Elfonda Mekel (born 21 May 1970), better known by his stage name Once ([ˈɔntʃə], pronounced Ohn-chè), is an Indonesian singer and former lead vocalist of Dewa 19.

Biography[edit]

Once was born Elfonda Mekel in Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi, on 21 May 1970. He began singing while attending junior high school^[1] at Tirta Marta Junior High School;^[2] he also learned how to play the drums, piano, and guitar. He eventually began participating in singing competitions, including an inter-high school competition in Jakarta.^[1]

After graduating from Tirta Mirta Senior High School,^[2] Once joined numerous bands. His first bands, Brawijaya and Dimensi, were cover bands. After joining Java Burns, he began singing songs he had written himself; he eventually provided a song for the compilation albumSeribu Angan (A Thousand Dreams) in the early 1990s.^[1]

Due to a problem with his voice box, Once took a hiatus from singing between 1993 and 1997. He used this time to study law at the University of Indonesia, graduating in 1996. He also worked for a construction company.^[1]

By 1997 he had begun singing again, in cafes,^[2] and in 1998 he recorded the soundtrack for the film Kuldesak with Ahmad Dhani.^[1] Once was later asked to join Dhani's band, Dewa 19, in 2000,^[3] and eventually replaced Ari Lasso, who was expelled from the group for drug use. In the beginning, Once had difficulty fulfilling fan's high expectations set by Lasso, and was noted as not communicating with them^[4] as well as having a stiff on-stage persona.^[5]

Once was eventually accepted by Dewa 19's fans after Bintang Lima, his first album with the group, was a hit; it eventually sold 1.7 million copies.^[6] He later recorded four more albums with Dewa 19. He also released three solo singles, 'Dealova', 'Aku Mau' ('I Want') and 'Symphony yang Indah' ('A Beautiful Symphony').^[2]

On 19 January 2011, Once resigned from Dewa 19 to develop his solo career;^[3] it was rumored that problems with royalties were a factor in his decision.^[2] He eventually joined with Lasso, Doadibadai Hollo of Kerispatih, Maggi of /rif, Irfan of Samsons, and Yuke to form the AYLI (As You Like It) Project.^[6] In June 2011, he began recording his first solo album.^[7]

Awards[edit]

Once was voted Best Pop Soloist at the 2005 Anugerah Musik Indonesia (AMI). The following year, one of his songs was voted Best Pop Song at AMI.^[2]

Personal life[edit]

Once married Rietmadhanty Angelica Tauchid on 20 December 2005. Together they have one son.^[1]

References[edit]

Footnotes

1. ^ ^abcdefKapanLagi.com, Once Dewa.
2. ^ ^abcdefTokohIndonesia.com, Once.
3. ^ ^abJakarta Post 2011, It's Official: Once.
4. ^Simanjuntak 2003, Dewa buries.
5. ^Primastuti 2002, Dewa delights loyal.
6. ^ ^abSofyan 2011, Ngobrol Bareng Once.
7. ^Febriani 2011, Once Acuhkan Ahmad.

Bibliography

• Febriani, Prih Prawesti (27 June 2011). 'Once Acuhkan Ahmad Dhani?' [Is Once Ignoring Ahmad Dhani?]. detik.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
• Handayani, Primastuti (16 February 2002). 'Dewa delights loyal fans in concert'. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
• 'It's official: Once has resigned from Dewa 19'. The Jakarta Post. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
• 'Once'. TokohIndonesia.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2 October 2011.
• 'Once Dewa'. KapanLagi.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2 October 2011.
• Simanjuntak, Tertiani ZB (23 February 2003). 'Dewa buries hatchet in tehe [sic] name of love'. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
• Sofyan, Eko Hendrawan (9 March 2011). 'Ngobrol Bareng Once, Yuk!' [Let's Speak with Once!]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2017.

External links[edit]

• Official website(Requires Adobe Flash Player)