Stevan Pasaribu's Story First Time Working with Global Music Producer in Old Single Tak Bermalam Minggu

JAKARTA - Stevan Pasaribu took a big step in his music career. Six years of misery in the national music industry, the Batak-blooded soloist for the first time collaborated with a global songwriter and music producer through the latest single "Lama Tak Bermalam Minggu".

For the single, Stevan was actively involved in composition and lyric writing with Harry Sommerdahl, Josefin Glenmark, and Hugo Andersson - from Sweden-based Kennel Music - known for working on popular K-pop songs from NCT to ITZY.

"We were at the workshop (in Indonesia). I got three songs from them. This is the first song," said Stevan, when met by VOI at the Musica Studio's office in SCBD, South Jakarta, Wednesday, May 6.

Initially, the song received was in English. Stevan also proposed adjustments to include Indonesian lyrics, which were then agreed upon with three other songwriters.

"So when we work, we are one synergy, one frequency, and we both know what we want," said the 31-year-old singer.

Not only in terms of lyrics, Steven also asked that the melody of his song be adjusted so that his pronunciation when singing was perfect. The reason is, the initial melody of the song is designed for English lyrics.

"(The melody) the original version is not very good if it is inserted into Indonesian. It really has to be very foreign. In the end, I changed the tone a little to make it more Indonesian pop," said Stevan.

However, with all the challenges faced in the creative process to the recording, Stevan admitted to being satisfied with his first collaboration with musicians from Kennel Music.

"Lama Tak Bermalam Minggu" is a song that captures the portrait of the lives of many adults today - immersed in routines, busy with work, but secretly harboring a sense of loneliness that is rarely expressed.

This song tells the story of someone who lives a daily life, like going out in the morning and coming home late at night, returning home alone without anyone waiting.

The repetitive routine slowly cultivates a sense of emptiness as well as a simple hope, imagining how wonderful it would be if someone who welcomed it felt so meaningful.

Through this song, Stevan Pasaribu wants to convey the message that we are not really alone in loneliness. "It's okay if today you don't have a partner, because everyone has their own time. If it hasn't come yet, maybe time is giving space, so that everything is present at the most appropriate time," concluded Stevan.