Background
According to The Jakarta Post after an interview with David Tarigan, Aksara Records started with its efforts to document the development of indie music in Jakarta. From here this record label developed so that now it has established relationships with many local and foreign artists. Aksara Records' first release was the compilation album JKT: SKRG in 2004 which featured 12 indie music groups from Jakarta, such as Sore, C'mon Lennon, The Upstairs. The album eventually began distribution in Seattle where grunge music was very popular, and was also broadcast on several university radio stations there. The album then began to penetrate indie record stores in Canada and the United Kingdom, where Aksara Records has established its own indie music distribution network.
The company's first achievement came when Tarigan was asked by Nia Dinata, producer of the film Janji Joni to compose the theme song for the teen comedy movie. With the publicity that followed the film Janji Joni, the album eventually became a smash hit. According to Tarigan, the success of the theme song Janji Joni is also an indication that materially, independent record labels like Aksara can compete with bigger record labels.
As it is a country with many different tribes and ethnic groups, the music of Indonesia itself is also very diverse, coming in hundreds of different forms and styles. Every region has its own culture and art, and as a result traditional music from area to area also uniquely differs from one another. For example, each traditional music are often accompanied by their very own dance and theatre. Contemporary music scene have also been heavily shaped by various foreign influences, such as America, Britain, Japan, Korea, and India.
Independent music is music produced independently from commercial record labels or their subsidiaries; this may include an autonomous, do-it-yourself approach to recording and publishing.
Indonesian rock is rock music from Indonesia, a product of the culture and globalizing outlook of the country, similar to this genre's music globally. Indonesian-specific ideas about individualism, interdependency, modernism, and the supernatural have also been observed in the rock videos and music of the nation.
White Shoes & the Couples Company is an Indonesian pop band from Jakarta, Indonesia. The band are currently signed to both Indonesian label Aksara Records and American independent label Minty Fresh based in Chicago. Their music is influenced by Indonesian film soundtracks from the 1970s, 1930s jazz, disco, and 1960s pop music.
Sore is an Indonesian indie band formed in Jakarta in 2002. The band was originally formed by Ade Paloh, Mondo Gascaro and Awan Garnida. They have been close friends since childhood. Other two members, Bemby Gusti and Reza Dwiputranto, were brought in by Awan Garnida.
Zeke and The Popo are an Indonesian ambient/ folk rock/ psychedelic band from Jakarta. They are an independent band and signed with Blakmorse record.
PT Musica Studios is an Indonesian music company based in Jakarta. Known as Metropolitan Studios in the 1960s and then Musica Studios in the 1970s, Musica was founded by Yamin Widjaja, the owner of an electronics store. Musica is one of the largest music companies in Indonesia. Musical artists such as Noah, have recorded on the Musica label.
Kartika Jahja, better known as Tika, is an independent singer and songwriter with the band Tika and The Dissidents. She is also an author, actress, entrepreneur, and activist on gender and sexuality issues. In November 2016, she made the "BBC 100 Women" list.
Djakarta Artmosphere, or Djaksphere in short, is an annual concert organized by G Production to promote the collaborations between artists that are not limited to a specific generation, genre and/or other artistic creations. The organizers of this concert interpret the name Djakarta as a symbol of a space to accommodate millions of souls from diverse backgrounds, both geographically and culturally. Moreover, Djakarta has become a place that is no longer synonymous with a particular ethnicity, religion, or skin color.
Efek Rumah Kaca is an Indonesian indie rock band, formed in 2001. The band consists of Cholil Mahmud, Adrian Yunan Faisal, Airil "Poppie" Nur Abadiansyah dan Akbar Bagus Sudibyo. They are known for their satirical and thought-provoking lyrics—usually concerning politics or everyday society. They have released three albums, Efek Rumah Kaca (2007), Kamar Gelap (2008), and Sinestesia (2015).
Kamar Gelap is the second album by Indonesian independent music band Efek Rumah Kaca. Released on December 19, 2008, it received the 2010 ICEMA award for best album of the year.
Efek Rumah Kaca is the first studio album by Efek Rumah Kaca. It was released in 2007 by Paviliun Records.
An independent record label is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented by trade associations in their country or region, which in turn are represented by the international trade body, the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN).
We The Fest is an annual summer festival of music, arts, fashion and food in Jakarta, Indonesia. The first edition was held on August 24, 2014, and it has since been held at Parkir Timur Senayan. In 2017, the event was moved to Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran. The event features many genres of music, including pop, rock, indie, hip hop and electronic dance music. It is promoted by Ismaya Live.
Sinestesia is the third studio album by Indonesian indie band Efek Rumah Kaca, released on December 18, 2015, on Jangan Marah Records. It was produced by Pandai Besi and the band. Recorded between 2009–15, Sinestesia is the band's first release since their 2008 album Kamar Gelap. A few days later, the album released with CD format by Demajors Independent Music Industry. All the singles were written by Cholil Mahmud.
Maulidia Octavia, known professionally as Via Vallen, is an Indonesian dangdut singer. Her stage name, "Vallen", is taken from Evanescence's first album Fallen.
Hellcrust is an Indonesian death metal band from Jakarta, formed in September 24, 2011 by Bije, Wiro and Andyan Gorust. The band has released three albums, including one mini-album and single that all released under the label of Armstretch Record. Almost all of the members have been part of the iconic band Siksakubur, even though from different generations. Hellcrust's fanbase community known as "Balamaut" which is a community of metal music enthusiast that loyal to the band. Nowadays, Hellcrust is one of the most influential bands in Indonesia as part of the world's most interesting underground metal scene.
The Adams is an Indonesian indie rock band formed in 2002. The band currently consists of Saleh Husein, Ario Hendarwan, and Gigih Suryo Prayogo.
