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Payung Teduh vocalist to leave the band next year
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The four members of Payung Teduh, an Indonesian folk-pop band that was established in 2007. (payungteduh.net/File)
Mohammad “Is” Istiqamah Djamad, the vocalist of Payung Teduh, has decided to quit the Indonesian folk-pop band.
“[…] The adventure with Payung Teduh will end in 2018; I’ll be the one who is leaving,” Is told kompas.com after a concert in Jakarta on Tuesday. “I will not leave the ship [to] collapse. They will still continue [as a band] without me.”
Is admitted that he had been debating the matter since June. He further explained that the reason behind his departure was because he and the other members no longer shared the same vision.
“I feel that Payung Teduh seems to be losing their spirit to keep making music; they’re busier [attending] off-air [events],” Is said.
However, Is denied there was conflict within the group.
“There’s nothing negative [regarding the matter]. Please underline that. It’s because we have different points of view in continuing Payung Teduh,” Is stated.
Despite the news, Is is still committed to finishing the band’s third album.
“[My leaving] does not break our promise to finish [the] album,” he said, adding that his contract would end on Dec. 31. “I apologize that [the album’s release] has to be postponed from October to November.”
For their latest album, Payung Teduh is set to collaborate with a fast food chain as a distributor.
“[The album will feature] nine songs […] It will be titled Waktu [Time] and there will be a song named 'Di Atas Meja' [Above the Table],” Is said, adding that one of the songs would serve as a soundtrack for the film Ayat-Ayat Cinta 2 (Verses of Love).
Is plans to return to nature and write more songs once he fully quits from the band. He also wants to spend more time with his wife as he has been busy touring with Payung Teduh.
Read also: Payung Teduh inspired by life in Jakarta
A post shared by mohammad istiqamah djamad (@pusakata) on
Previously, Is indicated that he would be leaving the band on several Instagram posts.
Terkadang memang harus memilih. Kali ini saya memilih pamit. Izinkan 😊
A post shared by mohammad istiqamah djamad (@pusakata) on
The first photo, uploaded on Nov. 10, showed the vocalist standing above a ship with the caption, “Sometimes [I] need to choose, this time I choose to pamit [leave]. Allow me [to do that].”
A post shared by mohammad istiqamah djamad (@pusakata) on
The next day, he posted another photo that had been taken at the same location.
“It’s because in every journey, there will be a [point in which] you choose to stay or pass through,” the caption read. “Thank you for such a great journey.”
A day after, Is uploaded a photo showing him playing a guitar surrounded by children. He wrote in the caption, “It’s to bring music back to its home. The next adventure could be heavier or plain or even unpredictable. Hopefully, this is enough [for me] to continue. Just like a river, let’s have an adventure on the sea.”
Established in 2007, Payung Teduh consists of Is on vocal and guitar, Comi on contra bass, Cito on drums and Ivan on guitalele and trumpets. The band’s prominent hits include "Untuk Perempuan yang sedang di Pelukan" (For the Woman in My Embrace) and "Akad" (Wedding Ceremony). (kes)
