Danilla
‘Superstar Porch Thoughts’
People are simply the spice of life. When we travel abroad, we can always expect to meet people from many walks of life. Waiting to board my plane in Singapore, I met a Fruitologist from the United States. ‘Yes a Fruitologist.” He was certainly a chatty man who sent me completely bananas within a minute of introducing ourselves.
DANILLA IMAGE: JAKARTA POST
Bananas this…apples that... (um hello, my name is Mark!)…the science behind bananas is just fascinating...and he even told me about the feelings bananas experience after being chopped up in a blender. “Yes! A banana smoothie would go down a treat right now...Hang on! What banana that has been chopped up and purified in a blender has the time to visit his office for a chat to share its feelings? Yep! I am sure that was my flight being called. GULP!”
Then there are other people you meet who are simply the cherry on top of your day. Out of the 12 million people in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, I had the pleasure of being introduced to recording artist, Danilla, after I arrived to Broadcast Design Indonesia’s guest house.
Within moments of sitting down with Orion Record Indonesia’s star Danilla, I felt that she is a gift to the world. Not only is she adored by her fans in Indonesia, the music industry and travellers (like me) who happen to fortunate enough to meet her; Danilla is a beacon of light for stray, wounded and mistreated animals that she discovers on the streets in Indonesia.
Alongside her partner and award-winning musician Lafa Green, I discovered at just 24, Danilla is fast becoming a voice within ASIA. Danilla is Danilla and her compassion and quirky outlook shines bright through her music, story-telling and drives her mission to raise international awareness for the welfare of animals in Indonesia. Yes, I have gone completely bananas over Danilla…and proud to say so!
What inspired you to follow a career into music?
Listening to music with my eyes closed has always been one my favourite things to do in life. I have always enjoyed singing along to music that I connect with. Music is a gift in many ways. I have always felt I could do something positive with that gift by combining it with what I love doing the most. Music takes me somewhere without anyone else there. I always want to be there. I love music and that is what inspires me to create songs and perform.
How did you break into the industry?
The CEO of Broadcast Design Indonesia, Richard Buntario, always believed I could have a successful career in the music industry in ASIA and beyond. When he first heard me perform, he liked my voice and style of music. He invited me to his production company that is also home to ORION RECORDS. He introduced me to award-winning musician Lafa Green and we immediately clicked on a music level. Lafa produced almost all of the songs on my debut album, ‘Telisik’. Richard then introduced me to David Karto (The Owner of DEMAJORS INDIE LABEL). With their support and belief in my music, I have been making great progress with my music.
Growing up what did you enjoy listening to and perhaps influenced you as an artist?
Generally I listen to any genre of music now, but I also listen to Classic music and Bossanova. When I was a child, I was drawn to Disco, Trip Hop and also British Pop Music. I still love Trip Hop still to this day.
How has your music evolved over the years in terms of both story-telling and melody?
I think partially everything is evolving based on the music I listen to and I also find inspiration from many real-life situations such as events, stories and special moments in my life. I have faced and overcome many emotions in my life that includes both sadness and happiness which impacts and influences the sounds, chords and lyrics I create. The new direction I am heading in my life is a positive and exciting chapter, so, life right now is a great inspiration and I’m pouring out great melodies and lyrics that reflect my emotions.
What do you hope people enjoy most about your music?
I hope people can close their eyes, smile and feel calm listening to my music. I hope they will enjoy my music everywhere at any time; and just like I used to close my eyes and go other places, I truly hope my music will take them to wherever they want be.
Your new single, ‘Ada Di Sana’ has just been released in Indonesia and has been well received within the music industry and with your fans alike. What is the new single about?
‘Ada Di Sana’ is about the confession of a stalker/lover to the one he/she loves the most. Within the lyric, the stalker asks permission to politely enter the other’s heart; just to make sure that this lover/stalker will always be in other’s heart. If you love and adore someone, you have a choice to stay silent or act upon your feelings. Remaining silent is a safe option but when you are truly in love somebody, declaring your feelings may just turn your world around. You never know unless you say something, right?
You seem to have a brilliant connection with your musical partner Lafa Green, who is also an award-winning musician and composer in Indonesia with his band, Suave. Are you on the same page of the book with Lafa in terms of your ‘stalking theme’ in many of your songs?
Yes we are totally in sync on many levels. My latest song for example ‘Ada Di Sana’ was produced by Lafa. He arranged the song and wrote the lyrics too. It’s a beautiful song that I couldn’t resist to record when I first it.
Why is there a ‘stalking’ theme in your many of your songs?
Not all my songs are about stalking but I am drawn to writing songs about tragedy, such as murders and intriguing stories in history. I also enjoy writing about simple things like falling in love, or missing someone and even about maybe the beauty of a cat. I also try to create songs about some issues or events that are often forgotten about or swept under the carpet such a real-life stories.
How do lyrics come to you on topics such as a real life murder?
First I need to listen to the raw song repeatedly and feel the melody; and then the lyrics just seem to follow. Of course I do my research and then mix that with my imagination to find some reference points. I try to put myself into the story that I plan to write and then put in the appropriate words. So that ignites the song and the lyrics too.
What is one example of a real-life murder song that you successfully turned into a song for your album?
‘Junko Furuta.’ This is a song about a Japanese girl who tragically died in 1989. She was tragically tortured and then murdered by her school friends. I first read about her story on the internet 5 years ago and based on actual media reports. I was shocked to hear about her story. I immediately wanted make a song about her to honour her short life.
How did her story connect with your emotions to inspire you to put pen to paper?
I felt sad and angry by the cruelty she encountered. In a way I became addicted to learning more about her life prior to her death. I went through many emotions of feeling scared and I didn’t like one aspect of the way she died. There are so many emotions in this song. And that’s what makes this song special to me. I hope many people including her family and friends can connect to my story of the song. She was a beautiful young girl with her whole life ahead of her.
When audiences and the music industry hear songs such as Junko Furuta, what sort of comments do you receive about your style of music?
Most of the comments I receive are generally very good. Reviews have been kind and my style is respected. My albums have been described as soothing, classy but also bordering on the dark side of life. Others have described my music style as whimsical some songs similar to a lullaby. When I receive comments or receive feedback such as ‘soothing’, I feel have accomplished my goal which is awesome. I love that feeling.
Your music has been played live on radio in neighbouring countries such as Australia. How does it feel knowing that your music has an international appeal?
My reaction was simply one of happiness, “Wow! It’ was like a dream but it was also real. I said to myself, “this is really happening Danilla, they hear you, they hear you.” I felt so happy because I never thought that my music would have international appeal and that people in countries such as Australia could hear my music. It was such an honour and I feel inspired to write more English songs in the future.
Do you have plans to tour outside of Indonesia in the future?
I would love to perform live to audiences overseas. I would love to tour countries such as Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and parts of Europe someday. If that happens, then it would be a reward for us all; for people who appreciate my music and I could also learn more about new cultures and countries that I have grown up learning about at school and University in Indonesia. I would love the opportunity to equally teach people more about the Indonesian culture and our music too.
If you could record a song with any international artist, who would it be and why?
Definitely Swedish singer/songwriter Jay-Jay Johanson. He is so talented and I would jump at the chance to record a song with him. I love the way he sings. His voice is gloomy, flat, sounds very desperate but has a beautiful sweetness to it. He has recorded many songs that I connect with. I have also read that he is a very cool and down-to earth guy.
You are regularly invited to perform as the headline act at many major events across Indonesia including some recent shows - Green Voice Day that was presented by Indonesia Climate Change Centre, Women’s Fun Walk in Bandung (West of Jakarta) and you’ll be performing at the 14 Day International Jakjazz Festival coming up in November. What does performing live to audiences mean to you?
Performing live at events is amazing and a lot fun. I love connecting with my fans and I enjoy the atmosphere and seeing people sing along to my songs. It’s a great feeling. I also enjoy practicing how to act through presenting myself with each new song I release. Whether I perform live at major events or perform acoustic arrangements in a café style venues with intimate audiences, I am always thrilled to have to have the opportunity to entertain people, interact with members of the audience, and most importantly, I enjoy sharing messages within my songs to everybody. Audience reactions always makes me happy and keeps me inspired to perform live and record more albums.
Apart from music and perhaps stalking people in your spare time, what is one of your other greatest passions in life?
One of my greatest passions in life is that “I LOVE” helping and rescuing animals from any sort of threat or potential harm they may be facing. I hope someday more people will share in my passion and less animals in the world will face potential harm.
Why are you so passionate about protecting animals?
I see beauty in animals; they are all lovable creatures. At times my heart hurts when I see distressed or abused animals, I can’t stop myself from crying before finding a way to help and protect them. I love helping animals in every way possible such as feeding, breeding and protecting them. My love for animals is similar to that of my favourite musician from Indonesia, Sigit Tigapagi. He had similar views.
How do you actually help animals in Indonesia?
I can't help them in a big way yet, but I always try my best to save either dying and stray animals (mostly cats and dogs). Where possible, I try and find someone with a loving home to adopt them. I take them to the VET for treatment when I find them sick or wounded on the streets. I also bury deceased animals that I find so they can be laid to rest. I regularly sign petitions all around the world to help protect animals from cruelty and extinction. It’s a big task and I will never give up.
What do you think can be done in Indonesia to ensure this issue draws attention in the media in ASIA for international awareness and support?
There needs to be more media attention here in Indonesia and active campaigns that can build the awareness for people to save animals. Hopefully our government can play a big part in this issue. As a musician, I can use my voice and perhaps write songs in the future about saving animals to support a national campaign.
Where can we download your songs or see of your music clips?
You can download any of my songs on from iTunes, or order my CD from www.demajors.com. My video clips and some of my live performances are available on YouTube, and you can also listen to my collaborations with Lafa Green on Soundcloud. You can search my name - Danilla JPR.
What is your Porch Thought for the day?
“Save animals!”