Lola Amour and Japanese Artist Kokoro Spotlight Growing International Music Collaborations

Filipino pop rock group Lola Amour recently hosted Japanese artist Kokoro from PSYCHIC FEVER as a special guest during their "Love on Loop" concert held on September 12 in Makati. The performance featured their collaborative track "The Moment," alongside Lola Amour’s popular hit "Raining in Manila."

The concert marked the celebration of Lola Amour's second album, "Love on Loop," released in August, which also includes a collaboration with New Zealand musician Riiki Reid on the song "One Day Away."

Speaking at a press event prior to the concert, Kokoro (Kohatsu Kokoro) expressed his appreciation for working with the Filipino band. "What I learned from Lola Amour are the strong vibes of their music and the maturity of their sound," he said through a live interpreter. He humorously described how he prepared for the project, sharing, "Before recording, to get the mature vibe of their sound, I experimented with my cup of coffee and pretended it was wine in my hand."

Lola Amour's lead vocalist, Pio Dumayas, highlighted the seamless nature of their collaboration, crediting the Warner Music team for facilitating the partnership. "I was intimidated at first, but now Kokoro is good friends with all of us," Dumayas noted.

Despite the remote nature of their recording sessions across Japan and the Philippines, the band joked that their teamwork kept up their "serious band" reputation—though this facade melted away once Kokoro joined them in person.

Kokoro further praised the warm and inviting atmosphere created by Lola Amour during rehearsals, stating, "They have a warm aura and were very kind to me, so I’m thankful for that. It didn’t feel like a job at all. It was fun."

Both artists expressed enthusiasm about future collaborations, whether with each other or additional international musicians.

Dumayas reflected on the band’s growth since their early days, stating, "We’re much more 'adult' as a band now. Pre-pandemic, we were just college kids with a hobby. We had to learn to be adults and to be professional, and that’s where we are now."

He also shared insight into the album’s creation, noting it was deeply personal, with each song inspired by the band members' own experiences. When asked about his favorite track, he pointed to "Dance With My Mistakes," highlighting how it resonates within the album's broader themes.

Lola Amour’s embrace of international collaborations underscores an evolving global music scene where artists cross borders and genres to create unique sounds and shared experiences.