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Armand Maulana carves out identity outside of Gigi
After decades of creating music with legendary band Gigi, singer-songwriter Armand Maulana ventures off on his own for a journey of renewal and self-expression.
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While the 47-year-old musician was the leading lyricist and songwriter with Gigi, he sought to let go of control for his music outside of the band. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)
W
ith a flourishing career of more than two decades in music with legendary band Gigi, singer-songwriter Armand Maulana still has more to offer.
While the 47-year-old musician was the leading lyricist and songwriter of the band, he sought to let go of control for his music outside of Gigi. He has not quit the band, he says, only creating his own music.
In the past couple of years, Armand has released four singles, notably all resulting from collaborations with younger, more contemporary singers, creating music that stands separate from the signature rock sound Gigi is known for.
His latest single “Terluka” (Hurt), was written by David Kurnia Albert from band NOAH and Ricky Batoraya. The mellow, heartbreak pop ballad proved to be popular, getting over 2.5 million views on YouTube in less than two months since its premiere in early June.
Even after decades since first bursting onto the music scene, most notably with Gigi, which was established in 1994, Armand’s latest music reflects a current relevance in an industry where stars fade as fast as they are born.
Indeed, Armand revealed that collaboration is one way he remains in touch with the current music industry, as well as staying on top of music trends and phases.
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Creating new sounds and fitting into the current music was one of his goals as a solo artist, without being imposing or forcefully pushing himself into merely creating a sound for the now.
"Since a long time ago, I never wanted to create something forced," Armand said during a recent interview with The Jakarta Post.
His latest ventures, however, are more than just a way to update his look and sound.
The singer explains writing songs and coming up with melodies with Gigi used to come easily and quickly.
"During workshops with Gigi, I'd be triggered from Hendy on drums, or suddenly Thomas would come in or Budjana would come in. Maybe Budjana would be on the guitar, then it's the melody - the melody would come last. It used to come immediately to me," Armand said of the creation process with band members Gusti Hendy, Dewa Budjana and Thomas Ramdhan.
The last few years, however, saw things slow down for him.
He especially noted the difficulties in late 2013, when Gigi went on to record an album in the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, a studio made famous by The Beatles, with the widely recognized image of the band crossing the road near the studio.
"It was then that so many of the songs for Gigi took so long to write the lyrics," Armand said.
The experience made him stop, analyze and realize there was a sense of weariness and boredom in his creative process.
"This weariness doesn’t mean I want to quit or there’s a problem [with the band]," he said. "But there’s a, how can I say it, a dream, a restlessness to want to create freely from Gigi that I need to express."
Armand decided to create music as a solo artist as an opportunity to express music and ideas he couldn't with the band, a platform he says incorporates all the voices of its members in the creation of its identity and music.
"So of course there would be ideas that cannot be forced," Armand said.
Quenching his thirst to try new things, Armand in his solo ventures looked to the current music scene and tapped today's hottest singers and composers to create music for him.
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In the process, the veteran singer even went as far as asking them to direct him, surprising the likes of Raisa, one of the most popular Indonesian female vocalists today, members of jazz and soul band Maliq & D'Essentials' Arya "Lale" Aditya Ramadhya and Ilman Ibrahim Isa, as well as Anindyo "Nino" Baskoro from pop rock band RAN.
"I just want to sing, you direct me," Armand said of his words to his collaborators, many of whom are still in their 20s and 30s.
The collaboration, Armand said, succeeded in showing a different side of him through new music and sounds.
"There's a side that has never been seen by others that I can finally realize through this," Armand said.
Since his first renewal single "Hanya Engkau Yang Bisa" (Only You Can), released in 2016, Armand's first solo album is now set for release.
"It's actually done. There's already even the cover photo and everything, just waiting to be printed," Armand said. "Insya Allah [God willing], if not at the end of 2018, then in early 2019." (kes)
