Kapanlagi.com

Acknowledged as possessing one of the best voices in the country, Elfonda Mekel, better known simply as Once, succinctly wrapped up his life story in an engaging hour-long performance.

The former vocalist of pop-rock group Dewa exceeded expectations when he performed recently at Motion Blue jazz lounge at the Fairmont Jakarta. Even though there is not the slightest jazz tinge in his voice, his soulful renditions enlivened the night.

He belted out 15 songs without a break, except for greeting the audience and sharing his personal stories before each number.

“It’s the first time for me to perform before an audience with high appreciation of different music genres. I’m honored to be here,” he said after opening with “Cakrawala” (Horizon) — a song from his second and most recent album Intrinsik.

He played the rock ballad on piano accompanied by his “super” band, with two guitarists — Eca was the guitarist for Ari Lasso, the original vocalist of Dewa, while Taras belongs to the artist management of Dewa’s frontman Ahmad Dhani.

“I’m glad that they [Ari and Dhani] are judging [TV singing scouting shows] so I could have the guitarists with me tonight. They are incredibly good. Or is it because I give better pay?”

More jokes with the audience were well received, as was his banter with the band personnel, showing another side of him from his usual stiff on-stage persona.

Once also mentioned how he had lost his voice twice, the first time when he was a toddler before his voice was miraculously regained.

The second time was during his university years, perhaps resulting from coming into contact with the dusty textbooks at the library of the law school in Jakarta where he studied.

“I was in a band and wanted to keep it that way, so I took medication and vocal therapy for over a year. My vocal was slightly changed, but here I am now,” he told the audience.

SONGS TO REMEMBER

Other than his new songs from his latest album, such as “Tak Sempurna” (Not Perfect), “Di Bawah Mentari” (Under the Sun), “Satu dari Sejuta” (One in a Million) and “Abadi Untukmu” (Forever with You), he also performed famous numbers from his time with Dewa, such as “Cemburu” (Jealous), “Separuh Nafas” (Half Lives) and “Lagu Cinta” (Love Song).

One of the songs, the fast-paced hard rock number “Mystified”, he wrote in English during his 11 years in Dewa.

“Now you know why the song was not accepted to be included as a Dewa song,” he quipped.

The father of one, who became a solo singer during the past three years (“It made me a junior”) after resigning from Dewa in 2011 and took on a couple of project bands, also performed his hit singles “Aku Mau” (I Will) and “Dealova” — the latter made for the soundtrack of a film of the same name.

The audience also got to know some of his favorite songs, such as Sting’s “It’s Probably Me”, The Beatles’ “Come Together” and Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again”, which he loved to sing with his band while he was in junior high school.

Once, who also played guitar and drums, sang covers on stage since middle school. He then joined the group Java Burns and started to write his own songs.

“If anyone said I was ‘found’, the person who found me was Deddy Dhukun,” he said as he acknowledged the singer, songwriter and producer among the audience, who put him on a compilation album in 1990.

After a long hiatus, Once was involved in the soundtrack album of film Kuldesak (Cul-de-sac) with Ahmad Dhani in 1998, two years before he joined Dewa.

But he seemed a bit nervous despite his many years of stage experience when he was about to play Donny Hathaway’s “A Love Song” on piano.

“It will be my first time singing this song in public,” he said, before silencing the room with his soulful vocals, with the lyrics telling the story of an entertainer finding a time alone with his love.

Once’s performance in June was part of MLDSPOT Jazzphoria in collaboration with Motion Blue and Metro TV. The special event, begun on May 13, presents a stellar line-up of performers, including Krakatau Reunion and Eva Celia featuring Indra Lesmana. For more information on MLDSPOT Jazzphoria event schedule, visit mldspot.com or follow @MLDSPOT on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.