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Indonesian musicians talk fears, nightmares and Halloween costumes
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JESENN, Misellia, Satine Zaneta and Weda Mauve share the spooky, relatable things that often keep them up at night.
Halloween, a holiday that falls on Oct. 31, has slowly turned into a festivity celebrated by Indonesians.
Indonesians have started coming up with ways of celebrating it — binge-watching horror movies for 24 hours or throwing a costume party over dark-pop music.
The Jakarta Post talked to a few Indonesian musicians about their dream Halloween costume, the spookiest movie they had ever seen and their deepest fears.
JESENN (25), singer, songwriter
What would you wear to a Halloween party?
"I would dress up as Casper the Friendly Ghost [laughs]. Casper was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. I used to watch it before I took a nap. He's a friendly ghost and not scary at all. Dressing up like him would be appropriate for Halloween parties because I like things simple and uncomplicated. You wouldn't need any makeup, just a cloth would do."
What is the scariest film or series that you have ever seen?
"It's [2014 American apocalyptic thriller film] Left Behind, though it's not exactly a horror film. I watched it with my parents, and the film was about The Rapture. There's this couple with three kids. The patriarch is a pilot and leads a not-so-righteous life—having affairs and such—then, The Rapture happens, and his wife and children rise except him. Like, everyone who is righteous rises while the rest is left behind. It's very spooky. I was scared for myself after leaving the theater, questioning, like, 'Have I led a righteous life myself?'" [laughs].
Can you tell me the scariest nightmare you have ever had?
"My friends once forced me to watch [2013 American supernatural horror feature film] The Conjuring, and afterward, the film made it all the way into my dreams [laughs]. In this dream, I found myself in the film [production], but Valak [the antagonist from the film's sequel] was there, and it felt like Valak wasn't an actor but the real deal. When I turned my back, the film crew was gone. Then I woke up, and it was 4 a.m. I listened to religious music and tried to go back to sleep [laughs]."
As a musician, what is your greatest fear?
"I don't have any fears. But still, I become beside myself when it comes to disappointing everyone who has faith in me and puts bigger expectations on me and my music. I feel apprehensive about disheartening everyone who has supported me, like my mother and my loved ones. Like, if people are not as receptive to my music or if my choices don't sit well with them."
What advice would you give people about overcoming their fears?
Fear is simply a matter of mind. Therefore, if we could control our mindscape and focus on positive thoughts only, nothing worrisome would happen. Just do what you believe in and have a bright outlook only."
Misellia (18), singer, songwriter
What would you wear to a Halloween party?
"If I could choose, I would be Esther from [2009 American psychological thriller feature film] Orphan. First, I love the film so much, especially the first one. Second, I like the character. I find her unique; she may look like a sweet and innocent girl on the outside, but she's 180-degree different on the inside [laughs]. She's a total creep, a total mess. I think I could capture that vibe pretty well [laughs]."
What is the scariest film or series that you have ever seen?
"That would probably be [2018 American horror feature film] Hereditary. That's the only film that has ever made me consider leaving the theater halfway through the film [laughs]. It's simply because that film was gory to the max [laughs]. There was lots and lots of blood, so visually it was traumatizing."
Can you tell me the scariest nightmare you have ever had?
"There's no specific nightmare, though since I was a kid I have often had this dream in which I find myself in an abandoned shopping mall—very old, no one in sight—and the dream would be about either I am chasing someone, or someone is chasing me. Even now, I have no idea who that 'someone' is. The funny thing is that the dream always feels very real. One time, when I woke up from that dream, I was drenched in a cold sweat. One day I thought, 'Maybe that dream was my past life. Like, the way I died'. Maybe [laughs]."
As a musician, what is your greatest fear?
"My biggest fear as a musician is that I won't be able to make music anymore someday. Whatever the reason, it could be deafness, or I somehow hurt my [vocal] instrument or have a vocal-cord injury. Or something as simple as I don't make music anymore because I've lost interest in it. That would be my worst nightmare."
What kind of advice would you give the readers to overcome their fears?
"I think fears are unavoidable. You could avoid them, but only once or twice. I believe the only and the best way to handle your fear is to face them. Deal with them. I know it's scary, but at least you will get to know yourself better. Or, better yet, you might learn something from them sometimes."
Satine Zaneta (20), singer, songwriter, actress
What would you wear to a Halloween party?
"I'd like to dress up as Vanellope from [2012 American animated feature film] Wreck-It Ralph because she's so adorable with such a vivid color palette. Her personality is very cheerful as well. I love looking at her. So cute!"
What is the scariest film or series that you have ever seen?
"I'm not into horror or thriller films because I don't like anything that gives me the heebie-jeebies. Still, I got to watch [2017 Indonesian horror film] Pengabdi Setan, and that film stuck in my mind for days! The character Ibu [Mother] popped into my dream as well. That film was unhinged."
Can you tell me the scariest nightmare you have ever had?
"I don't like anything that makes my chest thump or anything that makes me jump out of my seat. Also, I don't like it when I have a dream of being chased by something. One night I dreamed I was being chased by Slender Man [a character from the 2018 American supernatural horror film Slender Man]. I mean, he had very long legs, so definitely, I wouldn't stand a chance! That dream took a toll on me and made me feel exhausted and uncomfortable. It sucked!"
As a musician, what is your greatest fear?
"I'm afraid my music won't be able to reach people. My purpose of being a musician is for more than just my satisfaction. I want my music to be a companion and a source of happiness for everyone around me. Even though I realize that it's not my obligation to meet expectations set by others, I've also realized that there's nothing wrong with making music and putting joy in people's lives simultaneously."
What kind of advice would you give about overcoming fears?
"I'm still trying to figure out the most effective way to do that. But the way I see it, the first step in overcoming your fears is facing them head-on. It sounds easier said than done, but every little step we make to overcome such fears is meaningful. Running away is not the right way to be brave."
Weda Mauve (15), singer, songwriter, producer
What would you wear to a Halloween party?
"I've never been to any Halloween parties before. Well, there was that one time, and it was, like, a kindergarten costume pageant. I dressed up as Dracula because my mom told me to. Funny story: I won. But, if I have to pick a costume, I would pick Scooby-Doo. I don't know why. I don't watch many films, so I don't overthink them. Scooby-Doo is, like, funny and genius and noisy. Also, the dog is my Chinese zodiac sign."
What is the scariest film or series that you have ever seen?
"I'd say [2021 American horror film series] The Fear Street Trilogy was terrifying and tragic. Watching it gave me chills. Also, The Conjuring trilogy and the Insidious films were scary and traumatic. The Fear Street Trilogy was very sadistic regarding the killings and such. The jump scares in The Conjuring trilogy and the Insidious films were in a league of their own.
Another scary film was [2019 American and Sweden folk horror film] Midsommar. It's not exactly a horror film, but it was a traumatizing experience because, like, the film was very absurd, very odd. You won't feel the same after you watch it."
Can you tell me the scariest nightmare you have ever had?
"I have had a lot of dreams. My dreams are wild as [expletive]! However, if I had to pick one, there's this recurring dream: I live in a tiny house alone – for no reason – and I have to flee the house and ghosts intrude my path. I’ve had so many dreams, and they are all wild!" [laughs]
As a musician, what is your greatest fear?
"I'm afraid I won't be able to meet the expectations on myself and my surroundings set. That, or I find myself lost in direction when I get older, maybe. For instance, when fame comes my way, I might lose control of myself. That's the thing I fear the most."
What kind of advice would you give the readers to overcome their fears?
"I don't recommend conquering your fears because, for me, like, there's nothing to be afraid of in this world. You live, you die. So, there's nothing to lose. Just do what you want to do, be afraid of what you fear, but I'd rather be a bad [expletive] than a scared [expletive]."
