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Terry: Music speaks the unspeakable
(Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia)Singer Terry said sentimental songs were the most cathartic medium of expression
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(Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia) (Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia)
(Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia)
Singer Terry said sentimental songs were the most cathartic medium of expression.
'I express my pain through music. Tear-jerking sentimental ballads are the best way channel my emotions,' the singer, whose real name is Terryana Fatiah, told The Jakarta Post.
Since entering the recording industry in 2004, Terry has released a number of singles and duets, most of which were heartbreaking ballads. Two of her most famous songs were 'Janji Manismu' (Your Sweet Promise), which launched her to fame when released in 2006 and 'Butiran Debu' (Speck of Dust), which was released last year.
'Butiran Debu' was a cover of a song by pop band Rumor and was heavily rotated throughout 2012.
Terry has happily accepted the label of a 'galau' (a colloquial term for dramatic portrayal of love-torn sorrow) singer,
saying it has helped her find her audience and shape her character.
'In the past, I did not purely record sentimental songs. I love soul, R&B and gospel; I love singing songs from various genres. Producers, however, said that I was at my best when I sang down tempo songs,' she said cheerfully.
After experimenting with different styles, she surprised her producers, and ultimately herself, when they found out that she was a distinguished singer of melancholic songs.
'My label as a mellow singer is the result of a production choice, but I embrace it. I too feel that I am most expressive singing these type of songs,' Terry said matter-of-factly.
Terry has released two full albums to date: a self-titled debut in 2006 and the album Are You Ready in 2011.
She is preparing to release her third album early next year. The next album is set to have a total of 10 songs. A number of singles have been prepared prior to the album release.
In one of the singles of the new album, she recorded a duet with Malaysian pop singer, actor and TV and radio host Khairil Azam, who is better known as Aril. Together they recorded a cover of the song 'Tulus' (Sincere), which was originally sung by pop band Vagetoz and Tia AFI.
The duet was initiated by Terry's label Sony Music Indonesia, which offered her an opportunity to collaborate with a Malaysian singer.
'There were three Malaysian candidates for the duet, I ultimately chose Aril because I think he is charming and I like his singing style,' Terry said.
'Tulus' was a characteristically sad song about love that showcased her signature style, she said.
'This one will leave you leaning against the wall, but the next single will be even more melodramatic and make you drop to the floor,' she said while chuckling.
The chanteuse, however, wanted to throw a curve ball in one of her planned singles.
'I have a plan to release an upbeat song. I just want to see how the people react to me singing an up tempo; I want to surprise them,' she said with a smile.
Despite being able to pull out despondent thousand-yard stares and desolate cowers in her videos, Terry said she was not interested in finding out how she would fare starring in a melodramatic TV series.
'I act out a song based on the story or the mood it tells, there's no dialogue in it. A song's persona does not have a name or even a full personality, it's all about emotion,' she said.
Having been in the music business for over a decade, Terry still feel that she has a lot more to learn.
'I can sing, I can write songs, but I am not yet Ahmad Dhani or Erwin Gutawa. It would be very hard to follow in their footsteps,' she said referring to the prominent pop producers and songwriters.
'For now, I still feel safer working as a singer,' she said.
