5 Influential Music Labels In Indonesia

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JAKARTA - Recording is no longer rare nowadays. Building your own home studio, releasing your own songs, then monumental works are born. To be known by many people, now there is also social media, which is not limited by time and space.

But, it can't be denied. Before the era of social media, before technology developed as it is now, releasing works globally was a big question for band members. The only way to do that was to approach one music label to another.

Jakarta is the main destination for bands to establish their existence. Then, recently, Bandung also became the place to promote their works. The stigma of a big city, which is still considered a barometer of Indonesian music, is often tantalizing for those who want to show themselves outside the cage, nationally.

For those who are lucky, this will continue to the contract signing session. Meanwhile, the unlucky ones, the demo tapes wrapped in brown envelopes will end up in the trash. That is the joy and sorrow of a struggle to find a music label.

The decisions made by a music label are never wrong. In addition to their intuition and instinct in interpreting the talents they will attract, market interests are also a big consideration. If the talent they bind with doesn't have the aura of success, why sign it? Although not all went smoothly.

However, the music label is still a magnet. They have a role in the ups and downs of the music industry. Cited from various sources, here are 5 major music labels in Indonesia, which produce quality albums.

1. Rottrevore Records

Starting from Rottrevore Magz, an extreme metal zine from Bandung that was founded in 1999, the music label Rottrevore Records was created as a forum for Indonesian metalheads.

The releases from this label are terrifying. There's Bloody Gore with Stench of Your Perversions (2001), Jasad with Witness Of Perfect Torture (2003), Siksakubur - Eye Cry (2003), Total Broken - Exploding the Cranial (2003).

Then Death Vomit - The Prophecy (2006), Eternal Madness - Century Madness (2007), Deadsquad - Horror Vision (2007), and Dead Vertical - Infecting the World (2008). Until now, Rottrevore Records still exists.

2. FFWD Records

Still from Bandung. FFWD Records was founded by Achmad Marin Ramdhani, Helvi Sjarifuddin, and Didit Aditya in 1999. This label is a local independent label that is able to sell 50 thousand albums.

Their catalog range includes Mocca - My Diary (2000), The SIGIT - Visible Idea of Perfection (2006), Polyester Embassy - Tragicomedy (2006), Teenage Death Star - Longway To Nowhere (2008), Rock and Roll Mafia - Outbox (2007) ), and Original soundtrack of Catatan Akhir Sekolah movie (2005).

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3. Aquarius Musikindo

This label produced albums from well-known musicians in the 80s to 90s era. Founded in 1969, the name Aquarius Music changed to Aquarius Musikindo in 1988.

Important releases that have appeared under the auspices of Aquarius include Imanez - Anak Pantai (1994), The Flowers - 17th Up (1996), PAS Band - In (No) Sensation (1995), Simakdialog - Baur (1999), Dewa 19 - Best Best (1995), and Dewa - Five Star (2000).

Unfortunately, the digital age forces Aquarius to close their outlets one by one. In 2013, due to losing tens of millions every month, one of their important shops in the Blok M area, known as Aquarius Mahakam, went out of business.

4. Aksara Records

The label initiated by David Tarigan and Hanin Sidhartasatu is somewhat different. Aksara not only houses independent music in the city of Jakarta but also houses other fields of art, namely movies, designs as well as fine arts, and clothing.

One of the important releases for this label is the compilation album JKT: SKRG, which was released in 2004. This album is a milestone as well as a blueprint for the birth of Aksara's next quality album.

There are Sore - Centralismo (2005), White Shoes and the Couples Company - s / t (2007), The Brandals - Brandalisme (2007), Sore - Ports of Lima (2008), The Adams - The Adams (2006), Goodnight Electric - Love and Turbo Action (2004), Original Soundtrack of Janji Joni (Joni's Promise) movie (2005). Unfortunately, this label disbanded in 2010.

5. Remaco Records

The full name of this label is Republic Manufacturing Company (Remaco), founded in the 1950s. In their golden age, they were home to bands and musicians who were famous at the time.

Roma Irama, Elvy Sukaesih, Rofiqoh Darto Wahab, Eddy Silitonga, The Mercy's, Favorites Group, D'Lloyd, Muchsin & Titiek Sandhora, Arie Koesmiran, Benyamin S, Ernie Djohan, Alfian, Enteng Tanamal, Pattie Brothers, Bob Tutupoly, Koes Plus, Bimbo, Panbers, and Ade Manuhutu are some of them.

Remaco waned in the 80s and changed its name to Musica Studio. Even so, their legacy will always be eternal.