Stale Trends For Ambition

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Tring! At the end of 2019, suddenly the WhatsApp message application reads. It contained a promotional message from a friend who was handling a new band from Jakarta. The message was opened and the YouTube link contained in the message was immediately pressed. Yes, no matter how there is curiosity. But, not yet entering the 20th second, we immediately stopped the music video that was playing. Without intending to harass anything in the music video, to be honest, we frowned right away.

Apparently, there are still those who think that the measure of a band's success is being hooked on a big record label, getting on television, being hunted for autographs and being asked for photos by fans. As a result, they prostitute their idealism for the sake of 'lust' popularity alone. And strangely again, they are also oriented towards bands that announce music trends that have clearly passed their heyday. Obviously, we're not talking about rock or metal here, let alone jazz!

Actually there is nothing wrong with the choice of genre from this band. What is unfortunate is the shortcut they took in order to gain popularity. Especially from the rumors we heard, the background of the band's personnel's taste in music boils down to names such as Saint Loco, One Ok Rock, to In This Moment. Following the trend of Malay pop music that has gone out of date is certainly a ridiculous act. They forget, success is only the end of all the efforts we put in. However, we must not forget a process.

The patience of going through this process can be emulated by many Indonesian bands in the '70, '80, or '90s era. One of them, DENTAL. Armand Maulana once said that they admitted that they were not afraid of the state of the music industry, which at that time (mid-2000s) was flooded with Malay pop bands. Because according to them, the situation is just a cycle of music trends that will change in a year or two.

Evidently, everything that appeared in the name of the trend was selected one by one and disappeared somewhere. Then spread the boygroup / girlgroup virus which also appeared on behalf of trends and the market. TOOTH? They still survive amid the undermining trend of this 'seasonal' music. In fact, they still managed to produce a new album with hits and a number of spiritual song projects which immediately expanded their show area. This boy group trend also disappeared in just one and two years.

Setia Bersama Menyayangi dan Mencintai is the last album released by GIGI in May 2017. This also coincides with the outbreak of EDM (Electronic Dance Music) music trends in Indonesia. What happened to TEETH? Their stage schedule is still busy. Individually, the members are also busy with various solo projects and side projects.

We think that in terms of management, GIGI is quite neat and can maintain its products properly. Although there were split rumors because his last album was worked on without involving guitarist Dewa Budjana, who was busy recording a solo album in the United States - and then replaced by Denny Chasmala - they could cover it well. Certainly, they can be used as an example for bands that have just entered the music industry today both in terms of musicality and consistency.

Or, when talking about a solo artist, Melly Goeslaw is also a musician who deserves to be a role model. The daughter of the late singer Melky Goeslaw is the artist who best survived the situation in the music industry, which at that time was seized by the trend of Malay pop music with all her creative attitudes. He always looks different both with his works and the imaging concept that he presents. Although at that time he also admitted that he was nervous about the condition of the music industry which was taking a sharp dive.

“I can't make a song like that (Malay pop). Because it's not my soul. I will still make something according to my heart. And the fact is, the important thing is I can't see whether it's going to sell or not. But this (can) be a reference for other musicians. For an artist, it will be a satisfaction, ”he said.

Guitarist Slank, Ridho Hafiedz, also had a firm and absolute statement regarding the conditions of the Indonesian music industry at that time. He said that if a producer or record label asked him to make a commercial song, he would do it. But, compromising to make a commercial song of the same type as the trend at that time? “No way! What I know is that making good songs is from our subconscious. Of heart. Instead of joining in, "he explained.

A few days after receiving the promotional message via WhatsApp, the Facebook account homepage was littered with posts about the release of a new single belonging to a new band formed by a virtual friend. Curiosity arose again. Of course! The type of music that this band offers is the same as the band advertisement we previously received via WhatsApp. The difference is, this one band comes from the region. Oh my God, are our music trends really going back 15 years?

After one week, an online media reported the release of this single by giving the title 'dazzling'. They seem to think of this band as a perfect representation in the area where it was born, who are consciously not consciously ignoring other bands that have more actual works and musical packaging.

The band is of course proud of the cult. They are even more rocker-style than the real rockers on earth. While stroking the chest, we said to ourselves; "Hopefully in 2020 there will be no more fake like this."