Indonesian singer-songwriter Hindia (Baskara Putra) sits down to discuss the hidden costs of fame, the creative philosophy behind his "Doves, '25 Experience" showcase in Kuala Lumpur, and how he channels raw emotion and Logic Pro to turn personal grief into universal anthems.

Boundaries, exposure, and the quiet act of emotional survival; such is the world of Daniel Baskara Putra. Better known by his stage name Hindia, the Indonesian singer-songwriter, producer, and lecturer has carved out a unique space in Southeast Asia's indie music scene. Known for raw, confessional lyricism that bridges deeply personal grief with universal truths, his art doubles as a therapeutic sanctuary for both himself and his massive fanbase. Yet, step off the stage, and the reality of navigating exponential fame sets in. For Hindia, the steepest price of his art hasn't been the exhausting tour schedules, but the steady erosion of his personal privacy, forcing him into the shadows of odd-hour routines just to navigate daily life as a naturally reserved soul. That raw authenticity was on full display during his recent trip to Malaysia, where he seamlessly bridged the worlds of high-concept performance and intimate creative craft. On August 22, 2026, Hindia brought his meticulously designed "Doves, '25 Experience" showcase to Kuala Lumpur, delivering a set that was as visually thoughtful as it was sonically powerful. In a brilliant nod to the unsung heroes of live music, Hindia flipped traditional concert norms by rolling the full backstage and production credits&nbsp;before the show even began, ensuring every talent involved got their moment in the spotlight. The next day, he transitioned from stage icon to mentor at the Apple Store The Exchange TRX for an exclusive "Spotlight: Crafting Songs in Logic Pro with Hindia" session. Unpacking his decade-long reliance on the software, he offered fans and aspiring producers an inside look at how mundane daily rituals, maternal advice, and sudden sparks of inspiration are transformed into defining tracks. Whether speaking candidly about his battle with clinical depression, the vulnerability of revisiting traumatic wounds on stage, or the modern urge for young artists to "touch grass" and exercise self-control online, Hindia remains fiercely grounded. His creative philosophy is surprisingly simple: never lie to the music, say what you mean clearly, and extract poetry from the everyday moments we so easily rush past.

What is something about the reality of becoming a full-time singer-songwriter that surprised you the most? I always knew privacy was the trade-off for this career, but I never expected it to be this intense. There’s practically nowhere I can go without thinking about my privacy, especially back home in Indonesia. I end up doing normal errands at odd hours just to avoid crowds. I’m naturally a pretty reserved person. When I was new to the industry, that constant exposure really irked me. Over time, I’ve gotten used to it. It’s just the price of admission in entertainment but the rate at which my privacy vanished was exponential. That’s easily been one of the hardest parts of being Hindia. Congratulations on your showcase in KL last night. It was epic. Did it turned out as what you envisioned it to be? Whenever I finish a record, I already have a vision for how it should feel on stage. The big picture like the overarching themes and finer details usually comes together about three to four months before a show. For our show in Kuala Lumpur, about half of the concepts were adapted from our previous tour, fine-tuned specifically for the Malaysian audience. The vivid visual details locked in about two months out. One thing I loved about the KL show was how we spotlighted the crew. Audiences only see the small group standing on stage, not the massive team working tirelessly backstage, pre-show, post-show, and behind the scenes. Usually, production credits roll at the very end when people are already leaving. I told my team, "Let’s put the ending credits right before the show starts." That way, while the crowd is waiting in anticipation, they get to meet the talented crew who made the night possible. And yes, it turned out just like what we wanted it to be.

Let’s dive into your music. You’ve written thousands of words across your discography. Is there a specific lyric that still deeply resonates with you? When I start a new record, there are usually three to five core sentences that trigger a strong emotional response. My goal is to capture that feeling, sonically and visually, and stretch it across the entire album so everything feels connected. For my second album, the core message actually came from a gloomy mural I saw in Tokyo. It was about wanting to die because the world was ending anyway. It was heavy, but the image stuck with me. I decided to flip the narrative into something positive for the album's penultimate track. That core idea was so strong that I forced myself not to write anything off-topic for the rest of the record. I also pull lyrics from everyday life: scriptures, random wall graffiti, bathroom stalls, and my mom's advice. On my latest record, the foundation came straight from her: "Whenever you ask, if you know how to ask specifically and intentionally, you will receive it." That idea birthed the opening track, "Perseverance (In the Face of Grief)," which drove the direction for the rest of the album. Interesting. So, how did that advice from your mother become the backbone of the entire record? At the time, I was in a bad place mentally, dealing with a bout of clinical depression that lasted two to three years. On top of that, two of my cats passed away. I was buried under heavy grief. As I tried to process that pain, my mother’s words kept echoing in my mind. It turned into the lyric: "Mama said Son keep on believing, All the world's for you to achieve, Gotta ask and you shall receive, Perseverance in the face of grief.”

I see. You often find inspiration in everyday actions or random texts. What draws you to those mundane moments? I love finding beauty in the routine things we all go through. Life moves so fast that we forget to notice the small rituals like washing your face before bed. There’s something deeply poetic about that. It’s like a daily reset; if you don’t do it, you aren't ready to sleep or face tomorrow. And listeners love how your lyrics hit home so directly. How do you strike that balance? My writing style is very direct. I want listeners to grasp the message immediately and map it onto their own lives. Early in my career, I learned that while there’s always room for poetry, being overly abstract can mean the message only makes sense to you. Sometimes, you just have to say what you mean clearly. Mental health and vulnerability are huge themes in your music. Is songwriting therapeutic for you, or is it hard to revisit those wounds on stage? Songwriting is definitely my therapy, my actual therapist even recommended it.&nbsp; I made a rule for myself: I can guard my public life, but I am never allowed to lie in my music. Whatever comes to my heart, no matter how ugly, gets written down as it is. Releasing it to the world is the scary part, but over time, it’s become deeply healing. There’s actually a song on my latest record that I’ve only performed once, and I don't think I ever will again. It completely tore me apart on stage. Writing those songs can feel traumatic, but capturing those raw emotions and shaping them into art makes me feel powerful, like I’m bigger than the grief. I’m still learning how to perform them without getting overwhelmed, though sometimes the emotions still win.

Let’s get a bit technical. At the recent sharing session you hosted at the Apple TRX store, you said that LogicPro has completely transformed your workflow. How so? Logic Pro is easily the most intuitive DAW out there. I’ve tried other software over my 15 years of making music, but nothing else clicked. As someone who never went to music school, Logic made production accessible. I’ve been using it for over a decade now. The Session Players feature is a game-changer. I can lay down a chord progression and instantly have the software generate drum loops, keyboard layers, or bass lines that blend seamlessly. In other DAWs, I’d get bogged down in technicalities, but Logic lets me catch the creative spark in one go. Right, Baskara. If we look into your Apple Music now, which albums are currently on a heavy rotation? Let me check my Apple Music real quick! I have Lost Weekend by Phoebe Bridgers Lost Weekend. I’m a huge fan. Then, Role Model’s&nbsp; Chuck Timely &amp; The Hourglass. I like country, though this one gets a bit melodramatic. I am also listening to Lizzie McAlpine’s latest single "The Light in The Painting”. I’m a massive fan and looking forward to the new record. Actually, same. What else do you have? I have been repeating this albums for over a month now, called Prema by Fujii Kaze. Last but not least, of course, Music Fashion and Film by Charli XCX. It didn't grab me at first, but after watching her live performances online, everything clicked. She’s at the top of her game. Our final question for you. You previously advised young artists to "get a good lawyer." What should up-and-coming artists learn from your mistakes rather than your success? Have some self-control on the internet. A bad post can break a career overnight. Be intentional with your words, guard your actions, and most importantly: go outside and touch some grass.

Dive into&nbsp;Hindia's Doves, '25 Experience Malaysia Concert Set List below

Exclusive: Unpacking “Doves, '25 Experience" and songwriting secrets with Hindia

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