Monique Macasaet part 2
This is the second of a three-part interview with Monique Macasaet.
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters
What are your brothers' names? Are they both older?
Marquee and Miko, older and younger respectively.
Marque, Monique, Malyee, Mikka, and Miko? Why are each of you named what you are? And what's with the M-names?
I have no idea why we were named those names, but I know my mom wanted us all to be M's. I have no idea what the significance is though.
From what I can see, watching your YouTube videos, you seem to have a good relationship with your sisters. Did they start singing because you did?
No, Maylee (the older one), has always been singing really, since she could talk. Mikka started singing just recently, probably because we both did.
Do your parents sing?
My mom sings.
What grades are Maylee and Mikka in?
Maylee will be entering high school in the fall and Mikka will be in 7th grade.
Maylee did a killer job on Magic, New Soul, and particularly on T-shirt. What are her strengths musically and as a person? Does she plan to do a solo performance on a YouTube vid?
Vocally, she's good at higher, stronger songs. In school, she plays the flute.
As a person she's very thoughtful. I've been encouraging her to go solo on YouTube, but she's a bit shy for now.
(Click the play button to hear examples of Maylee's singing. These are from duets with Monique.)
(From Do You Believe in Magic)
(From New Soul)
(And my favorite, listen to her brilliant rhythmic and melodic work on Your T-Shirt.)
Mikka, I see, can play bass. How serious is she about it?
Mikka is not very serious about the bass right now. For "5 Minutes to Midnight" she actually just learned that bass line that day! In school Mikka plays the trombone.
(Listen to a little of Mikka's "just learned that day" bass work.)
Why did you decide to enter the Bushman contest?
Well we just figured, what the hey we have nothing to lose so we recorded and sent in our submission the last day of the contest and luck was on our side =)
How did you choose what to sing for the contest?
We were extremely pressed for time so we just decided to do something simple that we've already done as a trio and Mmmbop was the only thing that fit really. haha.
Did you have any idea you might win?
We were actually just shooting for an honorable mention because there were soo many AMAZING entries, we didn't think we had a chance at all!
How did you find out you won and what was the reaction of your family?
We found out online on January 5th I believe, and I called my sisters right away and we all SCREAMED on the phone!
(Couldn't help but throw this in. Listen to the girls scream.)
(Their winning MMMbop video appears below, after the interview, as does Monique and Maylee singing T-Shirt.)
What has happened to you as the result of winning?
As a result, we've all received Bushman ukes with our prize money and an all expense paid trip to the Luau this past June. Also, my sisters and I are being sent there [Nashville, Indiana] in August to perform.
This luau, you went alone, but for August your sisters are going?
Yes, that is correct.
Let's talk about the Luau. What instruments did you take?
The only instrument I was able to take with me was my ovation uke.
What songs did you perform for your two sets?
I played the same songs for both sets: Help Pour out the Rain - Buddy Jewel, Together - Kina Grannis, Bubbly - Colbie Cailla, New Soul - Yael Naim, Drop Baby Drop/Honey Baby - Hawaiian medley, Secret Lullaby (Original), Viva La Vida - Coldplay, and Lucky - Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
How big were the audiences?
The audiences were big enough for a small open mic, I'm not sure the number though. It was a cozy event in a restaurant.
How friendly were they -- okay or polite or loose and supportive or what?
The audience was extremely friendly, VERY polite and supportive!
Who were you most excited to meet at the Luau and why?
I was most excited to meet Dustin (Tsud123) from YouTube! We talk online sometimes, but that was the first time we've been able to hang out.
What's the best thing that happened?
The best thing that happened was probably the night before we left for the airport, the four of us bonded at the cabin over food and card games and it was super fun!
You said, "the four of us bonded." Who were the four?
Me, Dustin, Wade, and Wade's friend Mike.
Wade as in Wade Johnston? I like that guy.
Yes. He's really nice!
I'm glad to hear that, because I enjoy his music.
What's the worst thing that happened?
The worst was probably the first night I arrived there, none of the other performers had arrived yet so I was forced to stay in the cabin alone and it was SOOO SCARY. I'm not used to so much nature around me haha.
Did you learn anything there about the uke or about performing in general?
I learned a lot! Jason Arimoto taught a blues workshop and it was very beneficial. I also learned to have more stamina when performing because we had to play 30 minute sets and I'm not used to performing that long.
Did people jam until late into the night? How late?
We jammed till maybe 1 or 2 in the morning.
Is there something else you want to say about the Luau that I don't know to ask?
Hmmm . . . I saw lots of different kinds of ukes that I've never seen before -- like "Uke stix" and banjo ukes.
In the third part of the interview, Monique talks about the heart surgery that almost cost her her voice, about her musical aspirations, and about her Filipino heritage. Go to Part 3.
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