Afgan Introduces Iqbal Aria as the First Artist Under the Better Days Production Flag

Iqbal Aria (doc. Better Days Production)

JAKARTA - Afgansyah Reza, better known as Afgan, has expanded his wings in the music industry by introducing his own independent record label, Better Days Production.

It didn't take long, Iqbal Aria, was appointed as the first artist introduced by Afgan to start the journey of the independent music label.

Iqbal's first step under the Better Days Production banner was marked by the release of the single titled "Home", last week.

This single is not just a typical debut work, but an artistic statement by Iqbal that combines melancholy with a touch of strings and deep guitar riffs.

As a musician who has been active in the indie scene since 2015, Iqbal brought musical maturity that made Afgan immediately fall in love when he first heard his voice at a karaoke event in 2024.

Afgan said his decision to choose Iqbal Aria as the first face of his label was based on authenticity and a voice that is rarely found.

For the 36-year-old, Iqbal has the complete package a musician needs to survive in a dynamic industry. According to him, Iqbal's voice character is very strong and has a soulful timbre.

"I am amazed to hear Iqbal's voice. His voice is strong, his timbre is soulful and I can feel his soul when he sings," said Afgan in his statement, Wednesday, February 11.

"Iqbal himself is a very humble, eager to learn, very grounded, and very authentic," continued Afgan. "In my opinion, an artist is not enough to have talent, but humility and good attitude. That's what makes their careers long."

The single "Home" was written and produced directly by Iqbal Aria. This song raises a universal theme about regret after hurting a loved one, where the figure is likened to a 'home' that is lost.

Iqbal admitted that he got a lot of inspiration from the aesthetics of music in the 1960s and 1970s that was poetic but still comfortable in the ears.

"I like simple songs, and I applied it to the song 'Home'. I want the emotion in this song to be felt from all sides," said Iqbal.

"I was inspired by some bands in the 60s and 70s whose lyrics were poetic and easy to listen to. In addition, I also like to use analogies to emphasize the essence of the lyrics I write," he added.

Before deciding to go solo, Iqbal Aria was known as the vocalist and guitarist of the heavy rock unit, MAUT, in 2019. His journey crossed various genres, from jazz to metal - giving a unique dimension to the pop music he is carrying now.

Iqbal's joining Better Days Production in March 2025 is a new chapter for him to work on his own name.

"I'm super excited and happy because I've never worked hard under my own name. I believe I can grow more and present many works for the future with Better Days Production," concluded Iqbal.

The presence of Better Days Production itself is a manifestation of Afgan's 18 years of experience in the music world. Through this label, Afgan is committed to providing mature guidance for the musicians in it, so that they have an original character and authentic vision in the Indonesian music market.