She was busy and my time was running out of time, so the story became a Q&A. I even had to get the pictures from the band’s social platforms. Everyone who wrote this story did.

Sherleena is the lead guitarist in Priwayat and also a politician. So, I considered myself lucky to even got this interview in the first place.

Below is the full interview, plus some that didn’t make it into the published story.

What’s the story behind Priwayat?
5 individuals who got together and started a band – just like how any band starts out but I guess, we can’t run away from the fact that Zairil and I both just happen to be in politics. Sometime during the MCO, we both started jamming and started writing original material. I asked old friends of mine, Shanks (also from Damn Dirty Apes and Coma) to play bass and Zam (from Vigil and Leather Charms) to sing, who then brought in Jern (from Sepatu 69) to play drums.

The energy the other band mates bring is so positive and nurturing. Although, we formed the band in June, we have written quite a lot of materials already. Our EP, Suralaya is out on Spotify and our first single ‘Terbanglah’, the music video is directed by Amir Johari and is on YouTube.

How did you start getting into music?
For me, I’ve been playing guitar since high school and have been in various bands before. The last band I was in was a Penang powerpop-alternative rock band called PAKU, with my brother, Riz (who is a guitarist and plays with Brian Gomez’s Putrabumi as well we The Endleaves) but the band broke up in 2010 and I became more involved and active in politics

Music has always been a part of me but I kind of stopped for awhile. It was only after I got into an accident late last year, where I broke my leg and was bedridden for 2 months, I started playing the guitar again.

What do you see music as?
Music is an artform and a way to express thoughts as well as feelings. I guess you can say in Priwayat, we use music as another medium to tell ‘stories’ and thoughts. Music evokes and provokes at the same time and can heal tremendously.

Is music in Malaysia uniting or divisive?
It’s both but it depends on who you ask. While music can unite (musicians, individuals, ideas, etc) there is also a divisive element. Specifically, how mainstream music fails to promote what is perceived as ‘underground’ or independent artists. Malaysia will never run out of talents but what is often promoted are certain specific genres. I don’t think that’s healthy. The lack of support for local musicians is something that I feel needs to change. I would love to see talents like Azmyl Yunor, Iqbal M, Putrabumi, Milo Dinosaur and Couple grace TV1 and TV3

With the pandemic, what do you think the future of music, the one you are involved in, looks like?
The future is rather bleak but not permanent. One of the first casualties of the pandemic were musicians and performing artists – and the future of the industry is still left uncertain. This pandemic is extremely unpredictable and never have we face situations this fluid in our lifetimes before.  What governments can do is to continue planning and coming up with policies as well as initiatives to help alleviate the current quagmire we face. In addition to that, individuals and society as a whole have to play their part as well. Follow the SOPs, flatten the curve and be as vigilant as possible.

How would you describe the type of music that Priwayat plays?
To sum it up in a nutshell – alternative rock. Our music is alternative/progressive rock. The music we make reflects the different influences that each band member brings to the table. Zairil’s piano-driven elements come from his love for Britpop rock bands like Coldplay. Zam is heavily influenced by the Seattle grunge rock movement. Jern has eclectic tastes from J-pop to experimental metal.

How did the name Priwayat came about?
We wanted a name that reflected what we were about. The name Priwayat comes from “periwayat” which means “orang yang meriwayatkan” or in short, storyteller.

What is your goal as a musician?
To continue to play and write music. It’s therapeutic and a very positive experience for all of us. We want to continue making music we love. Where that takes us is anyone’s guess, but it’s always about the music first.

What was the first music you ever bought (be it cassette, CD, record, or even digital download, as long as it is legal lah)
First cassette: “The Simpsons Sings the Blues” which came out in 1990. I was 10 years old, ok. Don’t judge

In addition to the instagram, and youtube channel, is there anything else that you would like to plug?
Please follow us at @priwayat_ on Instagram, Priwayat on YouTube, @priwayat.band on Facebook.

Is there any causes or issue that you would like to champion?
We sincerely believe that music and the arts in general needs to be given a more central role in Malaysian society. Malaysians are extremely talented but avenues are lacking for the talent to be recognised and promoted in the right way.