Exclusive, Elmatu Absorbs Glenn Fredly's Energy, Makes Sad Through Songs

Elmatu (Photo: Savic Rabos, Digital Imaging: Ilham Amin)

JAKARTA - Elmatu has had a long journey in his career in the realm of Indonesian music. Starting from the X-Factor talent search event, Elmatu stepped in with the boy band Nu Demention. After returning to Makassar and forming the band Tulang Rusuk, Elmatu finally stood alone by releasing the song Aku Yang Salah.

This single received a warm welcome from various circles. From this song, many call Elmatu The Next Glenn Fredly because the song has succeeded in making people who hear it to be touched. Especially after Elmatu released his second single titled Bukan Dia Untukku.

Elmatu hopes that this second single can further strengthen his career as a singer in the Indonesian music industry. "I've always hoped to have a single, because I feel the need to sing more of my own songs. I want people to know I'm a musician because I have my own songs," Elmatu explained.

Elmatu (Photo: Savic Rabos, Digital Imaging: Ilham Amin)

Elmatu admits that he is a fan of Glenn Fredly and likes the works of the Ambonese singer. According to Elmatu, Glenn Fredly is a singer who can tell stories and convey his feelings well to others through singing.

"Every time someone says the next Glenn it's like a responsibility. The late Glenn was able to enchant, tell stories on stage. People can be sad when hearing the late Glenn sing. I really want to be like that," he explained.

Receiving this nickname Elmatu said he was proud and burdened with responsibility. "The responsibility is so big. As soon as people say The Next Glenn Fredly, there are expectations from other people for me. It's heavy but it also triggers me to work harder and more continuously," he said.

Although he admires Glenn Fredly, that doesn't mean Elmatu wants to imitate the legendary singer. Elmatu said he was trying to find his own way as a singer.

"I want to be known as Elmatu. As soon as I listen to my music, people immediately know this is Elmatu. If someone is sad, I want to listen to Elmatu's song," he hoped.

Elmatu (Photo: Savic Rabos, Digital Imaging: Ilham Amin)

That hope makes Elmatu never tire of studying. Over the years, Elmatu has matured both in his work and in person.

"After the boy band, I tried to play regularly, made song cover too, was involved in the movie's original soundtrack. After that, because I was back to Makassar for quite a long time. When I was there I realized that a friend told me that the musician must have a work. No matter how good you play someone's song, it's still not your work. From there I thought ok, I should have a work," he recalled.

That spirit is what makes Elmatu want to change. Elmatu feels the experience has provided the best lessons for his life.

"The difference between Elmatu then and now is clearer, more mature, more listening to other people. After a long time, I studied around and around seeing that we need to learn from other people. The way to learn is to hear. Not always what we hear we have to absorb and do. We even can learn from the mouth of a drunken crazy person. Still the same ridiculous, only more mature," he said.

Elmatu (Photo: Savic Rabos, Digital Imaging: Ilham Amin)

Having his own work is an old dream that Elmatu has kept. When he released Aku Yang Salah, Elmatu didn't dare to hope much. "I don't have any expectations. It's good to have a work," he explained.

However, fate said otherwise. Hard work never betrays results. Elmatu's song met a destiny of success thanks to TikTok.

"So grateful, after going around here and there I finally have a song like I'm confiding in. When it was released, someone DM me wanting to use my song for TikTok. Turns out he was one of the content creators on TikTok and made my song well-known," he explained.

Being a solo singer, a man from Makassar can maximize his feelings when singing. "For solo, I play all the good parts of the song. For boyband, there are parts that I have to share. And I really enjoy it, not tired. For a band, because I don't feel alone. If there is a song where I breathe, the guys in the band will sing. All experiences are beneficial," he said.

Elmatu (Photo: Savic Rabos, Digital Imaging: Ilham Amin)

The two songs that Elmatu released have continuous sequences. This made the song feel special to Elmatu.

"So the story was after I realized that I was wrong, because of our differences, we are separated. After we separated, I realized she is not the one. That's why the two songs are connected, because from personal life," Elmatu explained.

The song Bukan Dia Untukku, according to Elmatu, can be very upsetting. "Because love stories of different religions are plural. Then I broke up. I was still thinking about her even though I was hanging out. Until I finally found someone new that made me think this was the last person. So I realized it wasn't her for me," Elmatu said.

So, has Elmatu prepared another new song? "There is a new single, just not in the near future," he said.

Elmatu (Photo: Savic Rabos, Digital Imaging: Ilham Amin)

In 2021, Elmatu will become more confident as a solo singer. "In 2021 I want to have an album. The pandemic is over, so we can tour and go around. Tell stories on stage through songs. Meet many people. We are all healthy," he hoped.

One thing that Elmatu still dreams of is wanting to collaborate with Indonesian singers. "I wanted to collaborate with many musicians. Actually, I wanted to be with the late Glenn and Chrisye. I wanted to be with Dewa, Iwan Fals. You can imagine that a duet with a different character is exciting. Sandy Sandoro I really like him, he is so masculine. Many musicians only used to be watchable on TV. Now I'm sure I have a chance," Elmatu hoped.

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