The digital sphere according to singer songwriter Liyana Fizi, writes Amalina Kamal
LIYANA Fizi is every boy — and girl’s — favourite crush in the local music scene. The songstress released the official music video for her song Sini recently on YouTube. With a substantial amount of loyal fans both online and offline, Liyana took the time to share her thoughts on tech and the impact it has on us all.
CAN YOU SHARE ONE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE WE ARE LIVING IN?
Real-time information is made possible thanks to the digital advancements we see today. People are also more connected, which is great!
HOW HAS THE MUSIC INDUSTRY BENEFITED FROM TECHNOLOGY?
It has created the touchpoint for me to better engage with my fans. Social media is — without a doubt — part of our lifestyle. Being an independent musician, I make use of whatever tools available for me to put my work out for the public to enjoy. Such digital innovation has become a necessity for an artiste like myself to utilise fully. It’s heartwarming to see the reactions of my followers even when I post simple photos (of clouds, for instance) on my account.
SINCE YOU MENTIONED SOCIAL MEDIA, WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF “POST FOR LIKES”?
I don’t like the fact that people tend to get so warped inside the realm of social media, where women and men are too concerned of how things look on Instagram more instead of real life but to each his own, everyone has their own way of self-validation. Whether it’s for personal or business gain, you are free to go with or against it.
SHOULD SOCIAL MEDIA BE REGULATED?
Proper usage should start from the user. That said, I do agree that there should be more emphasis on the responsibility of ensuring youngsters (especially the underaged) to get guided supervision when using the Internet in general.
WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGE DOES THE SOCIETY FACE WHEN IT COMES TO GOING DIGITAL?
It would be cyberbullying, which is why it’s easy to be turned off by social media. I get very disturbed when I see the number of people online — the keyboard warriors — who are quick to spread negativity for their amusement. I haven’t personally experience any online backlash, but even being a spectator on the side has already affected me in so many ways because it paints the kind of generation we are surrounded by. The real challenge here is fighting to stay positive despite seeing this ongoing rampant attitude.
DOES THAT AFFECT HOW YOU ARE WHEN ONLINE? ARE YOU MORE OF AN EXTROVERT OR INTROVERT?
I don’t put much thought into my online character, what you see are simply pieces of me. I do, of course, keep certain things private but that doesn’t stop me from sharing stuff about my music or anything that I am excited about.
I have a separate personal account on Facebook, which is strictly for those I’m close to but as far as Twitter or Instagram is concerned, my followers are my friends and that is why it’s made public.
DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DEPEND ON GADGETS TO GET BY?
It should not make us trust our instincts less. Balance is the key to everything
and I believe it applies to the time we
spend on our favourite device or applications.
I also believe that we should strive at giving undivided attention to the real world (when we are out with our friends, for instance) instead of just being fixated on our device. It’s a matter of common courtesy.
IS THERE ANY GADGET YOU CURRENTLY OWN THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
I love my phone. It goes wherever I go, I do my work mostly on it and it has all my music.
CAN YOU NAME ONE SONG THAT IS CURRENTLY STUCK IN YOUR HEAD?
Son Of A Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield. It’s a classic and I have no idea why it’s stuck in my mind but it’s an awesome song nevertheless!