Exclusive Rasukma, Process And Grow Confidence With JUNI Records

JAKARTA - In an era like today, with all its conveniences, working and introducing it to the public is not difficult for a musician or music group. There are many cases where the involvement of labels and music management is considered irrelevant to the times.

However, that assessment cannot be swallowed whole, however, the label and music management still have roles to look back on, behind the stories of many musicians who may feel their creativity constrained by them.

As for Rasukma, the duo from Bandung who is the latest artist in JUNI Records was introduced in mid-2024. The group consisting of Eson and Adel has been running alone for six years, before finally deciding to join the music label.

When Rasumma visited the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta some time ago, Eson and Adel told how their friendship formed this duo.

Studying in the same high school in Bandung, Eson and Adel already know each other because they joined the same organization and have formed a 'promptu band' together.

"Yes, we are familiar with music together. So, starting from high school," said Adel. "We graduated from high school, Eson for Rasukma, he was alone, but he thought something was missing, needed a girl's voice, kept inviting me, I just wanted to."

In 2018, Rasukma also released a double single as her debut, entitled "Then Let Go" with "Please! We Need Help!".

Rasukma's musical journey was also carried out in Bandung. For six years, they have released one full album and one extended play (EP) or mini album. Practically, everything is taken care of by Eson and Adel.

"We've released one album, one EP, and several singles," said Adel.

"So, the album is 2020, it contains nine songs, including the initial songs we recorded. Then in 2022, during the pandemic, we made EP, it contained five songs," continued Eson.

Entering 2024, Rasukma intends to explore by presenting something new. However, the limitations of doing everything in itself actually present confusion.

Fortunately, Rasumma's work reached Adryanto Pratono alias Boim, CEO and co-founder of JUNI Records. The meeting was held, and Rasukma officially joined the label which also houses Raisa Andriana and Bernadya.

Bernagung Under JUNI Records

"So at first we were DM with Mas Boim, he said he liked our songs, then from there we felt really happy, right. Then we just said that when we were working on the second album, the material was finished, we took vocals too, we wanted to listen to it, we continued to send it," said Adel.

From the discussions held, Rasukma felt that he had the same vision as JUNI Records. They believe that the way to achieve big dreams will be easier with labels.

"From what we discussed, finally, we also feel suitable and one vision, and I think JUNE can also help us to achieve our dreams. So finally we are together," said Adel.

"Indeed, Rasukma actually wants to explore, we have been going on for a while, the album and EP have been released themselves, so that in the future we want to attract someone or something actually. When we looked for it, we were actually confused, eh, but Mas Boim even came to light first," said Eson.

The decision to join the label does not require much consideration. Rasumma actually sees positive things from the label, where they feel that the main foundation of the group remains supported.

Actually, we only have three elements to protect. As Eson said, the song must speak Indonesian, there is the voice of both of us, and the guitar is nylon. So we don't ask that there must be all kinds of things, the important thing is that the three elements that become our identities are protected," said Adel.

"And indeed the JUNE team is also very supportive of what our preferences are. Like in the song 'Lala Lala', we actually came, we actually became the song, and in the end Mas Boim said, 'Yes, it's finished, just release it.' So indeed they also entrusted the results we have made. And we also feel more trusted too. And feel better the way, because they also really appreciate what we have done before meeting them, "continued Eson.

The three elements mentioned above, namely Indonesian language songs, the voices of Eson and Adel, as well as the sound of nylon guitar, are important for Rasukma. The three elements are referred to as the 'red flash' of all the works that have been produced.

"Actually (the three elements) were not made from the initial time Rasukma was made. But after Rasumma released one album, one EP, and the other projects, at that time I just realized if there was a common thread. So all the songs Rasukma, no matter how different the songs are, there will definitely be three elements," said Eson.

"And when we want to make the next album, which has now been processed, there is a lot of encouragement for music exploration, lyrically, on an arrangement, that's a lot of exploration. But it must be explained, this is the limit where the exploration is. If we deviate everywhere, we will become something else, not Rasukma again," continued Eson.

So finally, after being viewed historically from Rasukma's songs, these three elements must exist. So that's what we maintain. The rest are free to do. It's about to make electronics, as long as there are these three elements, it's still Rasukma."

More confident after joining the label

Joining the label is also important to be Rasukma, which has been running for more than six years. In addition to expanding connections (networking) in the national music scene, Eson and Adel acknowledged the increasing confidence.

"When we show people that we can be trusted by JUNE, it also gives us credibility to be able to sell Rasumma's name even wider out there," said Eson.

"Believed by entities like JUNI Records, of course, it makes confidence increase. And it's true, said Eson, self-confidence in our work is also increasing," said Adel.

Unlike when he was still taking care of Rasumma independently, Adel admitted that many things had to be done with many considerations that might not be needed. This feeling disappeared after joining a label that already has its own work system.

"With us now in JUNE, we feel expanded, from the insights, networking, and so we in disseminating our work also become more confident," said Adel.

"Because JUNE has been around for more than a dozen years, so what is the best way to release songs, when is the best, then where will they be promoted, they all know. That's something we don't have, So far we've been promoting it based on trial and error, so we don't have a concrete basis why do we have to do that. Now, with JUNI, it's automatically more focused, clearer and more structured," continued Eson.

With the help of a team that already has their respective work posts, Eson and Adel also feel that they can focus more on creative processes. Their energy can be more directed to work than business matters.

Although joining the label is not an absolute guarantee to be bigger, Rasukma believes that the decision to join JUNI Records has taken them to a different stage.

Eson knows there are many factors to be bigger, both those that can be worked on and those that must be handed over. For him, All that can be worked on will definitely be worked on by JUNE and us too, everything depends on us. The rest is only momentum, opportunity, and luck, that's what we will leave."

Meanwhile, Adel believes that joining JUNI Records is a new hope. "When there is hope, it feels more like there is trust. So, I hope those hopes, from both of us and JUNE, hopefully can come true."

"And the hope we have is not small and not small, so hopefully all of that hope can be the steps that we said earlier, we can be big. Amen."