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.
Antrabez bringing songs of freedom from inside prison
Change Size
Making tunes: Members of Antrabez are seen in a recording session for their new album at Antida Music Studio in Denpasar, Bali. (JP/Ni Komang Erviani)
From within the walls of the Kerobokan prison in Bali, a number of inmates find salvation, redemption and freedom by making music.
Rifa was on his way home, after rehearsal with his band, to change his clothes before a live performance in Canggu.
Before he got home, he stopped in a lane and reached for a small plastic packet hidden in a flowerpot. Within seconds, five police officers arrested him.
“I thought it was the end of my life and my music career,” Rifa, 29, said.
Police found a gram of methamphetamine, popularly known as sabu-sabu, in the packet.
“I bought it from a friend. I paid for it and he told me where to take it. I was thinking of using it before our performance in Canggu,” Rifa said.
The incident three years ago landed him in Kerobokan, the most notorious prison in Bali. Rifa was sentenced to five years for drug possession.
Sharing a room with hundreds of people in the overcrowded prison was something that he had to face once he arrived in Kerobokan. Along with that, he also buried his dream of becoming a music star.
“That was the end I thought,” Rifa said.
Fortunately, in Kerobokan, his life did not turn out as bad as he initially thought.
Inside the prison, he met seven friends who were also passionate about music and in 2016 they formed a band called Antrabez.
The band was initiated and led by guitarist Octav who is currently serving four years for drug offenses. He had a brilliant music career in Bali before his arrest.
Alongside Octav is Rifa who also plays the guitar. The other band members consist of three vocalists, Febri, Tantri and Sila, with Ronald on keyboards, Daus on drums and Micky on bass.
Tantri and Sila left the band after completing their sentences, while three other members — Febri, Daus and Micky — have decided to remain a part of Antrabez following their release from prison.
Antrabez has proven to be a serious band following the release of their debut album called Saatnya Berubah (Time to Change) in 2016.
All six songs were recorded, mixed and mastered by the Antida Music Studio in Denpasar, which is about 40 minutes from the prison.
The band received a special permit from the prison to record the album.
Antrabez was lucky enough to receive the full support of the then-prison warden, S. Prihantara, to create their album.
Prihantara, who was also the executive producer of the band’s first album, did not only give permission for Antrabez to record in Sanur, he also donated a set of musical instruments to them.
In addition, with Prihantara’s permission, Antrabez managed to perform at venues across Bali, such as the Denpasar Film Festival and the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.
Following the release of their first album, they were inundated with support. Filmmaker Erick EST helped them to film their first video clip for a single called “Syukuri Ujianmu” (Embrace your Trials), while musician and designer Igo Blado provided the band with their first album cover.
Antida Music’s production director, Anom Darsana, assisted the band further by organizing their first concert inside the prison in October 2016. The concert also featured well-known bands such as Navicula and Superman is Dead (SID).
Anom, who is currently producing Antrabez’s second album, said he was initially doubtful about supporting the band’s first album.
“Octav called me and said he wanted to make an album. I was thinking at that time how can you record an album while you are inside the prison?” said Anom who has known Octav for years.
However, Octav told him that they had received permission to leave the prison for recording sessions.
“And they amazed me. They are a group of inmates who are extremely talented,” Anom said.
Following the success of the first album, he is now more than eager to help them record their second album, which is set to be released in March.
“For me, Antrabez has showed the power of music, which can set anyone free,” Anom said.
At least 10 songs have been prepared for the second album. They are “Indonesia,” “Secret of Life,” “No More Fear Livin’ Two Life Forever,” “Friday Night,” “Rhythm of Love,” “Alive,” “Stop the War,” “Wild Roses,” “Beneath of Lies” and “Alam Bernyanyi” (Nature Sings). Eight out of the 10 songs on the second album are in English. The recording process started in early December.
Octav said forming a band inside prison and producing two full albums were something that he never expected before he was sentenced.
“I am glad that the prison authorities gave us the support we needed,” he added.
The current warden, Tonny Nainggolan who also supports Antrabez, said Octav and his band mates were evidence of the prison’s policy to facilitate inmates who wanted to showcase their skills.
“We want to show people that inmates can create many good things,” Tonny added.
He said the special permit given to Antrabez to leave the prison had motivated other prisoners.
Having talent is not the only requirement that Antrabez needs — they must also be free of drugs.
“That’s the most important thing we agreed on since the first day we created this band,” Octav said.
“In the past, I thought that we could not perform good music without drugs. Apparently this is not true. Now we can perform our best without taking any drugs,” he added.
