Indonesian pop rock star Judika will perform his first-ever concert with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra tomorrow
HE’S known for his aggressive stage presence and loud rocking vocals back in Indonesia.
No slouch in the ballad department either, pop rock vocalist Judika is set to bring his edgy brand of music to fans with a major twist.
The charismatic singer will be performing with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) tomorrow and on Sunday.
This marks the second time the MPO has collaborated with an acclaimed Indonesian artiste after Ruth Sahanaya’s show last year.
Setting the milestone as the first male singer from the neighbouring republic, the 41-year-old singer, whose full name is Judika Nalon Abadi Sihotang, is off to a rocking start.
“It’s definitely an honour to be chosen as such and I’m very excited and happy nonetheless,” says the artiste casually in an interview in Subang Jaya.
He explains that he took a while to consider the implications when offered the project.
”This is the first time in my career where I was offered the concept to perform live with a full orchestra and to have my songs rearranged for a concert, so it was a big decision to ponder on. Prior to this, I only had a few songs here and there that had orchestral accompaniment or I was featured in someone else’s song with an orchestra,” he says.
MPO conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose adds that Judika was a natural choice.
“Why not Judika? He’s one of the most sought-after Indonesian artistes with a big fan base here. We are excited to embark on this project and have 19 tracks of music to showcase for the benefit of the audience,” he says.
Judika, whose last concert in Kuala Lumpur was in 2017, adds that there will be hits songs from all of his six albums in the concert and that Ahmad Muriz has done a wonderful job of making them orchestral.
ORGANIC MIX OF GENRES
Stepping out of his comfort zone, he says: “I’m used to performing with my own band which is very suited to what I want and expect, but this time it’s very different. The parts are all arranged in a certain way so I have to be more focussed. Timing is of the essence and I have to be aware of a lot of things or else I will be lost in the music.”
Enjoying the challenges that come with the project, he adds that it’s just another music genre that he’s dabbling in.
“Orchestral music is a classy one and I basically like all kinds of music genres. What interests me is that I’m doing something different so the mixing of rock vocals with a renowned orchestra will definitely be something spectacular and out of the ordinary for all,” he says.
Ahmad Muriz adds: “The arrangements make it easy and suitable for the orchestral environment but we are not going to be overly adventurous to the point where we lose the plot and everything sounds so totally different.
“It’ll be a symbiotic process where we work together to provide a solid base so that both the characteristics of the MPO and Judika will be highlighted during the show for the audience to have a great experience.”
The upcoming concert will also feature local vocal powerhouse Jaclyn Victor who Judika is a fan of.
“We’ll be singing some duets together and I’ve known her from before. Her vocal ability is mesmerising and she’s one of my Malaysian idols so she is a great choice for this project,” he says.
The two-hour show with the MPO will also feature some covers and the artiste spills a few titbits.
He lets on that there might be performances of Ruth Sahayana’s Kaulah Segalanya, Search’s Isabella, Iklim’s Suci Dalam Debu and This Is Me from The Greatest Showman’s soundtrack, among others.
“My duet with Siti Nurhaliza (Kisah Ku Inginkan) may even make it to the song list,” he teases.
KEEPING IT SIMPLE
As for his antics on stage, Judika says that he will keep it simple.
“I’ll be myself of course but don’t expect me to be running across the stage since I have to mind the environment and space. Although I’m alright just standing in one position, there might be some vibrant swaying,” he says with a laugh.
Judika carved his name as a singer after becoming runner-ups at singing competitions such as Asia Bagus (1998) and Indonesian Idol (2005).
Together with a capella group Antero Boys, he won the ‘Cerbul de aur song Festival Rumania’ in 2000 and later released his debut album, One, in 2007.
Since then he has come up with a string of chart-topping hits such as Bukan Dia Tapi Aku, Cinta Satukan Kita, Aku Yang Tersakiti, Sampai Kau Jadi Milikku and Jikalau Kau Cinta.
In 2011, he became the vocalist of Mahadewa, a band fronted by Ahmad Dhani, before leaving the group in 2014.
Aside from singing, Judika is also known as an actor with five feature films to his credit.
The artiste, who recently released his latest single, Cinta Karena Cinta, says that he’s currently busy with many other projects apart from his ongoing role as a judge on the reality TV singing competition, Indonesian Idol.
“I’m currently working on an album that features the folk music from the various tribes in Indonesia,” says Judika, who is from the Batak tribe and hails from Sidikalang in North Sumatra.
“It’s already past the mixing stage and should be out either at the end of the year or early next year. It has 10 songs, each from a different tribe, and there are so many tribes in Indonesia, so if it does well then perhaps I’ll release a Volume 2 version,” he adds.
The award-winning Indonesian singing sensation’s concert with the MPO is organised by DFP together with Kelab Sukan Dan Rekreasi Petronas (KSRP).
A portion of the proceeds of the concerts will be channelled to Dana As-Syakirin, a trust fund jointly established by Petronas and the Association of Wives and Female Staff of Petronas (Petronita).