Muri moves through the world with a quiet confidence shaped by her deep connection to both her music and her roots, blending soulful indie, jazz-pop, and intricate storytelling into her soundscapes. Every note she sings and lyric she crafts reflects her authenticity—deliberate yet effortless, vulnerable yet strong. Her performances invite listeners into intimate moments, creating a rare connection that is both personal and universal. This fusion of emotional depth and musical craftsmanship defines her artistry as a rising force in the global music scene.
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The resident violinist of the Filipino indie-folk band The Ransom Collective, Muri recently stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist. With her debut EP, 11ème, she has carved a path that blends her unique musical background with her personal journey. Known for her soulful violin playing and distinct voice, Muri’s transition to solo work marks a new chapter in her artistic evolution. Her debut EP reflects her growth, vulnerability, and her exploration of different cultural influences, creating a new dimension of her artistry that merges indie, soul, and pop sensibilities with emotional depth.
The Sole Filipino Voice at SXSW 2025
This is what she intends to showcase at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas. As the only homegrown Filipino artist on this year’s roster, her performance will serve as a proud representation of both her music and the rich cultural heritage she carries with her. “It’s a lot of pressure,” Muri shares, acknowledging the weight of the responsibility that comes with being the sole Filipino artist at such a significant event. Yet, she remains honored and humbled by the opportunity to elevate the immense talent in the Philippines, especially following her performance at the 2024 AXEAN Music Festival in Bali, Indonesia. “From Bali, this was the next—the best—possible outcome. I was like, ‘is this really happening?’” she admits. “I just hope that I can give them a good performance and show them what we’re capable of.”
Solo, Sound, and Soul
For Muri, stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist after her time with The Ransom Collective has felt like a complete reinvention. “It feels like a rebirth, like the identity as a band member, and then being the leader of your own project—those are entirely different,” she shares. With the shift in roles, she acknowledges the added responsibility: “It’s a bit of a different dynamic and you’re more responsible for all the moving parts.” However, this new freedom is something Muri embraces fully. “What I find exciting is you can just have fun with it, like there’s no boundaries to what you can do. It’s your direction.”
Her debut EP, 11ème, is a gentle yet unnerving collection that reflects her personal journey of growth, loss, and discovery. As she embraces her own path, her music becomes an outlet for her expressive spirit, capturing moments of vulnerability with an authenticity that resonates deeply with listeners. Her earlier work was raw, filled with the energy of stepping into her solo career, but as she moved to Europe and met other musicians, her approach to music and songwriting evolved. 11ème blends her Filipino roots with the new musical influences she encountered abroad, merging both worlds with finesse. “I think the EP captures a lot of change that I was going through as an individual and as a musician…so I wanted to merge those two worlds of how we write music as Filipinos, our sentiments, what we like, but also how it’s done abroad,” she explains.
The result is a delicate yet powerful collection, blending soulful indie-pop, dreamy synths, and tender vocals. Each track on 11ème is a deeply personal confessional, offering listeners a glimpse into her most vulnerable moments—as intimate as eye contact. But Muri’s music is not just a reflection of her personal experiences but also an invitation for others to connect with their own emotions and stories. With 11ème, Muri presents a beautifully nuanced body of work that showcases both her artistry and her journey as a woman.
Amplifying Her Own—And Women’s Voices—in Music
In an industry traditionally dominated by male voices, especially in production and composition, Muri reflects on being one of the few women in the music space. “I feel like there’s less women you can perform with in music or less producers in music you can create with,” she shares. While she acknowledges that the issue is broader than her personal experience, she points out the imbalanced gender ratio and the biases that come with it. “I don’t feel like I personally was drastically blocked by being a woman, but I could see it in the space. I could see the ratio is very low, and so the way things are done in music are obviously biased towards a different energy, a different set of ideas, and how things are done,” she says. “And I think introducing more women to the space not only brings in more challenging ideas, but also gives younger women more things to aspire to.”
She adds, “Personally, I also am inspired by women, not just in music but in male-dominated fields, whether that’s in photography or in film.” Muri believes that seeing more women in these spaces is crucial because it creates a platform for others to step up and be recognized. She recognizes the importance of visibility—when women occupy these spaces, they not only challenge traditional norms but also create room for the younger generations to follow and see what’s possible. Muri stresses that having these role models is essential, as their presence encourages others to embrace their own beliefs and pursue their goals with confidence.
“It’s always beneficial to have more women who can also stand for your ideals, your beliefs, and your personhood as a woman.“
– Muri on how crucial it is for younger generations to have female role models across all industries
Muri also speaks passionately about women of color who unapologetically embrace their cultural identity. In Paris or London, she tells MEGA she draws inspiration from women of color who proudly incorporate their roots and heritage into their music and public personas: “They’re really including their roots and their heritage in their music, even in how they dress and how they inject words into their music.” For her, these women are powerful symbols of authenticity. Muri also admires Filipino artists who have maintained their cultural connection despite being based abroad. “They bring in what they know from their parents’ generation or from being connected culturally,” she says, recognizing the importance of holding onto one’s heritage while navigating different cultural landscapes.
The artist feels optimistic about the future, especially with the increasing visibility of Asian women in the global music scene. “I think there’s a lot of movement now in art and music,” she says, highlighting the rise of festivals and events that create opportunities for cross-cultural exchange. “There’s a lot of festivals like the SXSW, so there’s so much crossover that can happen, and I think it’s really happening both in the Philippines and beyond, where Asian women can share their stories and their cultures.” Muri sees this as a powerful moment for Asian women in music to take center stage, confidently embracing their identity while influencing the future of the global music landscape. This surge of representation not only breaks barriers but also paves the way for future generations to make their mark.
Women in Music are Limitless
If Muri could give one piece of advice to young women trying to find their voice in music or any creative field, it would be to believe in their potential and push past any self-imposed constraints or doubts. “I think there’s just no limits to what you can do,” she asserts. While the music industry can be challenging, Muri notes that there’s no fixed path to success. Ultimately, for her, the key is to balance passion with joy. “Do it out of your passion, but also try, I would say, just balance doing it for the outcome and doing it for pleasure.”
“Music is a playground. Art is your own. You can do art your way. Keep making mistakes, keep trying, keep failing…and you’ll find your way.”
– Muri on encouraging young women to embrace the freedom of creativity
Additionally, the violinist believes that while success is important, the real reward comes from creating for the love of it. “Don’t think about the success that comes with it—I mean, it’s good to have, but also be happy with your own output, rather than what people think of your output.”
As she prepares for her performance at SXSW, this mindset takes center stage, fueling her approach to both the music and the moment itself. Muri sees this opportunity not just as a chance to showcase her artistry, but as a platform to share her journey, values, and roots. With a deep sense of purpose, she embraces the responsibility of being the only homegrown Filipina artist at the festival, knowing her performance holds significance beyond her own growth. This is not just about hitting the right notes—it is also about representing her culture, amplifying diverse voices, and showing that women in music are more than capable of carving out their own space. Her belief in creating with passion, not just for success, will shine through in her performance as she takes her bold leap into the global spotlight.
Photographed by GAIL GERIANE. Creative Direction by ANDREW ENCAPAS and GIANNA SIBAL. Makeup by RAFFY FRANCISCO. Hair by PAU ONDRADA. Styled by LYNUS, assisted by JASPER AÑONUEVO. Sittings Editor MIA CASTRO.
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