Indonesian Bands Go International

Augusta Bonatua Sirait


INN Channels, Jakarta - Indonesian music goes international. The Indonesian lyrics have started being globally accepted. The youngsters’ bands such as Padi, Mocca, Slank, Nidji, Peter Pan, and Samsons have successfully sold their music worldwide despite the language difference from the other countries.

“Indonesia is unique. Any kind of songs are acceptable and can become hit singles,” Arie Suwardi Widjaja, Chairman of PT Aquarius Musik, spoke to the press recently.

Padi entertained Indonesian students in The Borderline, a London’s club. They performed in a charity concert entitled “Music for Poverty”, singing their hit singles like “Sobat, Semua Tak Sama, Menanti Sebuah Jawaban, and Rapuh”.

Before Padi, Peter Pan of Bandung (West Java) successfully fascinated its fans in Malaysia and Singapore and released their new album in both countries. Peter Pan’s second record, Bintang di Surga was sold out in three million copies in Indonesia and other countries.

Another band, Nidji, has become a tough competitor by selling 600,000 copies on their first album, Breakthru. A single from the record album, entitled Heaven, have successfully attracted Hollywood that they cited it as one of the soundtrack for a high rating serial, Heroes. Giring, Nidji's vocalist told the Malaysian TV station that, “We are surprised and we hailed their invitation to discuss about our song used as a film soundtrack.”

The band touted as the copy of British Coldplay, strived to perform its best concerts in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. The tickets were always sold out.

There are a number of the other Indonesian bands or artists who have achieved global reputation thanks to the two important and influential factors over the last decade: First, MTV, a music television station attracts fans by broadcasting independent band video clips. The fact has encouraged Indonesian bands to go international. In 1990s, Indonesian independent bands started their debuts at MTV. They have great opportunities in countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

Second, the music competition or festivals are frequently held by a number of the national cigarette companies to give the chance to the independent bands. Mocca, a band, debuted as an independent band and at present, they are often invited to perform the concert overseas. They sold their first record Secret Admirer by 75,000 copies. Hopefully, Indonesian music will continue to retain its glory.