Ian Santillano

Ian Santillano, from Hayward CA, is a 2nd generation genre-bending Filipino-American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer. Ian showcases his gifts of clever harmony, soulful melodies, subconscious grooves, vulnerable lyrics, exceptional guitar work, and an unbelievable voice. Above all, Ian embodies the healing love that music has given him and gives it back to whomever may be listening.

Ian began performing live in the San Jose music scene with jazz-hip-hop-funk-soul supergroup The Illiance and VGM-jazz-funk powerhouse <a href="spotify:artist:03WZwOtOcB9xhx9yBNtoSe" data-name="Super Soul Bros">Super Soul Bros</a>. He co-formed IPA, blending originals and genre-defying covers, before fronting <a href="spotify:artist:3U3PR5olBidH6PlLDJIdP6" data-name="The Housewarmers">The Housewarmers</a>, an electrifying quintet that brought his bedroom-pop, indie-funk EP <a href="spotify:album:5DVvuVOVMErY1OEitbiitn" data-name="1856">1856</a> to life across the Bay Area.

In 2022, Ian released his debut album <a href="spotify:album:270e5d5n1fchLLeEsx91Uk" data-name="Intropy">Intropy</a>, co-produced by LASI, blending soul, R&amp;B, folk, jazz, and rock. Written over four years, the 12-song project maps Ian’s soul through struggles with mental health, identity, and creativity, featuring over 15 collaborators.
In 2023, Ian signed with Bolo Music Group, founded by <a href="spotify:artist:5y1a3x8WQZLTsmLPowFnkj" data-name="Ruby Ibarra">Ruby Ibarra</a> and LASI. Since then, he’s performed at Spotify Studios in LA and The New Parish in Oakland, collaborated with prog-hop sensation <a href="spotify:artist:77mOlU6tzevO0WDM8zywhH" data-name="Ando San">Ando San</a> and singer-poet <a href="spotify:artist:4Biaz1ZhOFnosXq9BBCvQu" data-name="Āish">Āish</a> and released standout projects, including a live recording of <a href="spotify:album:1vuMkIpdBbz94BxOribvoD" data-name="End of the Earf (Live at Sound Forage)">End of the Earf (Live at Sound Forage)</a> filmed inside the General Fremont Tree for Sound Forage.

Ian continues to perform and is currently writing and recording for upcoming projects.