Titi DJ & Cakra Khan Discuss the Song 'Layar' from the Soundtrack of 'SIAPA DIA...' at KapanLagi Talks

Kapanlagi.com - In an exclusive segment of KapanLagi Talks, two big names in the Indonesian music industry, Titi DJ and Cakra Khan, share the story behind their collaboration on the song 'Layar'. A soundtrack for the musical film 'SIAPA DIA...' by Garin Nugroho.

From their first impressions of hearing this song to the unique experiences of recording and shooting the music video in Prague, both seem to not only blend in vocal harmony but also share a warm chemistry as new friends. What was the excitement of the KapanLagi team’s interview with them like?

1. So the First Time I Heard That Screen Song, It Felt Like Going Back to Music 15 Years Ago, Did You Feel the Same?

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Titi DJ: "When we first heard it, there was indeed a feeling of 'wow, this song and its arrangement are something we haven't heard like this in a long time.' So maybe there was indeed an intention from the creator to create that vibe, especially since this is a movie soundtrack, right? Because the film is also related. So it must be that with the soundtrack song, I feel there might be an intention; I will ask the creator again later."

Cakra Khan: "And I also feel that in these current years, music is indeed very varied, and when I heard it, I felt like 'oh, I miss the times of wearing uniforms,' that vibe where we were really romantic, truly. But that's why I am also
very, what should I say, very happy to perform that song because somehow it reminds us of the times when we prepared music really well and packaged it nicely. So especially when I found out I would duet with Mba Titi, wow, that was it."
Titi DJ: "Maybe because it's a soundtrack, it reminds us of films like 'Badai Pasti Berlalu,' right? The songs are also like that. Maybe even more than 15 years ago."
Cakra Khan: "Back in the days when I used to skip class in middle school, haha."

2. What Is Your Reaction When You Find Out You Will Be Paired in This Song?

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Titi DJ: "The first time I was asked to sing this song, I didn't know I would be duetting with Cakra. But after knowing that Cakra would be my duet partner, I was like, duh
duh duh duh duh duh. I was really, how should I say, very happy because honestly, Cakra is one of the singers on my list."
Cakra Khan: "I thought it was a bit strange, haha."
Titi DJ: "It's not strange, it's my wishlist to duet with Cakra, yes, absolutely. Because Cakra is unique, there is no other singer in Indonesia with a voice like Cakra's. Cakra has a distinct power in his vocals, very strong character. So I mean, when can I duet with Cakra? That's why if we want something, we have to manifest it. So in the end, I duetted with Cakra and I was really happy about what the duet was like."

So here's the thing, when I feel like I'm duetting with him, I get a challenge, the challenge is extraordinary because Cakra's voice is very powerful, you know. So I have to match that; that's one of my challenges in this song."
Cakra Khan: "At that time, coincidentally, I was played this song
by Ade Govinda, he happens to be in my label. When I listened to it, I immediately told Ade, 'De, don't give this to anyone else, just give it to me.'"
Titi DJ: "Yes, that's right."
Cakra Khan: "So I was already there, and then Ade said, 'The girl is Mbak Titi.' 'Uh De, let me have it, no one else needs to.' And indeed, from the workshops we had, there were many things I learned from Mbak Titi, and I got a lot of input from her; we exchanged ideas, right."
Titi DJ: "Ha ha, he can already do it, he doesn't need much direction
not directing."
Cakra Khan: "But I mean, it was more about discussing during recording, making demos, and then the second time there was..."
Titi DJ: "The first time was actually when we took Q."
Cakra Khan: "Yes, taking Q."
Titi DJ: "Because the demo song was actually a bit too high for us. It was too high for me, but it turned out to be too high for Cakra as well."
Cakra Khan: "Yes, it was too high for me too."
Titi DJ: "So we searched for the key, then we tried making a demo, and we revised it until we finally flew to Europe to record there with the orchestra."

3. What Is It That Makes You Amazed at Each Other?

KapanLagicom/Adrian Utama Putra

Titi DJ: "If I admire one voice, it’s hers. If I see her as a singer, it's her voice and her work ethic; she is also a disciplined singer who is on time. And what’s more, she knows how to make a song enjoyable. There are a few songs I’ve heard and thought, 'ah, I want to cover this,' but when I tried, it didn’t sound as good as Cakra’s. She really sings songs in a way that makes them sound great. She doesn’t flaunt her skills, even though she can. What I see from her is that she sings with a lot of feeling. If we have skills, no matter how good they are, if there’s no feeling, it’s all for nothing. But from her personality, I found out that she is a very pleasant person. During the few days we spent in Prague, it was like we had chemistry (almost) for a week, we were just laughing together."

Her child is calming, never talks about others, just talks about herself.
She makes fun of herself and laughs at herself; that’s what I learned from her, it’s just fun. So I’m really happy to have met Cakra Khan, to get to know him, and to become close."

Cakra Khan: "From my side, Ms. Titi, when it comes to music, I have no comment on her voice because she has been in the industry for 40 years, and that’s a sign. From her appearance, she is one of those perfectionists; she knows, like earlier, she knows this and that, and I have to learn from that. Sometimes my hair is this way, sometimes that way; even my clothes, I always consult with her about this, and she is very meticulous, as they say in Sundanese, 'ngaping.' Even in the studio, when we discuss, her way of giving input to me feels very much like a mother to a child."
Cakra Khan: "She likes to be humble, even though she is already smart."
Titi DJ: "But it seems like mother and child, no way, you’re not that easy, Cakra, to be my child, haha."

4. You Look Like More Than Just Duet Partners, Are You Really That Close Outside the Studio?

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Cakra Khan: "When we go out of the studio, it's like 'let's go shopping, sis' haha."
Titi DJ: "Ha ha, that's true."
Cakra Khan: "Let's eat, we look for food together, because I really like looking for discounted items, and there's a store that says discount prices, let's go there."
Titi DJ: "What does it say, half price?"
Cakra Khan: "So basically, even shooting the music video is fun, and after that, we look for good food. So it really feels like a family trip while recording.
Titi DJ: "True."

5. Curious, Is It Okay for Professional Singers Like You When Recording One Take?

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Titi DJ: "Of course not."
Cakra Khan: "Of course not, who here has seen me do a one take haha."
Titi DJ: "Yes, it seems that it rarely happens when it comes to recording in one take. So, we definitely did it a few times when we took the q with Mr. Faisal. At that time, we already knew what the q was like, then we recorded in Jakarta first to get used to the demo song. Then in Prague
I told Cakra, 'Cakra, I want to record later without the lyrics,' so it would be direct. So don't read, you know, so it feels more like the song because we've done it a few times, right? 'Wow, I feel that too,' he said. So we recorded in Prague without the lyrics in front of us, we already memorized them."
Cakra Khan: "And if I have a problem, it's that the microphone is high because Ms. Titi is tall. So my recording mic position is usually here, mic here, so I sing like this."

Titi DJ: "Yes, the mic setting there is funny, so there are two mics, two above, two in front, and then what, two one two three, there are many."
Cakra Khan: "If I look at the computer, it’s already 6, yes, in the channel." So that's it, and sometimes I usually enter the studio where we haven't been before, like the bears haven't connected to my body. So there's still a bit of nervousness, right? Adjustments are indeed necessary. Especially since we only have time together right after the orchestra. So we are really racing against time, and there is a deadline."
Titi DJ: "And it's cold there, which has already affected the vocal cords."
Cakra Khan: "Indeed, that's why, but thank God we finished well. Then after leaving the studio, we immediately looked for good food, so everything was the best."
Titi DJ: "Fortunately, there are many good restaurants there."
Cakra Khan: "Very many."

6. Recording in Prague, Why Do We Have to Go So Far?

KapanLagicom/Adrian Utama Putra

Titi DJ: "So one thing, the orchestration there is one of the best in the world, the most beautiful being Prague, then there's Budapest, that's what I know. I've also used orchestration from Prague several times and the studio there is one of the best in the world."
Cakra Khan: "Like an Avengers room."
Titi DJ: "Yes, exactly."

7. Shooting a Music Video There Too, Share Your Experience!

KapanLagicom/Adrian Utama Putra

Titi DJ: "Oh yes, we are not just recording but we are also shooting a music video there. It was cold, but this is the second time shooting a music video in Prague, the first time it was still snowy and much colder for the song Imagination. Now it feels different because there is no snow, but the cold remains the same. However, the location is different so I see that Prague is indeed very beautiful, that city. So it really supports the vibe of this song."
Cakra Khan: "For me, it was indeed cold since it was my first time in Prague, and I just found out that the clothes for going to cold places have a special name, right? I didn't know, so I wore what I usually wear here. Because I didn't know about those kinds of clothes. But the problem is that for me, it was indeed cold, and it felt a bit uncomfortable for me."

8. This is the Soundtrack 'Who Is He...' How Excited Are You to Watch the Movie?

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Titi DJ: "To be honest, I haven't seen the whole movie, just the teasers and clips. It seems very interesting because this is a musical film directed by Garin Nugroho. And all the actors are singers except for Nicholas Saputra. I'm curious to see Nicholas Saputra sing here. So for those who want to see that cold-faced Nicholas Saputra sing, sorry Niko, watch this movie, and yes. And what are the expectations? Well, I expect many people to watch it because this movie is very interesting; I'm curious to watch it since everyone sings in it. There’s Ariel Tatum, Gisella, Dira Sugandi, Widi, Happy Salma, oh, Amanda Rawless too."

(kpl/cvn)