all about PJS and us :)

A prince named Petra was born into a musical family. Having been surrounded by the music of his gospel singer father, Franky Sihombing. Petra started showing his talent at a very young age.

 “I started singing when I was two”. He says with a laugh. “but, you know, it’s just like other kids singings songs. Nevertheless, when I was three, I managed to memorize an entire album in no time, and it surprised my dad. [according to him, the 3-year-old me] was pretty impressive”.

Petra moved on to instruments at the age of seven, when his father gave him a drum set. That didn’t las song. 

“I got bored [ playing the drums] after two or three years because there’s no melody or harmony in them, just rhythm. Finally, I practiced guitar and made my first song when I was 13. At 14, I played the piano and at 15, I started to sing again”.

Petra mode his first album when he was 13, on the encouragement of his father. “my dad said, it’s so bad that you have a talent but no one knows about it. You shouldn’t keep it to yourself. [those words] made me think. “why not try to make an album?”, he recalls.

Recording a pop album, he chose a different path from his father’s gospel music. “everyone is really supportive about that. My dad even said that if could, he’d try making a pop album. But I think God has placed him to be in the [gospel music] industry. As for me, I believed that my way is in [the pop music] industry because, here, I feel that I can be a blessing for many people,” he says.

Success didn’t come easy for this Institute Music Daya graduate. It took two years for him to compile the songs and record a master. What was left was finding a record label and printing the cover artwork. “but then no label wanted my album. I was ready to give up because that meant I’d have to start from zero. [recording an album] is expensive, you know.” Petra recalls. When he was ready to throw in the towel, his father sold his car to finance another album for his son. There, the doeeyed teenager felt like he was slapped on the face. “[I told myself], come on! Make another [album]. My dad had sold his car for that and how come I didn’t do a thing? Because of that I was motivated to make another one.” 

“I made around 30 song and picked 10 out  of it. I composed all my songs, I did my own arrangements, I played most instrument, and I produced my own album,” he says.

This time, Petra’s album scored a deal. With his album out in the market, offers to perform on Dahsyat came through, after which Petra jumped from one music program to the next, eventually, finding himself onstage, singing at RCTI’s birthday party. The boy-next-door charm caught on, garnering a lot of attention from teens as well as from radio airplays for his first single.

“I’m so excited about all of this. My dream came true when others [in the audience] sang along to my performance. I felt  like they appreciated me and my music because I went this far, not to be popular, but to share what I have with others,” Petra says. The eldest of three knows there’s a long road ahead in a world so full of competition. “competition is always going to be there, especially in pop music. For me, I concentrated on myself and do my best. [ I only look to others] to see what [it is] that I still have to work on. Just be myself and play my music.”

Now that girls ask for pictures when he’s caught shopping in malls and scream when he performs, does Petra ever think about doing a gospel album? “I’ve received a lot of request. But I think there should be no boundaries between genres because, well, all my songs convey positives messages. So whatever it’s gospel or secular, they’re all going to be positive, right?”

Inspiration for such music comes to Petra in quite moments, often when he’s alone in the car. “that’s the best moment! I usually compose lyrics first, then, at home. I pick up a guitar and look for the melody.” And second best? “when you just broke up or just fell in love!” that’s the best mood.” This explains why his hit single talks about being far away from someone whom he loves whit the belief that one day, if it’s destined, they’ll be back together. “ the story isn’t mine. Though,” corrects Petra. “it’s about my best friend and his ex-girl friend who broke up because it was a long-distance relationship. But the guy, my best friend that is, still cares so much about her, and I always tell him that if she’s meant for you, she’s not going to anywhere. Then from there, I got the phrase ‘love won’t go anywhere’”.

 *tapii akhirnyaaa kamu mengalaminya juga kan?? hihihihi... * 

His success has accelerated even faster than anticipated. After performing on Dahsyat and RCTI’s birthday alongside Afgan and Vidi (of which he calls “the most memorable performance” ), Petra is working on a movie with other teen heartthrobs, Gita Gutawa and Derby Romero.

“that was crazy. I received a phone call to do a casting. I thought I won’t get in, but apparently I did! Then I look at the other cast members and see that [Gita and Derby] are also singers. That motivates me to try. Why not explore something new? “ it’s not easy feat for this self-proclaimed introvert who prefers to stay home. But it’s a challenge Petra is up for. “whit a movie, I have to act and show my emotions on screen. After a month af training, I’m getting better”.

Of course being a rising star its downside too. His friends complain about his packed schedule. “they’re disappointed that I can’t hang out with them as much. I barely even see my family,” he complains, jokingly. But music is so important to Petra. He defines music as his expressions and often thinks of music as himself. That’s why, when it comes to music, he wont throw in the towel so easily anymore. “work hard and don’t  give up because if you give up, then it’s over right there. You won’t achieve what you want to achieve.” Wow! Wise words, Petra. We’re hoping you’re not going anywhere too!

1. with his high school band, The Morning Star, Petra was a finalist for the Indomie Jingle Dare competition. “but, the band never took off because basically we just did some jam sessions, and other band members ended up going abroad or studying different fields.” Oh… too bad.

2. Once, it took a year for him to compose a song because he recorded a part of it on his cell phone and later forgot about it. “but it’s also the glory of technology, you know. You can just record a tune on your cell phone wherever you are!”

3. despite his calm demeanor, Petra is a Joker. 

4. His ultimate dream is to become a music producer for other talents. “I’ve produced my own album, so I know what it’s like. So I want to try to find new talents and motivate them to be the best.”

5. he wants to known as Petra – sans last name – because he dislike being related to his father’s fame when it comes to music. “ I want to know how it is to crawl from the button. Even [my] dad said that I don’t have to use the family name. so I use just Petra.”

6. Petra is addicted to PlayStation games, Defense or the Ancients (DotA) and Counter Strike, although nowadays he doesn’t have much time to play them anymore.

 *ayo sekali-kali main dota bareng...* 

“my music is more keroncong and dangdut … [laugh out loud]. Haha, no, just kidding. I’m into John Mayer a lot that, I guess, my music is pop rock with a guitar twist on it. I play my guitar at almost every performance. I always do when it’s an off-air event. My musical influence? Hmm, John Mayer… you know, he’s been asking me to collaborate with him… [laughs]. No, seriously, I like Switchfoot, Efek Rumah Kaca, Andra and The Backbone, and alexa.

“I believe that if a relationship is meant to be, it’s meant to be. Just like the song ‘Cinta Takkan kemana-mana’, if God has planned something for you, then the love won’t go anywhere. So we don’t have to think about it that much.” *ahhh masa sih pet?? hahaha. tapi kita setuju sama kamuu* 

“she has to be a girl! [laughs] the one reason why I broke up with my ex two months ago was because both of us were too busy. So I want a girl who understand me. From the physical side? Ummm… long hair, long nails… [laughs]. I’m more into inner beauty than physical beauty. It’s to important too, but [physical beauty] is just number two. And she doesn’t have to be from the entertainment industry. She can be anyone.” 

*siapa yaa? hmm.. sepertinya Petralovers tau deh* 

“if you just want to be a performer, a bachelor’s degree is enough. You know, like writing a song, it can just come from talent and mood. But as I entered music school, I came to understand that writing a song takes more than just what you have naturally, like talent and mood. If you don’t have a through knowledge of music that becomes a little…well… let’s put in this way : When you’re writing a song, there’s one tune that’s in-between. Theoretically it’s wrong, but if you know the theory, you can fix it so it sounds better.”