After a lifetime of singing, including seven and a half years of stages in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Indonesian singer Intan Andriana is this weekend launching her debut album, put together with the assistance of Phil Javelle and a vast array of local musicians. Ahead of the big launch concert at Chew & Bash on Friday night Intan sat down with LengPleng to discuss where the music comes from.
LP: Congratulations on putting an album together!
Intan: It’s still such a surprise! It’s been my lifelong dream to make a record – at first we were just talking, my husband Andrej and Phil and I, then we made it into something. Andrej said: let’s do this! This album is about my life in music, my journey, my life in jazz, my life as a new mum. I am so excited. The name of the album is My Life In Jazz, after a song that Phil wrote especially for me.
LP: Which came first – musicians or repertoire?
Intan: I really love gypsy jazz music, so we wondered who we could invite that would be special? Both Phil and I both thought of Christophe Astolfi. I had tried to get Christophe to come to Cambodia for some concerts years ago, but COVID cancelled that. Phil contacted him and he was interested in coming to Cambodia for a holiday, so he joined the project.
Half the songs are originals, mostly written by Phil and inspired by my life, and the other half are jazz standards that Phil has made new arrangements for. There is one song that I wrote in Bahasa that he put to music, and one song in Bahasa and Khmer, an old song popular in both Indonesia and Cambodia, that I sing with Siem Reap singer Duk Sokunthea. A little bit of gypsy jazz, a little bit of swing, a little bit of New Orleans, some ballads – there’s a little bit of everything in jazz. Phil acted as executive producer but also musician, arranger and songwriter – he provided great support with his musical direction and dedication.
LP: Who else is involved?
Intan: Melissa Lesnie will sing with me on one song – two jazz ladies! She’s another who encouraged me, long ago, to make an album. Trumpeters Steve Cannon and Cameron Smith, guitarist Gaby Courroux, Darvell Martinez Chapman for the bass. We are recording in Euan Gray’s studio, so he is overseeing the recording but not playing. Andre Meshcheryakov plays bass on one song. Toma Willen plays all the drum parts – did them all in one day. Phil plays keyboard, piano, percussion, accordion, clarinet. Sharon Lui on violin and Raphael Biamonti on sax – he also wrote a song for me. On Friday we will have everyone involved except Sokunthea and Andrey who have Siem Reap gigs.
We worked fast, because we were very budget-conscious. I recorded all my vocals in three days, then Christophe recorded his guitar parts in two or three days, quite quick. Then we spent some time adding intros and solos, with Phil doing a little bit of everything.
Photo credit: Metta Legita
Just a few of the collaborators: Phil Javelle, Sharon Lui and Gaby Courroux. Photo credits: Aurelien Mansuy.
LP: Which standards did you include on the album?
Intan: Look for the Silver Lining, a song that Metta Legita introduced me to, which really helped me during the pandemic. I specifically wanted this song on the album. Hymn a l’amour from Edith Piaf. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love from Django Reinhardt. I’m a happy person, I like to pick happy songs.
LP: How did you first get into jazz?
Intan: I was always a singer, since I was little. I started singing professionally at 17, but I wasn’t into jazz. I’ve told everyone this story! I was singing pop songs with my guitarist, and one day I was introduced to a double bass player who invited me to an audition for a hotel lounge that wanted bossa nova and jazz. We got the job, performing every weekend. I knew Fly Me To The Moon, that was about all; the double bass player gave me more and more jazz to learn. I was, like, what is this music? It makes me want to sleep. But the more I listened to it, the more enjoyable it became – from hate to love.
I got into gypsy jazz from working in Jakarta with real gypsies, singing in the train station. They taught me a lot about music and singing – they didn’t have a music school background or anything but they were so good. Playing with their hearts. If you have the music in your heart when you play it can reach other hearts too. I’ve often been a bit self-conscious because I didn’t study music, but especially since I moved here I’ve had a lot of support from musicians who did study, and have helped me.
LP: How can people find My Life In Jazz?
Intan: The album will be released on Bandcamp, also on Spotify for my Indonesian audience. Spotify won’t bring us many sales, but it will reach people. We also hope to be releasing on vinyl. A few people ask me about CDs, but these days who listens to CDs? If you want to be the first one to listen to my album once it launches online next week, just join my Telegram channel.
LP: What should people expect from the show on Friday night?
Intan: Friday will be a celebration my music journey. I want my music to make people happy. This is the way to touch people’s hearts with music. You will hear the songs from my album but also hear the story of my life, played and sung by my friends.
My Life In Jazz will be launched on Friday 27, 8 pm, at Chew & Bash. Tickets are $15.
