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MYXed Reactions with Waleska & Efra, Trampolines for International Filipino Artists

Posted By: Danielle Domingo
Post Date: March 11, 2021

MYXed Reactions, the newest MYX show premiered this week featuring Youtuber siblings Waleska and Efra Herrera. The Herrera siblings have a channel where they react to songs, music videos, and artists. Requests comes from viewers and fans of their channel then Waleska and Efra give their honest opinion on the track. Musicians themselves, they analyze music the way A&Rs do by looking at the production, lyrics, and the art as a collective. Their mission is to share new music and help become a trampoline for artists. However, we can't miss the fact that they also produce and release their own music too.

In their sit down with Ros for MYXed Reactions, they talk lots of music, identity and moving to another country, similarities between the Spanish and Filipino cultures, and their favorite Filipino artists.

Their bond as siblings is what drives their current projects such as their Youtube channel and "Featured Friday" podcast

Waleska and Efra are the definition of sibling goals. After pursuing separate goals when moving to Europe, Waleska furthered her studies in singing. She went to Italy for six months and graduated in Performing Arts and theatre at Margaret Howard theatre college in London. Efra pursued a tennis career and venture in modeling. However two years ago, they decided to come back together and reunited on Youtube. They missed the creative aspect they experienced in their early years.

 "Something felt like it was dying in us. Not being exposed to that (creative) side for a long time, we felt dormant or our creativeness was asleep."

Efra Herrera on working with His Sister Weleska

Youtube brought them back together after going their separate ways since moving from Venezuela. Their "Latinos React" videos gather thousands of views but it's the connection between the siblings is what really drives their content. Efra says, "Working with his sister is a privilege but to share it with his sister is better." Their responses to new music and artists are organic and not filtered. Efra explains that being online these days, we don't know what genuine or true. However, the insight they provide in their videos tells you they know what they're talking about.

Moving to London, the Herrera's sacrificed their careers in Venezuela but it was the right time seek other opportunities and discover the world

With a rising career in Venezuela, the Herrera siblings left it behind to go to London. Moving at 11 years old, Waleska looked to pursue music outside of Venezuela as she felt limited. Starting to explore the world, Efra was an outsider looking into Waleska's experiences abroad. He felt a "whole world was out there of dreams that could be achieved." It was their time to rebuild from the ground up and find out who they were as people. They turned to focusing on arts primarily.

They're like the modern day Quintanilla Family as Waleska and Efra's careers are a family affair. In addition to their videos and podcast, they're releasing music too. When you combine Waleska's vocals and Efra's rapping skills, you got a dope track. MYX Global got a glimpse of Papa Herrera who helps in production when he popped in the interview for a quick hello. Waleska mentions that this is the first time their father has been shown in front of the camera. Sky's the limit for the Herrera's especially Waleska and Efra as what started as a project to get creative again has evolved to 3.59k subscribers while sharing and doing music they like.

"...the business of music for us was a family business."

Waleska Herrera on the family uprooting
from Venezuela to London

The goal is to become a global citizen through music and find their identities through cultural experiences

Traveling expands your horizons and opens up perspective. Waleska shared that visiting Italy was a game changer for her. There's so much out there than what we know. The podcast "Featured Friday" is aimed to find what else is out there. Waleska and Efra explore music of all genres from French music to Brazilian music, Spanish and Tagalog music. Stepping out of one's comfort zone to find new things will help find one's self as a person. They encourage others to find highlights from experiences and take it to shape one's perspective of the world. The key thing to remember is to maintain your core as a person as you evolve and have different experiences.

Although they live in London now, they keep their Latin identity alive by valuing the culture's traditions and language

A big topic that was discussed is how similar the Latin and Filipino cultures are. They talk about how South America and the Philippines both heavily value family and have accommodating people. Waleska says, "I think the Philippines is very similar in the way a stranger is no longer a stranger but your friend...and able to bring such warmness and positivity."

"What do you want to maintain? What do you want to keep? What do you want to represent?

Herrera Siblings on being a global citizen

Another aspect they share is the language. When the Philippines was colonized by the Spanish, the Tagalog language took elements from the Spanish language. Efra jokes that Spanish isn't yet activated in Filipinos, it just needs to be discovered. However, it's similar for Latinos in which Tagalog is there, they just don't know it yet. But he does agree that learning Tagalog is a difficult task. From there, certain traditions are modified and passed through generations.

With the Herrera siblings being global citizens, they're proud to represent their Latin and Venezuela cultures even though they're now based in London. Waleska tells us that sometimes their mother will have the family only speak Spanish at home because they've been speaking too much English. She shares that this is what helps keep their Latin identity thriving within them. Also, she says a conversation needs to be had with one's self on which aspects of one's culture would carry on and what things from the new world can help further character.

"Your roots are the foundation of your building so you got to keep them alive."

Efra Herrera

It's time to manifest Original Filipino Music to a global scale along with supporting independent artists

We've said before that original Filipino music doesn't get the recognition it deserves. They joke that Filipinos can make the karaoke machine sound good. With music in Filipinos' blood and millions living around the world, OFM is what connects everyone together. Waleska and Efra admire the artistry from Inigo Pascual, Ez Mill, Bugoy, Moira Dela Torre, and James Reid. Waleska mentions that right now one of the artists she liked to react to is James Reid. "He blew my freaking mind off with his soda performance, it was so so smooth." We totally understand, Waleska! They along with us want to see more Filipino artists breaking the music scene internationally.

Although they may be introducing us to artists, they aim also to hopefully collab with artists they react to. This was done in Waleska's rendition of Moira Dela Torre's song Paubaya. Waleska didn't sleep when she found out Moira had commented on her Instagram and showed support on the cover. They want to be that trampoline for artists who aren't yet known or not shared globally and help introduce them to a wider audience. These days, going independent is doable as Efra looks at the state of the music business. An artist doesn't always need a record label or producer, there's tools in which artists are becoming a one stop shop.

"We're both such big believers of today's music industry is for being independent... you know that regardless of whether you're signed that your time can come."

We loved having Waleska and Efra on MYXed Reactions and hope to see them at the next Filipino Festival in London! With how much they respect the Filipino culture, they have to be given the honorary Filipino titles. So many gems were dropped in the chat that will have MYXers quoting Waleska and Efra. There's so much more in the interview that MYXers will just have to check out!

More about Waleska and Efra Herrera
Waleska (25) and Efra (22) Herrera started singing and performing at the age of 5 and 3 years old in the folkloric band called “La Parrandita gaitera” and recorded three albums to tour around Venezuela four times. Waleska provided the vocals and Efra on percussions then later joined the front line with his rapping abilities. They went on to take on national TV hosting shows and channels such as “Televen” “DAT TV” “Venevision” & “NCTV”. Back together, they host the weekly podcast called, “Feature Friday” and “Feature Friday Plus” on YouTube, Spotify, Apple podcast and iHeart radio. Their podcast and Youtube channel helps viewers discover new music while also chatting with the artists and creators globally.

Waleska Herrera

Waleska graduated in Performing Arts and theatre at Margaret Howard theatre college in London. She was a part of several off West End musicals like “Cats the musical” where I played the lead role of Grizabella. “Beauty and the Beast," “Into the woods,”  “The Wiz,” and more. 

Efra later moved to London with his family where he decided to formally pursue a career in tennis and becoming a model and influencer, working with the likes of “HEAD” “DUNLOP”  “NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE” & “PHILLIPS UK”. 

All Photos Courtesy of Waleska Harrera

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