Senyawa

Embodying the aural elements of traditional Indonesian music whilst exploring the framework of experimental music practice, Senyawa push the boundaries of both traditions. Their music strikes a perfect balance between their experimental influences and cultural heritage to create new contemporary Indonesian music.

Rully Shabara’s deft extended vocal techniques punctuate the frenetic sounds of instrument builder, Wukir Suryadi’s modern-primitive instrumentation. With inventions like his handcrafted ‘Bamboo Spear’ – a thick stem of bamboo strung up with percussive strips of animal skin alongside steel strings - they fuse traditional Indonesian instrumentation with sounds like electric guitar distortion, electronic drone and even elements of thrash metal.

Produced by the Barbican in association with I-D.A