Exclusive Interview With Atilia
Jazz really isn’t popular in Malaysia. But still, thank God, somebody dare enough to take the risk, letting everyone know that there’s such amazing sensation that one can get through jazz. Meet Atilia, a lady that just believe in it, and now she arrives at the music scene to re-introduce jazz, not only for Malaysian in particular, but also to all of us in South East Asia even the world in general. With her beautiful, sweet, crisp husky voice I’m sure she will be on top in no time. It really feels wonderful to know that there are wonderful people with great talent still dare to take up the challange, and because of that, we all can be sure jazz will never die for they are always here to perserve it.
Just as her voice, she is also beautiful in person and at heart. For everyone who wanna know Atilia closer, here’s an exclusive interview with her.
Atilia, first of all it’s great to have a lady with such beautiful voice like you in south east asian jazz world. Where did you get such sweet, crisp and clear voice like that from?
Hehehe. Thanks. I’m glad you appreciate it. Where did I get it from? Heheh from the almighty, I would think. I’m just greatful I have a voice to speak.
I’m sure many of us would like to know, who is Atilia in person?
Atilia is a down to earth, hard working, non-pretentious sorta girl. What you see is what you get. I don’t dwell on fame or fortune. I just like to do what I like to do.
I’m basically just the girl next door. I luuuurve Indian food and have it almost every other day.I love challenges to see if I am able to do things that I have never tried. Acting was one of them. Was terrified at first, but now I try to get my hands on any on any interesting role I can get my hands on. I do yoga and have tried wakeboarding. I’m kinda active when I wanna be.
What kind of music do you listen daily?
All sorts really. I’m not prejudice when it comes to music. There are always nice music from any genre.
Jazz is not really the favorite kind of music here in South East Asia. Why did you choose jazz as your music style?
I have always loved jazz. I grew up listening to Jazz, RnB, Soul, Motown…that sorta style of music. So being surrounded by those sounds, I guess I just grew and learnt how to appreciate it.
It is an underrated style of music in Malaysia especially. P Ramlee being the genius that he was, God bless him, was influenced by such sounds of 40s and 50′s Jazz, Big Band sounds, Bossa Nova, Cha Cha…and developed his own style of Malaysian music through these influences.
When Roslan Aziz and Sheila Majid first started introducing the new sounds of Malaysian Jazz, I thought they were brave and progressive. A lot of my personal influences I owe to them. “Ratu” (Queen), Sheila’s album that was produced by Roslan, to me is one of Malaysia’s classics. The arrangements and juxtaposition or world music and Malaysian Neo Jazz was just perfect. So perfect. It was Malay. It was soothing and funky at the same time.
Sade is another singer I have always admired…and I am still praying that one day I will get the opportunity to meet up with her and God willing perform her. That is my dream!!
I love simplicty in singing. Singing to me is like telling a story and all my idols tell stories in the most soothing manner – and this has directly affected who I am today – the style of singing..of telling what the song is all about.
As one of the person that involves in Jazz scene in Malaysia, How does jazz music develop in Malaysia? is it starting to be more popular among people there?
Jazz music in Malaysia needs to be revived and brought forth again. Its an underrated and neglected genre.
The growth of rock in the 70′s demolished the Jazz scene in Malaysia. Rock was here to stay and stay it did. You had Malaysian type rock music which was a lil wah-wah-wah for me and all sounded the same. Which was annoying and they were never really adventurous enough to explore other styles of rock. Then grunge came into the picture and the growth of grunge bands grew. Then Indonesian style of rock which really derived from influences of british and american rock. Rock has progressed more in this country more than any other genres I could think of.
We hope to re-introduce and re-educate Malaysian listeners that there is a style of music called Jazz….RnB…Soul….
Sheila Majid‘s and Roslan Aziz‘s influence in the 80′s changed the listening mindsets of many Malaysian. Thanks to them they made Malaysian Jazz during that time – a mainstream genre to be appreciated by all. It was the lack of exposure of this form music by recording companies and broadcasting companies that dampened the growth of this form of music to be developed further and progressively.
I think it’s really a blessing for you to have a fantastic mom as Mrs. Salamiah Hassan. (please give my respect and love to her..:) ) How big is your mom’s influence on your career?
Thanks. I will extend your love to her. She was the pillar of my professional career. She influenced me on how to struggle and achieve what I wanted to achieve in no matter what vocation pursued in. When she became popular in the 70′s…I used tag along to all her performances.
I used to observe how she prepared herself before every performance. How she use to practise and rehearse at home. How she struggled, really on being a parent as well as a professional singer.That was when I decided, I wanted to be like her.
Initially she loathed the idea of me wanting to be a singer, and insisted that I pursued and complete my education fully as a fallback. And that was what I did. After completing my education, I worked for quite a number of years, until I decided to pursue my professional singing career whole-heartedly.
It was a terrifying decision to make not knowing what life had in store for me. But if you never try, you’ll never know. Thank God I pursued it. And I’m a happy bunny now. I just wanna sing and sing and sing.
Are there any other persons besides your mom that inspire you?
My grandmother, Sabariah Hassan. She had always wanted to be a singer. But during time she couldn’t and was not allowed to. She wrote the old Malay Classic song, “Patah Hati” (Broken Heart)…and till this day I tear when I listen to that. The melody and lyrics was just awesome and emotionally grasping.
Are you familiar with the indonesian jazz music? what do you think about it?
I am very familiar with Indonesian music. I love them. They make every effort to progress musically and the quality that comes out of that is just amazing. They learn. They adopt. And they conquer. If not internationally. Then, regionally.
Many say that they have many talents due to the size of their population. I think that’s hogwash. In Malaysia, there is an abundance of young talents. They just need the guidance as well as the financial backing to push to them and expose further. New talents such as Najwa and Kokokaina, both Malaysians, have developed a style all their own. Both these artistes will bloom in no time.Noryn Aziz, a very close pal of mine, is another “femme fatale”. She’s gutsy enough to come out with an album that is soulful and truly in the style that she is comfortable with.
So there is no short of talents in this country really. Just short of investors who can help us and them progress to be true artistes in their own right.
The song, “Selalu Denganmu” is a famous Tompi’s song, and you brought it into the new level beautifully. could you share with us, the reason you choose that song?
It was a blessing really. There is a God!! Hehehe. Roslan Aziz corresponded with Tompi and he was truly kind enough to allow us to sing his song “Selalu Denganmu” (Always With You) and literally provided to us on a silver platter. He sings it in his own style without the scat which he is a genius with. Not many people nowdays can scat as well as he can.
Why I chose the song? Well, you’ve heard it and thats why. Its a beautiful song. Beautiful and will be with us for a long time. Thanks Tompi. I love you!!
Some people think that your voice remind them of Shelia Majid. how do you feel about that?
I’m flattered. She is one of my idols.
People think I’m annoyed about that. I’m not at all. I love Sheila.
But if you listen to my style singing – it is evidently and obviously different. They asssociate me with her is probably because of the distinct styles of the arrangements of songs in my album – which was done both by Roslan Aziz and Jason Voo. Beautiful done and distinctinctively and uniquely Roslan.
Your first appearance in the music scene was in 1996 with a single “Pelangi Mimpi” (The Rainbow Of Dream) , but then your first album, “Sangkar” (Cage) , was 10 years in the making. why did it take so long to release it?
It was a beautiful struggle to get it going. You know how it is? To be inspired takes time. Coordinating and getting the band together was not easy. And financially it was a nightmare. But by the grace of God and Roslan’s wheelin and dealin and the patience of all involved including the producers, engineers and musicians, we managed to perfect the whole album.
It was an album made out of passion and love for the art. Thanks guys and Sopphelia. I love and am forever greatful to all that had made me the way I am now. You guys rock and I love you all with all of my heart. Without them I would probably still only be doing jingles.
How do you feel about your first album? Do you feel its a success?
I love it and am totally relieved and greatful that I am able to share it with everyone now. The album is perfect and personally its a success and have been fortunate that all who have listened to it loved it without exceptions. Thank God.
Will there be any new album coming soon? Please tell us your plan for near future.
Am working on it now. Sifting through songs that I have been provided with and some that are still in my head that needs to be thought musically.
Its gonna be an album with different arrangers and composers to add a variety of styles of similar genres. Jazz, Soul, RnB, Funk, Hip-hop and House. Its gonna be interesting. I plan to put in a couple of dance tracks as well.
I’ll be doing a duet as well with Angga of Maliq n D’Essentials for the album.They will be remixing their song for me – I adore them!! I hope to release it, if all things go well….by mid year next year.
Plans – I hope to perform at festivals around the region and hopefully internationally. I have a couple of movies which I will be acting in and that is exciting as well.
I really hope there will be more people know you from outside malaysia, like indonesia for example. I think your music really suits the music style in here. Do you have any plan to make more appearance in Indonesia?
Heheh funny you should say that. When I was performing at Java Jazz this year…I thought I was a non-entity. I was nervous and feared that I wouldn;t get an audience to watch me perform.To my surprise….when I performed…it was full up and packed with spectators and listeners and they singing and dancing to my songs. Goosebumps just appeared and my hair stood. I couldn’t believe it especially since we haven’t launched the album there yet.
We intend to very soon – pending my schedule of course.
The amazing this is my website www.atilia.us had over a million hits within 4 months of its inception. And hits were from all over the world including Russia. It was an incredible feeling to know that you have fans from all over the world.
I would love to make appearances if not more appearances in Indonesia and intend to collaborate with some artistes and musicians in time to come.I also would love to do a Nationwide tour in Malaysia and am in the midst of proposing this idea to potential sponsors and financiers who have faith in me enough to support me. God willing.
Any message for the fans?
To all my fans, wherever you are. Thank you for all your support, appreciation of my music and all the love and emails and correspondences you had provided me.
Without all of you…I wouldn’t exist as a performer. I’ll just be crunching numbers. I love you all and God bless you all.
Once again, it’s really wonderful to see the torch has been passed to you. I wish you all the best for your career and life.
Thanks Andy for interviewing me. You’ve been one of my great supporters and listener. Keep in touch.
For further information about Atilia, you can visit her at:
http://www.myspace/rajaatilia.com
http://www.atilia.us
Special thanks to Mr. Fizar Harun for supporting the interview and made it happen.
Click here if you want to read Atilia‘s profile in Jazzuality
* All pictures taken from both sites above.
Popularity: 4% [?]
