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span class="caption" style="width: 398px;">Antara/Diah KWSome may say the band is just the new kids on the block. But today’s generation can trust Kotak as it works to keep the Indonesian music scene rocking.

Please meet Kotak, a 3-piece rock band from Jakarta. Let’s add a little more to that introduction and call the trio some of the hardest-working people in the local music scene. A bold man with his trademark sunglasses accompanied by two beautiful ladies on either arm are the ingredients of this rock band.

The not-too-short story of Kotak began when a teen magazine held a talent contest that drew a lot of talented bands. Kotak was one of the contestants and walked away with a recording contract and a record release.

However, running a band is just like getting married — it needs time to adjust to your new roommate and to deal with every obstacle together.

Kotak didn’t survive the early days of the process. One by one, band members beat an exit, leaving those left behind eager to find a way to build the band’s career.

“It’s been a long road so far, especially for me, as the only original member left in the squad,” says Mario “Cella” Marcela, the bold man with guitar in the band.

“We’ve been walking together as a family, that’s why we survive.”

Two beautiful ladies complete the band, replacing others who dropped out.

“I was quite ambitious when I saw Kotak with our previous vocalist. I never imagined putting on a show in front of people who could barely sing along with our songs. After the second album was released, I feel that we’re proud enough to have our fans sing along with our songs during a show,” Tantrisyalindri Ichlasari or Tantri, the band’s current front woman and leading attraction, said.

The coolest member of the band, Swasti “Chua” Sabdastantri on bass, has a different view of Kotak’s rise to fame.

“I was a daydreamer back in those days, imagining playing music in front of a thousand people and having my face printed on billboards on the street.”

Of course, Chua now plays for thousands and has her face emblazoned on posters in a hundred cities in Indonesia.

To date, the band has released two albums — a formidable arsenal for delivering good shows to fans across the country. They’re currently preparing for their next album.

“We’re preparing the album now,” says Chua.

Cella adds, “But we’re still only in the compilation process. We still need to promote our new single.”

If you look around, it’s not hard to find out where Kotak playing. Their schedule is full. The band is busy on and off the stage.

“The band is like my second home. The intensity of living between [Cella and Chua] is now even bigger than what I have with my own family,” says Tantri.

“The best part is when you find yourself in the middle of a big family, together with the fans, or you find yourself on the way to a small city to entertain your fans.”

“Tantri and Cella are just like my sister and brother, and our road crew is just like cousins. Being in this band is pretty fun; you get to visit places you never visited before – and, of course, get paid,” Chua says.

The family concept seems to play a primary role in their life. On the other hand, their fans, who you can easily spot all around the country, are for sure, the apples of the band’s eyes.

“I think we have some of the most loyal fans now. That’s why we’re trying our best to host meet-and-greet sessions if we visit a particular city,” Chua says.

“One of our fans even has my name on a tattoo. That’s crazy,” Cella adds.

Tantri thinks that meet-and-greet sessions have always been positive for keeping her in shape. “Being around them personally is just like an energy exchange process. It’s nice to have them around.”

The warmth of their relationships has proven to be one of the essential recipes for keeping the band full of good, positive vibes.

“We want to keep what we have in our hands now. We want to see our future as Kotak, with our flag raised high. Our fans contribute energy to this mutual circle,” Tantri says.

“I want this band to stay alive forever,” Cella adds.

Its trail is not that long but it will surely get longer as time goes by. The band is now promoting their latest single “Apa Bisa” from the original soundtrack of Tendangan dari Langit (A Kick from the Sky). They are permanent residents on the front line of the Indonesian music scene.

The band, or the family, has it all - catchy tunes, wonderful stage performances and brilliant members. Kotak, with all their hard work, is surely the bright future of Indonesian rock.