Kunto Aji To Sukatani Join The CLIMATE Workshop In Bali

Indonesian Musicians involved in IKLIM (Instagram @musicdeclares_indonesia)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Climate Communications, Arts & Music Lab (IKLIM), a collective movement of musicians and artists who care about the issue of the climate crisis, is back by presenting new names, including Kunto Aji, Reality Club, Teddy Adhitya, to Sukatani.

They gathered in Ubud, Bali, to take part in a series of workshops to explore various issues about the climate crisis and its relation to music, creativity, and personal reflection.

In a series of workshops held for five days, musicians discussed the root causes of the climate crisis, the role of art and culture in encouraging action. They also formulate collaborative steps to encourage real change.

Kunto Aji, who this year was involved in the workshop, said that his participation could not be separated from some of the concerns he experienced, not only as a musician, but also humans who live side by side with nature.

I live in South Tangerang, and every day I have to face poor air quality. I have two small children and I want them to grow in decent air, better than they did today," Kunto said in a press release to VOI, Monday, June 30.

"Air is free, but why can't we enjoy it well? We know the causes and solutions, but there is no real action. That's where I feel the need to ask 'As a musician' what can I do?' added Kunto.

In the midst of an increasingly complex climate crisis, music and art play an important role in building awareness and encouraging public action. Accompanied by experts from various climate organizations, musicians learn together about environmental issues, covering energy issues, forests, seas, and the living space of indigenous communities.

"From various presentations and discussions during the workshop, I understand that the climate crisis not only has an impact on the environment or ecosystem, but also on our human, culture and social structure," said Cipoy, Sukatani guitarist.

"As musicians who live and work in social and cultural spaces, we are also affected. Therefore, it is important for us to take part in responding to this issue, because in the end, climate change also affects us directly, both as individuals and as artists."

As a form of commitment to sustainability, this activity is closed with tree planting in Gianyar, Bali. This initiative is a collective step for musicians to offset the carbon emissions footprint resulting from trips and a series of activities over the whole week.

For Faiz, vocalist and guitarist for Reality Club, this experience during this workshop not only inspires works, but also triggers deep personal reflection.

After getting a lot of hard truth during the workshop, I feel compelled to start changing things in my life slowly but consistently. I also want to share this awareness with the people around me, such as fans, friends, and family, because it is important to remind each other about our role in protecting the environment," said Faiz.

After the workshop ends, musicians will translate their experiences and reflections during the workshop into new musical works. These songs will be compiled in a compilation album planned for release at the end of 2025 as part of the No Music On A Dead Planet campaign or No Music on the Dead Planet initiated by Music Declaration Emergency.

In addition to the musicians mentioned above, the workshop organized by IKLIM also unites musicians from various regions and across genres in Indonesia, including Ave The Artist, The Sound of Luang Time, Chicco Jerikho, Egi Virgiawan, The Panel of Lidah Berduri, Manja, Peach, Scaller, The Brandals, The Melting Minds, and Usman and The Black Stones.

The IKLIM movement itself has been running since 2023 and has involved 43 musicians, both soloists and groups. A number of musicians who were previously involved in the sonic/panic album and the IKLIM movement in 2023 and 2024 have again contributed this year, as facilitators in various sessions and shared their personal experiences while engaging in IKLIM, such as Cholil Mahmud from the Greenhouse Effect, Iga Massardi, Endah Widiastuti from Endah N Rhesa, Petra Sihombing, Tuantigabela, Stephanus Adjie from Down For Life, Farid Stevy from FSTVLST, and Nova Ruth, as well as Gede Robi from Navicula who is also the co-founder of the CLIM movement.