Bands: Navicula, Geekssmile, Scared of Bums, Ripper Clown (Denpasar), Morfem (JKT), Iksan Skuter (JKT)

Teater Kini Berseri, Mural Komunitas Djamur – ISI Denpasar, Painting exhibition Made Bayak.

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For those of you dedicated to discovering cutting edge bands from Indonesia, the name Kaimsasikun should be familiar. This alternative pop band from Bali was formed in 1999, and after releasing their first single the video clip even charted on national TV stations. This single titled “Pria Dijajah Wanita” (Man Conquered by Woman) from their first album is often the only reminder of how Kaimsasikun was. Of course, I still think they had many songs that are much more interesting, but of course the pop track was released as their single.

Kaimasasikun was based out of Jakarta for a while, the whole band, but they didn’t find their hopes and dreams there. Mainly due to a lack of promotion and the fact that at the time the Indonesian public wasn’t ready for music and style, which was on the geeky side. It’s a shame for a band of their quality in the studio and live.

As a result, Kaimsasikun went on hiatus for a few years. Some of the members moved back to Bali and some stayed in Jakarta. But none of them stopped playing music. Ian (vocals, guitar) opened a recording studio and has since written a few hit songs which have been popularized by national pop stars. Sani (bass) has also been successfully writing  songs for mainstream pop artists. Pandu (guitar) has also been busy in the mainstream music industry; you can often find him performing with top music celebrities or working as a session player at Palu Studio in Jakarta, one of Indonesia’s top musical ‘hit factories’.

Their first drummer, Rendra, formed a new band, but still like to hang out with members of Kaimsasikun. They replaced Rendra with Mark, who two years ago left to Australia to learn to fly, literally, he is now a certified pilot. As coincidence would have it, the bands first logo was actually an illustration of an airplane, so Mark has taken their plane obsession into real life. Since Mark has been away, Rendra started recording drums with Kaimsasikun again.

Only one member of the band, Aldino, left the music scene completely. He is now focused on surfing and running his successful family business. Lately he has also been involved in creating videos and even did one music video for Kaimsasikun. There is no such thing as an ex-musician, there will always be some longing to make music again. So now Aldino is committed to be involved in Kaimsasikun’s unique new concept.

Euforia, ku hampa – Zat Kimia from Aldino Tayeb on Vimeo.

They continue to create. As a band, Kaimsasikun’s songs are innovative, exploring each member’s taste, skill and abilities.

Kaimsasikun is committed to release a new song on the eleventh of every month. Their songs can be streamed for free through the band’s Soundcloud account.

Half of the band is in Jakarta and half in Bali, but distance is not an issue for a band willing to utilize the Internet and digital recording technology to communicate. Producing songs, creativity and their love for music will not be hindered by the uncertainty of the music industry in Indonesia.

At this time, the music industry in Indonesia is out of ideas of what to sell, since RBT (ring back tone) sales have dropped. However, musicians following their ideals can be smart, follow the industry and continue to survive, and will shine all the brighter if they have the ability to put on a great live performance. These simple speculations are common conversation over coffee for non-mainstream musicians, the strange thing is they never bore of talking about it. Maybe the idea of ‘hope’ gives them some comfort and amusement.

Kaimsasikun has it all; talent, time and facilities. What more are they waiting fore? They know their music has to be released. And they don’t care if it’s not what the market wants, more importantly they enjoy the process of creating songs and the urgency of releasing those songs.

Kaimsasikun doesn’t have a clear reason for releasing songs on the eleventh of every month. But imagine, in a year they will already have enough material to release a full-length album. This method is clever, instead of rushing into the scene again and announcing their band is back together, they are patiently sharpening their intuition in producing songs. While building excitement and passion for long-time fans, such as myself.

There is a unique surprise for you to enjoy every 11^th, the same as the meaning of their band name. Kaimsasikun means 11.

The word Nyepi means silence. And as the name implies, it is a day of silence. For one whole day Bali’s population of 3.5 million choose to give the island a rest. For 24 hours all business stops, the roads are empty, there is no activity; even the airports close. At night, the cities are blanketed in almost total darkness because, in following ancient law, artificial light is forbidden on this sacred day. The concept of Nyepi is to enter into the new year in cleanliness, following the simple idea that if the first day is cleansed and pure then hopefully the days following will be so as well.

One of the most positive impacts of Nyepi is that nature has a chance to rest, even if only for one day, this one day has a major impact. Imagine, for 24 hours how much energy is saved because electricity use is so minimal, how much pollution can be reduced when thousands of cars and motorbikes are not choking the streets of Bali. Imagine how much smog and production waste is reduced because all businesses are closed for one day. For this one day, Bali overflows with positive energy as many residents choose to meditate, fast, and use this time for introspection.

Our planet is old and tired. After a year of being victim to human greed, in this era where ‘time is money’, our earth deserves this moment of rest.

This tradition is still practiced in Bali, passed on from generation to generation. I truly hope Nyepi will continue with future generations and that Bali continues to be proud of Nyepi, a tradition which can inspire the world in similar movements to show our love for nature.

Here is a song about Nyepi from the Bali band Kaimsasikun. Me and Ian (vocalist/guitarist of Kaimsasikun) would often spend Nyepi together. This year his band is in Jakarta recording, but they still celebrate Nyepi in their own way. Enjoy:

Peace and happy new year Caka 1934!

Nosstress’ boil has finally burst. Almost one year since they began working on their album, and past the boredom limit of hearing “when is the album going to be released?” After regularly being heard on local stages and through youtube videos, these three young musicians from Denpasar can finally be enjoyed on a full studio album: Perspektif Bodoh, which means ‘Stupid Perspective’.

Nosstress’ first album is fresh. The acoustic trio recorded with two guitars, a cajon, harmonica, and a harmony of vocals, with each band member adding a  a different vocal character. Guna Qupitt (vocal, guitar), Man Angga (vocal, guitar), Cokorda Bagus Pemayun (vocal, cajon, harmonica) have successfully brought the feeling of jamming at home and their laid back concerts into this album. What is achieved in this album leaves me more than a little amazed, especially remembering the relatively young ages of these the band members ranging from 22-23 years old.

Even with minimal instruments, their songs are not simple, especially compared to standard local pop releases. The arrangements, notations and compositions are smart and full of detail. Nosstress’ music is a breakthrough for the usual music kids their age are attracted to, with a strong soul and blues influence.

Their lyrics are not pretentious, but easy to understand, almost as simple as drinking a cup of tea in the morning. Light social criticism creates a theme for this album. Like remembering a happy time long ago (which they may have imagined based on stories from their uncles or parents) which meets the real life conditions in the chaos of Denpasar.

The feeling of being underestimated as juniors and playfully mocking their seniors is summed up well on the track On the Job Training. And they go into darker emotions such as self-regret on the track Tunda. Packaged with clear sound and no distortions, Nosstress criticism is presented smooth and calm.

If you consider the entire album, their lyrics have some slight contradictions. For example, their song Rasa talks about how feeling can overcome intellect. Yet they use the term ‘think’ on a few songs, which shows how they are logic oriented. A search for their true taste is visible on tracks like Mau Apa?. This track sums up the passion on this album. I admire the track Mau Apa?, it is a song I wish I had written.

There is also a touch of a more experienced musician, Raoul Wijffels, who plays Fender Rhodes on the track Tak Pernah Terlambat and accordion on Bersama Kita, his sounds add a beautiful layers to these songs. The band goes way back with Raoul and their collaborations together in One Dollar for Music.

I was a bit disappointed one of my favorite songs, Tanam Saja didn’t make it onto the album. The song has already been released as a radio single and has been performed live a lot, which would make it a powerful track to support the popularity of their album.

As a part of the Bali music scene, I am proud to see the release of “Perspektif Bodoh” (Stupid Perspective), which is in no way stupid. Every boil that bursts leaves a wound, and while it heals it will itch. The itch Nosstress is feeling following the release of their album may be the search for the answer to a question they bring up on this album: mau apa aku dengan hidupku ini, what do I want out of life.

“Perspektif Bodoh” album launch will be held at Serambi Arts Antida, Jl Waribang no 32, Denpasar.
On 14 October 2011 at 19:00.

Nosstress has release one track from “Perspektif Bodoh” as a free download on Akarumput.com. Please enjoy Bersama Kita (With Us).

Photos by Teddy Drew.

Fill the seedling pots with potting soil, this can be topsoil mixed with manure, rice husks, and other organic materials. Make sure there are some holes in the bottom of the pots so that water doesn’t collect there.

Sawi (Chinese cabbage) seeds.

Pumpkin seeds.

Long beans and snow pea seed pods; peel and remove the seeds.

Plant the seeds with a happy heart and smile on your face. Think of the seed like your child. A child will grow healthy in a family that is filled with love.

Label the seedling containers so you don’t forget what kind of seeds you planted. Place the seedlings in a place that is protected from direct sunlight, strong winds, and heavy rain. Ants love baby seedlings, so to protect them from ant armies, place your seedlings on a raised platform or table and put the table legs in a container of water. Remember to water your seedlings every morning and afternoon.

Some rhizome plants, like ginger, bongkot, and turmeric, can be planted directly in the land. The same goes for plant and root cuttings, such as cassava, bamboo, and banana. Pumpkin and long bean seeds also grow well directly in the lands. Seedlings and extra care is most important for vegetable plants, such as sawi, lettuce, chili, and tomatoes.

After a week, cute baby plants will start to appear :)

After about two weeks the seedlings can be planted in the land. Carefully remove the seedlings from the containers. Make sure to not damage the roots. Add the remaining potting soil around the plant roots so that the seedlings can adapt well to their new environment. Different types of plants can be planted close together, and this diversity is good for your garden.

If your land or garden bed is in direct sunlight or it is too hot during the dry season, you can add some shade, like the netting used here. Netting works well because it still allows some sunlight to pass through. Care for the young seedlings well. Make sure the soil doesn’t dry out and there is enough mulch around the young plants.

A healthy, organic home garden will not only reduce your expenses, but can also provide nutritious food for the whole family. And the area round your house will be greener, cooler, and of course beautiful. Extra vegetable produce can be shared with your neighbors, and they will love you more for that. But, make sure not to make your neighbor’s wife jealous. Remember, urban farming is the realization of the slogan: the neighbor’s garden is always greener.

Welcome to the Urban Farming Syndicate! Follow @BaliUrbanFarm on Twitter.

Click here to read part 1 of this article.

Especially if there is unused land around your house; instead of letting this become a toilet for your dogs, turn it into healthy vegetables. Instead of letting the snakes nest there, plant some snake-like vine plants. Instead of wasting time, roll up your shirtsleeves and get to work: Plant your own food! Lift your hoe, my friend!

Following are a few simple steps on how to plant a vegetable garden behind your house. When you start your garden, please share your farming stories and photos with Akarumput.com. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a love-connection with someone who is on the look out for a do-it-yourself partner, who is kind, passionate, and smells a little like soil.

Prepare the soil. You can start with a small plot and slowly expand slowly.

Loosen up the soil with a hoe and clear away any rocks, plastic trash, or used condoms.

Raise the soil and shape it into garden beds. Use any shape you like, long, square, circular, star shaped, spiral. Leave some space to walk through the garden beds, because you need to avoid walking on top of the beds to make sure you do not compact the soil.

If needed, add some nutrient rich soil which has been mixed with manure. In Denpasar, this soil can be bought at plant-shops for around 250,000-300,000 rupiah for a whole pick up truck full. But it’s even better if you mix your own potting soil with fertilizer, because the kind you can buy usually only contains a small amount of cow manure. Look, my dog Backer wants to donate some manure to the garden ;)

Husss!! Backer!!! Stop following me!!

Add some fertilized soil on top of the garden beds.

Now you can also add a layer of mulch on top of the garden beds. Mulch is made up of organic materials which will protect the soil from too much sunlight and make sure it stays damp underneath, while providing additional nutrients to the soil. Mulch could be rice husks, hay, woodchips, coffee husks, or dry leaves and grass. If you have pets at home, like Backer or chickens, make sure to add a fence around your garden. Use cheap and available materials. The fence could be made from tree cuttings. Legumes like lamtoro, kelor, kayu santan, and dapdap make great living fences. These tree cuttings will grow up to provide shade for your garden and the leaves can be used as a vegetable. Legumes are really useful for the soil, because when they are cut back, the nodules in the legume roots release nitrogen into the soil. In this photo you can see we used kelor and kayu santan as living fence, because kelor leaves are one of my favorite veggies. The garden fence can also be used as a place to grow vine plants.

To save space, use vertical gardening techniques, like pergolas for vine plants such as pumpkin, passion fruit, and long beans. Our garden uses bamboo weaving which leans against our neighbor’s wall so the pumpkin plants will grow vertical, not horizontal which takes up much more space.

While preparing the land, pots or polybags can be used to plant seeds. Again, use materials that are easily available. You can even use left over materials or rubbish as seedling containers, such as old soda cans, sardine containers, water bottles, milk cartons, or broken buckets.

Wow, urban farming serves so many purposes. Mmm, and this article is getting way to long. So stop back soon and follow @BaliUrbanFarm on twitter for more urban farming techniques.