BART NANDIT ARENG

Bart Nandit Areng took his first steps in the world of showbiz when he became the voice behind Sesame Street's Bhutoo in his early years. Since then, he's been heavily involved in audio media, as a musician, a radio RJ and music producer for Radio Shadhin's afternoon show - Boss Break. Star Showbiz recently sat down with Bart or Bartman (as he is known to his audience) to learn more about what he is up to.

1. Tell us about how your career started off.
I joined Nayatra Communications as a music producer/coordinator. It was at this time that people noticed my voice and asked me to lend it to the puppets, I provided voice for many of them, and I was the one behind Bhutoo. It was here that I met with the Asiatic community.

2. Judging from the content of your show (Boss Break), it seems you know a lot about bands. Were you ever in one yourself?
I indulged my passion for music while being a voice actor. I used to play the bass for a gospel band before joining Sesame Street. So far I've played with Neighbors, Ajob, Cryptic Fate and currently I'm working with Indalo.

3. How do you feel about your job as a Radio RJ and music producer?
The thing is, I don't really see what I do at Shadhin as a profession, I see it more like a place where I can utilize my talents to the fullest and have a good time doing so. To me, Shadhin isn't a workplace; it's more like a playground where I can try different things, experiment with sounds, tweak a few things here and there.

4. With such a heavy workload, does it not become difficult to balance your family with your work?
It does!  It's a constant shuffle. I mean, my life revolves around the things I love, so it's always possible to balance my family, work and music. However it does become stressful at times, but it's nothing that can't be managed.

5. These days, almost everything is visual, how does audio (radio) still maintain a facial image in a visual world?
The things is, radio is kind of like a solitary companion that no one really gives up, its true people in general now have somewhat of a seeing is believing attitude towards things thanks to social media, but think about the times when you're walking down a street and aren't in the mood to listen to the songs you always listen to, or when you're taking your car to work alone, radio keeps you company, it becomes your friend and always leaves a lot to the imagination.

6. How do you keep your listeners interested?
By embracing digitization, this means we put a face to the voices our listeners hear; it's not like the 90's when very few people knew who they are listening to. We put up pictures before shows, ask questions to people who weren't tuned in, have contests etc., it keeps things fresh and also gives us a face value. It's like you said, we live in a time which is more visual than it's ever been.

7. Do you get repeated requests and is it difficult when someone asks you to play music you were a part of?
Well most shows now have a dedicated listener base, and sometimes we do get repeated requests, but we always manage to keep it diverse. For example, if someone wants to listen to Iron Maiden again after it's just been played, I suggest a band of the same genre or suggest some of their newer stuff. As for music I was a part of, it does get a bit conflicting when it happens, and I'm stuck trying to decide whether or not to tell the listener about my involvement, I mean I can tell them but will it not be a sort of self-advertising?

8. How is your personal life going?
It's going great actually, I got married earlier this year and I'll be a father next year, I still don't know whether or not I'll be a good one but only time will tell, and I will definitely need to balance things better.

9. Any plans for the future regarding your music?
Well I do plan to release a Gospel album somewhere down the line, I am religious but I want to do it to let people know about choirs, carols, hymns and religious songs. I mean everyone sees them here and there but not many people know what it's about. As for Indalo, we plan to release a new album very soon.

10. What about your plans for the future?
I plan to showcase my talents a bit more, as you said face value is needed in this industry. I plan to be involved in a larger community of friends and professionals and just be at a place in my life where I get recognized easily and will be able to work with people effortlessly.