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NGO helps buskers leave streets for malls, studios
Sinyo started busking at the age of 7, singing on Jakarta city buses, striking a tambourine against his hip
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Sinyo started busking at the age of 7, singing on Jakarta city buses, striking a tambourine against his hip.
He fondly remembers he did it for the very first time with the sole intention of collecting money to buy a dove. Life surprised him — he made it in a single day, sooner than he had expected.
It was a success that set the course of his life. From then on, he has called busking his profession to financially support not only himself but also his relatives. The little Sinyo, whose real name is Suryadi, was then his family’s breadwinner.
His tenacity was first put to the test when his parents divorced when he was still in junior high school. A few years later, amid family financial turmoil, his mother got married and had another son. To help out his mother and to pump up his own spirit, Sinyo vowed to work even harder to get his brothers to high school so they could find decent jobs.
“Not only that, I also funded my youngest brother’s marriage,” the 30-year-old said proudly.
Sinyo is one of many street singers that residents can bump into in public places like roadside food stalls, restaurants, bus stations and certain recreational spots.
Few know that busking in Greater Jakarta is in violation of a 2007 bylaw on public order, which carries a sentence of between 10 and 60 days in jail and/or a fine of between Rp 1 million (US$71) and Rp 20 million.
Like many other fellow buskers, he has been rounded up several times but eventually released by officers.
He took a turn for the better in 2017 after he joined the Depok-based Street Music Institute (IMJ), a nonprofit organization helping street musicians. From then on, he has performed five days a week in shopping malls, restaurants and hotels in Greater Jakarta.
Founded by veteran street singer Andi Malewa, the institute aims to lift talented street singers like Sinyo to the next level. Eighty buskers, including some with disabilities, have been regularly performing in those establishments.
To qualify for an IMJ membership, a street busker must be able to play multiple musical instruments and sing well, as well as stay away from illegal drugs and alcohol.
Andi also fights for buskers’ rights. He has met numerous key government officials, including President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, trying to convince them that singing in the street for money should not be criminalized.
On Sunday, Sinyo’s newly formed music band, Sindikat, performed in front of about 200 people for two hours at an event held in the Smesco Convention Hall in South Jakarta.
Fans who liked their Indonesian pop songs gave them tips through a QR code on banner stands, marking the singers’ transition from collecting small change to getting paid with e-money.
The QR code was provided by e-wallet Go-Pay, which has become a new partner of IMJ. Go-Pay has equipped 80 street performers affiliated with the IMJ across Jakarta with e-wallet accounts.
In 2017, the Education and Culture Ministry lobbied owners of malls, cafes, restaurants and hotels in Greater Jakarta to provide space for IMJ members to perform inside their establishments.
The IMJ has been in partnership with such major shopping centers as Plaza Semanggi, Pejaten Village, Depok Town Square and Tamini Square.
“Each musician in a group busking in malls now earns up to Rp 500,000 per day. Those on the streets can make some Rp 100,000. Another benefit is that IMJ members are covered by BPJS Kesehatan [health insurance provided by the Health Care and Social Security Agency],” Andi said.
IMJ members learn from professional musicians. Recent seminars featured singer Glen Fredly, guitarist Ridho “Slank” and drummer Gilang Ramadhan.
As a solo singer, Sinyo has performed in shows in Jakarta and other cities in East Kalimantan and Central Java along with other popular musicians.
“I couldn’t believe that as a busker I could have those moments,” said the man who will soon launch his debut solo album. That will follow two compilation albums that the IMJ has produced, Kalahkan Hari Ini (Beat the Day) in 2014 and Cerah (A Fine Day) in 2016. (das)
