En tropy is often described as a measurement of disorder, a crucial concept in chemistry and physics that is notoriously hard for humans to wrap their heads around. It helps explain why ice melts and coffee gets cold. If energy has the opportunity to spread out, it will. In the case of multi-instrumentalist Ian Santillano, entropy can help us visualize the unfurling of creative identity and spiraling use of genre found in his zealous search for self. He has performed in musical groups such as Souled-Out Underground, Super Soul Bros, the Illiance, IPA, and the Housewarmers. Santillano’s debut album, Intropy, was released in September of 2022. The album name drops the “E” and science terminology, replacing it with an “I” and introspective indie-soul.

Santillano began studying music in his Catholic elementary school’s Musical Understanding Through Sound Education, or MUSE, program. Although classically trained, Ian found inspiration through the popular video game, Guitar Hero. He explains, “I wanted to be a guitar hero. Eventually, I was beating Through the Fire and Flames on ‘expert’ [level], and I asked my parents for an electric guitar starter kit.”

Throughout primary school, Ian balanced his responsibilities in the school band with his passion for guitar. He remembers studying sheet music during the day and guitar tablature by night. “Band wasn’t always for fun. I didn’t spend as much time practicing as I wish I would have. With guitar, I was much more doing it for fun. It wasn’t until college that musicianship and music theory took me into a space where it wasn’t about the instrument but rather learning music knowledge that could translate to other instruments and styles.”

Santillano’s transition from instrumentalist to singer-songwriter began when he was a teen. “I started to develop an interest in songs,” he says, “realizing that I could sing well enough to accompany the music. Later, I began treating vocals like an instrument.” After high school, his father’s battle with cancer emphasized the importance of taking a chance, following his dreams, and pursuing his music. “Before my dad passed,” Santillano explains, “he told me he was proud of me and talked about staying true to who you are. I remember thinking, ‘I want to take this music thing seriously.’ I told myself that I would write or record something every day. That was when I started to date all of my projects.”

Santillano’s sound is an extension of soul, blues, hip-hop, jazz, and experimental influences, but he humbly settles on a genre called indie-soul. He describes it as “if John Mayer and Thundercat had a Filipino American baby that listened to Yebba and Faye Webster.” Early on, a cousin introduced Santillano to the sounds of John Mayer, an introduction that fueled his interest in guitar. Later, Santillano’s friend, mentor, and co-producer on Intropy, Angelo Macaraeg, professionally known as LASI, inspired him to think outside the box. Santillano remembers, “He asked me, ‘I know you are good at playing like John Mayer, but what else can you play?’ That was a huge push in expanding my sound.” Santillano frequently mentions how the support and influence of family and friends profoundly impacted his work.

Santillano’s process begins with sitting at a computer with instruments nearby and ready to record. He explains, “I like to see where my ideas take me. Sometimes I will start with a guitar part and end up recording another 20 guitar parts over it. I build out the skeleton of a song before writing.” The intuitive nature of his process allows his mind to flow where it wants. He makes a point of treating the process with grace and respect, rather than forcing songs into existence. Santillano’s work has been described as genre-bending; his relationship with genre tends to be a push-and-pull between structure and limitation. “At a certain point, I think a genre is marketing for listeners. In creating music, it can be hard to think about genre. Sometimes it can feel limiting, but sometimes limitations are what create amazing breakthroughs.”

Intropy touches on ideas of hardship, self-worth, and discovery. The instrumentation contains layers of funky bass lines and jazzy guitar riffs. Talking about producing the album, he states, “It always felt like I was creating pieces for a puzzle that didn’t exist yet.” With his music, Santillano hopes to push the boundaries of what it means to be a Filipino American musician while inspiring others and remaining true to himself. He explains, “I think what is important about what I have to say is that what I have to say is important. I hope people see that in my work and recognize it in themselves.” Santillano expects more album promotion, touring, and new music soon. Be on the lookout for more Ian Santillano, your local guitar hero and indie-soul singer-songwriter.

Instagram: ian_santillano