'The worst thing in the world is environmental greed'

Singer Syaharani simply likes being herself. That translates into a carefree, friendly and curious spirit who explores her love of jazz instead of going down the much-traveled, commercially oriented pop-rock route. Originally from the cool mountain town of Batu in East Java, Rani has gone through some twists and detours in her life, but has managed to make the best out of them. She continues to tour, including with 2009’s end-of-year Jazz Goes to Campus at universities around the country, and has a new album with her group ESQI:EF coming out soon.

Illustration by Martin Dima

Right now I am …
Focusing on finishing ESQI:EF's second album that I coproduced with Didit Saad.
I’m really into it.

My mood …
Hmm. For producing, I’m in an excited mood. But away from that, I’m in a blue-moon mood.

I always trust about myself …
That I’ve been given talent, and an artistic turn of mind. And that I have the faith to live my way…

The meaning of me, in three words …
Live the life.

My best trait?
Appreciate happiness as much as sadness.

And worst?
Facing one-sided unfairness.

The biggest influence in my life?
My parents. Pa, for his deep thinking, Ma for her energetic side…

At 16 I was ...
Sad, because I suffered a broken ankle in an accident, so I couldn’t be the badminton athlete I’d wanted to be since the age of 8.

I never do …
Ironing. Those back and forth movements are just not interesting.

The worst thing in the world is ...
Environmental greed.

Don't ever call me ...
Someone else's name.

The qualities I like most about a man ...
Trustworthiness, romance, charisma.

And dislike …
Cheap talk.

The qualities I like most about a woman ...
Trustworthiness, inner charm.

And dislike ...
Again, Cheap talk.

My worst habit?
Having a sixth sense in and out of my head.

The talent I wish I had ...
Dancing.

I'm proudest of ...
My singing interpretation.

If I weren't a singer, I would ...
Write more than I have so far.

My favorite song ...
My song “Anytime”, a new one, which is a good match between notation and lyrics.

My idea of a great weekend ...
Red wine under the stars, nature and music.

I would never ....
Regret anything for too long.

I laugh at ...
Ironic lies.

And get bored by ...
Irresponsible men.

Life isn't always smooth -- I've learned from the tough times ...
Well, that’s the way it should be…

I still want to ...
Travel to so many places.

My favorite place in the world ...
Nepal, where you can gaze from the highest place in the world and where the stars are so close to the mountains.

My idea of a great meal ...
Low-fat, tasty, less red meat.

People would be surprised to know that I ...
Try to count the stars.

I'm fascinated by ...
Out-of-the-box ideas.

My idea of happiness is ...
Living this life naturally, smartly, wisely.

I can never figure out how to ...
Be a catwalk model.

Is it money that makes the world go around, or sex?
Both are good fuels.

I wish I could meet ...
Jiddu Krisnamurti, because of what he has written and his deep, natural, logical ideas.

My favorite part of my physical appearance is ... but I would change ...
My eyes and thighs, but I want to be slimmer.

If I had Rp 1 billion, I would ...
Make an ESQI:EF work studio.

If I could solve one thing, it would be ...
Regreening, through the environmental system and education.

You know I'm angry when ...
I don't look at somebody's eyes anymore when I talk to them.

To forgive and forget, or forgive but not forget?
To forgive but not forget.

Regrets I've had a few, or too few to mention?
The lyrics from “My Way”.  I have a few …

At 50, I will be …
Alive and still kickin' .

What do you want for your future?
The future is so distant from today. I want wisdom from life.

And for Indonesia's?
Healthy laws, economy and educational system.

When I leave this world, I want it to be ...
In peace.

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