What makes us proud as Filipino-Americans in this industry is to see fellow talent shine and utilize their gifts to share with the world. In this case, Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey actress Ella Jay Basco not only shined in the film as an impeccable actress, she is also a wonderful singer/songwriter. Ella recently released a song called “Clouds” where she digs deep into insecurities and expectations. In the description of the video, she writes:
” I always wanted to have a piano song on the Middle School EP. I started taking piano lessons at 5 years old. And then fell out of love with it a couple of years ago. I went to Hawaii and fell in love with the Ukulele. After mastering the Ukulele, I started taking guitar lessons with FUZZZY, who I collaborated with on the song GROW UP KID. Playing guitar broke it down to basic chords which re-invigorated my love for Piano. And I started playing it more and more and I came up with this song. My dad and I actually argued about putting this song on the album. He didn’t want it on there, and I did! And now its one of his favorites. I wrote all the lyrics to this song and each line means something to me. I really exposed how I was feeling at this special and unique time in my life. I’m cast as this amazing DC superhero and everyone has their expectations of what CASSANDRA CAIN is. “I’m supposed to look like her. What am I supposed to do?” And online, hidden behind a keyboard, in the comfort of your own home its easy to pass judgement and criticize. But no one is harsher on me than I am on myself. Self-insecurities and being a teenager! What the heck!? That person staring back at you in the mirror… that person, that’s the one that needs to look at you with LOVE. But sometimes… you don’t always get what you need. We are our worst enemies sometimes. And I hate that. This song is just me, being honest with myself…. no matter what’s inside.”
” I always wanted to have a piano song on the Middle School EP. I started taking piano lessons at 5 years old. And then fell out of love with it a couple of years ago. I went to Hawaii and fell in love with the Ukulele. After mastering the Ukulele, I started taking guitar lessons with FUZZZY, who I collaborated with on the song GROW UP KID. Playing guitar broke it down to basic chords which re-invigorated my love for Piano. And I started playing it more and more and I came up with this song. My dad and I actually argued about putting this song on the album. He didn’t want it on there, and I did! And now its one of his favorites. I wrote all the lyrics to this song and each line means something to me. I really exposed how I was feeling at this special and unique time in my life. I’m cast as this amazing DC superhero and everyone has their expectations of what CASSANDRA CAIN is. “I’m supposed to look like her. What am I supposed to do?” And online, hidden behind a keyboard, in the comfort of your own home its easy to pass judgement and criticize. But no one is harsher on me than I am on myself. Self-insecurities and being a teenager! What the heck!? That person staring back at you in the mirror… that person, that’s the one that needs to look at you with LOVE. But sometimes… you don’t always get what you need. We are our worst enemies sometimes. And I hate that. This song is just me, being honest with myself…. no matter what’s inside.”
Check out the official music video below: