#specialinterview

Photo Doc. Hilang Child

Hello Ed Riman, How are you ?

Baik!

First of all I just wanna say; Your Songs is Awesome!

Thank you!! Terima kasih banyak.

Let's talk about what just happened, what about SXSW? Can you tell me about your experience at the music showcase?

SXSW was intense, but a lot of fun. Downtown Austin is transformed into a huge party, lots of crowds and noise. I played 2 shows which were both really enjoyable, this was the first time I’ve played in the USA so it was crazy that people actually came down. Actually at both shows there were also Indonesians in the audience - at my first show I met the manager and keyboardist from Efek Rumah Kaca, who were also playing at SXSW. And after my second show I met a group of Indonesians who live in Austin, they had heard I was half-Indonesian so came to check out my show and brought me gifts, which was so sweet!

How does America accept your music?

So far pretty well it seems! I often get really kind messages from fans in America, or people asking when I’ll be touring properly over there. Hopefully I’ll be able to play there again soon.

Honestly, I still do not know much about you and your music. I just accidentally listened to your music. Can you tell me a bit, your journey in music until now?

I started out as a drummer, playing in a few bands and doing some touring as a session musician, but was always writing a bit on the side and eventually realised I could sing too. So a few years ago I began recording and releasing stuff online, initially for free, then released a couple of EPs with some London indie labels. Then earlier this year I signed to Bella Union to release my debut album, which will be out this summer. I’ve also been doing some touring with Lost Horizons over the past year, singing and playing mellotron in their live shows and I co-wrote a couple of songs on their album.

Your music sounds very easy-listening with a very strong indie pop sounds, can you tell me about your music?

I’ve never really tried to put a certain style to my music, I think my sound has come from a natural meeting point of all the elements I enjoy in other music. I’ve always been really into music that creates the feeling of space, and sounds & textures which you can’t really tell what they are. And I get a buzz inside when I hear really beautiful harmonies and interesting melodies, so when I write I try to include these kind of things which hit me in other peoples’ music. I write and record most of it at home, though I go into studios to record louder things like drums.

What inspires you to make music?

I have always had the urge to ‘create’ and music is how I satisfy that urge, whether it’s writing or playing with others. I don’t really remember when I decided it was what I wanted to do, but it’s the only thing I know how to at the moment!

'Hilang Child' why did you choose that as a stage name?

When I first started releasing my own music, all my friends and fellow musicians still knew me only as a drummer. I was really nervous about them hearing my singing voice for the first time, so I didn’t use my own name because I didn’t want them to find out I was singing! There’s no deep meaning to the name but I wanted to use an Indonesian word and an English word, to represent my half-Indonesian, half-British background and somehow arrived at ‘Hilang Child’. A halfway point between ‘missing child’ in English and its Indonesian translation ‘anak hilang’. Using a word from each language doesn’t really make sense and I quite like that!

I am curious about your relationship with Indonesia, can you tell me about it?

Yes, my dad is Indonesian and I have family from all over Indonesia; in Bandung, Cianjur, Jakarta, Yogya and more, as well as more distant relatives in Padang and elsewhere... we try to visit every few years and I speak a little bit of bahasa Indonesia. The last time I visited was during the 50th anniversary of Indonesian independence, there were parades and music all over Jakarta, it was amazing! I’m hoping to visit again soon, my brother Harley is going to Yogya in a couple of months so I really want to join if I can, it depends if I get time.

What's your back story? where are you from and how do you grow up?

I was born and raised in South London, UK, and have almost always lived here, other than a short time in Leeds in the north of England. My dad is Indonesian as mentioned but my mother is Welsh, so growing up I also spent a lot of summers in Wales with my grandparents, I always really appreciated being able to get out of the city when I could.

Do you want to perform and introduce your music in Indonesia?

Yes!!! I would love to come and perform in Indonesia, it’s certainly one of my dreams to. My friends and family out there often ask me when it’s going to happen, I really hope it’ll become a reality some time soon. Even though I’ve never lived in Indonesia, every time I visit I get that feeling inside like I’ve returned ‘home’, so I think it’d be really special to finally do a show there.

What do you do besides music on your free time?

I usually try to get out of the city whenever I can, I need space away from the claustrophobia of London as much as possible. If I can’t do that, it’s often just gaming, or rock climbing.

Okay Ed, last question. Where next you will play? and what's your future plans?

My next show is a small one in London, then I’m playing some shows with Lost Horizons in Italy, UK and Ireland. Then playing at some UK festivals in the summer which should be fun. As for future plans, the album comes out in August so we’ll see what happens - I am starting to write my second album too, so hopefully I’ll have plenty to share this year and next.