New Music Video Release: “Palao’an” by Sweet Tyme, Pete “Badu” Magofna, and Phenom

This is the third music video we shot in Guahan featuring Sweet Tyme (Jun Vascones), Pete “Badu” Magofna, and Phenom ( Josh Jones) with a song called “Palao’an” which means girl in the Chamorro language. A remake from the “Oh Girl” classic, Sweet Tyme renders his version with a break up and make up lyrics, Badu throws in a rap in the Chamorro language while Guahan artist Phenom spits out  his memorable hip hop style. Recorded by Nick Leon Guerrero of LG Pro and shot at the Paseo park, Santa Fe resort, Tumon, and Alupang Cove. Models include Jen Hernandez, Megan Blas, and Jasmine Winslow. Thanks also to Ben Magalahi Lizama for his contribution on the saxophone. This video was never released in Guahan but now uploaded to our You Tube channel. Produced and directed by AJ Baldevia for Media Masters production.

Marianas Musicians Association-Guahan/CNMI-(MMA)

We just started the Marianas Musicians Association on Facebook. A place where artists can post their band information, meet other musicians, search for band members, sell and buy equipment, announce performances, address issues affecting our industry, and share information that would benefit the needs of music artists. Join and take part in improving the Marianas music business. Guahan and the CNMI must unite to form a solid coalition of music professionals to better and protect the interest of the industry. “Like” us on Facebook and get added as a member. Post your interest, sell your old guitar, meet an awesome singer, get a new producer, talk about what makes a better recording, whatever turns your musical madness into gear. See you there! Click the link on the sidebar. Aj Baldevia, CNMI 2011 (MMA)

Guahan’s KenJoe Ada Concert July 31, 2011 Santa Fe Resort

Guahan singer/songwriter Kenjoe Ada will be performing this Sunday July 31, 2011 to help release his debut album called “7am in Heaven” . In the style of rock with an acoustic flavor, Kenjoe lets his songwriting skills come to life with songs that comes from inspired experiences. Somewhat a spiritual search with an edge. Be on the look out for more in the future as Kenjoe explores his true musical calling. I met Kenjoe on January, 2008 and I knew that he had the talent to make great songs. We recorded his first yet to be released song “Cartoon Love”, an acoustic tinged ballad with catchy hooks that tells  the story of a girl who still watches cartoons. Get ready world Kenjoe is here! Aj Baldevia, Saipan, CNMI 2011.

UPDATE! The event was a great success with over 3,000 people showing up. KenJoe gave out 1,000 CD’s as a promo for his first album. The skies were a bit wet early in the morning but the Sunday clouds opened up and let the sun in later in the afternoon. Congrats KJ for an awesome CD release party!

ManAntes-Music Video-Striving to protect the indigenous rights of the Chamorro people.

Rarely does a group focus on a subject that has a far-reaching impact and are not afraid to express what they believe in. ManAntes took their music to the next level by taking on an issue that affects the future of Guahan. Guahan history tells the story of struggle in the form of colonialism and the efforts of a people to preserve what is left for the benefit of their children. Led by John Torres, former Saipan’s Split Attitude guitarist ManAntes blends pop, rock and heavy metal to create “Kahulo Chamorro” which tranlate to “Rise Up Chamorros”. Encouraging the people to be not be afraid and stand up for what is right in preserving the Guahan culture.

LG PRO New Music Video-”Midnight Riders

This is a video we shot in Guahan in July of 2010 to help launch our music video program called iMV or Island Music Videos. Stars some of Guahan’s most talented artists. Beat recorded by Nick Leon Guerrero, vocals by Lil’ D, Frankie Free and John C. Shot at the Globe in Tumon, and Orchid Hotel.

HAFA ADAI! WELCOME TO MMV

A SITE ABOUT MUSIC AND VIDEOS IN PARADISE: CNMI-Saipan/Tinian/Rota

Hafa Adai and Tirow! These are music videos we created for our artists living in the Marianas and Micronesia. We’ve blended the cool tropical environment with the diverse musical influences of the people who work, live and play in our island paradise. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is comprised of three islands: Saipan being the largest then Tinian and Rota. We have the most beautiful white sandy beaches in the world, crystal clear waters, a divers paradise, and a diverse blend of different cultures from around the world. We welcome you to the Mariana Islands and the experience of its music. Enjoy them and share with us your input.

  Larson Silas-Palau        Jerry Alcantara- Philippines

These are compilation videos that MMV created between 2004-2006. Our first show aired on MCV Cable TV on May 8, 2004. Aside from some of our more established acts, most of these artists are fresh and new and  have never been exposed before nor performed in public. It was a challenge working with them and to watch them grow as artists and as people made this endeavor a worthwhile goal.

In Pursuit Of A Musical Dream by AJ Baldevia

Thanks for stopping by in our little space in blogworld. Marianas Music Videos was a concept I started about over ten years ago while living on the island of Guam. As a musician,  I felt there was never really an outlet where local artist could express themselves. Music videos came out in my time in the 80′s with MTV as the leader in this new technology in promoting music. I simply perpetuated that idea to create a venue for artists to partake on how music videos enhanced the way people enjoyed music. My background in broadcasting and as a musician just added to the fuel in making this endeavor become a reality. On August 22,  2002,  I left Guam and my real estate job to accept  a position in Saipan to run and operate a radio station. It was an opportunity to start my dream of pursuing my craft as full time musician and media producer. The real estate money was great but my passion for my art was eating away at my innermost feelings. I felt it was time to make a change or else the opportunity would not ever come again. After my contract ended with the radio station, I knew I wanted to start playing music again and learn more about video editing. I’ve spent time in Guam as a video producer writing for commercials and documentaries but not really as an editor. In those days video toasters and switchers were the main tools. But thank God for non-linear digital editing as it emerged slowly to what it is today. This allowed me to now harness the power that was before only limited to those who took the tedious time to learn the craft. Non-linear or computer based editing was now in full gear. I spent the majority of the time learning Adobe Premiere Pro as my main video editing software as well  as  Adobe Audition for all my audio recording and mixing.

          

  Adobe Premiere Pro                  Adobe Audition

 Both applications have proven to be very effecient and user-friendly. I would dedicate almost 10 hours a day in the beginning just to understand the protocols on how to use the software. It was not easy but a challenge which I took seriously. Though the complexity of the softwares did not deter me from solving and answering my questions but gave me the tenacity to understanding the nature of audio and video. Leaning on my experience as a broadcaster and musician,  gave me the native ability to instinctively solve the problems I encountered.

My business partner Frank Pangelinan at the time, as we were on the verge of launching MMV, got a call from a good friend of his by the name of Ed Camacho. Ed loved our idea and invested into our project. He and his wife Sheryl joined as partners and we created a new company called Marianas Multimedia Inc. We moved into a 1500 square foot office and loaded it with high tech audio and video equipment. I was ecsstatic! Now  I thought to myself; I could really run with this! We launched MMV with a video I produced with a local rock band called “Split Attitude”. It was a song they recorded earlier entitled “Pak Pak Paki”. Before all this began, I borrowed a small hand held camcorder from Irvin, the band’s lead singer, where only half of the viewscreen was visible. So you could tell this was not an easy way to start, but it was a start. I just needed a spark to ignite the fire.

The band and I attended the Tinian Fiesta in April 2004 and I shot the video despite the half viewscreen. I was able to capture a decent amount of footage which was good enough for a first edit.  I brought back the footage to Saipan and started working on it in my studio. In May, I finally had a finished product. I knew it was not up to par with what I was expecting but it became a foundation of reference for all the videos I would eventually produce for MMV. Marianas Mutimedia launched MMV on August 8, 2004 and was received overwhelmingly by the local community. Soon we had many artists wanting to get involved in making music videos. MMV became an outlet for them to get exposed and a chance to let others know what talents they had to share.  My dream had finally become a reality.

               SAIPAN SUNSET