Baby: Country, There is Something Wonderful Behind Its Simplicity

After taking a rehearsal with her band at a studio in Bandung, Baby Astheria put aside a short of her busy time for an interview with uncluster.com. The woman, who is more renowned through her name of Baby, is now at her busiest time for a program that she prepared at certain TV station. This time, uncluster.com asked her lots about country music, one that she has been playing ever since high school/ SMA.

Hi…
Hi…

Can you tell us your first fondness with country music?
I loved music since I was a child. During my study at Elementary School I listened to all kinds of music, no matter the genre it was. As I entered High School, I met my management, which is to the date still with me. Firstly, I was asked to perform all kinds of music by my old band. But finally, we fell in love with country music … I just enjoy the music when I played it. Funny thing is I have never been assuming myself as a country singer. It is people who inscribe me as a country singer, after they listened to my music and voice.

What did you find in country music that you did not find it in other music?
Its simplicity and sincerity; both its music and lyrics. They are closed to reality. We sing to express something (a message), and in country music I feel the messages are very strong-tasting. Yup, there is something wonderful behind its simplicity.

Why did you choose to be a soloist?
Yes, I think it is quite pity. All personnel of my old band were girls and we had been gone for five years, unluckily the group was disbanded in cause of internal matter. After the dismissal, I had two choices; quit at all or I continued to sing. Finally I chose to continue. I loved to compose songs and during the band was active there were some of my songs suitable to be performed, afterwards I kept the songs. And since I went on solo in 2004, I enlisted the songs into my album.

When will you release the album?
Actually, the album is just about to be released. However, I was by chance offered to be included in a compilation of “Dewiq; The Hits Maker”. So, I tested people’s preference on my music then finally I joined the single “Happy Ending”. I like this single, since it is different than those of my other songs. I included performances of other instruments; such as viola, mandolin and pedal steel guitar. The video clip of the single is also about to be released. After it is all done, then I would release my debut album.

Are there any other touches besides country in your first album?
Clearly it is more like a pop music … Hahaha … I composed as well as arranged 90% of songs in the album. It is planned that in the next second album, I would like to release a country album.

It is reportedly you will initiate a trio. Is it true?
Actually, along with two other singers, I tried to create a different format than solo project. I expect it would be a moment for me to share with others … to learn something. I wanted to share this spirit to others by educating and learning from them, that country music is increasingly disseminated and growth in Indonesia. I also wanted to eliminate people’s common assumption which suggests if country music belongs only to old-aged people. In fact, I wanted to initiate the trio from my solo basis. So, we are combination of soloists who initiate a new format other than solo, with three different colors. Today we are three of us, later maybe the two of us or we choose to be a quartet and so on.

Can you name your most memorable performance?
It was the moment when I sang before (former) President Megawati. I was still in the band. The name of the event was “Senandung untuk Sahabat”, in which we got an award too. One thing I love most when I performed and involved in particular event; I may observe a lot of things and make them as things to learn, not only I performed, such as whenever I involved in certain preparation process of a huge event; rehearsals and so on.

Can you name local or foreign musicians that inspire you?
The Eagles, Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain, Tina Turner and Bon Jovi, while from Indonesia, I favor Iwan Fals, since he always sings with full of souls, I think there are only a few Indonesian singers sing like him.

And songs that you like most?
You Are (Dolly Parton), Fly Away (Baby Astheria), Bed of Roses (Bon Jovi), Boys of Summer (The Eagles) and Strong Enough (Sheryl Crow).

Filed Under: HerMusics