Available in Uniqlo stores worldwide are these Uniqlo Tees (UT) featuring designs by our favorite children's wear: Cereal Nation! With art directions by Max Suriaganda of Studio 1212, the 3 Cereal Nation designs you see above (click the left or right button to scroll) are available in adult sizes as well as children.
If you live in the Jakarta area, you can find the tees and a whole lot more in Lotte Mall as well as Mal Taman Anggrek (which has the first Uniqlos in Indonesia). If you do not have a Uniqlo in your area, visit uniqlo.com to view their graphic tee collection including the Cereal Nation designs.
Despite our best efforts, Bergas and I only managed to attend the last day of the 10th annual Java Jazz Festival held at the Jakarta Convention Centre in Kemayoran. And to be quite honest, it was perhaps just as well that we only attended that particular day, as for the most part the selection of artists that performed on the Friday and Saturday were for us as bland as a steamed cucumber resting on a plate of boiled rice.
Sure, there were sporadic injections of exciting local talent such as Tomorrow People Ensemble, the Barry Likumahuwa Project, Sandy Winarta, Indra Lesmana and a few other notable gems, but who would want to travel up to North Jakarta, struggle for hours on end to find a decent parking spot, pay over-the-odds for overpriced food and drinks only to be served some Agnez Mo, JKT 48, Dave Koz and Maliq & D’Essentials? Well perhaps more open-minded individuals would, but alas both Bergas and myself are insufferable jazz and music snobs.
Moving on and to tone down the cynical rhetoric, we specifically chose the Sunday as it hosted the performances of the legendary Roy Ayers and the much-loved hero of left-field soul-jazz, the Robert Glasper Experiment. Conveniently for us, both performed on the same stage with only 75 minutes separating the two performances. Thus without further ado, the write-up below will dissect those two anticipated performances in greater detail.
The name Roy Ayers glowed like a pair of cat’s eyes illuminated by a car’s headlights when I first saw his name on the list of performers. This virtuoso vibraphonist was responsible for pioneering a particular funky strain of jazz that has left its unmistakable mark not only in the world of jazz but also disco, hip-hop, house and beyond. He started his performance at 6pm in front of an eager and highly expectant crowd.
No sooner had the announcer read out his name, a great cheer reverberated around the A2 BNI hall and DJ (Total) Eclipse from the X-Ecutioners took to the stage to provide a 15-minute lesson in funky breaks and head-nodding turntablism. And just when you thought he was there simply as an opening act, you realise that there were no drum kits present onstage, signifying that the turntables were also there to stand in as the rhythm section. While I’m an avid fan and champion of DJ-ing and turntablism, I feel that this decision slightly diluted the overall performance of the band as it limited the freedom of movement and improvisation of the drums, piano and bass.
When Mr. Ayers finally entered the stage to a ruckus cheer, he was accompanied by a saxophonist (playing both the alto and soprano variants) as well as a backing singer (and part-time percussionist). For the most part the performance was a recital of Roy Ayer’s greatest and funkiest hits, prompting the crowd to join-in a number of enjoyable sing-alongs throughout the gig. One notable highlight of the evening was when Roy’s electric vibraphone malfunctioned to hilarious consequences. Bereft of the star performer who was busy shuffling back-and-forth trying to figure out what on earth went wrong, the soloing responsibility lay on the saxophonist who churned out solo after mesmerizing solo. After 20 vibraphone-less minutes, the electric-vibraphone gods (or perhaps the engineer) managed to set things right and Roy duly delivered head-spinning solos much to the delight of the crowd and served as a fitting end to the memorable 75-minute performance.
And then there was Robert Glasper and his band of merry cats. While I’ve already witnessed his band’s mesmerising performance in Amsterdam a couple of years back, this year’s edition was no less impressive with the presence of a near complete line-up with enigmatic drummer Chris Dave the only absent member.
Before the Robert Glasper Experiment took to the stage, a certain Allen Stone -a bloke who I’ve never heard of before- was in the middle of completing the last 20 minutes of his performance at the adjacent stage. And for the record, it was quite outstanding. He may look like a Nordic hippie, but there aren’t any doubts as to his fantastic vocals that have seem to be dipped in the proverbial .
His set opened with the frankly perplexing award with an obscure title handed out to him by the organisers of the event. Mr. Glasper was almost at a loss of words during his acceptance speech (though most likely due to being genuinely confused as opposed to being overwhelmed by the occasion). As soon as the mini award ceremony was over and done with, the band kicked into gear with their brand of soulful modern jazz that drove the young-ish crowd into a frenzy. Every single band member was on top of their game with vocalist/saxophonist Casey Benjamin leading the line with his vocoder-filtered soulful vocals and absolutely intense sax soloing. True to form, the Robert Glasper Experiment played a mix of their original compositions along with a selection of covers that only vaguely resembled their originals, including Bill Withers’ Lovely Day, Frank Ocean’s Pyramids, Daft Punk’s Get Lucky and Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit
Another notable aspect of the performance was the sheer brilliance of the band members, from Robert Glasper’s piano playing, Casey Benjamin’s sax solos, Derrick Hodges’ funky yet melodic bass playing and the drum-machine like punctuality of the drummer whose name escapes me. When their performance came to and end the crowd were pleading for an encore (or two) yet Mr. Glasper politely declined, citing tight scheduling from the organisers as a reason.
All things considered, it was a very enjoyable performance from the two acts we watched with my only gripe being the lack of seats provided for Robert Glasper’s performance (as their brand of music doesn’t particularly evoke dancing, hence being more suited to a sitting crowd). As far as the festival was concerned, it was a shame that there were no slots afforded to the living legends of jazz such as Ornette Coleman, Pharoah Sanders or Sonny Rollins, especially considering that this was the 10 anniversary of the festival. Yet as far as adhering to the tagline of ‘Bringing The World To Indonesia’, I feel that the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival 2014 just about lived up to its promise. Here’s looking forward to next year’s edition.
The Internet is a blank canvas that invites creativity in content and presentation. For businesses, it is a medium with a potential global market, and for individuals a means to express their unique identity and influence. The web applauds innovation in design, whether it is the visual interface or the programming. Zocko, a website combining social media, e-commerce, and social influence, entered the virtual arena celebrating the malleability of the Internet and the individuals have brought to the medium through its reward system.
In brief, individuals can recommend an assortment of products available in Zocko to their audience, whether it’s through the person’s social media or blogs, and when the item is purchased the recommender earns money. The system is an innovative means to encourage an active participation on the Internet. The plethora of items on Zocko ensures that people can customize a specific selection of items according to their tastes. One can now confidently endorse without a second thought, creating an honest and rewarding experience.
The products, of course, are only a small part of the equation. The most important element is without a doubt: . We follow personalities because we trust their creative and consistent character. They offer perspectives that are intriguing, helping us appreciate a subject from different vantage points.
This individual creativity is what Zocko stresses as the driving force of the colorful word wide web. Offering their personal support, the Zocko team welcomes interested parties to consult with them to find the best way to use the Zocko platform and earn its rewards. Some are already using creative methods in adapting the reward system – using creative writing or picture editing. There are seemingly infinite ways to express oneself on the internet, and Zocko want to make sure you find yours. Maximizing creativity is key, because it is what makes the online experience so rewarding.
To contact or find out more about Zocko, follow these links:
www.Zocko.com
Zocko Twitter
Zocko Facebook
Despite the pervasiveness of music in our daily lives, last night's discussion proved that there music is made up of multiple layers. In order to understand music, knowing what or who we enjoy listening to is not enough. Below are some of the points that were brought up during last night's discussion:
- Because music is so difficult to describe, the most important thing is often our reactions. Those reactions are the most crucial part of music.
- The musical experience – that is, our listening habits – are mood-based. It is usually the case that we look for songs that would intensify our emotions at the time. Music, in a way, amplifies and perhaps even justifies our feelings.
- Instrumental music vs. songs: both songs evoke different feelings and reactions. The former often conjures impressions whereas the latter produce a clear image/narration.
- On the social significance of music: we typically listen to music that we can relate to. Music does not only affect a person on an individual level, but also at a more collective and cultural level. , for instance, usually includes lyrics that tell the story of a person’s life in a given socio-economic context.
- Stereotypes affect how we listen to music, and whose music we listen to.
- Our appreciation towards music is often related to time. This is perhaps why the idea of a “generation” is very strong in the context of music. People who have gone through similar social experiences are more likely to relate to the music produced during a particular era.
- DJing is both active and passive since the DJ plays as s/he listens to the music.
- On sampling and originality: sampling is not a second-rate pursuit in music as it involves the active selection of existing material to create something new.
- It is difficult to separate music and the creators (though sometimes it depends on the genre).
- Music is first and foremost a form of entertainment; the message can come later (once the listener has familiarized his/herself with the music).
- Music is intrusive. It is not like text, a medium that allows people to choose their involvement with it.
- In live performances, musicians can get direct feedback from the audience. It is possible to have an interaction.
- In addition to the romance associated with the physicality of vinyl records, they are useful for documentary purposes whereas digital files that are distributed through the Internet increase the accessibility of music (by an audience that will most likely consists of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds). In short, each medium or “vessel” has its own purpose. One can’t simply say that one medium is more superior to the other.
- Technological advancement opens doors to new ways of understanding and appreciating music (e.g. smartphone apps that help users experience a song in an innovative way). And the more our old and current mindsets adjust to the development of technology, the more ways we’ll create to make and share music.
Your feedback would be greatly appreciated, so please feel free to tweet us @wjournal or send us an e-mail to with the subject title “We Discuss #8.”
We would like to thank those who came and contributed to the discussion. We hope to see you again at next month’s session! Look out for announcements and related updates on next discussion. Check our website, Facebook page, as well as our Twitter and Instagram accounts!
Blogging continues to be one of the most popular venues to distribute information. Whether talking about fashion, technology, food, or simply ranting about random things, blogging is an avenue designed for individuals to freely express their thoughts. Acknowledging the freedom and influence of blogosphere, Zocko empower individuals by creating a monetizing system that is based on the blogger’s individual taste.
A very well received medium in Indonesia, many individuals have become quite popular through the blogosphere. A few examples - Diana Rikasari’s “Chocolate and Mint” has become a destination for young Indonesians to look for everything from fashion to home decor, Jenz Corner offers a visually enticing narrative of its author’s culinary travels. Though perhaps uncommon, international blog superstars such as the Facehunter even gets flown worldwide to cover various fashion events due to his undeniably unique and tasteful approach to fashion photography. A good blog is run by persons/groups whose taste you trust, and their posts inadvertently become recommendations you adapt to your own life.
It’s no surprise that in the blogosphere, the trusted/popular sites are able to make a decent income off it. Whether it is advertisement, product placements, or advertorials, the blogs popularity and influence are undebatable.
As mentioned above, Zocko (a website combining social media, e-commerce, and social influence) offers an alternative avenue to monetize the blogs. By using its concept of influencers and product selection, bloggers can pick and choose products they would like to recommend on their websites, and via a Zocko encoded link, can make money whenever a reader purchases a product.
What does this mean? Bloggers have full control over their content and are able to monetize off it. It is an empowering tool by Zocko, one that offers an easy, innovative means to earn from doing what you love. Recommended for bloggers from all walks of life.
Visit and find out more about Zocko through the following links:
www.Zocko.com
Zocko Twitter
Zocko Facebook
Very exciting news for those who live in Jakarta and its surrounding areas: Rocket Rain is making its official debut! Goethe will host Film, Musik, Makan, a two day event with a plethora of events including Anggun Priambodo's debut film. Not simply a film-screening, Film, Musik, Makan will host performances by White Shoes and the Couples Company and Jirapah, snacks by Rocket Rain actress Rain Chudori, DJ Performances courtesy of Irama Nusantara, film screenings including Edwin's Postcards From the Zoo, Ladya Cheryl's Vulgar, and Fitri by Sidi Saleh - and a whole lot more. Take a look at the schedule below and do make your way to the event!
Musical performances by:
White Shoes and the Couples Company
Jirapah
Coffee, Tea and Snack Break with Rain Chudori
Rocket Rain debut screening
Q&A with Rocket Rain director Anggun Priambodo
Postcards From the Zoo film screening
Q&A with Postcards From the Zoo director Edwin
Coffee, Tea and Snack Break with Ladya Cheryl
Vulgar debut screening by director Ladya Cheryl
Fitri debut screening by director Sidi Saleh
Someone's Wife In the Boat of Someone's Husband (SWITBOSH) film screening by director Edwin
Q&A Session with Ladya Cheryl, Sidi Saleh, & Edwin.
Lab Laba Laba DIY 16 mm Processing Workshop with Edwin
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Film, Musik, Makan donation IDR 200,000 (for 2 day Goethe Institut events)
go to www.rocketrainmovie.com for more information.
Backstage Life Bareng Grrrl Gang di Episode Kelima Vindy Ngapain?
Tahun ini Grrrl Gang mendapatkan kesempatan untuk menjadi salah satu line up di We The Fest 2019, dan Vindy diperbolehkan untuk mengikuti aktivitas mereka.
Tahun ini Grrrl Gang mendapatkan kesempatan untuk menjadi salah satu line up di We The Fest 2019, dan Vindy diperbolehkan untuk mengikuti aktivitas mereka.
Son of another Indonesian great, multi-instrumentalist-Jack Lesmana, Indra Lesmana is a child prodigy who learned how to master the keys at a young age, with his first performances done at the age of ten to an audience of hundreds and thousands, and his first album released when he was 12 years old. From child to adulthood, Indra Lesmana has dedicated his life to music.
With currently over 50 albums released, his musical endeavors are not restricted to jazz, Indra Lesmana has also released a multitude of critically acclaimed pop records, winning a BASF Award for his meaningful pop numbers. Currently busy promoting the first LLW record, LLW being his modern jazz trio with bassist-Barry Likumahuwa and drummer-Sandy Winarta, Indra Lesmana spared some time our of his busy schedule to talk to W_Music about some highlights from his three decade-long career, LLW, and leaves the viewers and aspiring musicians some words of wisdom. Enjoy!
[featured caption="W_Music Series Vol.05: Indra Lesmana"]
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Invent Your Future
Temukan siapa dirimu dan bagaimana karaktermu menentukan arah masa depan.
