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Plunging into the bizarre world of Kalabiru

Jakartan psychedelic band Kalabiru talks about releasing multiple albums in one year, making peace with insecurities and revisiting childhood trauma.

Anindito Ariwandono (The Jakarta Post)
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Sun, September 25, 2022

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Plunging into the bizarre world of Kalabiru Musical connections: Rafipandito Boler (left), Rizky Aditya (second left), Janu Rahadi (second right) and Gemilang Ramadhan during Kalabiru's prerecorded live session at Pawaka Valley, South Sentul, West Java. (Courtesy of Strangest Records) (Courtesy of Strangest Records/Courtesy of Strangest Records)

J

em>Jakarta psychedelic band Kalabiru talks about releasing multiple albums in one year, making peace with insecurities and revisiting childhood trauma.

On Feb. 15, Jakartan psychedelic/progressive act Kalabiru finally released its debut studio album, Robotanica, after eight years since its founding and after a handful of singles and a relatively overlooked extended play (EP).

Filled with Kraftwerk-esque retro-futuristic themes and intentionally flagrant (yet still inventive) synth-laden explorations heavily reminiscent of 1970s electronic music, Robotanica is a bizarre and fun album that has an almost childlike feel to it.

The band, however, did not stop there. Kalabiru then released another studio album, Adventure Park, on Aug. 18—just a mere six months apart from the release date of its debut.

Just like Robotanica, the band took an overarching conceptual approach in constructing the album’s narratives. Although this time, instead of talking about plant-loving robotic beings evolving into humans, Adventure Park speaks about revisiting childhood traumas.

No idle hands: Guitarist-slash-vocalist Gemilang Ramadhan usually created the band's cover artworks and visual assets before his meeting with Faiz Aditya during a rehearsal session for 'Robotanica'. Both their works are heavily influenced by English visual artist Roger Dean, famously known for his works for English progressive band Yes. (Courtesy of Strangest Records)
No idle hands: Guitarist-slash-vocalist Gemilang Ramadhan usually created the band's cover artworks and visual assets before his meeting with Faiz Aditya during a rehearsal session for 'Robotanica'. Both their works are heavily influenced by English visual artist Roger Dean, famously known for his works for English progressive band Yes. (Courtesy of Strangest Records) (Courtesy of Strangest Records/Courtesy of Strangest Records)

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