Hitting the Right Note

Rising star Yuna talks to Monique Leong about achieving success in the cutthroat world of entertainment and spreading her wings abroad.

With her sweet smile and unassuming ways, Yuna strikes you as the regular girlnext- door. But give her a guitar and you will see an amazing transformation right before your eyes!

Yunalis Zarai, affectionately known as Yuna to her fans, is a name to take note of in the Malaysian music scene. The independent singer-songwriter, who has been nominated in two categories at the SHOUT! Awards, already has a slew of other accolades under her belt.

“It’s my first time being nominated (for SHOUT!) and I can’t wait to go! It will be nice to win, but even if I don’t, it will be exciting just getting involved with the whole madness,” laughs the up-and-coming musician.

First Taste of Fame

With her melodious and sometimes sultry voice, Yuna first made a splash in the local music scene by bagging four awards at the Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) 17. But her first brush with fame was as a solo artist on Myspace, where she has attracted a strong following.

Yuna started writing songs at age 14 and began performing at 19 after learning to play the guitar. In 2006, she uploaded her music on Myspace, singing in both English and Bahasa Malaysia.

She describes her music as “a cross between Mary Poppins and Coldplay” and credits Feist, The Cardigans, Coldplay, Sia and Bob Dylan with having influenced her.

Her strong online fan base spurred offline recognition, resulting in a meteoric rise in the indie music scene.

In 2008, Yuna picked up her first accolade at the Voice Independent Music Awards. “I was really proud of myself when I won. After that, I just kept on working really hard. And then came Anugerah Juara Lagu and AIM17, which brought me to where I am today.”

Her distinctive blend of melody and thought-provoking lyrics has also made her a household name at venues such as No Black Tie and The Laundry in Kuala Lumpur.

But the 24-year-old is not letting success get to her head. “Nothing much has changed, really. I’m still the same girl. I think I’m getting more serious as a person, though. I never used to take things seriously, but now I work hard because I want to take care of my family.”

Of Inspirations

Family is a cornerstone of Yuna’s life. She speaks fondly of her parents and says they are an important influence on her.

“Mom and dad encouraged and inspired me immensely in my music career. My mom is such a strong person, and I’ve always thought that dad is the most talented person I’ve ever met. They’re very supportive of my music career.”

Aside from her parents, she finds inspiration everywhere. “Everything inspires me – pictures, films, music, beautiful scenery and even conversations with random people!”

Public Figure

Being grounded and having her family’s support have helped Yuna handle her new-found fame.

“I used to be brutally honest and spoke my mind, but I now understand that you have to watch what you say in the entertainment industry because there are a lot of people out there who are just waiting for you to make a blunder and bring you down!”

She also laments the assumptions some people make about her. “People have this idea that I’m rich and snobbish – which I’m not! I’m quiet and shy in person, and only open up to my friends. My family is not wealthy; we’re just regular folks.”

The joy of making music for her fans makes all the hard work worthwhile. “I have the best fans in the world! They really know how to show that they care, and it’s such a nice feeling to know that my gift to them is my music. Being able to share my music with them feeds my soul.”

Looking to the Future

What else is happening for this rising star? “Right now, I’m working on releasing an EP in the US and UK, so hopefully that will work out well. I’m also recording my next album in Los Angeles next year. My management is working hard on that and, hopefully, I’ll get a record deal in the States!”

To unwind, the girl who is always on the go confesses to a weakness for Sims3 and America’s Next Top Model. “It’s therapeutic for me,” she laughs. “Besides that, I love malls – I’m a self-confessed mall rat! Sometimes, I just walk around malls and check out clothes, watch movies, go to a café and go online to get inspiration or just chill. And whenever I’m back in KL, I spend a lot of time hanging out with friends.”

Despite her success, Yuna remains firmly rooted in her priorities and this is reflected in her advice to young graduates. “Finish school! Do not give up. Most students tend to give up towards the end of the course,” says this law graduate from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam.

“Once you graduate, it’s a whole different ball game. You will have to go through a lot of challenges, but remember that it will only make you stronger. Work really hard and enjoy your journey to success. Don’t sulk, and always be positive!”