Doomed Confessionary: Surya & Putra (Balau)
Balau is an instrumental stoner/sludge/doom band hailing from Semarang, Indonesia.
Formed on Sabtu Pahing, 23 Sapar 1952 (Saturday, November 3, 2018), Balau consists of Suryanegara Hanata Kusuma on guitar and Putra Fuadillah on drums.
Their first album »Bhairawa Tantra« (2021) was inspired by the story of the past in Java, which was conveyed by Gus Muwafiq in his lecture. Bhairawa Tantra was a very powerful sect in its time. It is said that in the past many people, even ulama or kiai, tried to enter the land of Java from 700-1300 but failed because they were eaten or used as sacrifices. In addition, the land of Java was famous for the magic of its people at that time and the land of Java was also famous for its awesomeness because it was inhabited by various kinds of spirits.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Balau is ancient rock/stoner/sludge/doom duo from Semarang, Indonesia. Armed with little insight about Javanese civilization in the past, we try to interpret this in the format of our instrumental music.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Surya: Make songs with a dark Javanese ambience without vocal and guitar solo.
Putra: I think is how to translate the atmosphere, the story about Javanese civilization in the past into the songs. Especially in rock/stoner/sludge/doom without lyrics.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Surya: I’m so proud still survive until now. Haha!
Putra: Yeah i agree with him haha! But im very proud with our latest music video, »Pancamakara«. We collaborate with Mentari Isnaini and Dany Dwia. The process is very fun and unique.
What was your biggest regret?
Surya: We have no regrets. Failed or mistakes is only part of the process.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Putra: One of the best concert is at Ngingu Githok 2 in Rembang, Central Java. The atmosphere and energy so amazing. We performed under tree which is considered sacred in that village.
Surya: And absolutely our tour its called “Seems Morrones” with our friends Evenless and Ahool is very fun.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Surya: I can easily find our band on Google. You write Balaumusik on Google you will see our face haha!
Putra: Balau included in Weedian’s compilation »Trip To Indonesia«.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Kamhn, Om, Sleep, Obscure Sphinx, Bongripper. And we all love an Indonesian band like Octopuz, Ahool, Evenless, Klandestin, Temaram, Matiasu and etc.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Surya: You have to be fun with what you have. Even when your voice is disgusting to hear. Please create something.
Putra: Consistent.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Surya + Putra: Alcohol, weed.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Semarang / Java?
Putra: Semarang (Central Java) had quite a lot of rock/stoner/doom/sludge band lately this year. And in the last three years we and the other band who based in Semarang have organized a collective annual event called “Rock Camp”. The lineup is mostly a rock/stoner/doom/sludge band from Semarang or the other cities.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Surya: There is no schedule yet. Maybe because we are more focused on working on the next album and workin the full time job all day like you say hahaha!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Putra: Working the next album, releasing it, tour and we want to make something big for our band after releasing the next album.
How can people best support your band?
Surya + Putra: Buy our physical or digital release, buy merch, listen us on digital platform, support us on media social and come to our concert. We really appreciate that.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Surya + Putra: Thank you for everything who listen to our music, thank you for your support. We hope we can meet in the near future.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well