Otakotor, a portmanteau of the words otak (brain) and kotor (dirty), may not wield the influence of older and bigger scene “players” in the region such as the Yesnowave netlabel, but at the rate it is putting on shows and releasing records, it is on its way.

Founded in 2011 by musicians Ahmad Imanuddin and Dani Sandra, Otakotor was established to be what its founders deem a “vessel” for “dirty” ideas, meaning “wild and crazy” creative thinking that the region's art and music community was bursting with.

“We set it up to be a center for discussion, where people could share ideas, especially about gigs for our bands, as well as setting up photo and amateur art exhibitions for our friends,” Ahmad said.

The collective's most active element is its record label, simply named Otakotor Records.

Buy one: A stall by Otakotor features cassettes from its bands. (Otakotor Records/-)

The label has released records by a variety of underground bands from different genres: indie rock, punk, hip hop and hardcore.

Some of its most notable releases include albums from indie rockers Redam, a collaborative record by experimentalist and rapper Joe Million and Indramenus and various one-off singles and mini albums. The label's first release was actually a record by Ahmad's own band, Banana For Silvy, in 2015.

All of these acts have made their names by playing a lot underground shows, many of them organized by Otakotor itself, alongside Y2Kbooking, a prominent Yogyakarta underground-concert organizer.

To run the label, naturally the collective needed more hands.

So, Ahmad brought in a few other friends, each focused on specific responsibilities that included public and media relations, documentation, videos, websites, sound engineering, design, merchandising and more. The operation was serious from the start.

“What makes us passionate about this label and the music that we release is that we realize we are still 'thirsty' to understand the music industry,” Ahmad said, adding that this learning process included understanding how to put on good shows and how to properly release music.

As is the case with a lot of independent bands, recording, releasing songs, touring, or even putting on single shows has its fair share of challenges – mostly financial.

Being able to lend its experience is something that Ahmad is particularly proud of when it comes to Otakotor.

“We are always excited when we're able to help arrange a tour for bands, especially in a way that suits their financial abilities and taste,” he said.

Finding inspiration and ideas on which to survive the independent, creative scene comes easy for the collective, since the members are surrounded by others like them.

Ahmad and Dani cite fellow Yogyakarta creative minds such as Kongsi Jahat (Evil Collaboration) Syndicate and Ykbooking, as well as Yesnowave and Indonetlabel Union. They also look up to international labels, specifically Teepee, Relapse, Ridingeasy and Subpop Records.

Some of those creative ideas extend to the eclectic ways some of Otakotor Records' releases are presented.

So far, their releases have come in the form of a boxed set designed as a snakes-and-ladders board game, a set that features four different languages and even sets incorporating used jeans as an album cover and a booklet designed as an Idul Fitri gift.

Handmade: A work in progress for an album boxed set. (Otakotor Records/-)

The label comes across its roster in a variety of ways, but mostly just “through hanging out”, according to Ahmad.

“We meet them at gigs, or in warung [food stalls], when they give us a demo,” he said.

Their focus so far has been bands from Yogyakarta, although they plan on expanding it to different Indonesian cities.

“We have no demands toward the bands,” he said, adding that creative freedom is something he knows is important to these musicians.

“It's not like we're promising them massive popularity, even though we're not anti-popularity. It's about how their character is reflected in the work. We are more of a vessel in which the individuals can expand their potential.”

Most of all, Ahmad and Dani want to leave a legacy and some memorable stories with the bands and people they work with.

“We want to create memories in physical release forms and a lot of memories of having a good time – for the bands and the friends who have supported us.” (hdt)