'I Swear, I’ll keep doing it again and again' – meet Shaandy, the rising star with songs that hit you right in the feels

Interview ■
​There’s something magical about stumbling across a hidden gem on YouTube, and that’s exactly what happened when I discovered Shaandy. His music already had a raw, emotional pull that kept me coming back for more, but it was his special version of 'The Worst Season' that completely blew me away. That voice, those lyrics—it felt like being hit with a wave of pure emotion. Right then, I knew: "This guy is something special. I have to talk to him." I reached out, and luckily, Shaandy—real name Shendy Sanjaya—agreed to an interview.

English | Bahasa Indonesia
BY HANAN, 4 minutes read

​With over 4K subscribers on YouTube, this Indonesian singer-songwriter is starting to carve out his space in the music world. His heartfelt tracks, like 'The Worst Season', which has nearly 60K streams on Spotify and 35K views on YouTube, are packed with stories of love, heartbreak and self-reflection. And while his music still feels criminally underrated, it’s clear Shaandy has all the makings of a star. In this interview, we dive into his creative process, the personal stories behind his songs and his dreams for the future. Get ready to meet the artist whose lyrics will hit you right in the feels.

"For me, melody is crucial—it’s what makes a song really connect with people."

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What inspired you to start creating music? Was there a specific moment when you thought, ‘This is what I want to do’?
Shaandy: "I love singing, I love music, and I really love it when people watch and enjoy my performances. I thought it would be even more amazing if I could create my own songs for people to enjoy. Having people listen to songs I wrote myself feels really cool. And I swear, I’ll keep doing it again and again."

If someone is discovering your music for the first time, which song would you recommend and why?
​Shaandy: "I’d suggest they start with 'The Worst Season'. That song is very personal to me, and a lot of people seem to love it."

Walk us through your process for making a song. How does an idea transform into a track for you?
Shaandy: "The first thing I do is decide on a melody that sets the right atmosphere. For me, melody is crucial—it’s what makes a song really connect with people. Once I’ve got the melody, I write lyrics that fit its mood. It starts with choosing a theme, then carefully crafting each word. From there, everything just flows naturally into the recording."

"I just want them to enjoy every note and lyric in the songs I’ve made."

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Are there any real-life moments or experiences that inspire your lyrics? Can you share the story behind one of your songs?
Shaandy: "Most of the songs I’ve written are based on true stories from my life. But 'The Worst Season' holds a special place for me. It’s a reflection of my regret over a bad decision I made—one that hurt both someone else and myself. I can’t undo what happened, but I hope good things always surround her."

When you think about your listeners, what kind of impact or feeling do you hope your music leaves with them?
Shaandy: "Honestly, I don’t expect much. I just want them to enjoy every note and lyric in the songs I’ve made."

Where do you see yourself in the next year or two? Are there any specific milestones you’re working towards?
Shaandy: "Right now, I’m learning more about rock music production and improving my lyric-writing. In the future, I want people to see me performing live as a rock musician with stunning musical quality and meaningful lyrics."

"I’d love to have my own music studio and a stable career."

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Looking 10 years ahead, what are the top things you’d like to have accomplished by then?
Shaandy: "In 10 years, I’d love to have my own music studio and a stable career. Honestly, I haven’t thought beyond that yet, but I’ll give my best every step of the way."

If you could collaborate with any artist, local or international, who would it be and why?
Shaandy: "Among Indonesian musicians, I’d love to collaborate with Raissa Anggiani—she’s incredible, to be honest. As for international artists, this might sound like a dream, but I’d really want to work with All Time Low and Zack Tabudlo."

Video: Shaandy - The Worst Season (SPECIAL VERSION). Credits YouTube Shaandy @shaandymusic

Hanan
I travel the world to find unexpected stories.

CREDITS
Hanan: text

4 December 2024

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TAGS
#Music     #Interview     #Visuals     #Music_Video     #Indonesia

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