PREMIERE: Indonesian-Canadian Dwi Riana Celebrates Their Multicultural Perspective On Debut EP ‘Jambu Tree’

On “Lakeshore Blvd”, the opening track from Indonesian-Canadian indie artist Dwi Riana‘s new EP Jambu Tree, they sing, “maybe I’ll keep changing”.

Its an early indicator of the record’s central theme, with the concept of changing, maturing, and evolving playing a pivotal role in its introspective spirit. Taking the metaphor one step further, the album is named after one specific jambu tree that was located in the front yard of their childhood home in Jakarta: “I see myself as one of its fruits, but I’ve gotten so far away from where that tree stands, both mentally and physically“.

Since moving to Canada a few years ago, Dwi Riana has found the space and courage to discover themselves. “I’ve had an interesting time in Toronto since I moved from Indonesia”, they share. “I found my queerness here, and honestly it’s quite hard to communicate to the people I love at home, a lot of times I literally can’t find the words in my language to express how I feel. This album says it all”.

Through steady neo-folk influences and dreamy production, Dwi shares his story with patient vocals in a mixture of languages, including the fully Indonesian single “Sekarang”, meaning “Now” in English. “I feel like it’s hard to keep up with me. I’m ever-changing and I’ve always been that way. I have enough trouble keeping up with myself and I know it’s hard for my family and friends back in Indonesia”, elaborating on the Western-style, singer-songwriter track.

His new home of Canada comes through on the musical influences, as acoustic guitar and catchy vocal melodies make for the bulk of record’s aesthetic. Hints of Indonesian find its way into the mix, with traditional instruments adding in hidden details, alongside the language.

The five track collection is a heartwarming and pensive release, and those who may be feeling homesick or lost in a multicultural world will find solace in Dwi’s soothing vocals and expressive lyrics.

Listen to the album below, and discover more about its inspiration in the new Q&A just past:

(Artwork & featured image by Carlee Diamond)

Q&A With Dwi Riana

Now that Jambu Tree is out, how do you feel?

I feel a plethora of emotions. I feel grateful, euphoric, I feel exposed, and I feel relieved. I had such an incredible experience writing and producing this EP. My biggest adversary in music has always been self-doubt. With Jambu Tree, I had the pleasure of working with amazingly talented people who were as excited to work with me as I was in working with them. Sunray, Leo, Alif, and Mikey, you gave me such validation and I’m so grateful for that. When I started on this EP, I promised myself that I’m going to be honest with my music. Through my songs, I’m wearing my emotions on my sleeve and it’s given me a lot of courage to live my truth in my daily life. Now that it’s out, I’m out, and I look at myself with no judgement. I’m truly so happy to have the privilege to share my music with my friends, my family, and beyond.

What is the significance of the title Jambu Tree? 

There was a jambu tree in the front yard of my childhood home in Jakarta. It grew with us and whenever I think of my childhood, the image of that tree comes to mind quite often. I see myself as one of its fruits, but I’ve gotten so far away from where that tree stands, both mentally and physically. In Indonesia, it’s either hot or hot and rainy; perfect weather for a jambu tree to grow.

Here in Canada, I’m trying to find a way to grow in the four seasons, because I wasn’t built for them. When the sun is out and it’s warm, I’m finding myself growing in ways that I’ve never expected, but my roots would start to rot as they questioned my growth. When the winter comes, I’m reminded of what I was never warned of. It gets cold, not just outside but within. The cold can make me unkind, especially to myself. It’s something I’m trying to learn how to navigate. At the worst of it, it makes me question my decisions and I swear at the wind. Then spring comes and I become grateful once more, as I’ve learned to love my growth, even if it’s not in the ways I had in mind,  and I owe a lot of it to moving here. “The guava (jambu) didn’t fall far from the tree, ‘til it moved ten thousand miles away.”

What is your first memory of moving to Toronto? 

Well, I arrived at the airport in August in full clad winter outfit. I was wearing a thick wool overcoat with matching brown UGG boots. I thought it was always cold. I might have not done enough research. The next morning I decided to go for a jog to get a sense of the neighbourhood I was in. Honestly, it was one of the most memorable jogs of my life. People were smiling at me, saying good morning, and as I was crossing the road, a man literally tipped his cap at a car letting him cross in front of them. I have never seen that in real life, and have never since. I thought to myself, “Wow, Canada IS very friendly”, and it was a nice foreshadow to how many incredible friends I would make here. On that jog, I felt like I had found my place in the world.

Since “Sekarang” is in Indonesian, can you share some insight about its meaning? 

“Sekarang” means “Now”, and the hook for it translates to “So this is me, now”. I feel like it’s hard to keep up with me. I’m ever-changing and I’ve always been that way. I have enough trouble keeping up with myself and I know it’s hard for my family and friends back in Indonesia. They see me in episodes, and they see me through a small screen. They can’t feel my energy. When we can’t find the time, sometimes months would pass before we get to talk to each other. It’s tough to keep them updated. I get the feeling that sometimes they hang on to the version of me they last saw in real life, and that’s just not who I am anymore. There’s that wall on Queen Street West that says “You’ve changed”. Everytime I see it through the streetcar window I nod and I agree. I have changed and I will keep changing. The chorus goes “So this is me, now, maybe this is me, always”, as I’m also uncertain of my state. What’s constant is my love for the people in my life. That will never fade and I hope that they know that.

I wrote this song with the help of my brother, Angga Aryasha. It really meant a lot to have his help on this. Also on this song is Alif Andryanto, who did such a wonderful job on the lead guitar, incorporating melodies borrowed from traditional scales and Indonesian nursery rhymes. His performance gave such a nice edge to the song. My good friend Leo Dimas, who is regularly on clarinet on my other songs, did the keys at the end, a small addition with such great impact. Lastly, my co-producer, Sunray Minor, who helped me produce the whole album and did such an amazing job on this song, on bass and on production.

How has your relationship to your culture changed since you’ve moved to Toronto? Do you feel more connected to Indonesia? 

It bothers me when people say “Yes and No”, but yes and no. I do feel more connected to Indonesia, because coming here and becoming a minority makes you want to appreciate your culture more. I’ve made it my signature to use traditional instruments in my songs as I think that makes it my music, and it honours my heritage. I’ve grown to love my language, as the less I speak it the harder it becomes to hang on to it. So, I challenged myself to write some songs in Indonesian. I think the change in perspective really helped me have some pride in my culture, and in that way I feel more connected.

However, Toronto is quite different from Indonesia. If I had stayed home, I’m certain I wouldn’t be who I am now. I found my queerness in Toronto, and it’s a struggle to keep in tune with my culture when who I am is not as easily accepted there. I find it hard to communicate. A lot of times I can’t find the words in my language to express how I feel. It’s a bit of an odd journey. Music has both helped me realise my queerness and appreciate my culture more. It’s a contradiction, but it shouldn’t be. I appreciate my roots the most when I accept who I am through and through.

Have you had the chance to show your family back home the record?

I haven’t yet! I’ve sent a few physical copies of the EP over there but it takes a while. They’ll get to hear it when everyone does. They like everything I’ve put out so far, though, and that means so much to me. I don’t have a lot of expectations with music, as I do it out of passion. I remember one of my brothers telling me that on car rides, my dad would put on my music for them to listen to. I feel like that puts me there with them, all five of us singing in the car.  I think of that often and that’s more than enough for me. I feel their love from afar, and this EP is dedicated to them. Mama, Ayah, Risyad, Angga, I love you more than ever and I hope these songs give you a glimpse of my life here in Toronto.