T

he recently released album The Headless Songstress is merely the latest creation by the multitalented Kartika Jahja.

Aside from the music, which is humming along nicely, Tika, a Jakartan born and bred, is a writer, artist, keen cook and all-round entrepreneur.

"I've been a job hopper since I was in high school," she says. "Basically because I love learning and trying everything."

She owns and operates KEDAI, a funky Kemang caf*, and Bikin Barang, the craft shop above it, where those with discerning taste can find the very best in recycled and hand-made curiosities. And given Tika holds a degree from the Art Institute of Seattle, The Bikin Ruang, an alternative space for art exhibits and other events, fits in well in the next room.

"I try to keep my businesses as relaxed and fun as possible for the customers as well as employees, while still maintaining the profit aspect," she says.

The plethora of books and magazines lying about, the colorful vibe of the place and, of course, the right tunes keep people chilled out as they enjoy her culinary creations.

"I love to cook with whatever I find in the cabinet, the fridge. My signature is using cilantro and lime leaves a lot," she says.

KEDAI, which she created because she "felt Jakarta lacked a cafe with the atmosphere that I liked - comfortable and non-pretentious while also serving good coffee and good service at a somewhat affordable price," is on Jl. Benda Raya No. 89, Kemang.

But it's not all fun and games and cooking. Tika had a chance to indulge her dark side as a central figure in Kado Hari Jadi (The Anniversary Gift), an independent film by Paul Agusta that was selected for screening at the 2009 International Film Festival of Rotterdam.

Tika's character (also named Tika) spends the majority of the film in a dimly lit, pink-toned room, vilely torturing an unsuspecting young man for unclear reasons.

"Acting is awesome, but it doesn't come as naturally to me as singing does - I'm not ambitious at all about acting," she says.

"In order for me to give a *decent' performance, there's so much more that I require when acting. I gotta know the director well, get comfortable with the crew and take my time to get into character."

Tika says she will only take offers from directors she is comfortable with and whose work she knows well.

For her next role, in Agusta's forthcoming At The Very Bottom of Everything, she will play a woman with manic depression "who will take you on a journey on my rollercoaster," says Tika, who is herself afflicted with the disorder.

"I must admit, I am thrilled to take this role," she says on her website.

"I am thrilled to tell the world that manic depression is not a weakness. It's an invisible virus that you can't kill. But you can fight it. You mustn't linger in self-pity and drown in your own pool of fear and insecurity. There are ways. And this film will help."

Music however, has been the constant passion. "I've been playing in numerous bands since I was 12. But I didn't necessarily like the music we played, I just loved to sing," she explains. "Back in the 90s every band was a cover band, so I've covered everything from *I will survive' to Nirvana.

"I'm glad I am where I am now," she adds.

She has been in bands that play everything from punk to blues, but says her true love "has always been hip-hop".

"My first record was Tone Loc in like '91 and then I really got into Wu Tang, Public Enemy, NWA, KRS1 and so on. I think the hip-hop of the early-to-mid-90s era is just amazing. It still influences me to this day when I write music," she says, sure to add that only fellow hip-hop lovers would notice that, though. Her current efforts are indeed multidimensional sonic explorations.

After writing and singing one of the songs on Agrikulture's album Dawai Damai, she was invited to perform with the supreme hip-shakers in Kuala Lumpur, where they opened for US hip-hop superstars N.E.R.D. Tika says that while the gig was certainly memorable, she chose not to meet the one and only Pharell Williams. "After seeing how everyone was giggling all over him in the Green Room, I lost my appetite."

Add her other freelance work including interior design consulting, jingle writing and a witty weekly column in your beloved JP, and it's a wonder she finds time to sleep.