‘I want to write a song that makes the whole world cry’

The son of a bank manager, Andi Rianto moved to different places as a child, both within Indonesia and abroad, including living in New York. In all his childhood travels, one thing never changed: His love of music. Today, the composer and arranger of many hit pop songs and movie soundtracks has made music his living, and it’s an enjoyable one for him. Forget the stereotype of musicians living hand-to-mouth existences; the conductor of Magenta Orchestra is a regular on the nightclub scene and counts top names in the entertainment community and high society among his best friends. In fact, when asked what the most misunderstood thing about musicians is, Andi responds, “That you cannot make a proper living doing it in Indonesia.” By his own admission a playful soul, Andi says he is 29, probably perennially. “The number 11 is very important to me, and that age adds up to 11,” he says during a timeout from his regular workouts at a popular fitness center. “So that is good enough for me.”

First memory?

For my father’s work, we moved to different places, including Papua. I remember being one or two years old, and the place was so heavenly, so beautiful.

Best trait?

Do I have to answer that? Can I ask someone else? I’m such a nice guy (laughs).

And worst?

Procrastination.

What makes you laugh?

My heart.

And cry?

Love.

When was the last time you cried?

I saw a movie and it made me cry. The thing is, I don’t remember the movie.

What do you like most about Jakarta?

The traffic jams. Because I can play with my BlackBerry while my driver deals with the macet.

Describe yourself in three words?

Musical, playful and nice.

What are your friends to you?

Family.

What would you never do?

I guess kill someone.

What is the craziest thing you’ve done?

I do crazy things every day, in every aspect of life. That’s enough.

Your favorite piece of music?

When you ask that, it’s like asking a parent who is their favorite kid. I have so many.

Favorite food?

Anything spicy.

Favorite destination?

To the piano, whether it’s in the studio or in my own place.

If you could solve one thing in the world …

We all need to be prosperous and live happily and afford food and housing, and all that stuff.

What’s the most beautiful thing about people?

Everything – their behavior, how they react, how they are.

If I hadn’t been a musician, I would have been …

Either a doctor or an astronaut … I would love to see stars up close.

Dinner with two people living or dead?

I’d invite Harry Potter and ask him what it’s like to be cursed. And Sukarno, because I want to know what is in his thinking. I just had dinner yesterday at the Hotel Indonesia Kempinski and I saw a photo of Sukarno with Marilyn Monroe.

What’s your greatest achievement?

Being born.

What would you tell the 15-year-old Andi Rianto?

Don’t waste your time – do what you want to do.

What would people be surprised about you?

I’m such a gadget freak. I buy so many cell phones, but only use one. I have about 10 that work.

Change one thing about yourself?

I’m basically happy with what I’ve got now.

What do you want to do before you die?

I want to make a song that is so universal that everybody in the world listens to the song and cries. That touches everybody.

So you’re a sentimental guy?

You tell me.

Favorite piece of clothing?

Black T-shirt.

Your life motto?

(looks at the Fitness First signboard) A healthy mind starts with a fit body.

Illustration by Martin Dima

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