Off the Record with Kalya Islamadina
There are artists who make music, and then there are artists who make you feel something, Kalya Islamadina is undeniably the latter. The singer, songwriter, and musical performer has a way of pulling you into her world effortlessly, like a song you didn't know you needed until it's already on repeat. Warm, magnetic, and refreshingly herself, Kalya is the kind of person whose personality is just as captivating as the melodies she creates. We sat down with our February Girl CRRush for a little heart-to-heart, and trust us — you're going to want to get to know her.
Hi everyone! My name is Kalya Islamadina, I'm a singer-songwriter, musical theatre performer and content creator based in Jakarta. I’m a pisces with a huge soft spot for music, movies, live performances, photography, books, writing, puzzles, and basically everything in between. I love exploring new things every single day because I believe I can always get something out of everything. Despite what people might think, I'm actually a huge introvert and prefer spending my free time at home (INFJ here!)
When did you first realize music wasn’t just something you loved, but something you needed?
Basically since I was way too young to remember. I’ve always been surrounded by music my whole life. My dad plays piano like his life depends on it, my sister is a singer, my cousins are also singers and musicians, my uncles, aunts, grandmas, you name it, they were all basically heavily intertwined with music in every way shape or form. Music wasn’t just a big part of my life but also the lives of everyone else around me. I think because I've just been so used to music, I realized later on in life how it has become something I needed. Not just something I could enjoy in my free time, but also a part of my life and something I live off of.
Congratulations on your recent musical production performance! How was the experience for you?
Thank you! It’s not my first musical production performance, but this one was definitely for the books. I grew up falling so deeply in love with Perahu Kertas and its eclectic nature. Kugy and Keenan are so beyond what society would want two people to be, but also at the same time, they are so familiar. The talk about chasing your dreams, never wanting to confine to society’s molds, moving at your own pace at your own time, every single message it upholds speaks so deeply to me. The book was beautiful and it moved me so much, the movie was amazing too. So to be a part of the musical production AND play Kugy in some shows as well? It was basically a dream come true. Playing in a musical that stresses the importance of dreaming big was such a huge honor for me. I hope I get to do this for as long as I possibly can with the amazing people who have also stepped alongside me through this amazing journey.
You usually write songs and go on recording, how different was it to perform live on stage? How did you feel?
Playing in a musical is always so fun for me. So different from recordings and tapings, and so much more challenging too, but personally for me it’s always so much fun to be in musicals. Everything is live in a musical. You dance, sing, act all at once, nonstop, in a span of 2-3 hours. Sometimes maybe even twice a day. So it definitely poses more of a challenge and you have to be consistent and practice. But being in musicals has taught me so much and showed me so much of what my body can do. It’s always an amazing experience!
In your process of writing songs, is there anything (or anyone) that comes to your imagination?
Behind every song and every songwriting process, I feel like there’s always something that inspires me. Be it a memory, a person, an item, a joke or banter I couldn't stop thinking about, everything can be an inspiration for me.
Do you have any rituals that you do to get in the zone before performing or writing?
When it comes to writing I feel like I just let it come to me. Sometimes I might not be able to write anything for the longest time ever and that’s fine, other times it feels like a stroke of lighting and I wouldn't be able to stop writing for the whole night. So no rituals when it comes to writing. But I prefer writing my lyrics analogously with pen and paper rather than digital. But when it comes to performing, I actually do have a little ritual that i do before. I usually like to surround myself with everyone I'm performing with that day. I believe that their good energy can be a boost to kickstart my performance. I like to snack as much as I can before I perform, do a little stretch or have a yoga session if I have the time, meditate, warm up my voice, and have a little prayer with everyone else. I feel like the little ritual I do helps me relax, have fun, and actually see the bigger picture when I perform.
If you could be a part of writing/performing an existing song, which song would it be?
Lyrically, any song by Lizzy Mcalpine or NIKI. I think they’re both geniuses and I would love to work with them someday. Overall, being a part of Dear Evan Hansen the musical would probably also be a dream come true (writing or performing). Or maybe Defying Gravity? To be frank this is a very tough question because there’s soooooooo many songs/performances i’d like to be a part of!
Have you ever had a moment in your life where you instantly thought “I need to capture this feeling through music”?
Yessssss! I think Neptune perfectly describes that feeling for me. Yearning, longing, that feeling of deep, honest, unconditional love you have for someone even though they’re so far away? I just find it to be extremely romantic. I wrote that super poetic song in one sitting. Don’t know what happened and what struck me that night, but I absolutely love whatever ended up being put into that song. One of my most honest songs.
Who is your dream producer to work with?
Hmmmm maybe om Tohpati? I am always constantly in awe of his work. And also kak Ifa Fachir a very good friend of mine! I think we could whip up something sentimental together, knowing it has always been a huge dream of mine to work with him on a song.
They say music is inherited, what's the song that your parents or other family members introduced to you and now has become a staple on your playlists?
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from my dad. He used to loveeeeeee Queen and Rock music so much and I became exposed to the amount of things he listened to. Stan Getz is also a musician my dad listens to a lot and his music has also been a permanent resident in my playlists. “Malaikat Juga Tahu” by mba Dee Lestari from my mom. I think it’s safe to say that “Malaikat Juga Tahu” is my favorite Indonesian song since i was a kid, up until today. And my mom single handedly made me fall in love with that song.
It's karaoke night! what song would be on top of your list?
Karaoke is for the funzies! So nothing too serious (depending on the mood). Open Arms, Makhluk Tuhan Yang Paling Seksi, Cari Pacar Lagi, Dancing Queen, Love on Top, Man Who Can’t Be Moved, anything by Dewa, Naykilla or Tenxi, old indonesian boyband and girlband songs and maybe even a little bit of dangdut too! BASICALLY, anything you can have fun with! The list goes on and on for me i love karaoke
Name 3 makeup items you always carry for touch-ups on work days
A good lip liner, compact powder, and a lip & cheek stain
Which “it-girl” movie character did you look up to the most?
Andy Sachs from Devil Wears Prada, or Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You.
What is your sun,moon, and rising sign?
Sun in Pisces, Moon in Pisces and Rising in Aquarius!
What advice would you give to girls who want to create, but are scared of being seen?
Never be afraid of an outcome you can’t control! Find a reason on why you want to create in the first place. Make sure that you’re doing it because of yourself and your love for it. Not because of other people or validation. Being seen and getting noticed is a part of creation, it shouldn’t be something you demand of receiving or something to affect or change what you create. Stay true to yourself and nothing can stop you.
Who inspired you to be the person you are today?
My parents & family because they are my pillars in life, my religion and what it teaches me, my younger self and every baggage she carries. I feel like the person I am today and the person I will continue to grow into is like a love letter for her. Because she never stopped dreaming, living, laughing, and loving her way through life.
