NOVA/Ahmad Fadilah

She might be not a singer with a five-octave voice; she might not have released dozens of albums or won many awards, but she might just be the most wanted songwriter-cum-composer in the country.

She is Cynthia Dewi Bayu Wardani, aka Dewiq, the hits maker, and her music and lyrics rule the Indonesian charts.

Her songs sell out like hot cakes. Singers, from new comers to veterans, are lining up to have her create songs for their albums.

Her hits include "Bukan Cinta Biasa" (Not An Ordinary Love) and "Cinta Bukan Di Atas Kertas" (Love is Not On Paper), both performed by prominent Malaysian singer Siti Nurhaliza, "Jenuh" (Fed Up), sung by local singer Rio Febrian and "Sunny", which is sung by Bunga Citra Lestari.

Her latest masterpiece is Agnes Monica's mega hit single "Teruskanlah" (Go on).

Her ear-catching and easy-to-listen-to songs have caught people's ear.

The 34-year-old however says she is not alone in making the successful songs.

"The singers also play a big role. If they can sing it with all their hearts, I'm sure the song will become a hit. So I always ask the singers to sing my songs with their hearts," she told The Jakarta Post.

So where does she get all the ideas for the songs, anyway?

"Many people, friends or family, come to me to share their feelings. That's where I get the inspiration. I also get some ideas from my own personal experiences," Dewiq said.

Once a singer or a record label approaches her for a song, she will create it and give the music demo to them. She has one strict rule about selling her songs: the singer or record label must not change the lyrics.

"They can change the music, but not the lyrics, because the lyrics reflect my feelings. It's the true expression of what I really feel," she said.

"It is like making a cake. If somebody asks you to remake the cake, the taste might be different. That's my rule. Take it or leave it."

When writing songs, Dewiq said she neither thinks about the trend nor the market.

"I don't want to follow certain trends. I just write and make my own music. I do not follow trends. On the contrary, it is the trends that should follow me," she said.

Dewiq acknowledges that she mostly writes sad songs.

"I don't know why. Perhaps, it is because many people, who come to me and to share their feelings, often tell sad stories," she said.

"But sometimes it is the singer who wants it that way. Agnes Monica, for instance, she requested a slow pop song for her recent album."

Born in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on June 15, 1975, Dewiq created her first song when she was just in the fourth grade of elementary school. "It just came out. I can even still remember the lyrics," she said. As she grew older, she started to learn how to play music instruments, including the guitar and the drums.

She later joined the Bandung, West Java, based band Red Rose before getting into the recording studio to produce her debut album, Weeq, in 1996.

The album was quite successful and was followed with the release of, Apa Adanya (Just the Way I am) in 1999, and Hanya Manusia Biasa (Just Ordinary People) two years later.

The success, however, did not bring happiness, as she could not stand the tight promotion schedules.

That was the point when Dewiq decided to change her way of life, stepping out of the limelight and focusing instead on creating and composing songs.

She wants people know her through her name and songs, not her appearance.

Rock and roll musicians, such as the Beatles and Lenny Kravitz, have greatly influenced her musical career.

But most of all, it is Pay, her husband of eight years and former member of band Slank (and current member of BIP), who has played the biggest role in shaping her music career.

"He is the one who taught me so much about everything, from music to life," Dewiq said. When asked about the most influential person in her life after Pay, she thought for few seconds before calmly responding, "It's Pay again! I can't think of anyone else," before giggling.

The couple has been working hand-in-hand making great songs and music for years.

"I'm so proud and happy that some great singers sing my songs. I really thank them for using my lyrics," Dewiq said.

She expressed her gratitude by recording her voice and releasing a compilation album Siapa Dewiq? The Hits maker, in 2008, which has gone on to sell some 100,000 copies.

Her two collaborative singles - "Koq Gitu Sih?" (Why it Has to be That Way?) and "Be Te" (Bad Mood) - with TV host Indra Bekti and musician Ipang, received a warm response.

Pay was (again) the man who supported her when producing the record.

"Here, I also want to show to many people the real Dewiq, the Dewiq who loves rock and roll," she said, adding that she would release the third single from the album, Katakan Yang Sebenarnya (Tell Me the Truth), in the near future.

Dewiq, however, still has goals to reach.

She hopes that she will have more chances to write songs for groups, since she rarely has requests from bands.

"I once was asked to write songs for my favorite group BIP, but I refused the offer. I had no confidence to do that because, you know, it's my favorite band. I was afraid that the song will be bad," she said.

Gaining success from her musical compositions, Dewiq is now taking a break, giving herself sometime to enjoy life.

"I don't want to push myself to always make new songs everyday because I'm a moody type of person. I will not create a song if I'm not in the mood to make it," she said.

"This quick break also gives me chance to listen to music from various bands," she explained.

She is now trying to make the most of her spare time by taking vacations with her hubby, staying in her home for days or hanging out with her friends.

"I'm a home-sweet-home type of person. I like spending my time at home, browsing the Internet. During my quick break, I also like to go to uncommon music shows with my friends," she said.

Dewiq says she plans to get back to business in August. She promised happier songs in the future.

"There will be a surprise. Just wait and see," she said.

We'll be waiting, Dewiq.

Biography

Full name:

Cynthia Dewi Bayu Wardani

Place/date of birth :

Makassar, South Sulawesi, June 15, 1975

Husband :

Musician Pay Burman (guitarist of BIP, founder of Palu Music Indonesia)

Albums

- Weeq (1996)

- Apa Adanya (1999)

- Hanya Manusia Biasa (2001)

- Siapa Dewiq? The Hits Maker (2008)

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