Page 26 - Inzist Special Edition

A RECORD

FROM THE HEART

Long before I flew to Wellington to take up ambassadorial post, I wanted to make an album in New Zealand. Rather than
the normal type I have produced back home, I wanted it to be an album of collaboration that portrays friendship and the
best of the two nations.

To make it happen, I needed friends that would want to sign up to the project in addition to finding the right songs that
are beautiful, popular, and meaningful. It turns out to be more challenging that I originally anticipated. It took me almost
three years to materialize the concept and to find singers was the hardest part.

Interestingly, I had chosen “Friends for Good” as the album title years before it was used as a slogan to commemorate 60
years of Indonesia-New Zealand diplomatic relation in 2018. The title fittingly reflects the spirit of the album.

The production started with selecting songs from thousands of titles that I had in my head. I eventually narrowed them
down to 12 songs which I considered to be suitable to the concept and vary in terms of genres, beats, and languages.

I am so grateful for my friends in New Zealand that share the same passion for singing and to have performed with them
in various occasions in the capital. I am also grateful for the kind support extended by friends who were at times
unavailable to join the performances.

I was overwhelmed with excitement upon knowing that Ron Mark MP (Defense Minister), Dr. Shane Reti MP (Deputy
Leader of Opposition), Louisa Wall, and Māori songstress, Caai Michelle agreed to perform songs of my choice in the
album. The album is extra special thanks to the performance of the Brafaks, a vocal group consist of Indonesian Embassy
staff members which I formed in 2018.

F RIENDS FOR GOO D

T A N T O W I
Y A H Y A