Dozens of Western Songs Banned in West Java for being “Pornographic”Indonesia ExpatFebruary 27, 2019 by Indonesia ExpatFebruary 27, 201903521 85 western pop songs have been deemed pornographic and banned from being played in daylight hours in Indonesia’s West Java...
New Draft Bill Prohibits “Negative Foreign Influences” from Creative IndustryIndonesia ExpatFebruary 4, 2019 by Indonesia ExpatFebruary 4, 201902233 Hundreds of musicians in Indonesia have lashed out against what they say is a ludicrous draft bill that could “destroy”...
Bali Inmates to Compete in Prison Music FestivalIndonesia ExpatNovember 21, 2018December 14, 2018 by Indonesia ExpatNovember 21, 2018December 14, 20180904 Thirteen bands with prisoners and inmates as members are set to compete in the 2018 Bali Prison Music Festival. The...
VICE meets SeringaiIndonesia ExpatAugust 27, 2018August 18, 2018 by Indonesia ExpatAugust 27, 2018August 18, 201801531 Indonesia’s most famous metalhead may be President Joko Widodo, but the most popular heavy metal band Seringai is probably lesser...
Indonesia Brings Spirit of Unity to Europe through Arts PerformancesSania RasyidJanuary 4, 2018 by Sania RasyidJanuary 4, 20180899 Indonesian artists are staging arts performances in various countries in Europe carrying Indonesia’s Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) message...
Jazz Gunung Bromo: The Yin And Yang of Music And NatureIndonesia ExpatJuly 31, 2017November 11, 2021 by Indonesia ExpatJuly 31, 2017November 11, 202101481 Jazz Gunung Bromo, one of the country’s largest musical festival which has become a stalwart of the cultural calendar, will...
Rocking New Cocktails During the Month of DecemberMay TienNovember 28, 2016September 10, 2019 by May TienNovember 28, 2016September 10, 201901135 The Hard Rock Cafe Jakarta rolls out a new collection of boozy and refreshing beverages throughout the month of December....
The Influence of Javanese Music on Early JazzTerry CollinsMay 31, 2016March 8, 2021 by Terry CollinsMay 31, 2016March 8, 202102212 “Jazz has borrowed from other genres of music and also has lent itself to other genres of music.” – Herbie...
Bali to London Blues: Erik SondhyRosie MilneMay 2, 2016 by Rosie MilneMay 2, 201601572 London Blues, released on the IndoJazzia Musik label in May, is an extraordinary collection of solo pieces by Bali’s own...
Coincidental ChristmasEamonn SadlerDecember 15, 2015 by Eamonn SadlerDecember 15, 20150750 As I write this I am sitting on a Cebu Pacific flight back from Manila, Philippines, having just attended...
Serving the Greater Good: Meet Michael FrantiRemko TanisOctober 27, 2015 by Remko TanisOctober 27, 201503426 Michael Franti is an internationally-acclaimed musician and lead vocalist of Michael Franti and Spearhead, who is also a global activist...
IndoJazzia: Indonesian Jazz is Going PlacesTerry CollinsMay 29, 2015August 8, 2017 by Terry CollinsMay 29, 2015August 8, 201701455 With the news that 11-year-old Indonesian pianist Joey Alexander’s first album, My Favourite Things, topped the jazz charts in the...
A Really Scary ThingEamonn SadlerJune 18, 2014August 11, 2017 by Eamonn SadlerJune 18, 2014August 11, 20170849 In 1995 I was the tour promoter for the Philippines leg of the Asian tour of the British band The...
25 Years of Flawless Blues and Roots MusicAngela JelitaMay 20, 2014August 18, 2017 by Angela JelitaMay 20, 2014August 18, 201701139 What does one look for in a music festival? Of course, there are many different types depending on the kind...
An Endangered Creature called GambuhTess JoyceMay 6, 2014August 18, 2017 by Tess JoyceMay 6, 2014August 18, 201701452 If you have ever been curious about Indonesia?s Majapahit Kingdom, you might like to see a performance of Gambuh -...
A Giant in a Little Tiny PackageGabriella PanjaitanApril 23, 2014October 20, 2017 by Gabriella PanjaitanApril 23, 2014October 20, 201711836 Geniuses live among us although seldom encountered. In our time, a true genius is nothing short of a mutant, having...
A Decade of JazzGabriella PanjaitanMarch 11, 2014August 11, 2017 by Gabriella PanjaitanMarch 11, 2014August 11, 201701076 The energy was high as I stepped onto the premises of Jakarta International EXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta. The 10th annual Java...
The Gamelan Group: All Nationalities, Ages and Motives WelcomeGail G. CollinsMarch 10, 2014August 11, 2017 by Gail G. CollinsMarch 10, 2014August 11, 201703484 As Pak Parno threads his way through the gamelan, he claps his hands to guide the tempo and calls out...
Rock with You – Hard Rock Caf? JakartaGabriella PanjaitanFebruary 11, 2014August 11, 2017 by Gabriella PanjaitanFebruary 11, 2014August 11, 201702041 Such a stellar name, The Hard Rock Café is a strong, ongoing presence in any big city. The name resounds...
Overwhelming Genius: The World of Harry DarsonoGrace SusetyoDecember 2, 2013August 16, 2017 by Grace SusetyoDecember 2, 2013August 16, 201703710 Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo, and Copernicus may be the first names that come to your mind at the mention of...
Tommee Balukea: Jungle Music with a Laid-Back VibeKarenNovember 18, 2013August 16, 2017 by KarenNovember 18, 2013August 16, 201701567 When I first came across Tommee Balukea, the internationally acclaimed musician was playing an acoustic set at Crystal Palace bar...