***

The Legendary: Koes Plus, in the Netherlands

2011-10-19T17:37:00.010+02:00

Mungkin kedatangan Koes Plus ke Belanda untuk pertama kalinya tidak seheboh pada saat the Beatles datang ke Belanda pada tahun '64. Tidak adil memang kalau Koes Plus dibandingkan dengan the Fab Four itu. Tetapi bagi saya, dan mungkin juga ratusan orang lainnya yang tinggal di Belanda, memaknai kedatangan Koes Plus ke Belanda ini dengan rasa yang berbeda.

Di dalam usianya yang baru saja berubah menjadi 72 tahun, Yon Koeswoyo, masih menunjukkan semangatnya untuk meneruskan nama besar grup yg dibentuk bersama saudara saudaranya ini 51 tahun silam. Kini, sebagai anggota orisinil sejak awal Koes Plus berdiri, ia hanya berjuang sendiri. Walaupun demikian, dengan adanya tambahan tiga personil muda di Koes Plus, justru mampu menambahkan spirit baru saat mereka tampil live.

Pada tanggal 29 September rombongan Koes Plus tiba di Belanda untuk pertama kalinya. Mereka tidak sendiri, tetapi didampingi oleh Ahmad Albar dan Oppie Andaresta. Mereka tiba di Belanda atas undangan dari Intan Zhari, promotor asal Indonesia yang sudah lama menetap di Belanda. Sebelumnya Intan juga pernah mengundang Slank untuk tampil di Amsterdam pada tahun 2008. Ia juga dibantu oleh berbagai pihak sponsor termasuk KBRI Den Haag.

Ketiga nama musisi besar tersebut datang ke Belanda untuk tampil di acara Indo Music Nite yang diadakan pada tanggal 2 Oktober di Melkweg, Amsterdam. Melkweg sendiri adalah salah satu venue konser terkenal yang paling sering didatangi musisi musisi mancanegara.

Acara diawali dengan penampilan dari Biru Band, yang merupakan band yang personilnya terdiri dari pemuda Indonesia yang menetap di Belanda. Dilanjutkan dengan panampilan Oppie Andaresta. Selanjutnya, panggung diisi oleh Bebas Band yang juga terdiri dari warga Indonesia yang menetap di Belanda, namun dengan seorang drummer yang asli orang Belanda. Setelah membawakan beberapa lagu cover dan lagu mereka sendiri, Bebas Band akhirnya mengundang Ahmad Albar untuk tampil membawakan lagu lagu God Bless dan Gong 2000.

Sebut saja lagu lagu seperti Kehidupan, Panggung Sandiwara, Semut Hitam dibawakan dengan baik oleh Ahmad Albar, diiringi dengan musik yang dimainkan oleh para personel Bebas Band. Sempat terdengar suara yg sedikit meleset pada saat Ahmad Albar menyanyikan nada nada tinggi. Hal ini dikarenakan ia masih belum sembuh total dari radang tenggorokan yang ia alami pada saat baru mendarat di Belanda. Walaupun demikian, Ahmad Albar tetap menunjukkan kualitasnya sebagai musisi rock legendaris dengan stamina yang layak diacungi jempol.

Yang menarik perhatian saya pada saat menyaksikan penampilan Ahmad Albar, yang justru banyak mensupport dan maju di barisan paling depan mayoritas adalah perempuan. Nampaknya di umurnya yang ke-65, Ahmad Albar masih memiliki pancaran sex appeal bagi para perempuan. Mungkin tidak beda seperti halnya saat ia masih bermain di Belanda pada pertengahan tahun 60-an dengan grupnya Clover Leaf.

Setelah Ahmad Albar, tampillah grup yang ramai dibicarakan secara online di forum forum warga Indonesia yang tinggal di Belanda. Satu persatu mulai dari Yon Koeswoyo, diikuti para personil di grup yang dinamai Koes Plus Pembaharuan ini.

Malam itu Mas Yon tampil sangat sederhana dengan baju polo lengan panjang yang digulung, dan tidak lupa dengan senyumannya yang tulus bak seorang Opa yang bijaksana. Wajahnya terlihat tampak ceria. Pemandangan itu membuat saya terharu, mengingat saya sering membaca betapa gigihnya perjuangan Yon pada saat masa kejayaan Koes Plus yang mulai pudar di pertangahan tahun 80-an. Mulai dari tidak adanya sepeser pun royalti atas ribuan lagu lagu yang mereka buat, hingga saat ia pun harus menjual mobil dan berjualan batu akik demi bisa bertahan hidup di paska kejayaan Koes Plus tersebut.

Keharuan itu langsung berubah begitu Mas Yon langsung mengajak personil bandnya untuk menggebrak di lagu pertama dengan lagu “Bujangan”. Sontak semua pengunjung yang jumlahnya ratusan orang ikut bernyanyi dan bergoyang mengikuti iringan lagu tersebut. Malam itu, bisa dibilang 80% dari pengunjung yang memadati Melkweg adalah orang Indonesia. Di Belanda, pemandangan seperti ini cuma bisa ditemukan pada saat Lebaran di wisma duta dan pada saat Pesta Rakyat 17-an.

video courtesy of Patrixxxon

Malam itu ketangguhan Mas Yon terbukti benar benar luar biasa. Bagaimana tidak, lebih dari 20 lagu ia mainkan tanpa ada jeda sedikitpun. Bahkan diantara lagu lagu itu, tidak pernah saya melihat Mas Yon meminum air botol yang biasa kita lihat dikala musisi musisi sedang tampil secara live! Menurut saya, ini adalah berkat jam terbang yang tinggi dari Mas Yon dan kawan kawan, yang bisa di bilang, hampir tiap bulan pasti mereka tampil live di segala penjuru pelosok tanah air.

Secara pribadi saya cukup kasihan mengingat umur Mas Yon yang sudah tidak muda (sekali) itu. Tetapi, saya ingat pada saat Mas Yon dan kawan kawan mengunjungi kantor saya di RNW, beliau bilang, “musik itu adalah cinta mati saya. Saya tidak akan berhenti bernyanyi di atas panggung kalau tidak di stop oleh panitia karena waktunya sudah terlalu panjang. Kalau nggak nyanyi, saya bisa sakit. Hahahaha” diikuti dengan tertawanya yang khas.

Tampak jelas di malam itu, dari lagu lagu koes plus yang banyaknya seribu lebih, Mas Yon sudah hafal mati dengan lagu lagunya yang ia bawakan. Tidak ada sehelai kertas setlist lagu-pun yang tampak di atas panggung malam itu. Nampaknya semua musik dimainkan berdasarkan kemauan Mas Yon saja. Entah memang sudah semacam hafalan, atau sudah settingan auto pilot apabila mereka sudah tampil di atas panggung. “Kita mainin lagu yang slow aja yah...”, “Ini lagu dahsyat ini...”, kata kata seperti itu sering muncul dari mulut Mas Yon di antara lagu lagu yang mereka bawakan.

Selama lebih dari dua jam lagu lagu lawas mulai dari Diana, Kisah Sedih di Hari Minggu, Tul Jaenak, Kolam Susu, Oh Kasihku, Why Do You Love Me?, Kembali, Kembali ke Jakarta, Bis Sekolah, Nusantara dan banyak lagi. Tua, muda, orang Indonesia, bule, semua ikut melantunkan bait per bait lagu lagu Koes Plus. Bagi saya ini adalah sebuah pemandangan yang mengharukan. Walaupun sudah beberapa kali saya menonton konser di Melkweg, hal ini adalah sesuatu yang jarang saya temukan di tempat tersebut.

Koes Plus - Kembali ke Jakarta (video lainnya ada di sini)

Semua orang seakan tenggelam dengan kenangan dan buaian lagu lagu Koes Plus. Mengingat betapa abadi-nya lagu lagu Koes Plus di hati masyarakat Indonesia, dan betapa besar perjuangan para personilnya untuk dapat menciptakan lagu lagu sebagus itu, walaupun mereka tidak menerima uang sepeser pun dari royalti lagu lagu mereka itu. Bayangkan, di tahun 1974 sendiri, Koes Plus mengeluarkan 22 album! Sebuah prestasi yang menurut saya belum ada band manapun yang mampu menandingi! Bahkan The Beatles sekalipun.

Sejak saat itu saya semakin yakin, bahwa Koes Plus adalah legenda hidup dalam dunia musik Indonesia yang layak untuk dikenang dan diapresiasi setinggi tingginya. Seperti banyak yang bilang, seandainya Koes Plus bukan dari Indonesia, mungkin mereka lebih dikenal daripada Beatles!

Rock Werchter - Day 1 (Part 2)

2011-08-03T15:44:00.006+02:00

Setiba di depan pintu masuk, ternyata pintu belum dibuka. Namun kerumunan yang mengantri di depan gerbang sudah terlihat menyemut. Pukul satu gerbang dibuka, satu per satu kerumunan tadi memasuki area festival. Menurut saya penjagaan di festival tersebut tidak terlalu ketat. Para penjaga hanya memeriksa tas bawaan para pengunjung tanpa melakukan body check. Mereka hanya memastikan tidak ada yang membawa kamera DSLR, handycam, senjata tajam, dan botol minuman. Walaupun mereka menemukan botol minuman, pengunjung tetap akan diperbolehkan untuk membawa ke dalam asalkan isi botol tersebut dikosongkan dan tutup botol dibuang.

Di dalam lokasi festival, saya tidak bisa menyembunyikan kekaguman saya. Saya merasa setengah tidak percaya berada di dalam area salah satu festival terbesar di Eropa bahkan dunia. Dari kejauhan, panggung utama terlihat jelas dan megah. Untungnya hanya terdapat dua panggung di Rockwerchter: Main Stage dan Pyramid Marquee. Tidak seperti Pinkpop festival di Belanda (3 stage), apalagi Java Rocking land (lebih dari 5 stage?), jadi cukup untuk nenentukan skala prioritas untuk menyaksikan band mana yang akan di lihat secara live di dua panggung tersebut.

Band pertama yang kami lihat adalah Warpaint yang bermain di Pyramid Marquee. Band asal LA ini adalah salah satu band yang paling ingin saya lihat di antara list line-up Rock Werchter. Mereka bermain secara apik selama kurang dari satu jam, dan diakhiri dengan versi panjang dari lagu Beetles.

Selama waktu itu, saya seperti dibuai oleh permainan Jenny Lindberg, pemain bass Warpaint. Entah kenapa, saya selalu tersirap dengan penampilan perempuan perempuan di balik bass guitar. Sebut saja Kim Gordon, D’arcy Wretzky, Melissa Auf de Maur, Kim Deal, Nikki Monninger, dan beberapa lagi.

Jenny Lee Lindberg & Stella Mozgawa - Warpaint

Setelah Warpaint, kami tidak beranjak dari Pyramid Marquee untuk menyaksikan penampilan TV on the Radio yang bermain di tempat yang sama. Sementara menunggu TV on the Radio tampil, dari kejauhan musik yang dimainkan oleh Seasick Steve di main stage terdengar sayup sayup. Setelah menunggu selama 25 menit, akhirnya para personil TV on the Radio muncul satu persatu. Mereka membuka penampilan mereka dengan lagu “Halfway Home” yang diambil dari album “Dear Science”. Entah kenapa, sound pada saat mereka tampil terdengar begitu memekakkan telinga dan kurang nyaman di kuping. Setelah mereka bermain tiga lagu, saya dan teman teman memutuskan untuk keluar dari pyramid marquee dan pergi menuju area piazza untuk mengisi perut.

Area makan di piazza ini terlihat cukup ramai. Di sana juga terdapat beberapa stand sponsor yang juga menampilkan musik musik yang dimainkan oleh DJ. Beberapa di antara booth itu juga tetap menggunakan pendekatan sex sells di booth mereka. Misalnya di booth (bir) Jupiler, ada beberapa sexy dancer berpakaian ala para perempuan di film Coyote Ugly yang asik bergoyang di atas meja bar. Sementara booth coca-cola juga tidak mau kalah dengan mengedepankan tema pantai di mana para SPG nya berpakaian ala life guard. Tapi tidak sevulgar lifeguard Baywatch yah.

Area makan di Piazza

Setelah kenyang, kami pun pergi menuju main stage, di mana The Hives sedang tampil. Sudah lama sekali saya tidak mendengarkan lagu lagu dari band asal Swedia ini. Entah perasaan saya saja, nampaknya Pelle Almqvist yang dulu terlihat babyface, kini terlihat memiki garis keriput di wajahnya. Walaupun demikian, Almqvist tidak henti hentinya berceloteh di atas panggung di antara tiap lagu yang dibawakan tanpa tidak terkesan kelelahan. Padahal dari 13 lagu yang mereka bawakan hari itu, bisa dibilang 80% lagu up tempo semua. Walaupun hujan turun di tengah tengah penampilan mereka, Almqvist terus bernyanyi dan berceloteh bak seorang pendeta rock n roll.

The Hives: Pendeta rock and roll

Setelah The Hives, kami memutuskan untuk kembali ke tenda untuk sekedar istirahat dan mengambil jaket. Setelah diguyur hujan, area festival sedikit terasa lebih dingin. Kontras dengan cuaca pada saat paginya, di mana cuaca cukup panas dan hampir tidak ada awan. Selain kedua alasan di atas, kami memutuskan kembali ke tenda karena saat itu penampilan di kedua stage kurang menarik minat kami. Saat itu di stage pyramid marquee sedang tampil Aloe Blacc. Musisi soul yang sebenarnya tidak bisa dibilang pendatang baru ini sebenarnya cukup menarik untuk dilihat. Namun karena saya hanya tahu satu lagu saja dari Blacc dan berhubung udara yang secara mendadak menjadi dingin memaksa kami untuk kembali ke tenda.

Sementara di saat yang bersamaan, di stage utama sedang tampil Anouk, yang merupakan musisi Belanda yang dibanggakan oleh orang Belanda. Berhubung daerah Werchter merupakan sisi Flemmish dari Belgia, mungkin para penduduk lokal juga suka dengan penampilan Anouk. Note: Orang Belgia yang berbahasa Belanda tidak begitu suka di bilang Dutch, mereka lebih suka dibilang sebagai Flemmish. Saya sudah beberapa kali melihat penampilan Anouk di TV dan secara live di sebuah perayaan hari nasional di Belanda. Sebenarnya secara musikalitas dia cukup bagus untuk standar musisi Belanda (maaf, ini penilaian subjektif :D).

Rock Werchter - Day 1 (Part 1)

2011-07-14T15:20:00.006+02:00

Hari pertama festival dimulai dengan kondisi yang kurang baik. Kami kurang bisa mendapatkan tidur yang nyenyak. Selain karena memang suasana di luar tenda yang cukup bising (bisa dipastikan 80% dalam keadaan mabuk), juga karena suhu yang mendadak turun pada pagi dini hari (sekitar 4 derajat celcius). Pada saat saat seperti itu, ear plug sangat menolong untuk memblok suara suara bising sekitar camp site pada saat ingin beristirahat. Namun karena semangat ingin menikmati festival musik selama empat hari ke depan, rasa kantuk, capek, dan dingin berusaha kami lawan di hari pertama festival.

Inilah tenda kami selama 5 malam di Werchter

Saat terbangun pada pukul sepuluh siang, suasana di sekitar tenda kami sudah terlihat aktifitas yang cukup ramai. Untuk memasang tenda, kami sengaja memilih tempat yang agak jauh dari lokasi sanitasi (kamar mandi & keran air) karena berdasarkan penelusuran di internet, selain karena di lokasi tersebut cenderung berbau tidak sedap, juga cenderung bising dengan lalu lalang aktivitas di sekitar area tersebut. Kendalanya, kalau sudah malam atau sudah ngantuk berat, harus bersusah payah berjalan sejauh 120 meter menuju toilet.

Sedikit mengenai sanitasi, di camp site A (A2, A3, A4), masing masing memiliki area sanitasi tersendiri sejumlah 50 toilet dan 100 keran air yang harus di share di antara ratusan campers selama enam hari. Di hari pertama, toliet yang disediakan tidak terdapat fungsi flush. Namun tiap delapan jam sekali semua toilet dibersihkan. Jadi kebayang dong, kalo sudah menjelang siang sebanyak apa orang orang yang sudah menggunakan toilet tersebut. Makanya, waktu paling ideal ke toilet adalah pagi hari antara jam 8-10 pagi.

Area sanitasi, aktifitas cuci cuci di sini semua

Mengingat saya adalah tipe yang harus ‘menyetor’ tiap pagi, mau tidak mau harus menghadapi situasi tersebut tiap hari selama camping. Di hari pertama saya menjadi orang yang sangat picky untuk toilet. Tapi di hari kedua dan seterusnya, saya sudah bodo amat dan sudah agak terbiasa dengan situasi tersebut.

Untuk urusan mandi, hampir semua campers hanya menyeka badan mereka menggunakan handuk kecil dan sabun cair di depan puluhan keran di lokasi sanitasi. Di keran itu hampir semua aktifitas kamar mandi dilakukan, mulai dari sikat gigi, cuci muka, keramas, dan menyeka badan dilakukan di sana. Lokasi laki laki dan perempuan tidak dibedakan. Bagi saya ini jadi pemandangan yang cukup menyegarkan di tiap pagi hari untuk sedikit mengesampingkan jumlah jam tidur yang kurang.

Peta lokasi Rock Werchter 2011

Setelah semua urusan sanitasi selesai, kami pun pergi keluar area camping A2 menuju Carefour Market yang letaknya di seberang A2 untuk mencari sarapan. Waktu saat itu menunjukkan pukul sebelas siang dan antrian masuk Carefour sudah mengular panjang sekali. Ternyata antrian tidak hanya terjadi di depan Carefour, namun di tempat shower yang letaknya bersebelahan dengan Carefour juga terdapat antrian yang tidak kalah panjang. Saya cukup takjub karena saya pikir selama ini orang bule cukup cuek untuk urusan mandi. Tetapi memang mayoritas yang mengantri untuk shower itu adalah para kaum hawa. Untuk shower dipatok seharga 4 euro untuk sekali mandi.

Rock Werchter 2011 Wristband. Hijau untuk musik festival; pink untuk camping.

Setelah kurang lebih setengah jam mengantri, akhirnya kami berhasil masuk Carefour untuk membeli semua kebutuhan sarapan hari itu dan beberapa hari ke depan. Untuk menu sarapan, kami memilih untuk do the Dutch way, yakni roti, keju, dan chicken slice. Setelah menghabiskan sarapan di tenda, kami langsung berjalan selama 15 menit menuju lokasi festival.

Rock Werchter 2011 Notes - Pre Festival

2011-07-08T19:08:00.005+02:00

Poster Rock Werchter 2011

Akhir Juni merupakan hari hari yang cukup mengesankan buat saya. Hari Selasa, 28 Juni kemarin merupakan hari terakhir masa internship di sebuah LSM milik orang Belanda. Sehari setelah itu, 29 Juni, adalah hari saya dan teman satu kota saya di Den Haag, Nadya, pergi ke Belgia untuk menghadiri Rock Werchter yang diadakan dari tanggal 30 Juni hingga 3 Juli. Rock Werchter merupakan salah satu festival musik terbesar di Eropa setelah Glastonbury.

Kami berangkat pukul setengah sembilan malam dengan bermodalkan berbagai persiapan camping selama lima malam. Persiapan tersebut sudah dipersiapkan jauh jauh hari sebelum hari-H. Berdasarkan penelusuran di internet mengenai “the must have items for music festival camping” berbagai persiapan tersebut adalah tenda, air bed beserta pompa, senter, ear plug, sleeping bag, lampu tenda, handuk besar + kecil, dan sejumlah kaus kaki dan pakaian yang nyaman untuk dipakai.

Tiket Camping XL

Perjalanan menggunakan kereta menuju Werchter di mulai dari stasiun Den Haag Holland Spoor, dan beberapa kali pindah kereta di stasiun Antwerpen, Machelen, dan Leuven, yang ketiganya berada di Belgia. Perjalanan kereta selama kurang lebih dua setengah jam tersebut seharusnya dilanjutkan dengan menggunakan bus khusus yang bertolak dari stasiun Leuven menuju area festival. Namun kami dan beberapa orang yang hendak menuju camp site tiba pukul setengah dua belas malam, sementara bus khusus terakhir menuju lokasi hanya beroperasi hingga pukul sebelas malam.

Tiket Combi: tiket terusan selama 4 hari festival

Saya dan Nadya terpaksa harus mencari beberapa anggota yang ingin menuju lokasi dengan menggunakan taxi agar biayanya lebih murah. Akhirnya kami memutuskan untuk mengendarai taxi van yang berkapasitas tujuh orang untuk tiba di lokasi.

e-Food & drink coupons ini ditukarkan menjadi kupon untuk

makanan dan minum selama di dalam area festival

Lewat tengah malam, kami tiba di camp site A2 dan bertemu dengan tiga orang teman asal Indonesia juga yang sudah tiba terlebih dahulu di sana. Camp site A memang dikhususkan untuk para camper yang memegang tiket XL. Tiket XL adalah jenis tiket baru yang dikeluarkan oleh penyelenggara di Rock Werchter tahun ini. Kelebihan tiket XL adalah bisa menempati area camp site sehari sebelum festival diadakan. Biasanya, camper baru diperbolehkan untuk menempati tenda pada hari H, pagi hari-nya.

Area camp site

Saat tiba di area camping, sudah ramai terlihat kerumunan orang orang yang nampaknya sudah memasang tenda mereka dari sore, dan menikmati pre-party di dekat snack and drink bar yang terletak di sepanjang jalan dekat area camp site. Berbagai macam musik dari para line-up artist festival tahun ini diputar di big screen. Aroma bir santer tercium bahkan dari kejauhan. Walaupun terlihat sangat menarik, kami memutuskan untuk berbenah tenda dan istirahat untuk mempersiapkan tenaga untuk hari pertama festival di siang harinya nanti agar maksimal.

Test OMG Like Box

2011-04-27T16:48:00.002+02:00

Of bekijk de flash versie.

picture page

2011-04-11T14:38:00.008+02:00

Jimmy Eat World Review

2010-11-11T19:11:00.009+01:00

Let’s freeze the time to the end of 2001, where Jimmy Eat World (JEW)’s Bleed American is one of the cures for my disappointment from weezer’s green album. It has it rawness of a geek-rock-esque music that I missed from the green album, which is a sappy album for me. It was even before I found what emo is, where some critics have placed them to fit into that category.

Long story short, here I am fast forwarding the time where I didn’t realized that Jimmy Eat World have produced three albums after Bleed American. Some of the songs I have listened somewhere before, but didn’t realize it was theirs.

It was the third of November where I finally got the chance to see them perform live. Minus the Bear was the opening act for that night’s show and the rest of JEW’s European Invented Tour. The Seattle based band played perfectly for the opener. They played slightly different from their album in terms of the sound quality. Probably it was because they don’t want to steal JEW’s spotlight as the main act that night. But I’m pretty sure that they will have a much better output if they were provided with the same sound quality with JEW that night.

Minus the Bear played for almost an hour before the band and their stage crew cleaned up the stage to make way for JEW. The stage was clear in no time, and the stage was not much decorated. Only a few light stands and a black backdrop with a few diamond shaped patch like the so-called-geek’s-sweater-patch.

JEW opened the show with the song Bleed American, which was taken from the album with the same title, than was changed to a self titled due to the 9/11 attack. The audience, which was not really impressed when Minus the Bear played, jumped off and sang along with the music. I don’t know whether they’re not familiar with Minus the Bear’s song or they’re just a bunch of typical Dutch kids who just stood there during the concert. These kids most likely to dance only if they’re drunk, or it was a techno-rave music played on stage.

“Your New Aesthetic” from the album “Clarity” played as the second song. The band still wants to pump up the tempo by playing “A Praise Chorus”, and then played their first single from their new album, “My Best Theory”. Besides the four main member of JEW, there was also a girl who stands calmly behind the keyboard. It was Courtney Marie Andrews who filled the roles as backup vocal in the new album “Invented”. In the album, she sang 5 songs. That night, she’s in charge to replace her voice for Liz Phair’s, Rachel Haden’s and Amy Ross’, who contributed as backing vocals in some of JEW’s album.

The tempo slowed down on the 6^th song, “For Me This is Heaven”, which was one of the emotional songs from “Clarity”. “Futures” then broke up the mellowing with the lyric “say hello to good times, trade up for the fast ride...” Other new songs from “Invented”, such as “Action Needs an Audience”, “Coffee and Cigarettes”, “Movielike” and “Evidence” were played in-between the 18 songs before the encore. “Goodbye Sky Harbour” was chosen before the encore, where Jim Adkins plays freely with the microphone and synthesizer, without his guitar for the last five minutes of the song (on the album it was 16 minutes long!) and disappear behind the stage.

It doesn’t take more than 10 minutes before the band showed up for the encore. They played “23”, “Get it Faster”, “The Middle”, and finally “Sweetness” to close the show. Automatically the crowd went crazy. One guy got pushed off the stage by one of the crew for trying to crowd surf. One girl got injured for the incident.

Overall, the show is placed in one of my best concert experience. Jim Adkins’ vocal is truly amazing. He was able to keep his voice stable for pitching the high notes, with such an up-tempo music. The band connected to the audience by communicating between songs sometimes, and made a good music setlist for us to singalong. Although, there was no different if you see the band perform live and hear them on their records: not much improvisation. But the only difference is that you get the experience to sing their songs aloud with hundreds of JEW fans!

Links to the videos of the show: http://www.youtube.com/user/injektilo47?feature=mhum

Jimmy Eat World Setlist (Melkweg, Amsterdam 3 November 2011)

1. Bleed American

2. Your New Aesthetic

3. A Praise Chorus

4. My Best Theory

5. Let it Happen

6. For Me This is Heaven

7. Futures

8. Big Casino

9. Action Needs an Audience

10. Pain

11. Dizzy

12. Coffee and Cigarettes

13. Movielike

14. Hear You Me

15. Evidence

16. Work

17. Blister

18. Goodbye Sky Harbor

--encore--

19. 23

20. Get it Faster

21. The Middle

22. Sweetness

Tori Amos and The Metropole Orchestra

2010-10-14T10:21:00.009+02:00

8 Oktober adalah hari yang cukup bersejarah buat saya, Tori Amos, dan Metropoloe Orchestra.

Bagi saya, hari itu adalah hari dimana saya dinobatkan untuk mendapatkan gelar sebagai Master of Communication. Gelar yang saya perjuangkan selama satu tahun dengan segala "ups and downs" dalam prosesnya. Sedangkan untuk Tori Amos, hari itu adalah hari dimana dalam kurun kurang lebih 20 tahun karirnya sebagai musisi, bermain bersama orkestra besar untuk pertama kalinya di depan para penggemarnya. Bagi Metropole Orchestra, hari itu bersejarah sekaligus emosional karena mereka menjadi bagian dari hari bersejarah Tori Amos tersebut. Emosional karena adanya rencana pembubaran orkestra yang berdiri sejak tahun 1945. Mereka adalah salah satu 'korban' dari rencana pemotongan anggaran pemerintahan Belanda untuk dana kesenian di tahun 2011.

Terlepas dari situasi yang cukup emosional, saya sangat beruntung bisa menikmati semua hal tersebut di hari yang bersamaan, di Heinneken Music Hall, Amsterdam. Hampir setengah dari kapasitas venue adalah non-Belanda. Mereka datang dari segala penjuru Eropa, bahkan dunia. Seperti yang ditulis dalam sebuah fan-site Tori Amos, undented, konser ini sudah ditunggu tunggu oleh para penggemarnya selama bertahun tahun. Tidak heran, tiket konser ini langsung habis dalam kurun waktu beberapa jam setelah diumumkan.

Sebagian lagu lagu yang dimainkan malam itu adalah lagu lagu yang ia tulis dengan membayangkan apabila lagu itu dimainkan dengan orkesrta besar yang hanya ada di dalam pikirannya saja. Lagu seperti "Yes, Anastacia" "Flying Dutchman" "Our New Year" serta "Precious Thing" dimainkan secara apik diantara konser yang berdurasi hampir 2 jam tersebut. Semua kekuatan lirik dan emosi yang terbangun dari musik Tori Amos menjadi semakin megah dan kaya akan dimensi oleh iringan orkestra yang dipimpin oleh Jules Buckley. -O-

Link foto klik di sini

Link video klik di sini

Beberapa video yang saya rekam malam itu:

Lagu Holy, Ivy, and Rose pun ia ubah sedikit liriknya untuk mengkritik pemerintah Belanda.

Ada juga link mp3 dari konser malam itu: Tori Amos - With Love (At Amsterdam)

Let's Paint Our New Life

2010-10-12T23:59:00.004+02:00

This is a drawing made as a wedding present for my newly wed friends: Chika and Jaing. My good and creative friends. It was supposed to be finished before their D-day, to be displayed in the wedding party on October the 3rd. But due to my thesis and final defense presentation, I couldn't make it on time to hand it in.

It's a bit scruffy on the guy's hand and the girl's face.. as I always find trouble for making a girl's face.. I'm sorry Chika :)

FYI, they both met at the dancing animal's exhibition, Love Artually, and got together until they shouted their vow recently. So happy for them both, and may they have a good creative life together and forever.

Check out the couple's artwork at http://chesterdexterdancing.blogspot.com/

"Let's Paint Our New Life". Pencil on paper. Photoshop.

Notes from Todays Art 2010

2010-09-27T12:39:00.004+02:00

Last weekend on 24-25 of September, the 6th edition of TodaysArt is held in The Hague. It is a festival that is focused on amplifying the forms and relationship between art, music, and technology.

This year's theme for the festival is 'Love the Real City', which implies that there is a city that is not real, which could be the abstract, administrative view of the city or The Hague's bid to become Cultural Capital 2018.

According to TodaysArt director/founder, Olof van Winden, The Real City is experiences, participation, engagement, daily routines, and a festival like TodaysArt.

This a series of notes based on what I saw during the two days festival in the heart of the city. Meanwhile, enjoy the teaser video of the festival.

Blonde Redhead gig at Melkweg, Amsterdam

2010-09-22T23:00:00.008+02:00

After been listening to Blond Redhead for almost a decade now, finally I had the chance to see them live last Sunday (19 September 2010). It was one of the great live music experience that I had since a few times while living here in the Netherlands. Totally they played 13 songs for more than one and a half hour. Too bad that they didn't interact or even communicate with the audience throughout the entire show.

However, the sound and the music they played was superb. The stage design was amazing: they have many of this funny light bulbs that looks like a dancing fire; a few golden umbrella as part of the background, that also acts as a reflector for the light; amazing lighting visualization that can transform the dark soothing sound of their music to become something that can makes you dance to the moves that the singer, Kazu Makino, is making on stage; a big picture of unicorn, which part of Kazu's obsession with horses; also, a weird looking helmet that looked like a horse's ass with double tail.

Here's some of the picture and a video taken from the concert. Enjoy!

For more pictures, go to my facebook album page and youtube page for more videos.

Blonde Redhead's Not Getting There Video

2010-09-16T16:33:00.005+02:00

The new album, Penny Sparkle, was just released three days ago. The sound are very promising. Some videos from the new album was just released by their label, 4AD. Kazu has never been so sexy in this video. Can't wait to see them live at Amsterdam this Sunday!

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

2010-09-13T11:47:00.004+02:00

Just watched the documentary movie of the American journalist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005) called "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson". This movie was directed by Academy Award winner, Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side).

The name "Gonzo" is a style in journalism that Thompson created during his political news coverage. The movie was released in 2008 with lots of interviews with many politicians, musicians, and also artists such as Ralph Steadman who collaborated with Thompson. One of Steadman's work is Gonzo Artworks and one of them is used as a poster for the film "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" starring Johnny Depp.

In the documentary, Johnny Depp narrated almost throughout the entire movie, taken from Thompson's last memoir.

After watching the movie, I had never realised that there could have so many rock and roll life in journalism. Thompson's obsession with drugs, guns, and woman is adequately portrayed in the movie side by side with his other side of a human being which is a loving husband, father, who wants to make a better place in this world.

This movie is good documentary to see, especially when you think of the political situation that Indonesia is facing with a lack of trust in the leaders (and it has always been). Maybe we can also can have our own Indonesian Gonzo Journalism that will make an honest man out of our leaders, by following the path that Thompson had created. Maybe.

Happy Eid Mubarak

2010-09-11T11:44:00.001+02:00

Happy Eid Mubarak. May there be peace amongst all of us.

Octa Ramayana

Genap Satu Tahun di Negeri Orang

2010-09-03T13:13:00.000+02:00

Hari ini , 3 September 2010. Genap sudah setahun saya menjadi alien di Netherlands. Saat pertama datang, saya punya banyak sekali ambisi dan harapan untuk bisa bertahan dan menjalani hari hari saya selama di sini. Tapi tidak lupa tujuan utama dari eksistensi saya di negara ini: Belajar. Tapi pada kenyataannya, tidak semua ambisi bisa saya penuhi karena ada banyak sekali tantangan dan perubahan yang harus saya hadapi di dalam perjalanannya.

Menghadapi perubahan memang bukan sesuatu yang mudah. Jauh dari teman teman dekat, jauh dari orang yang dicintai, jauh dari lingkup comfort zone, merupakan kenyataan yang harus dihadapi. Beruntung saya di sini bersama keluarga, karena masih ada tempat untuk menuangkan keluh kesah dan merengguk kasih sayang. Tetapi perubahan memang adalah suatu proses yang pasti semua orang akan lewati. Entah berbagai macam perubahan orang menamakannya: quarter life crisis, honeymoon phase, home sick phase, atau apalah. Semua itu merupakan proses adaptasi.

Saya tidak menyesali atas apapun yang sudah saya lewati, kehilangan, atau tidak dapat memenuhi keinginan yang sudah saya targetkan. Karena semua itu adalah proses belajar. Sama dengan tujuan saya berada di sini: Belajar untuk mendapatkan seonggok kertas ijazah. Padahal belum tentu kertas itu menjadi kunci untuk bisa mendapatkan pekerjaan dan kehidupan yang lebih baik pada saat kembali ke Indonesia nanti. Tapi selain itu, saya banyak belajar bagaimana cara mencintai bangsa sendiri. Itu saya dapatkan dengan melihat orang orang di sekitar saya yang mencintai bangsanya. Kami semua yang belajar dan kerja di sini, otomatis menjadi individu yang merepresentasikan bangsa kita. Saya juga belajar untuk mensyukuri apa yang sudah saya dapatkan selama ini adalah anugrah yang tidak terhingga. Walaupun memang saya sering lupa. Namanya juga manusia, banyak lupanya.

Once I said it on twitter, "memories are not to erase, but to embrace".

So live your life to the fullest, and always be thankful for what you have around you, and spread the feeling (of love).

Catatan pinggir:

Setahun yang lalu saya datang di bulan Ramdhan, dan hari ini juga Ramadhan 1431 H. Hari ini setahun yang lalu saya tidak puasa karena menjadi musafir, dan hari ini pun saya tidak puasa karena setelah shalat Subuh tadi pagi maag kambuh, dan (maaf) muntah. Kalah deh satu hari.

Oh well, mudah mudahan kedepannya nggak ada bolong lagi puasanya.

The Attempt to Draw

2010-08-29T22:18:00.004+02:00

Since my last two blog-post is about drawing, I managed to at least to put the theories into test.

After the whole bunch of theories, video and picture tutorials I've seen, I find it very hard to draw with pencil. I realized that it's because for the past two months my hand has been idle for drawing or even writing. It was actively dancing above the computer keyboards and mouse. After a few attempt trying to make a sketch with pencil, I finally gave up. Go back to the good 'ol marker. Maybe if I get used to sketch in a piece of paper, I will manage to look at the video and picture instruction on how to make a portrait...

Here's some work that I've done using a marker, and a post it note.

Drawing Tutorials are Everywhere

2010-08-26T12:52:00.004+02:00

Having the freedom not to write thesis makes me want to improve some of my interests. One of them is drawing sketches.

It all started when I went to American Book Corner in the center of The Hague in a middle of a break of writing my thesis few days ago. In the discounted books section, I found a book on how to draw portraits. It is one of "Artist's Work Book" series called: "The Practical Guide to Drawing Portraits". I got it for 3.99 euros with a 10% student discount (one of the privileges of being a poor student).

Although there are all sorts of techniques and methods on drawing portraits, what I found interesting in this book is how they explain the techniques like teaching to an idiot. Actually I've never read any books about the practical guide on drawing portrait, but I found this book is quite helpful to me. Because I never actually applied help grid properly to make a sketch.

The other I find interesting in this book is in one of the tips section. It says:

Always try to produce exactly what you see in front of you, and not what you don't see. Trust your eyes. They are very accurate.

when drawing, I Sometimes wildly use my imagination, since I am much exposed to fictional comic strips. But I do like and would love to make a proper portrait.

Youtube also have lots of How To's for drawing. One of the video I like is the one that uses the Andrew Loomis approach.

There are many other techniques that you can find on youtube. Now, with a tutorial book and Serge's sketch book in my hand, we'll see if I can actually produce a skecth, or just end up finding my head stuck in the internet looking at the work and techniques, drawn with amusement.

Artist Feature: Serge Baeken

2010-08-25T22:44:00.007+02:00

Belgians comic artists never stopped to impress me. As a child I am much exploited to comics such as Tintin, The Smurfs, Spirou, Lucky Luke, and Steven Sterk. It also affected my style for making a sketch of a character which is more comical.

A few hours after I hand in my final report, I went back to the library to look up something interesting. Being a library bug for the past few weeks makes me see things that I find interesting to read. Since I am such a poor reader, usually I will always go to the music and kunst (art) section in the library. In the art section today, I found a small fat book with lots of sketches in it. I was stunned, because it is what I was looking for. Not specifically the title of the book, but the contents in it. The book was sketches from Belgian artist named Serge Baeken. Inside the book is all of his selected sketches that was made from 2007-2008. The were no captions, all sketch!

Shortly, I loaned the book, and find myself fascinated by the sketches that Serge made. The book has 412 pages of Serge's sketches. Funny that when I tried to find the book in amazon, they don't have it. Because I absolutely would like to have a copy of the book.

To see more of Serge Baeken's artwork, visit http://www.bloggen.be/sergebaekenblog or his website http://www.sergeontherocks.com/

In my opinion, I find that the first link is more convenient.

Pre-Freedom!

2010-08-25T21:57:00.002+02:00

Just submitted my communication advice's final report a.k.a thesis today! Darth Maul is down, the big lord Vader to go!

Swimming in the Spring

2010-04-20T14:10:00.003+02:00

It was supposed to be spring time, because my little sister Alya got her school spring break. It was in the middle of March, and temperature is not still below 7 degrees at maximum. Alya couldn't wait any longer to swim, so we went to a zwembad (swimming pool) near where we live, which is at Blinkerd. It's an indoor swimming pool, and it has been a while since the last time I swam. We had a great time, and made me want to draw something about swimming.

Swimming Boy

Pen on Paper

I bought a pack of roller pen with no label at blokker in centrum, and it was a quite nice pen. Took the green one and made this picture of a boy swimming with his goggle.

Alya Swimming

Pen on Paper + Photoshop colouring

Alya loves the Swimming Boy picture and asked for the girl swimming. So I drew a picture of her swimming instead.

Doodle Around My Study

2010-04-20T13:45:00.005+02:00

Made a few doodle throughout the days of my study here. Some of them were made in the library, and some of them are made in distress caused by the damn tight schedule study!

Finding Ways to Study

Pen on Paper (nuffic neso notebook) circa November 2009

This was made at Stamkartplein no 364, the place where Aris and Filmon lives. I think I made it in the middle of making the Corporate Communications assignment

My Ideal Way of Library-ing

Pencil on Paper

January 2010

This was made at Spui Bibliotheek, at the center of the city. In the 5th floor they have a quiet room for people to study. It was damn quiet alright, and put me into sleep!

Life as Written

2010-01-25T09:55:00.005+01:00

Many things have happened in my life for the past few months. Things that I see as an eye opener to my life. Some people say it is meant to be as it is written by God Himself. Some part of me want to believe it, some part told me not to. But for whatever it is, I believe everything has a reason.

I'm always impressed by the people who can write about their life. People who can write their life and make it as an inspiration to other people is the gold of life. It is not how the title such as PhD, or Doctor, or professor that makes them smart, but it is how that knowledge that person have can be sent out to other people as an inspiration. Inspiration on how to see the world positively, how to get out of the sorrow that strangles them, and many other positive things.

Sometimes I feel ashamed that I have all the luck to get a higher education, but I can't use it for greater good to other people. What have I learned? What have I make out of this education? What is the impact to the people that I know?

I do strongly believe now that knowledge is like a prayer. What's the use of it if it isn't used for greater good? I can't use it for myself. It's not something that I can self consume. The teacher have told us many things not just for one person only. They told many kids with different ways of perceiving it. That knowledge then implemented with experience. And the word experience is the best teacher in the world, is also something that I do believe in.

I know I kinda suck at at teaching stuff or maybe writing down things that I know to other people. How much do I know? At least I can start the knowledge transfer to my sisters I guess.

Queef and Dave at Dungeon Halloween Party (picture and video)

2009-11-06T17:21:00.006+01:00

Next gig for Queef and Dave after playing at ISS is at one of the Queef's place, Mira, in Amsterdam. We played three song, "Ode", "Orthdoxy", and "Fu Manchu". We were planning to do a cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" but decided not to play it. Anyway, it was a great party, great crowd, cool costumes, and great host for sure!

Pictures courtesy of Antti Kupila, Vina, Vicky, and myself
Here's the medley video from the gig!

Queef and Dave gig at ISS (picture and video)

2009-11-03T01:09:00.005+01:00

This few weeks have probably been one of the craziest weeks... with all the piling assignments, and the preparation for my first time ever drumming with Queef and Dave! The last time I played the drums was 13 years ago, back at junior high, while playing in cover band for Nirvana, Greend Day, and Rancid's songs. So we had our first practice three days before the gig. We practiced two Queef and Dave's new songs, "Orthodoxy" and "Fu Manchu". Don't forget to check out the myspace and facebook page!
The gig was a charity event for the victim from disaster that strikes Indonesia and Philippines, held at ISS (Institute of Social Study) in Den Haag. ISS Idol was kinda the theme for the event. So they had a list of juries that will comment after each performance. Well, here's the video for all the practice that we did (we only got to practice one time before the gig).
Pictures and video courtesy of Vina.

Telegraph on Amazing in Bed's Anniversary

2009-10-19T21:58:00.005+02:00

After a long recess, Telegraph finally gets on stage again. Tomorrow, 21st of October, we will support Huru Hara. This is Amazing in Bed's 5th anniversary concert, that will be held at the Green, Kemang, South of Jakarta. The last gig we made was last July. Hopefully we can give a good performance for the show. Tomorrow, we will start the opening line up for Amazing in Bed, with Holly City Rollers and Dzeek.
We will have a help from Grab the Mic's Irna, on the keyboard. We will also pass the demo CD giveaways tomorrow. So, if you haven't heard of Telegraph, have listen at our myspace page, and sing along with us tomorrow!

Tribute to 8 bit System

2009-10-19T12:54:00.004+02:00

Saw this video on my friends page, Aditya Muharram. He's one of 8-bit sound fans (I guess). As a genre, 8-bit music also have other names or subgenders, like chiptune, SIDstation, Circuit Bending, Bitpop, Game Boy music, Nintendocore, Picopop, and Fakebit (from wikipedia).
8-bit sound and pixel art is something that blends and come together as an integrity. Here's a cool proof for you to see...

Dzeek - Terlihat (Video)

2009-10-15T22:52:00.005+02:00

Dzeek (www.myspace.com/dzeekmusic) is one of Indonesia's promising bands which was formed six years ago. Recently they made a video for their first single from the latest self-titled album, “terlihat”. The video was taken on the pedestrian overpass in Jakarta. It features the lead singer of Amazing in Bed, Lani Leyli, and Dzeek’s band member as the cast. I assume it’s one of the stunts so the member will appear on Amazing in Bed’s video vice versa… or even… the manager will do it! Kidding Renggo! Hohoho…

Unbelieveable Talent over Photoshop!

2009-10-09T10:38:00.003+02:00

All I want to say is that I'm not much of a soccer fan.. and I don't have anything else to say on this one...

(Another) Indonesian Music Hero!

2009-10-08T11:10:00.013+02:00

We are overwhelmed when we heard about great bands that have Indonesians as the member, that got big across the globe. Just name "Young and Restless" from Australia, and Sandhy Sandoro, who won an international music contest, from Germany, as a few. So, the word 'Hero' on the title maybe is a bit too much, but when I've just discovered this new Melbourne band a few days ago, their music just blew me away! And it makes me so proud to be Indonesian. The band is called 'The Temper Trap'. First time I heard it was from my friend Vina, who actualy have seen them perform live before they contributed in "500 Days of Summer" Soundtrack. But I realized about the nationality of the vocalist from a video posted by my friend, Ical, over Facebook.

You know the feeling when we get so proud of somenone who is representing what you are, or where you're from, and you felt that you can burst into bubbles?? That's what exactly I felt when tried to look for The Temper Trap on the internet, and see what they've achieved.

Seems that it wasn't long ago that Dougy Manadi, came to Australia in 1999 to pursuit his study straight after constantly moving from Bali and Hawaii. With a big influence over Radiohead, Bowie, Prince, TV and the Radio, Mars Volta, and weezer, Dougy and his skateboard mates form The Temper Trap in 2005. They started to make music since then.

They've made a few EP's and recorded a full length album this year, 'Conditions' which was produced by UK producer Jim Abbiss (UNKLE, Adele, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys). They have a tight tour schedule this year. This month, they'll play across the United States. And on November and December, they will play across Europe, and I hope I'll get the chance to see the guys perform here in Netherlands on the 17th and 20th of December.

Here's the video of their first hit single from the album 'Condition', "Sweet Disposition". Which in my opinion, sounds like "When in Rome" :) Enjoy, and keep supporting good music!

5 Years From Now...

2009-10-06T09:00:00.005+02:00

Made a drawing for the dancing animal. This month's theme is "5 Years From Now..." If you have a great deep thought about what you will be in the next 5 years, submit your illustration based on our October theme. Simply click on our great illustration blog http://thedancinganimal.blogspot.com

As for my case, maybe this is something that my friend will agree... well, only for the first sentence that is.. :D

"... I'll be late for my appoinments. After an all night long speech from some ambassador of some country. And I was too drunk that night to remember. "

Junksound Award 2009

2009-10-06T00:10:00.009+02:00

Forget about the argumentation around the claim over batik, pendet dance, or whatever that has been pointed towards Indonesia’s sister country, Malaysia. Like an old phrase,” music can unite people all across the globe”. It is a multi-language that everybody can understand.

For the second year, www.junkonline.net, a webzine based in Malaysia, held a South East Asia Region music award. It is an award that the reader will chose their favourite band across South East Asia. Last year the only Indonesian band that carries the award is Andra and the Backbone’s “Sempurna”, for the ‘Song of The Year’ category.

This year, the guys at Junkonline have pointed out some-in my opinion- great band or act today in Indonesia. Out of 10 categories, 10 Indonesian bands are nominated.

Best Pop / Indie Rock Act (solo/group)
The Sigit (myspace.com/thesigit)

Pee Wee Gaskins (myspace.com/peskins)

Best Hardcore / Metal Act (solo/group)
Ghaust (myspace.com/soundofghaust)

Best Urban Act (solo/group)
RAN (myspace.com/myranspace)

Best Electronic / Fusion Act (solo/group)
Goodnight Electric (myspace.com/goodnightelectric)

Best Live Act (solo/group)
The Sigit &
Pee Wee Gaskins

Best Acoustic Acts (solo/group)
The trees and the Wild (myspace.com/thetreesandthewild)

Endah N Rhesa (myspace.com/endahnrhesa)

Best Breakthrough Act (solo/group)
Monkey to Millionaire (myspace.com/monkeytomillionaire)

Most Promising Act (solo/group)
Monday Math Class (myspace.com/mondaymathclass)
The Wispy Hummers (myspace.com/thewispyhummers)

Song of The Year
The Trees and the Wild – Honeymoon on Ice

Album / EP of the Year
The Sigit – Hertz Dyslexia

Monkey to millionaire – lantai merah

The Trees and the Wild – Rasuk

For more details around the nomination, click here. And don't forget to vote the bands that is really good. Hey, even the country where formally known to make weepy songs, can tell good music, if you know what I'm mean?

Instead of pointing out fingers to people who claimed a work that we only appreciate just when it’s threatened, maybe we should try to respect other works. If the others are good, we can think of how to produce and promote our work, just to level it. And if the others are crappy, we should have more confidence to promote the work across the globe, not just only in South East Asia.

Another Books For Sale

2009-10-01T23:37:00.019+02:00

Since there's quite a lot of people ask me about other books, other than music, I've put some books on the list. And offcourse, I added another music book as well... Remember, if you want any of the title below, please do order before October 11th. And yes, the price on the list is including shipment. Click here for the previous book titles.

You can transfer in the amount as marked on the price tag, to this Bank Account: BCA 6800419903, or mandiri 1280004772197 by the name of Nike Prima Dewi.

Instantly contact me via email afterwards to: octa.rama@gmail.com.

Thanks :D

Animation Now! (Taschen 25th Anniversary) (Hardcover)

by Anima Mundi & Julius Wiedemann

351 pages (full colour)
IDR 280.000

The Firm [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Joecelyn Bain Hogg
196 pages
IDR 300.000

Mas! Cine Mexicano: Sensational Mexican Movie Posters 1957 - 1990 (Paperback)

by Rogerlio Jr. Agrasanchez
132 pages
IDR 225.000

Gonzo: The life of Hunter S. Thompson (hardcover)

by Hunter S. Thompson, Steve Crist, & Johnny Depp
240 pages
IDR 350.000

Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side: The Stories Behind the Classic Songs (Paperback)

by Chris Roberts
144 pages
IDR 180.000

Albums: The Stories Behind 50 Years of Great Recordings (Hardcover)

by Various Contributors
320 pages
IDR 400.000

I'll Be Watching You: Inside the Police, 1980-83 (Hardcover)

by Andy Summers
375 pages
IDR 340.000

1000 Record Covers (Taschen 25) (Paperback)

by Michael Ochs
576 pages
IDR 250.000

Lowside of the Road: A Life of Tom Waits (Hardcover)

by Barnie Hoskyns
640 pages
IDR 340.000

Slash (Hardcover)
by Slash and Anthony Bozza
480 pages
IDR 240.000

Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness (Paperback)

A Novel Graphic by Reinhard Kleist
224 pages
IDR 370.000

Steve McQueen (25th Anniversary Special Edtn) (Hardcover)

by William Claxton
191 pages
IDR 210.000

Taschen Movie Icons Series (A Picturegraphy by Paul Duncan)
192 Pages
IDR 180.000

Also these great artworks from the famous artist for IDR 220.000 each

Scared of Numbers

2009-10-01T08:36:00.004+02:00

Yesterday earthquake shook West Sumatera in the scale of 7.6 sclarichter. It wasn't long time ago that the world shattered to the people in West Java, that came with the number 7.3 SR. West Sumatera is the province where I was born, and spent most of the holidays there.

My deepest condolences and prayers to my hometown and all the victims. Stop blaming others, do what you can do to help our brothers and sisters. If you can't reach, try to help by finding information to people who have lost their loved ones.

If you have any info about the people or anything that can reduce the trauma of the victims, call "hotline gempa sumbar" at (0751) 9824971 s/d 9824980 there's 10 FREE CALL numbers in Padang.

These are few pictures that I took on my last trip to West Sumatera, on July the middle of July 2009.

Music Books For Sale

2009-09-29T21:24:00.022+02:00

This is the list of books that are available for sale. It's all new books. Pick your choice, and contact me for order. Please do order before October 11th. All price is including shipment. Thanks :D

Echoes: The Complete History of Pink Floyd (paperback)
by Glenn Povey
368 Pages
IDR 450.000

The Beatles Anthology (paperback)

by The Beatles
368 Pages
IDR 340.000

U2 Show: The Art of Touring (paperback)
by Diana Scrimgeour
312 Pages
IDR 360.000

Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia of Morissey and the Smiths (hardcover)
by Simon Goddard
544 pages
IDR 800.000

R.E.M: Hello (hardcover)

by David Belisle
187 pages
IDR 250.000

Biopic: Iggy Pop (hardcover)

by Gavin Evans (photograph)
128 pages
IDR 200.000

Goodbye 20th Century: A Biography of Sonic Youth (paperback)

by David Browne
422 pages
IDR 370.000

Dirty Blond: The Diaries of Courtney Love (paperback)

by Courtney Love
304 pages
IDR 360.000

Band ID: The Ultimate Book of Band Logos (Hardcover)

by Bodhi Oser
420 pages
IDR 370.000

Punk is Dead Punk is Everything: From the Martyred Music Movement (Hardcover)

by Bryan Ray Turcotte & Doug Woods
288 pages
IDR 380.000

I Walked the Line: My Life with Johny Cash (paperback)

by Vivian Cash & Ann Sharpsteen
352 pages
IDR 270.000

INXS: Story to Story: The Official Autobiography (paperback)

by INXS Publications & Anthony Bozza
320 pages
IDR 250.000

Watch You Bleed: The Saga of Guns n Roses (paperback)

by Stephen Davis
448 pages
IDR 280.000

Frank Sinatra: The Family Album (hardcover)

by Charles Piqnone
144 pages
IDR 280.000

Meet the Beatles: A Cultural History of the Band That Shook Youth, Gender, and the World (paperback)

by Steven D. Stark
368 pages
IDR 250.000

Classic Queen (Hardcover)

by Mick Rock
192 pages
IDR 270.000

The Doors by the Doors (Hardcover)

by The Doors & Ben Fong-Torres
304 pages
IDR 420.000

Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimmy Hendrix (paperback)

by Charles R. Cross
400 pages
IDR 180.000

Pass the Mic: Beastie Boys 1991-1996 (hardcover)

by Ari Marcopoulos & Carlo McCormick
144 pages
IDR 370.000

Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain (Paperback)

by Charles R. Cross
432 pages
IDR 190.000

Duran Duran: Unseen…: Photographs 1979-82 (Hardcover)

by Malcom Garett, Kasper de Graaf & Paul Edmond
144 pages
IDR 340.000

Single Baby Dance

2009-09-28T02:06:00.003+02:00

A video of a baby, dancing to Beyonce's Single Lady Video. The kid must be a Kanye West supporter. Didn't get to see it went up and rush to the table and grab the remote out of someone else though.

Sing While We Study

2009-09-28T01:00:00.006+02:00

Aditya Elman is a 20 year old Indonesian student in Den Haag, Netherland. Has been singing and taking music course since he was 10. While he started studying in Holand a few yeara ago, he made and recorded his own songs in front of his computer then uploaded it on Youtube for his friends. He sings and plays guitar (and sometimes together with his brother). The sound of his songs is a more of a jazz-swing, motown, and blended by mostly pop variation. Recent news, that he have made a studio record for some of the songs. Here's the link of his page on YouTube: adit4adit. and myspace page (www.myspace.com/adityaelman)

Night At the Fun Fair

2009-09-27T22:49:00.010+02:00

Had lots of fun at the Kermis night festival. I only tried two rides out of tons of them there, since I'm stil fasting. The playground was held at Malieveld, one of the big open field in Den Haag, from 12-20 September

Welcoming Baby Trooper

2009-09-27T22:37:00.003+02:00

Just had the "Welcoming Baby Trooper" picture coloured. It won't do good with colors, so I just put some shading with grey. Since the troopers are the cool black and white dude!

Happy Iedul Fitri

2009-09-19T16:18:00.003+02:00

Mohon Maaf Lahir dan Batin untuk semuanya.. Semoga Ramadhan ini diberi berkah lebih..
selamat menikmati kebersamaan dan liburan semua!

Prince's Day 2009

2009-09-16T11:01:00.008+02:00

Yesterday I went to Noordeinde Palace, to see the royal march for the Prince's Day. Every third Tuesday of September in Netherlands, there's Prince’s Day or Prinsjesdag. It is marked as the opening of Dutch parliament. A festive day, children in The Hague (including Alya) are free from school so they might watch the procession of the Gouden Koets, or Golden Coach, in which the Queen is driven from her palace on the Noordeinde to the Ridderzaal, or Hall of Knights, in the Binnenhof, the houses of Dutch Parliament. Here she reads the ‘Speech from the Throne’, written jointly by the Ministers and Secretaries of State, outlining the government’s plans for the coming year. As the procession returns to the Noordeinde Palace, the road is lined by members of the Dutch Royal Armed Forces, and in the afternoon the Royal Family appear on the palace balcony to address an adoring and often frenzied public. (Taken from denhaag.com)

The family burst to Noordeinde Palace, which is a few tram stop away, and found that we're late for the first procession, and just caught the golden coach, for the balcony appearance.

the golden coach guard looks similar to the Keraton Soldiers in Jogjakarta don't you think? I tried to google the picture, but this is the closest thing that came up. I'm sure there's more similar outfit like the one in Netherlands... (keraton soldier picture taken from www.ladangkata.com)

The People

Cards for the dancing Animal

2009-09-15T22:15:00.007+02:00

Before my departure from Jakarta, the guys at the dancing animal had a serious talk about making some greeting cards of our own. Made a few sketch as I arrive in Holland. Here's some of my sketches:

This is the first drawing that I made on September. It was meant to be a "sorry" card.

This one is the second sketch, it was for a new born card.

The third one is another sketch for a new born card, that was inspired by one of my favourite Star Wars character, the storm troopers.

This one was rather coincidence, because it was requested by my little sister, Alya, after she saw some of my drawing in my notepad. But I probably would put it on the card later on.

Since that I don't have Photoshop in my computers here, in Netherland, I asked my girl, Nike wether if she'd like to add colour to my sketches. This is some of the wonderful coloring job that she made:

If you want to check the rest of the cards that the guys from the dancing animal have made, click here

RIP Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

2009-09-15T11:30:00.005+02:00

Just like The Beatles' song, "In my Life", things that you used to know in your life, some has gone and some has changed. And that's what I felt when I heard about Patrick Swayze's death last night. He was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. The two time Razzie Nominee died eight month after he was diagnosed with the disease.

I never know anything about him, except that he's best known for the role in "Ghost" and "Dirty Dancing". After his death, I looked up wikipedia to seek information about the Pancreatic Cancer. (you can read about the article here). Just like any other cancer, Pancreatic Cancer is known as a "silent killer", because early pancreatic cancer often does not cause symptoms. And one of the survivor from this symptom is Apple inc's mastermind, Steve Jobs.

I remembered how Ghost went to the big screen in Jakarta, and all the chicks were dying to have a cut just like Demi Moore. And remembered how my parent had to put me and my sister to my aunt's house, so they can watch it in the theater late at night, without any of our distraction .

Well. may your soul rest in peace, and have a "cleaner" dance up there.

Up For Some Reference

2009-09-15T00:33:00.003+02:00

After creating my new blog, i've been searching for sites that gives a free tips and tricks on how to build your own blog. Didn't get to find many, but instead, found a good site from www.inspiero.com to improve my typing skill on the keyboard. The site is at www.speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com. Since my newly study is about to start in two weeks, I think that maybe this site can be helpful for me to improvise my "typing-in-english"skill.

Btw, this is a few site that I found from googling, that I might find it useful (cuz mostly I only bookmarked it, not reading it).. hohoho.. oh lazy me!
- www.inspiero.com
- www.tipspack.blogspot.com
- www.bloggerbuster.com

The beginning of a sucker for blogspot

2009-09-14T11:03:00.000+02:00

Haahh... blogspot pertama saya. Sebelumnya udah pernah coba ngeblog jaman jaman Friendster dan Multiply, dan berakhir dengan standar... malas meng-update. Apakah blog ini akan bernasib sama? We'll see :D