The Dylan of Djakarta: Iwan Fals

Iwan Fals

I share some music by a singer songwriter from Indonesia tonight.  The singer is named Iwan Fals, a child of the 70’s and one of that large country’s biggest pop stars.  A founder and lead vocal of several pop groups dating back to the early 70’s, Iwan is an accomplished guitarist and charismatic singer.   His break-out hit came in 1981and told the story of a poorly paid school teacher who is expected to deliver quality education for future leaders and the elite.  It hit a chord across the country and shot the handsome young man to the stars.  He was courted as a protest singer and heartthrob all at once.  Something akin to an Indonesian Bruce Springsteen wearing his heart on his sleeve and calling out for the working man.

He spent some time in jail for his lyrics which questioned the dictatorship of President Suharto and the country’s non-existent democrasi. One of the offending tunes related the story of a street hooker who was married to a man going by the name of Soeharyo (Suharto). Iwan looked beyond Indonesia for material as well finding inspiration in Africa and a tune called Ethiopia.

Though he has played in a number of styles his preferred and most powerful work is what is termed ‘country’ in Indonesia and which is essentially him alone with a guitar.  Sometimes acoustic, sometimes not.

I picked this collection up in a dusty store in Dili, Timor Leste in August.  It was the sales girl’s choice. And it is good stuff. Iwan Fals, is about the closest thing you’re going to get to a SE Asian Dylan. His singing is full of emotion, and his troubadoring harp playing and guitar strumming, sharp. 

I thank my old friend and colleague Romy for translating the tracklist for tonight’s selection.

            Track Listing:

            01 - Dongeng Sebelum Tidur (A Bedtime Story)

02 – Frustasi (Frustration)

03 - Belum Ada Judul (There is no title)

04 – Imitasi (Imitation)

05 - Ya Atau Tidak (Yes or No)

06 - Satu Satu (Step by Step)  

07 - Besar Dan Kecil (Big and Small)

08 - Coretan Dinding (Writing on the Wall)

09 - Kisah Sepeda Motor (The Motorbike Story)

10 - Joni Kesiangan

11 – Potret (Portrait)

12 - Mereka Ada Dijalan (They are on the Street)

13 - Mencetak Sawah (Creating the Paddy Field)

14 - Aku Disini (I am Here)

15 - Lagu Cinta (Love Song)

16 - Menunggu Ditimbang Malah Muntah (Waiting to be considered, but vomiting) 17 – Ikrar (Promise)

18 - Panggilan Dari Gunung (The call from the Mountain)

19 - Di Mata Air Tidak Ada Air Mata (There are no tears in the fountain)

20 - Kisah Sepeda Motorku (The Story About my Motorbike)

here

Ol' Blue Eyes in Bali: Los Sinatras

Bali faces

I’ve mentioned before that one of the great pleasures in life is the unexpected. Being surprised.

Last week during my abbreviated trip to Timor Leste I discovered that one of the men working in the office was an Indonesian. This took me back a bit considering the history of bad blood between the Timorese and Indonesians.  In 1974, when the Portuguese pulled up the tent and sailed back to Lisboa, the Indonesians, citing a certitude that non-voluntary integration of the small island into Greater Indonesia was exactly what the Timorese desired, (of course, no attempt was made to test the basis of this confidence), the Indonesian army launched a clumsy but emphatic invasion.  They were driven out at last, in 1999, after twenty five years of heavy-handed rule.

So to come across an Indonesian working in Timor was like meeting an American in Pyongyang. A bit unexpected.  But even more surprising was the fact that this Indonesian, a smiling young man named Younis, was a musician. One of his musical duties was managing a ‘rockabilly band’ based in Bali!  Not a Link Wray or Stray Cats tribute bar band but a genuine, honest-to-god, Balinese rock ensemble, playing their own tunes.

The final and most pleasant surprise came when Younis handed me a copy of the band’s album. Their name is Los Sinatras and it’s their album, Suicidal Sinatra, that we highlight tonight.

This music is not exactly what I would call rockabilly but it has a strong rock with a slight, and very pleasant, country vibe percolating through the mix.  These guys are a very competent three piece band: Anox Sinatra on drums, Leo Sinatra plies the guitar and Kape Sinatra manages to keep the bottom bubbling with a white double bass.  As I listen to the album I hear strains of Los Lobos via The Del Lords and the Clash.  Even a bit of Neil Young.  Half the songs are in Bahasa Indonesia (or maybe Balinese) and the other in English. The end result is a distinctly Indonesian musical nasi goring, that spicy, ever so tasty street food loved across the archipelago.  Thoroughly enjoyable music. The next time you’re in Bali be sure to keep your ears and eyes open for them and be sure to tell them you’re there because Younis the Manager is doing his job! And to give him a raise!

            Track Listing:

01.  Masa Kecil

02.  Anak Rock

03.  Los Sinatra

04.  Hope

05.  I’m a Soldier

here