Iga Massardi: Indonesian Musicians Always Get A Place In Malaysia

JAKARTA - Iga Massardi called Malaysia one of the foreign music markets' that Indonesian musicians could achieve. He has felt this with his band, Bara Suara.

The 39-year-old musician said that the Barasuara stage in neighboring countries is always fun, especially when they enter the ranks of the Partypora line-up which is held on a large scale there for the first time.

We played there (Malaysia) several times. The last one was really big in Bukit Jalil, when it was Partypora, and finally got appreciation from friends outside Indonesia," said Iga when met in Blok M, South Jakarta recently.

"And indeed, we as music talents from Indonesia have always found a place there. And actually it feels familiar, they are also very friendly, very open and very appreciated," he continued.

Not only in terms of stage performances, but Iga mentioned that many merchandise and physical releases of Indonesian musicians were purchased by fans in neighboring countries.

Many orders from Indonesia were also sent to Malaysia and Singapore. "Yesterday we brought (merchandise) and finished too, if we had a concert there," he said.

However, when asked further about the possibility of Indonesian musicians expanding the influence and 'leading' the music market in the Southeast Asian region, Iga chose to focus first on domestic market conditions.

"If (Indonesia's musician) leads (the Southeast Asian music market), I can't say anything yet. The only thing that is clear is that we also have to be the host first in our own country. That was before," said the voice frontman.

At least we are prosperous in our own country, we are the hosts, we get fair treatment in terms of copyright and others. After that, if to lead (Southeast Asia), let it happen properly," he concluded.