Exclusive Kadri Karmila, Maintaining Music Passion That Is Not Just A Hobby

Exclusive Mohamad Kadri 'Karmila' (Photo: Bambang E Ros, Digital Imaging: Raga/VOI)

Mohamad Kadri recently introduced himself as Kadri Karmila, taken from a new single entitled Karmila, released on July 1. Together with LiLo The Producer (KLa Project), he made his solo debut by replaying Farid Hardja's hit in 1977.

This music project was sparked more than ten years ago, when LiLo felt Kadri's vocal character matched Kaarmila's song. However, for one reason or another, the realization only happened this year.

LiLo is indeed observant, so she can see that I am suitable for singing the song (Karmila). In the past, I used to use his voice (Farid Hardja), even though he meant joking, "said Kadri during a visit to the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta recently.

Kadri feels Karmila is the right song for his voice character. Therefore, there is no objection if you have to make your debut as a soloist by showing your old work again.

"It just so happens that my character sings with the song Karmila as a song that fits. People can sometimes be given songs, we want to sing songs, sometimes our own work doesn't necessarily fit," said Kadri.

More than that, Kadri, who is currently 61 years old, saw Indonesian musical works that he heard when he was young were the best works of the most talented musicians in the country, one of which was Farid Hardja with Karmila.

Despite being a soloist when he was six years old, Kadri has been singing since he was a child. At the age of 11, he joined Bina Vokalia led by Pranadjaja.

Moving teenagers in the 1970s, Kadri, who was a year younger than Harvey Malaiholo, also participated in the Radio Star event, which at that time was a place to find young Indonesian singer talents.

Furthermore, Kadri started playing for the band, appeared in various festival events, and later joined as the vocalist of Makara in the 1980s, which is still being maintained today.

So, all my experiences are with band groups. Well, just thinking about solo careers at the age of 61, "he said.

It can be said that Kadri grew up, grew up, and came from the best generation of Indonesian music. He testified how figures like Harry Moekti, Guruh Soekarno Putra, Chrisye, and Addie MS were people who dedicated their lives to music.

Kadri witnessed how Addie MS had worked for big musicians when he was still in high school, and how Guruh Soekarno Putra's ability to combine Bali's petatonis music and Western music.

"Indonesian people at that time were very creative, making lyrics as well as very beautiful," said Kadri.

"And the music is really more varied, the way to record it is also more difficult. People have to enter the studio, really record at that time," he added.

For Indonesian musicians at that time, said Kadri, it was difficult to enter the industry without adequate capabilities. For example, a drummer must play with a metronom in a recording studio.

"To be able to enter the recording, it can happen if musicians can. For example, drummers, you can't play metronoms, you can't record, because you will definitely be stuck. Compared now, all of that can be sampled, voice can be sampled and made not Fals, what kind of guitar sound can also be chosen. Moreover, now there is an AI, "he said.

Kadri's dedication to music also cannot be underestimated. Although it is recognized that his name is not as big as the musicians mentioned above, he has been singing for 50 years, in addition to his professional job as a lawyer. Kadri entered the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia in 1982, and was known as a legal practitioner who deals a lot with mergers and acquisitions.

With the eccentric style that was promoted when introducing the song Karmila, Kadri still actively meets many clients and becomes an advisor for several State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN).

For him, music is not just an escape from being busy as a lawyer. His presentation during music was also brought when dealing with clients.

"As a lawyer and advisor in several SOEs, I don't want to be considered that playing music is just a hobby. It's different, if the hobby is just singing, and I think about it, for example to look like it, I also think about it," said Kadri.

"You can imagine if, for example, I faced my client or people in BUMN, who suddenly didn't expect my hair to be long, for example. I think, from fashion and all kinds of things," he continued.

In fact, Kadri admitted that his passion for music is still burning until now giving benefits when dealing with clients. He is seen as different

"Among lawyers or among business people, they are happy because I can sing, so I can have long hair. No international clients have met me suddenly saying 'Wow, where is this lawyer? How come his hair is long?' No. They already know and look at my reputation, "he said.

Kadri sees the art occupied as a bridge to meet many people, as well as a lawyer. He is valued among musicians for his ability as a lawyer, and vice versa.

"In music, frankly, I'm not number one, but I never give up. At the age of 61, I was still playing music and I was what I was," said Kadri.

Having a professional career as a lawyer and maintaining music passion at the same time, said Kadri, is an extraordinary combination. He reflected on several of his friends who also underwent other professions and continued to make music.

One of those who inspired me was Tantowi Yahya. He studied hospitality but he can become an MC, from there he can become a politician, then he can also sing country. So from there I saw Tantowi really smoothly communicating with people. Now that's one that inspires me that with music and lawyering you can get networks," he said.

Kadri's passion for music is not just singing, he has spoken a lot and is involved in many discussions about the music ecosystem in Indonesia. He formed a group called five friends with Tantowi Yahya, Triawan Munaf, Candra Darusman, and Yovie Widianto.

"We always think about the Indonesian music ecosystem. Oh, this is a fuss again, in the lawsuit, what do you want to sue for, it's forbidden to sing. That's a problem of dissatisfaction with copyright in Indonesia, a problem that must be addressed, but the improvement cannot be constitutionally and makes its own rules," said Kadri.

"It's not conducive. I'm up to whatever you want to choose, correct the constitution. It's been a long time since the system, if you want to bring the song, you have to go to LMKN. If the LMKN is not good enough, fix it, don't suddenly make it yourself. It's not appropriate because the law doesn't say that. "

Kadri wants solidarity from those who pay attention to the progress of the Indonesian music ecosystem. He acknowledged that there are many issues that must be resolved, both from musicians, music management, to music promoters.

What Kadri hopes, for the ideal, the music ecosystem is still far from reality. But what can be seen from his experience, the music industry cannot run well based on narrow views.

From Kadri, we can learn how to look at music seriously. Art, which may be considered by some people who are underestimated, can actually continue to be occupied and can have a big impact.

"So for me playing music is something that I really enjoy and not just a hobby. And I have to compete. In lawyering, I feel that there is an impact from me making music. In music there is also an impact from me as a lawyer," concluded Kadri 'Karmila'.