Melly Goeslaw

Melliana Cessy Goeslaw was born on January 7, 1974, in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Her father, Melky Goeslaw, was a singer and songwriter. She began singing in the fifth grade and later developed an interest in songwriting during high school. Melly Goeslaw started her career as a backing vocalist for Elfa Secioria. This led to her family moving to Jakarta to further her career, where she subsequently became a backing vocalist for several pop singers. While on a promotional tour for Katon Bagaskara, she met Anto Hoed and Andi Ayunir, which led to the formation of the band Potret in 1995. Their debut album in 1995 was well-received, and the band gained popularity between 1995 and 1998.

Melly Goeslaw initiated her solo career in 1999 with her self-titled debut album, “Melly.” Her solo career gained significant momentum with her contributions to the soundtrack of the 2002 film “Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?” (What’s Up with Love?), for which she and her husband wrote most of the songs. This work earned her the nickname “Queen of Soundtrack” and a Citra Award for Best Soundtrack at the Indonesian Film Festival in 2004. She continued to compose and perform for numerous film soundtracks, including “Eiffel… I’m in Love” (2003), “Apa Artinya Cinta?” (What’s the Meaning of Love?, 2005), and “Ketika Cinta Bertasbih” (When Love Prays, 2009).

Throughout her career, Melly Goeslaw has written over 500 songs, demonstrating her enduring influence and prolific output in the Indonesian music scene. She also held her first solo concert, “Glow, Melly Live in Concert,” in Jakarta in 2009, featuring a mix of her band and solo work. In addition to her performance and songwriting, she has been involved in mentoring emerging artists and advocating for intellectual property rights, actively contributing to the development of Indonesian pop music. Her songs often explore diverse themes, and she is recognized for her distinct artistic persona.