Quest
"I maximize what I currently have. Stay grateful in the now. But also aim to grow and succeed along the way."
- Quest
"Good Old Days", a warm, nostalgic track by the talented singer, songwriter, and rapper Quest is a song that reminisces to a happier time, before the mayhem of the current pandemic. Alongside this, it also brings a sense of hope and faith in things improving in the future. It allows us to remember the easier days but by using them to look forward, a song that can help those who find it feel a sense of optimism. "'Good Old Days is a song reminiscent of the time before the pandemic: how we used to play, work amidst the new normal. I want to share a message of hope to everyone", Quest shares.
Beginning as a lead vocalist and music ministry director at the Christian Church Victory in Manila, Quest left in 2007 to fully pursue his music career. By 2009, he was recording with Flip Music and soon collaborated with his friend and singer Sam Milby, who helped produce his debut album. Not soon after, Quest signed his record deal with Warner Music Philippines and has since then gone on to developing his signature style music, going on to receive recognition for his uplifting sound, which is one of the many reasons his song "Sige Lang'" was chosen to represent the basketball team Gilas Pilipinas in 2012.
Quest collaborated with accomplished Canadian-Filipino producers Kuya and TEE, who have worked with Christina Aguilera, Little Mix, and Akon, amongst others. Thanks to the GLOPM movement started by Alex Lim of the Warner Philippines team, which allowed the song to be brought to light. "I had the chorus playing in my head for quite a while even before meeting KUYA Productions but I just couldn't find the right pieces to build it", Quest explains. "Then Alex Lim came up with the GLOPM initiative and I was fortunate enough to be connected or be the artist chosen for them. When they sent me the perfect beat for it, the moment I heard the beat, I knew that that was the missing element to finishing the song. Building it became so effortless since the brilliance of Sammy Gerongco and Andrew Briol brought new life to it. We actually finished it in less than three Zoom production sessions (three hours combined if I’m not mistaken)." "Good Old Days" now features as the third song on the #GLOPM roster by Warner Music Philippines.
Quest's iconic hopeful and encouraging sound is incredibly evident in this song, and one big reason as to why is because of the wisdom he's found in himself, which now continues to translate through his music. "I truly believe life will only get better and it's always up to us and how we respond to our every day. Life will always be filled with good and bad moments, people and opportunities. I guess I have learned to magnify the good and learn from the bad," he elaborates. With over 180,000 monthly Spotify listeners and over 24 million streams on one of his most popular tracks "Walang Hanggan", it is clear that audiences can hear his wise words through his heartfelt tunes and want to listen to what Quest has to say.
With the Philippine public (as well as the rest of the world) making its way to almost two years living alongside a pandemic, it's songs like this that give people at home a glimmer of optimism in a time where it's difficult to. Thanks to artists like Quest, individuals can reminisce without pessimism and use that to fuel their hopes for the future. Songs like "Good Old Days" remind us about the power of music.
"We was down and out, but we never defeated, See another day, we still breathing. Find another way, we keep building."
Especially for those who have been separated or limited from seeing their friends and family because of lockdown restrictions, songs like "Good Old Days" help to give the comfort and words of wisdom that many may be in search of. It is evident that Quest's experience in the musical community over the years has truly molded his sound and there's much to look forward to as he continues to help people through his music as a beacon of modern soulful and moving R&B music in today's generation.
"Good Old Days" is now available for streaming on all major platforms.
About The Author
For Stephanie, her passion for writing has always been there, whether it was writing poetry, songs, essays or articles. Over the years, her involvement as a Singer-Songwriter in the Philippine music community combined with her passion for a wide variety of music makes her a great ear for hearing which arising artists stand out. She is currently making music with the pop electronic band SYLAS.
