From being known as the TNT Boys to now being young men entering their 20s, Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids alumni Kiefer Sanchez and Francis Concepcion plan to take their time in finding their new sound.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the two young singers shared how they have been focusing on embracing their changing voices and discovering a style that fits them following puberty.
“Since before po kasi bumibirit po kami and now iba na po boses namin dahil sa puberty so parang kailangan po talaga namin (hanapin yung new sound namin),” Kiefer said.
“Sa ngayon po nagfo-focus po kami sa mga boses namin. Nagtre-training pa po muna kami,” Kiefer said.
Francis echoed Kiefer's sentiment, saying they are still taking their time to figure out the sound that would suit them now: “Hahanapin lang po muna namin ngayon yung aming sound.”
Now that they are growing older, the two admitted that adjusting to their changing voices was not easy, particularly when it came to their vocal range.
“Grabeng changes po talaga like from mga Ariana Grande and ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ ni Jennifer Hudson to Apo Hiking Society na mga songs. Talagang nagadjust po talaga siya.”
Francis said they continue to undergo vocal training as they gradually adjust to their new voices.
“Actually po, yes, mas naging very hard po talaga (ang adjustment) until now po pero, with time, nahahanap po namin paunti-unti ‘yung sound namin through training,” he expressed.
The duo first gained recognition as part of the TNT Boys, alongside Mackie Empuerto, after their performances on Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids launched them into the spotlight.
The trio went on to gain international attention, appearing on Little Big Shots in the US, UK, and Australia. They also competed on CBS' The World's Best and appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden where they performed with their idol, Ariana Grande.
Now pursuing their individual growth, the former TNT Boys are also preparing for the next chapter of their musical journey with a new name and goal.
“Hindi po nawala yung TNT Boys but nagrebrand lang kami as MKF ngayon. Pero patuloy pa rin ang journey namin,” Kiefer said.
He shared that they hope to hold concerts again and release new music in the future: “For sure magkakaroon po kami ng mga concert (ulit) soon and magre-release ng mga songs and albums. For now, we think, magfocus po muna kami on training.”
Aside from music, Kiefer and Francis are also focused on their studies as college students.
“Ngayon po nagfofocus (din) po kami sa pag-aaral, mainly sa college. Kasi si Francis upcoming first year, tapos ako po mag-third year na po, malapit na po grumaduate,” Kiefer shared.
Meanwhile, the two also reacted to their recent performance of Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala” in a private event which later went viral online.
Reading the positive reactions from netizens, Francis expressed how it helped them be more confident to take on the stage once more.
“Sobrang natuwa po kami and naboost po namin yung confidence po namin na mas magperform pa and mas magpakita sa camera and ipakita yung talents namin,” he expressed.
For Kiefer, however, performing again came with plenty of nerves, especially as they adjusted to singing with their more mature voices.
“Sobrang unexpected po na nagviral yung video na iyon kasi sobrang tagal na po namin na hindi nakapagperform sa stage and in front of many people also. Parang yung kaba po namin dumoble po siya, times ten pa,” he admitted.
He added that the performance was their first public appearance on stage after quite a while, making the positive response even more meaningful.
“Ayon po yung first public na performance po namin ulit kasi mababa na po yung boses nmin ngayon and talagang kinakabahan po kami. Pero sobrang natuwa po kami kasi marami pong mga positive na reactions po sa kinanta po namin ngayon,” Kiefer added.
On the other hand, Mackie Empuerto remains part of the trio and is currently one of the hosts of Showtime Online U.
Instagram credits: iammackieempuerto
Last August 20, the trio once again performed on Showtime Online U as guests for the online show’s 10th year anniversary special.