Maliq & D'Essentials Songs to Become a Musical

Indonesian band Maliq & D'Essentials is venturing into a new artistic realm as their songs are set to be transformed into a musical production titled "Senja Teduh Pelita." This marks the first time the band's extensive catalog will be adapted for the stage, a prospect that has generated significant excitement among its members.

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As someone who usually sings these songs on stage, I never expected them to be made into such an extraordinary musical.

Rivani Indriya Suwendi, known as Indah, shared her astonishment and enthusiasm during a press conference. "As someone who usually sings these songs on stage, I never expected them to be made into such an extraordinary musical," she said. The musical aims to weave a narrative from approximately 20 songs spanning the band's nine albums, including hits like "Senja Teduh Pelita," "Himalaya," and "Aurora." The band hopes this adaptation will not only reach new audiences but also prolong the relevance of their music, created over 24 years of their career.

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We've been creating for 24 years. We want the work we create not just to be songs. We want these works to have a longer lifespan, to be more sustainable.

While Maliq & D'Essentials are often associated with romantic themes, Indah clarified that the concept of love explored in their music is broader than just romantic relationships. She believes the musical will effectively translate this wider meaning, encompassing love for family, self, and the environment. This broader interpretation is a key element the band hopes the musical will convey.

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The songs we create are known for being about love, but as Nuya (the musical director) discussed earlier, the meaning of love is broad. It's not just about partners, but also about family, oneself, and the environment.

Widi Puradiredja, another member of Maliq & D'Essentials, emphasized the band's collaborative approach. They have granted full creative liberty to the director and the Jakarta Movin team to interpret their songs. This freedom, Widi explained, is a core principle for the band when working with other creative entities. He believes that this collaborative spirit and the fresh perspectives brought by partners are essential for adding unique colors and dimensions to their work, resulting in something beyond their usual artistic expression.

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When collaborating with people, for example with visuals or artwork, we give them freedom. We actually need our partners' perspectives on Maliq.