08.15.2007
LALA'S TURN
PART FILIPINO, PART INDONESIAN, AND EVERY BIT THE YOUNG, OPTIMISTIC ARTIST, THIS FRESH NEW FACE HAS A GOOD SHOT AT SUCCESS WITH HER RADIO-FRIENDLY POP-ROCK
If you’re an up-and-coming so-called artist and your sole intention is to sell records like hotcakes, here’s what you could do with your debut album: cover a bunch of familiar songs, have one original (which is actually just a rehash of a not-so-popular song) as a carrier single, and add remixed/ acoustic/ instrumental versions of that carrier single. And boom, platinum awards will be yours! After which, expect to be conferred the ‘ultimate- music- sensation- of- the- new- millennium’ title, ‘adix’ and ‘holics’ groupies following your every move and defending you from possible critics or downright hecklers, and threads in different message boards dedicated to worshipping every inch of you. Endorsements, TV guestings, and yes, movie appearances will be just a stone’s throw away.
However, that’s not how fresh new musical artist Lala is playing it. For her, sharing her passion for music isn’t only about singing or performing. It is, in fact, about addressing the audience’s ever-changing craving for entertainment, letting them groove to your sound at their every whim. “I hope I’ll be able to reinvent with my music,” she says. “Find a new sound and have the people listening relate to it.”
DISCOVERING LALA
Skarmela Kartodirdjo (nicknamed Lala by her mom) is of Filipino and Indonesian descent, and was born and raised in Indonesia. The 22-year-old charmer now lives with her grandmother and other relatives. It was only last year when she moved here to pursue a singing career. “I’m loving it,” she instantly replies when asked about how her stay in the Philippines has been. “Every day, I learn something new.” Riding the MRT and tricycle are some of her unforgettable first-times in the country. She adds, “My life’s better. I learned to be independent here. I grew up talaga, because I am away from my family, and I have to learn things on my own.”Lala would also love to wander around and see the beautiful places the Philippines is known for. “People have been telling me to go to Boracay for the really nice beach and Baguio because of the ukay-ukay, but I haven’t been there yet,” she says.
Although she’s only been here for a little over a year, make no mistake: Lala isn’t exactly new to show business. She was into acting back in Indonesia. She recounts, “I remember playing the role of a kontrabida, and it was so much fun! Acting is really interesting—working with the director, talking with other cast members, portraying somebody you’re not.” A self-confessed fan of Maging Sino Ka Man and Sana Maulit Muli, the singer-composer is very much open to pursuing acting, too, but admits that she has to improve her speaking skills first. “Sayang nga kasi my mom didn’t speak to me in Filipino when I was in Indonesia. So when I came, I only understood very few Tagalog words. Now, medyo marunong na, pero hindi diretso magsalita. I really hope in time, I’d get to speak fluent Filipino.”
She also used to have a band—Inersia—and was able to release an independent album. Her current manager Ronnie Henares chanced upon the group’s music video. He then invited her to come here to do some gigs. That’s how it all began for Lala’s solo career.
MUSIC LESSONS
Her debut CD, Stars, is a testimony to her musical abilities. Six of the album’s eight original tracks are her own compositions. A spin of her disc evokes Michelle Branch and Alanis Morissette in listeners’ minds; not surprising, as Lala was heavily influenced by those female musicians. More than having catchy and radio-friendly melodies, her songs also possess simple yet compelling lyrics. The English Literature major explains, “For any artist, I like listening to their lyrics. I like the lyrics of Jamie Cullum, John Mayer and Avril Lavigne.”
Lala takes so much pleasure in the process of composing songs. “I try to relax and just let it come out. I usually just play the guitar, find chords that sound nice. Then I’d develop a pattern and later on incorporate my emotions.” she details. “Inspiration can come in unusual places,” Lala adds, as she remembers how she was able to compose her album’s carrier single. “It was last year actually in Manila. I was waiting for something that time. I was in the shower. I was just singing to my shampoo, my conditioner, my soap. And then suddenly I sang some catchy tune. I just loved it,” she continues, “So, I finished up, called my guitarist for us to come up with something. We developed it, from the verse to the chorus, and then came “Waitin.””
Describing her album, she says, “Most of the songs were done when I was in high school, so they were heavily influenced by pop music. But now I’m trying to listen to new sounds, and from that, get inspired.” These days, the singer with a voice and face of an angel is trying to experiment with the songs she’s making. Some of her new faves include bands such as Death Cab for Cutie, Kings of Convenience, The Strokes, and Radiohead. “I like how they experiment with music. Talagang they prove that music has no boundaries, and it still can sound nice.”
After being exposed to the band scene, Lala is now trying to depart from her comfort zone—her guitar. “It’s one thing playing it. I compose all my songs with the guitar. But right now, I want to show the people that I am more mature, more confident, independent, and not naked without my instrument. I’d like to focus on my singing for now, so I can be able to connect with the audience more.”
FUTURE STARDOM
For someone who is well aware of Christian Bautista’s immense popularity in Indonesia, having a duet with him was truly a defining and unforgettable experience for Lala. They recorded “Unsaid,” a song she originally performed with her band, which was written in Bahasa. “But when I found out that I was going to record the song as a duet with Christian, I translated it to English,” she recalls with a smile, “[Singing with him] was really overwhelming, such an honor. I’m also glad that he blended with my kind of music.”Given the opportunity, she would also love to work with other Filipino artists like Session Road and Yeng Constantino. “It’s hard for me to choose, really, kasi I feel I’m just blessed to be entering the music industry here in the Philippines because there are many talented people around. I feel honored.”
It seems this young, optimistic artist has a good shot at success. “This has always been my dream. I want to be a renowned songwriter, release more albums in the future with original compositions, and have collaborations with other brilliant musicians.” She would like to travel around the world, too, and be able to perform in different countries someday, and hopefully make a lasting mark in the industry. “I put a piece of me in every song that I make. And I want everybody to get to know me through my music,” closes Lala.
