TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
RAN: A band on the run
RAN first came into the public consciousness over three months ago, when their debut album RAN for your Life was released
RAN first came into the public consciousness over three months ago, when their debut album RAN for your Life was released.
The lads draw their inspiration from artists such as Pharrell Williams, Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamiroquai and Kahitna. Unsurprisingly, their pop record is a fusion of all their favorite genres, from R 'n' B to disco, reggae and even jazz. The mood is bright and breezy; calypso sounds are littered with reggae horns and steady grooves.
RAN, formed in mid-November, 2006, is made up of Asta Andoko (guitar), Nino Baskoro (vox) and Rayi Putra (rap, vox) and is an acronym of their names. The boys met while attending Al-izhar Pondok Labu Islamic High School in Pondok Labu.
What started off as a hobby when Rayi and Asta formed a school band called FRD (Funk Rap Disco) became something more serious toward the end of high school.
Rayi said the band aimed to educate people about different types of music through their songs. "Right now, many major bands are dominated by pop-rock and it's the same s***. (We) wanna get something fresh from the sides," he explained.
The first song they wrote, called Pandangan Pertama, was noticed by Dondy Sudjono from Kusuma Esa Permata (KEP) production house, who passed their demo onto Universal Music Indonesia. RAN started work on their album seven months ago, and took two-and-a-half months to record their songs.
The boys confess they try to keep their music clean to appeal to as many people as possible, "We try not to use dirty words in lyrics. Try to keep it clean, fun, fresh, and friendly."
The majority of RAN's fan base consists mostly of elementary school kids and teenagers -- as well as their parents.
The boys have not formally studied music but Nino recently took on a singing coach. The album is a whole lot of fun; it is highly infectious with its happy-go-lucky tunes and pop beats that'll get you singing along and tapping your feet. The trio from RAN are just a bunch of 20 year olds and are clearly having fun enjoying success at such a young age.
Rayi explained that writing their songs was a collaborative process.
"All three of us have input into the lyrics; we are influenced by personal stories, imagination."
They are all currently dividing their time between their studies and promoting their new album. Rayi is studying philosophy at the University of Indonesia, Asta is taking computer science at Binus University and Nino is taking visual communication design at Pelita Harapan University.
They have been very busy courting the media circuit and performing at various functions, which seems to have paid off.
Next month, the lads have been invited to perform at the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival 2008, which will surely propel them into bigger things. In all, Ran for your Life is a charming debut album delivered by some very charming boys.
