The future of Indonesian music is in the gamelan. But where is the gamelan?
Since my first album, so many people have asked me why I did not use the gamelan in 'Titi Kolo Mongso'. And the big question from each potential sponsor here is 'where is the gamelan for ethnic music?'. I am tired of answering that my software of gamelan, the spirit of gamelan, will be there without needing the physic of gamelan.
I was born in gamelan. Gamelan is a unity in my blood, so I don't need to show off bringing the gamelan physically to the modern orchestra. Everything that I touch, whether it is the saxophone, violin etc, will always consist of the gamelan spirit, even my vocals when I sing music from abroad.
I said I differ to… those Indonesian musicians who learnt from the foundation of Western music… and so they need the gamelan physically when making 'ethnic' music.
