Exclusive, Armada Band Never Sees Success As A Goal

Armada Band (Photo: Fleet Collection for VOI)

JAKARTA - The Armada Band released a song entitled Aku di Matamu on February 26. This song is the first single released by Armada in 2021. This ballad-nuanced song is composed by Mai and Rizal. "This song is a story about someone who is abandoned for reasons that are not clear", Mai Waat said in an exclusive interview with VOI Editorial, Thursday, March 4, 2021. Aku di Matamu was released in two languages; Indonesia and Korea. The idea to release a bilingual song originally came from Rizal when he was recording vocals. Collaborating with Rizal to create lyrics, Mai said the theme of the song was following the phenomenon of ghosting which is currently popular on social media.

"The theme of the song is about when you are abandoned by someone you care about, suddenly disappearing like ghosting. Maybe they don't talk because there is something that can't be told. So our job is just to pray. The moral message is not to say anything. We immediately had prejudice because we didn't know what the real conditions were like", said Mai.

Armada always started the year with a ballad or mid-low beat releases. As in previous years, there was Asal Kau Bahagia and beware of Awas Jatuh Cinta. Andit hopes that this song can be accepted by Indonesian music lovers.

"We hope that our songs, including this song, can bring benefits to many people. Hopefully, those who listen to it can be entertained. It can represent the feelings of each person who listens, it is related to their lives too", said Andit.

Similar to the video clips of the previous songs, Armada returned to using the short film concept for the song Aku di Matamu. “Why do we use video clips with short stories? Because it's easier to catch the listeners' feelings than to show our faces, the stories can't be heard. This has always been our concept, our signature", said Mai.

For story ideas, Rizal took on more roles while still involving the entire team. "When it comes to ideas, usually it's Rizal who does that. The one who writes the story is Rizal, but he did tell you whether you want to add more ideas or not, so it was democratic. So it all sounded. If there is something missing, we add it", Andit added.

One outline that is always applied by Armada in making music videos is to choose a talent that is currently popular. As in the song Aku di Matamu, which chose Bio One as the talent.

"If you choose talent for a music video, there must be a consideration. If someone shines, it means that there is something in that person professionally. For example, good acting, from a professional point of view is good, that is the choosing factor for choosing talent for a music video. Good acting is a must because we want people who watch the video can feel what's in the song”, explained Mai.

Acting skills are an absolute requirement for the model of a music video for Armada's songs. "Because in every music video of theirs, there is a moral message. So it doesn't just make you upset, there is a moral message behind the music video. Like in Aku Di Matamu, at the end of the video, the parter says 'sorry, I'm not gone missing, my time has come, so you better someone else who is better than me. Staying here will only make you suffer'. While the girl thought that all this time her guy was cheating on her, he was mean to her, it turns out that she finally realized there was something behind all that", he continued.

Armada has released six albums throughout their career from 2007 to the present. The following is a list of Armada's albums; 'Balas Dendam' (2008), 'Hal Terbesar' (2009), 'Satu Hati Sejuta Cinta' (2012), 'Pagi Pulang Pagi' (2014), 'Maju Terus Pantang Mundur' (2017) and 'Dengerin Abang Special Edition' (2018).

Four of their six albums namely 'Hal Terbesar', 'Satu Hati Sejuta Cinta', 'Pagi Pulang Pagi', and 'Maju Terus Pantang Mundur' have received multi-platinum accolades because their CD sales exceeded 100.000 copies per album. Not only fantastic album sales, on social media like YouTube, many of Armada's songs have gone viral. Even so, they remain humble because they feel that they have never have the thoughts that their songs to be viral or successful when releasing new songs.

"We have never thought that making something has to be viral, it has to be trending, we are more like it when we write a work that it has to be maximized, so it will become a finished product. After the result, you have to be sincere with God. If make make a fortune from this song, thank God, good for you. If not, we will try again”, said Andit.

The key that Armada always holds is to always be maximal in every business. One by one the process that is experienced must be carried out optimally.

"We have to maximize everything we do, maximize songs, maximize music videos, regarding the results, it depends on the way of God. If it works, thank God. If it is not enough, we will try again. We believe all of our work will be worth it. If the result is not good, it means that we are not trying hard enough. Next, we have to try even harder”, Mai added.

Success, according to Mai, can be a boomerang. "The problem is that if you want to chase viral, trending, so you will do everything to achieve that. That's what we don't want, we want Armada to be named because of our good work, not because of the negative things", he said.

Rizal also responded to Armada's viral song Armada as". Everything has been arranged by God, we just go with the flow. For us, what matters is not the end result but the process. We don't care if our songs become viral or not. If you're asking 'are we happy?', yes, we are. But we don't want to get carried away. It means you can say that many people like our songs, it represents what the listeners are feeling", he said.

Armada is one of the top five bands in Indonesia with the largest number of fans. The number of PASUKAN ARMADA (nickname for Armada fans, red) on their Facebook Page reaches more than 5 million people. Meanwhile, their followers on Instagram are 255 thousand, and Twitter is 176 thousand.

This number continues to grow along with the popularity of Armada's new song. Armada's success in attracting new listeners has made the name Armada always known by Indonesian music lovers.

"There are no specific tips so that new listeners come, but what is certain is that Armada continues to compose new songs. We don't care if they're sold good or not, whether they're accepted by the people or not. The important thing is that we put out the work. We don't care about the final result but we really care about the process”, said Mai.

Rizal admits that not all of Armada's songs are famous, but they never give up. "Not all of Armada's works are popular, maybe people know 20 percent of them are popular. Many of our songs are not recognized. After the song Awas Jatuh Cinta went viral, until now, it is still on the radio chart, we are releasing another work, but we don't hear it until the new song Aku di Matamu is popular. But we keep going out. We keep making songs because we are aware of what our responsibilities are”, he said.

Mai, Andit, and Rizal admit that they have a responsibility to continue working for their fans. Therefore, consistency in work, according to Rizal, does not have to be targeted but continues to be done.

"There is no specific target. We don't have to make songs once a month. The point is that Armada makes an album every two years. So, during the two-year gap, we made works. But usually, when we release the fifth album, for example, we are ready for the material for the sixth album. So we don't make songs when we are on a deadline of new album release", he explained.

Andit explained that the pattern of album releases is always followed by the readiness of the material for the next album. "But it hasn't been recorded yet but the material is already there. The arrangement has already been imagined, what the lyrics are like, it remains to be adjusted around that time what kind of theme is felt by many people. So that is what we will issue", he explained.

"When we compose songs, we won't slow down. We can get three songs in a day, so we make it. If we're out of ideas, then we don't compose anything. In a week we can compose ten songs, we are saving our works for the next album releases. So, when the time comes we have to release a new album, we release all the material that we have been saved", he said.

Not only in the world of music, Armada has started the trend of songs into big screen films, and now it's followed by other songs. For them, this is an unexpected achievement. Because of that Mai felt happy.

"Yes, I am happy, it means that what we do is followed by others. If indeed what Armada is doing can inspire others, I will be happy", explained Mai.

Usually, there is a chat and discussion before the song Armada is filmed. "The discussion is all one vote. After that, we do it", he continued.

Armada's success, according to Rizal, is not just the success of its members. They see Armada as an intermediary for fortune. "We want Armada to continue working. Can support many people, give a fortune to many people. That's what we've always wanted, even though everything is according to God's plans. We just go with the flow, if we succeed, thank God, if not, it's okay. The focus is on work. We want to keep going giving a fortune to many people. Entertaining people”, he explained.

Andit hopes that Armada's work can be remembered, even if one by one the members are gone. "We want to be in music until we get old. Continue to produce work. Maybe until we run out of ideas to make songs, people will still listen to them, they still give benefits for many people. Covered, recycled. Remake, what is clear is that our work will always exist”, he hoped.

Together in Armada, they admitted that they had quarreled. However, as they grow older, fighting is no longer seen as a problem. They are more mature in facing problems in the band. That is what makes Armada survives to this day.

“Actually, there is always a fight in a band. In the household there are quarrels. We see it normal as we get older, more mature. Many bands broke up because of quarrels, all depends on their perspectives. We cannot equate with other bands. Human beings are different and created by God, some have a mindset that is not too selfish so they can still be together. We cannot match the situation in the Armada band with other bands", explained Mai.

Meanwhile, Andit considers Armada as a company that must be maintained together. "If we look at it, this band is our company. We share what we think, what we are doing is not for personal interests", he explained.

Andit agreed with Mai's statement, which said that sometimes there were fights within the band. "There is always a fight. From the past until now there must be a difference. We argue a lot, but as we get older we see it as no big deal. The difference of opinion is needed for the recording process and the arrangement. Therefore, there must be an assessment, differences of opinion mean we care for each other”, he explained.

Mai wants to stay with the current formation, therefore the maturity of each personnel to view Armada as a way of fortune for others is needed. "There are only three of us out of the five, what makes us survive is we just do whatever we can do. With the inactivity of the two personnel, we can't stop just because two of our members left the band. After all, the three of us can carry on, so keep going, because the ones who depend on our lives are not just us. So our motivation is that Armada can bring blessings to that person's achievement. Providing support to many people, doing nothing to lose, no drama and intrigue. We just write songs, if the people like it, thank God. If no one likes it, then that's okay".

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The cohesiveness of the band is put to the test in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. They do not want to complain, they just focus on adjusting to the situation.

"This pandemic period makes things difficult. There is a lot to adapt. We don't want to complain either, learn to take the positives, the lessons. Last year, we were full on schedule, now, we are given free time to gather with family and write songs", said Andit.

Fortunately, the band's management is very responsive in adjusting to music sales patterns in the digital era.

"There are digital sales, streaming, downloading, once a month we have a gig. But we are also picky about performing with standardized health protocols. Virtual, live streaming, no viewers, everything in the field has been tested, very picky. I don't want to be careless”, said Mai.

Armada also keeps up with social media developments, including the TikTok trend. Rizal uploaded a video for a duet with TikTok users to react to for their new song Aku di Matamu.

"We have to keep up with the times, we can't stay in the old patterns. Everyone has to adapt. The management usually regulates it, where the markets go. We know that if we are already in the industry we can't be too complacent with our ideals, if the era has to be followed, then we follow it. If not, then we can't survive, everyone must be up to date, not just social media. But their life must also be up to date. You can't stay at one point", said Mai.

Want to be successful like Armada? Follow the success tips from each of the members. “Keep working hard, don't get satisfied quickly. Enjoy the process, not the result. Whether you succeed or not, God already has plans for you. Depending on the people, God will not change our lives if we don't try to change them ourselves first. If you make one song and you already hope for it to be successful, when things turn out to be not like you wanted, it will only break your heart, that is not the concept. Just keep on working, think about the success later, the important thing is that you must survive, change your point of view, when you keep working hard, success will come to you", said Rizal. .

"The key to success is trying hard, don't think about the results first. I'm telling you the truth, several times I was asked to help new band members who wanted to be famous. I don't help them, he wants to be famous. Fame is easy to achieve, you can do it by creating negative things and become viral on social media, but that's not the goal. The concept is wrong. If you want to be famous, you should just keep working. for example, your song is good, your success will follow”, said Mai.

Finally, Andit also added more to his message. "Success is not human power, it is God's permission. Sometimes we have tried our best but the results are not like what we've always wanted, don't be prejudiced at God because of that. It's okay to complain, maybe you are not ready mentally and physically for it, that's why God postpone your success until you are ready. What is clear is that whatever is best from God. Don't try to be successful, the most important thing is to put maximum effort", he concluded.