'I danced on stage once -- it was real torture'<\/p>\n
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
It's a term flung around way too often, but Chrisye is a
\nlegend on the local music scene. He has been around since the
\n1970s, but the 53-year-old singer\/songwriter still manages to
\nremain on top, even when competing with much younger singers.<\/p>\n
While he looks poised and a bit retiring when performing,
\nChrisye (real name Chrismansyah Rahadi) is actually quite self-
\nassured in person, and a bit unpredictable. Sometimes, he gives
\nshort answers, sometimes he is left nonplused by the question,
\nand at other times he suddenly laughs and becomes talkative.<\/p>\n
\"I don't like to complicate things,\" the father of four
\nteenagers said, taking yet another drag on a cigarette, his ever-
\npresent companion.<\/p>\n
Question: If you had the choice, what would you be doing now?<\/p>\n
Answer: I don't dare to make a choice. I'm very grateful with what I
\nhave now.<\/p>\n
Q: Which trait do you most like about yourself?<\/p>\n
A: I don't know, it's got to be somebody else who judges that ...
\nOK, I'm an open person.<\/p>\n
Q: And deplore?<\/p>\n
A: Many things. I'm sure I have many flaws.<\/p>\n
Q: Whom do you admire?<\/p>\n
A: My parents. Because of them I can be what I am now. I look up
\nto them and follow their principles -- commitment, honesty and
\nresponsibility.<\/p>\n
As for musicians -- professionally, because I don't know them
\npersonally -- I admire Koes Brothers, Bing Slamet, Benyamin S. As
\nfor foreign musicians, I admire The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric
\nClapton.<\/p>\n
Q: What kind of clothes do you like to wear? You seem to be quite
\ntrendy...<\/p>\n
A: Not really. This (jeans and a polo shirt) is what I wear every
\nday. But when it comes to performing, of course, it has to be
\ndifferent. I like the designs of Oscar (Lawalata). He can mix
\nwestern styles with traditional.<\/p>\n
Q: What makes you angry?<\/p>\n
A: When things don't go as expected. It's normal, right?<\/p>\n
Q: What characteristics do you dislike in others?<\/p>\n
A: (Pause) Hypocrisy. Like politicians. Just be who you are.
\nDon't be pretenders.<\/p>\n
Q: What makes you cry?<\/p>\n
A: Many things, especially when it relates to humanity.
\nDisasters.<\/p>\n
Q: Like the recent floods, for example?<\/p>\n
A: Yes. Thank God I didn't get hit. It's terrible. I know what
\nit's like to get caught in a flood because I experienced it when
\nI lived with my in-laws. The water was up to my chest, terrible.<\/p>\n
Q: Wow, you smoke a lot, don't you?<\/p>\n
A: Yes, I'm a heavy smoker. But not as heavy as I used to be,
\nwhen I was on two packs a day. Now, it's a pack a day.<\/p>\n
Q: If there was something you could change about your appearance,
\nwhat would it be?<\/p>\n
A: Nothing. I don't worry about weight either. Whether I eat a
\nlot or eat a little, my body is always like this.<\/p>\n
Q: What makes life worth living?<\/p>\n
A: According to my religion (he is a Muslim), this life is only
\ntemporary. It will determine how the quality of our lives after
\ndeath will be. So, I live my life sticking to that.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you have a favorite song?<\/p>\n
A: All of my songs are my favorite. But there is one special song
\nthat I really like, Ketika Tangan dan Kaki Bicara (When Hands and
\nFeet Speak) -- the lyrics were written by (poet) Taufik Ismail.
\nThe song implies that there are rules for everything in this
\nlife. And that one day each part of our bodies will testify to
\nGod, whether we used them well or not.<\/p>\n
Q: What is the cost of popularity?<\/p>\n
A: Privacy, of course. How my family is also in the spotlight
\nwhile it's me who's the public figure. They don't like that. But
\nthere are good things as well. The perks, like getting parking a
\nlot more easily at the mall (laughs).<\/p>\n
Q: Some critics say that your music has always been the same...<\/p>\n
A: I think they're wrong. From one album to another, there's
\nalways some changes. Always. I have to change bit by bit, but
\nstill, there's gotta be a line that connects those albums.<\/p>\n
Q: A section of the lyrics in your latest single Andai Aku Bisa
\n(I Wish I Could) is similar to James Ingram's I Don't Have The
\nHeart. How come?<\/p>\n
A: Yeah, someone sent me an e-mail saying the same thing, too.
\nI'm confused. The song was written by Bebi Romeo and (Dewa's)
\nDhani Ahmad. But I would say they didn't intend to steal the
\nlyrics ... It's a risk for people like me. There's always jealous
\npeople who think that everything I do is wrong. Well, let them
\nbe.. Why should I think about that?<\/p>\n
Q: What is your recipe for success? Hardly any of your peers are
\nstill going...<\/p>\n
A: First of all, music is my profession. If I didn't do it, then
\nhow could I earn money? Secondly, I have to appreciate people so
\nthat they will appreciate me, my work.<\/p>\n
And then we also have to be able to evolve. I don't want to
\nfollow trends, but I take some elements of the trends that suit
\nme.<\/p>\n
Q: You seem to be shy on stage. You hardly move your body, and
\nlook out of place with all the dancers and models...<\/p>\n
A: Actually, we have to teach the audience that what matters more
\nis the music, not the stage performance. It's different in Europe
\nand the United States, for example. Their appreciation of music
\nis high. They don't really care about the performance. Even if
\nthe singer stands still or sits, they don't really care.<\/p>\n
Many criticize me, though, saying that I have to dance and
\nstuff ... I just can't. It's not me. I tried once in the 1980s,
\nusing choreography and stuff. It was real torture!<\/p>\n
Q: What do you think about the local music industry now?<\/p>\n
A: It's great. Regeneration occurs, the industry runs. I'm really
\nproud. If I have to quit someday, I'll be content.<\/p>\n
Q: What will be your next project?<\/p>\n
A: I want something unique. I want an album, something of an
\nhomage to songs that once were hits, from the 1940s to 2000. A
\nsong representing each decade, something like that.<\/p>\n
Q: If the world were going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?<\/p>\n
A: (Pause) What was that again? I don't know.. I want to go
\nstraight to Him (laughs)<\/p>\n
Q: Do you have any regrets?<\/p>\n
A: No. There's nothing to be regretted in this life. What has
\nhappened in the past is a lesson we have to learn.<\/p>",
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