
I was born in Ozamiz City in Mindanao, the southern province in the Philippines that's currently under martial law. I spent the first 6 years of my life there, learning to love music and nature. I come from a family that's musical and religious - my grandfather's father was one of the pioneers of Mindanao and helped spread Protestantism there. At the age of 6, I moved to Manhattan, then to Queens, then spent most of my childhood in Bergen County, New Jersey.
What do you do?
I write, record, and perform songs. In fact, I have a new album called Spark & Fury releasing today! (Check it out! )
My songs are inspired by literally anything -- I've written songs about the number Pi, about a three-act romantic tragedy, about love (lots of songs about love), about the time I tripped and fell in front of about a hundred people. I also play a few instruments, some self-taught, and some with lots of professional instruction. I've been lucky enough to be able to travel in the US and the Philippines sharing these songs.
Other things I do: get addicted to TV shows on Netflix and Amazon, take hikes (my favorite is Victory Trailhead), travel (just checked Scandinavia off the list), and FaceTime with my 8-month old nephew who I'm convinced is the cutest kid on earth (no, really!).
What are you all about?
Authenticity. I moved to LA to pursue being a musical artist, and I learned that there are lots of ways that the rat race could strip your uniqueness away from you. I'm still learning how to stay authentic, and not to veil my true self.
Family. They're the ones who know you best, even the ones who are "family" (not actually related but may as well be).
Being healthy. I grew up in a culture that doesn't always have the most healthful cuisine... so this year I've decided to cook most of my meals at home and to eat vegetarian when not eating with friends. This is SO HARD. But every week that I stick to the plan is encouraging.
What makes you angry?
Negativity! Can't stand it. It's OK to feel down about stuff, but when it's reached the point of making a problem worse than it already is, it's useless.
Over-development. It's funny how we've modernized to the point of convenience, and have only created more inconveniences for ourselves -- more detachment from other humans, the destruction of nature, and more stress in societies. I could rant about this for a while.
