Interview: Collaboration 'Free' Private Number And The Rain

JAKARTA - Private Number and The Rain collaborate on the song Shoot which was composed differently when compared to the original version. In this song, the singer of the Trained Heart is given the freedom to rearrange this song.

However, The Rain did not tear apart this song where the red thread of punk pop music in the style of Private Number was maintained. They only polish this song to make it easier to digest.

Although The Rain played producer and song Shoot was released under their record label Heavy Rain Records, Indra et al's role was more about consultants. In fact, the concept of a new video clip for this song they think about with Private Number.

For this reason, VOI is interested in exploring the creative process of the Shooting song and several things outside of this project. Check out our interviews with The Rain and the following Private Number.

Private Number, how is this collaboration process?

Egi: The process is from me, who moved with The Rain several times during the pandemic. Well, from there, Indra invited me to collaborate. Then I gave him a hearing of our song on the backstage. Yes, Mas Indra, come on, go straight to the workshop, yes, at least a month have made a video clip.

What made you decide to hand over all the creative sides of this song to The Rain?

Egi: At first, we actually gave up, we internally talked 'this is just like this or developing?' Finally, we tried to get rid of our egos. Well, when The Rain invited them, I told them 'Mas, this is the song. Then The Rain doesn't want to be our producer?' And they want to. And we actually gave up on this song when it would be really pop. It turns out that from The Rain our common threads were not eliminated. 'You have to keep it like this, Private Number is like this' they said. And it turns out that when I hear it turns out that the new version is easier to digest. In the past we never knew, played the band, just spread it. Then Mas Indra also invited us to join Heavy Rain Records. We don't use thinking, straight away the main deal. Because it's an extraordinary opportunity.

For The Rain, what is the creative process of this Shooting song like?

Indra: This Shooting Song actually already has a song first. So, created by the previous Private Number personnel. Well, when we presented this song, we were very happy. And our creative side is interested in giving something. So what we did at that time was that we dissected the song, part by part, there were pieces that we matched, but we returned all of this to Private Number. We actually go to a consultant. We make the song easier to remember. Then, we add just a small part, because the song is already strong. We also ask the original songwriter, and they don't mind either.

During the course of The Rain's career, you must have experienced blunt creativity, how do you deal with it?

Indra: The blunt creativity can be experienced by anyone. Both one year of career or 30 years. So, there are times when I personally can't make songs. Yes, you don't have to be forced. We can do other things. Right now, with our fun with Private Number so we can get a new energy injection.

Iwan: And if we don't just keep making works. There are also other things. But when there is new material, we feel called to collect. So it appears from there. When checking also likes to continue, the idea becomes even fresher.

Aang: Yes, if musicians should practice it. I personally do the same, like to collect young drummers, because they play really well, so we have to learn again.

Indra: Sometimes when we play songs, we like to feel confident that what we listen to is really good.

Ipul: So it does collect songs that can be a refreshing energy.

With the times in which many musicians or bands are no longer producing albums, why are you guys still doing that?

Indra: We still believe in the album. And it feels good to have some songs that have houses. So, it's one of the old characters that we can't lose. Maybe we'll keep it for the next few years. It feels like it's a shame if we only make one song. But, we also had time to do that because of time constraints. Because we have to admit that the energy to make the album is huge. In the past, we could have stayed in the studio for a month like that, production. That's tight. Meanwhile, for single production we admit it is indeed faster. So actually the legacy is what we want. We even intend to release the CD in the next album.

Why do you still want to produce CDs?

Indra: During our 21 years, (the sale) has indeed decreased, but it turns out that the segment is still there. Even though now it has fallen to merchandise, but the collectors are still there. So, for us it would be a shame if the goods were not provided.

For Private Number, with the frequent dismantling of personnel, what is the reason why you keep this band?

Egi: This is how I personally feel that this band can spread good viruses. We hold on to a lot of people's expectations around us. From the children who usually just hang out, keep playing the band. So, we really hope that this band will become a place for halal sustenance for everyone. Actually that's what makes us survive. Because I'm still sure, during college, that's what costs my band. That's why we hope that this band can become even wider so that it will be a benefit for many people.

Swelling: We have a responsibility for what we do.

Any big plans for your next band?

Egi: We will hold a showcase.

Riefky: Because every year we always make our own showcases.

Swelling: So, for that year we have programs that are usually run. There is something called Cheerful Ria Fest, it's one of our annual programs where we make small festivals. And that's why we invite friends of one economy. Sometimes, we can even invite people who are outside the scene themselves. The example yesterday was D'Masiv, continued Sansan. And even then we didn't sell presales, tickets were opened at 5 pm, and half a dozen were sold out 500 tickets.

Egi: Connecting the question of why it still lasted earlier, so at that time we thought after the pandemic our band had no more interest. Because there are various festivals, and our bands weren't as cool as the performers there. Well, in the end, we just made our own festival. Our band is playing, our people are making the event right. And it turns out, the ticket enthusiasts are there.