Exclusive, Tantri Syailindri: A Life-Changing Journey with Kotak

JAKARTA - Tantri Syalindri Ichlasari, better known by her stage name Tantri Kotak, is one of the best lady rockers that Indonesia has ever had. Having been the vocalist of Kotak for 17 years, Tantri's voice has become a symbol for many hit songs, including Pelan-Pelan Saja, Masih Cinta, Beraksi, Selalu Cinta, dan Tendangan Dari Langit.

The 34 year old singer has dreamed of becoming a singer since childhood. It was her father who was an important figure who introduced Tantri to many Indonesian female singers. She heard a lot of songs from Indonesian female soloists through her father's collection.

"In the past, she was influenced by solo pop songs. I listened to the cassettes that my father had, and the bands were rare, usually singers like Anggun C. Sasmi, Nicky Astria, Ita Purnamasari, Krisdayanti, and Yuni Shara. Basically, it's what my father has," said Tantri when met by VOI in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta some time ago.

However, it was not the names above that made Tantri truly become a singer. Tantri, who at that time was still in elementary school, said the name AB Three (now Be3) was the music group that most interested her.

Tantri's introduction to the band began when she was in junior high school. Again, her father played a big role. Her father introduced Tantri to several friends of the same age and eventually formed a band called Athena, where all the members were women.

"After teaching myself vocals, when I was in middle school I started winning competitions, my father found out that her daughter had talent in singing, and for some reason my father introduced me to the world of bands," said Tantri.

"I just found out that I was put in a band, and the members were all women, maybe he thought it was safe because they were all women. And it turns out that we are using the rock genre, that's where I feel challenged," she continued.

Tantri learned many new things with Athena. She started listening to lots of songs from rock bands, such as Rage Against the Machine, Linkin Park, and Limp Bizkit.

Together with Athena, Tantri decided to audition for The Dream Band, a famous talent search event in the mid-2000s. Only Tantri managed to pass the audition, the other personnel failed. She also chose to leave her first band and continue her musical journey in the second season of The Dream Band in 2005.

"Among the Athena members, I entered, the others failed, so I said goodbye to my friends to move on to a bigger music industry. That was the beginning of my career in the music industry," she said.

Entering New 'Kotak' Life

Even though she failed to become champion in The Dream Band season two, Tantri's attractiveness as a frontman made Kotak, the champion of The Dream Band season two, choose her to replace Pare who left the band.

Tantri together with Cella (guitar), Chua (bass) and Posan (drums) started Kotak's new journey by releasing their second album entitled Kotak Kedua (2008). With two hit singles, Beraksi and Masih Cinta, Kotak became one of the main rock bands in the country.

The success of the second album, Kotak achieved their first win at the AMI Awards in the Best Duo/Group/Vocal Group/Rock Collaboration category in 2009.

Joining Kotak was the biggest joy for young Tantri at that time. Despite her family's poor financial condition, she succeeded in achieving her dream since childhood.

"When I was approached to become the vocalist of Kotak, I felt like I was not lucky, because my family's financial position was not good, then suddenly Allah gave me a way to replace the old vocalist position," said Tantri.

Even though she achieved success on her first album since joining Kotak, Tantri admitted that she didn't have high expectations beforehand. She is aware that replacing the previous vocalist's position is not an easy job. Luckily, the choice to showcase her own vocal character yielded good results.

"In fact, I didn't have any expectations. I do what I feel comfortable with. Replacing a vocalist isn't easy, especially since the character is quite strong. Just because I feel that if they approach me it must be because I have values, so how can I provide something different, not something that tries to be the same," said Tantri.

“Trying to be different, we finally put it on the market, and thank God we liked it. Thank God, my efforts to be myself turned out to be well received by listeners," she added.

Kotak's journey has not always been smooth. Tantri realized that her band started as a project at a talent search event. As an "instant band", Kotak had to continue to adapt throughout its journey, including when Posan decided to leave in 2011.

“After I entered, there were several moments that finally made one of the personnel finally leave. And that makes us learn a lot. From this case, from the fights and differences, it finally made us reflect together," she said.

Not only that, Tantri herself admitted that she had thought about leaving Kotak. At one point, she felt that the band's routine was boring her. Moreover, she had a conflict with Cella, who incidentally was the oldest member of the band.

“There was a moment in Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatra, when I said to my heart, 'After this, I want to leave. Basically, after this, I want to be angry with Cella. At that time there was a conflict," said Tantri.

"When I was performing the second song, there was an incident where I hit the neck of Cella's guitar. It leaks blood, a difference of just one centimeter can get in my eyes. If it gets in my eyes, I might go blind," she continued.

"After two songs were finished, I was taken to the hospital, and in the hospital I thought, 'Why does it have to be with Cella? Why does the moment have to be with Cella?' This must be God's way of reminding me not to be arrogant. Well, from there I invited them to chat to apologize. I'll explain everything."

Things Have Changed With Kotak

From this case, Kotak learned many things. They see that the routine they follow is not good for the satisfaction of the personnel in music. Kotak must be able to manage the time between appearing on stage, working on new works, and living personal life.

“We feel the same thing (bored with routine). Finally, we committed to management to set the pattern, especially now that we have a family. So, even if there is a moment to make an album, we take a break to make an album," said Tantri.

"Not before. When we perform, while making an album. So, that's what makes us think, how come our album doesn't have any taste, because it's all rushed. That ultimately makes us learn how to manage it."

Tantri realized that communication and mutual respect were the only ways to keep Kotak still around after two decades. Even though they are in the same band, the age difference between the members is also important to pay attention to.

“One key in a band is communication and mutual respect. On that trip, Cella, Chua and I finally learned how to communicate with each other. Despite the age difference, we still respect each other. Appreciating how to convey something well, especially for me and Cella who are of different ages, so there has to be an upload. This means that norms of politeness must also exist," she said.

Reflecting on Kotak's journey over two decades, Tantri also sees some significant differences in herself. She feels more mature in music.

“If you look at it from a personality perspective, it's definitely much calmer. In the past, they were called young people, they were in a band, especially if it was an instant band, so they needed some kind of validation. But if we have passed that phase and successfully transitioned between young people's egos to the next level, it will make us calmer," said Tantri.

“For us, in the past we really needed validation. There must be a phase where we clash. But there are actually moments where the three of us clash and it is necessary to get to know each other, and also find solutions to every problem we face. Thank God, Kotak has now reached its second decade. Yes, we are much more mature in music," she continued.

Apart from that, Tantri also felt many changes in other aspects outside of music. She found many experiences that changed her way of thinking, and even found a life partner through 'Kotak' band.

"Not only material, but we can see the beauty of Indonesia. I can travel to remote areas of Indonesia through music. We even performed Umrah together through music. We meet each other's partners also from music. So, the difference is really significant."

Currently, Tantri ensures that she will continue making music. Never thought about leaving the world she loved since childhood. For her, being able to sing in front of many people is an invaluable gift given to her by God.

>

"I am grateful to Allah, for giving me the gift of being able to sing, being able to move people with the songs I sing. It feels like I'm just blaspheming for the pleasure of being given a voice by Allah like this, why not just make the most of it. So, will I retire to sing, I don't think so. As long as I can still sing, I will continue to sing," she concluded.