Art imitates life for Spotify Radar artists Hey June! and Kenaniah
The future of Filipino music often finds its first steps in the realm of indie. Free to tinker outside industry norms, these artists inevitably create something more exciting, earning listeners who may be smaller in numbers but strongly loyal nonetheless.
It’s easy to see why indie dominates this year’s class of Radar Philippines, Spotify’s annual program spotlighting emerging homegrown talent. Young STAR chats with two of the indie acts: pop rock three-piece Hey June! and singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kenaniah.
What “indie” is, of course, transforms with the artists who most feel at home with the term. For the two, it means creating art significantly shaped by their identities. Hey June! are inspired by the sounds of growing up in the Philippines, from the “dad music” constantly playing in their households to the songs they hear in jeepneys’ bass-boosted sound systems. The resulting sound is timeless yet instantly relatable. As I told the band, it’s as if their music has always existed in the world.
Kenaniah, meanwhile, takes pride in being involved in every step of the creative process. He released his first single, Selena—which he wrote, composed, arranged and produced—at 16 years old. Five years and a debut album later, this creative independence remains a mark of his work.
Get to know the two artists below, and return next week for our conversations with two more Spotify Radar artists: New Lore and fitterkarma.
The future nostalgia of Hey June!
Members: Jim Mase (guitars, vocals), Coey Ballesteros (bass, backup vocals), and Aci Fodra (drums)
Song you may know: The sleeper hit Lasik that took over TikTok last year (“Sh*t, nasa’n aking salamin?”)
Song we recommend: Their latest single, Pagmamahal
Young STAR: What does being part of this year’s Spotify Radar mean to you?
Coey Ballesteros: It's part of our dreams and the growth we're aiming for. It would help us reach more people through our music. (Listeners) can also get to know us, not only as artists, but as individuals: our personalities and what makes us, us.
Jim Mase: Dati, nakikinig lang ako sa Spotify. Ngayon, I'm part of Spotify.
What “indie” means as a genre has shifted many times over the years. How do you personally define it, and what makes you feel at home with that specific label?
JIM: I think “indie” can be described as alien to the normals. We like to be very experimental with our music and (we) try not to box ourselves into one perspective.
Aci Fodra: Ngayon nacoconsider na siya as a genre, kasi may distinct na tunog din ‘yung mga indie artist.
Coey: Grateful kami na (we’re) not indie in terms of the structure, but in terms of sound and familiarity. I also think indie (is) a community, a home. There's this sense of belongingness and relatability that comes with it. (It’s also making) songs for the self. You don't need others to enjoy it: (you can be) indie as a listener, as an individual.
ALL: Indie-vidual! (laughs)
What are the personal histories or musical influences that shape your sound right now?
Coey: The sounds of growing up and the household. Listening to Sunday's Best, FX o jeep music on your daily commute, mga tunes na you can attribute to something. There are certain memories na laging nauunlock sa music. And then influences of ’80s bands growing up, (and) classic OPM.
Jim: I grew up with a lot of “dad music,” (like) the Beatles. I also like a lot of Britpop bands, and mga (artist na may) indie sound noong 2017: Boy Pablo, Mac DeMarco. Mga pang-performative. (laughs)
ACI: ‘Yung dad ko rin (‘yung nag-influence sa’kin), since before kami matulog, ang lakas niya talaga magpatugtog, especially mga rock or metal songs. Lumawak din ‘yung experience ko sa genres (kasi) na-influence ako ni Jim and Coey. ‘Yan ‘yung nag-shape sa’min as Hey June!
Do you ever have a tough time balancing your creativity and keeping commercial success or public reception in mind?
Jim: Ngayon, lalo’t meron na kaming nabuild na community—Junakis—wala namang pressure kasi accept nila kami. Parang, ‘Trip mo kami, edi sige, dito kami mas maglelean towards.’ We're very happy kung nasaan kami ngayon in terms of community and creativity.
Coey: Perfect example would be Lasik. ‘Di namin expect na after 2-3 years, bigla siyang magboboom. Inenjoy lang namin ‘yung process; lahat ng opportunity, (kinuha) namin. Nag-marinate lang (‘yung kanta) sa mga tao, which is what shows our capability. Through our (public) appearances, mga efforts namin, doon kami nagka-traction, pero maganda ‘yung material (in the first place).
What would success look like to you at this point in time?
Jim: Kapag nakikita namin ‘yung fans namin na masaya, sobrang halaga no’n. Tapos merong mga naniniwala sa’min.
Coey: Meron kaming team na collaborative sa’min, and (they) care about us. Happiness din eh. Kapag happy ka sa ginagawa mo, successful ka.
Kenaniah, the all-rounder
Song you may know: Bahala Na from his debut album “Kenaniah,” where he wrote, composed and produced all 10 tracks
Song we recommend: His 2024 single prinsesa
This is your second time as part of Spotify Radar, after being in the 2023 class. What does it mean to you, this time around?
Kenaniah: I'd say I'm more confident this time, kasi no’ng time na ‘yon, kakastart ko lang din. Sobrang overwhelmed ako. Feeling ko ngayon I’m more molded and ready.
How do you personally define “indie,” and what is it about that label that makes you think, ‘Okay, this is where I belong’?
From the word itself: “independent.” (It means) pagiging part ng process ng pag-create ng art. Kaya perfect word siya for me kasi from the demo to the cover art, ako ‘yung gumagawa. Hanggang sa pag-release ng song pati sa (social media) content, part ako ng process.
What first opened the door for you and made you realize, “Okay, maybe music is something I can do for real”?
Noong una hindi ko siya naisip, kasi ginawa ko lang talaga siya out of boredom. Feeling ko nag-start ‘yung thought na ‘yon (after my) first single, Selena, (which I released when) I was 16. Doon ko unang nareceive ‘yung royalties ko, at parang ‘Woah.’ Bilang student (at the time), tuwang-tuwa ako makareceive ng payment for my music.
Now that you’re 21 and a few years into the industry, what are some lessons you learned and have carried with you?
Maging authentic sa sarili and focus sa kung ano talagang gusto mo. Madali kasing ma-inspire sa kung anong makita mo sa paligid, to the point na maliligaw ka (at hindi mo na alam) kung sino ka nga ba. ‘Yun ‘yung isang struggle na tinatry kong i-work as an artist recently.
Do you ever have a tough time balancing your creativity and keeping commercial success or public reception in mind?
Oo naman. Recently, kausap ko ‘yung management ko about it and mahirap talaga kasi as an artist, nag-eexpress ka ng sarili mo, ng gusto mong sabihin, pero hindi lahat, kapareho ng taste mo. For me, mahalagang magawa mo ‘yung gusto mo at ‘wag ka ring mag-compromise para lang sa sasabihin ng iba. Merong magandang gitna; ‘yun ‘yung goal.
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Head to the Radar Philippines playlist on Spotify to listen to the 2026 class. Follow the artists at @heyjunemusic and @imkenaniah.
