Image credits: Faisal Framn
Bandung’s Syarikat Idola Remaja (SIR) has released their debut mini-album SAMARA on Saturday (09/04). There are 6 songs on the tracklist, each of them telling stories centered around spices. Prior to the EP, a single βKota Yang Mahsyurβ was released in March.
There is a backstory on why SIR decided to make songs about spices in SAMARA, how some of their personnel had participated in the Nusantara Rempah Rempah songwriting competition held by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2021, right when SIR decided to take a break from the recording process.
“While in the middle of the recording break, some of the members of Syarikat Idola Remaja took part in the Nusantara Rempah Rempah Songwriting Competition held by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Each member wrote a song about spices. Incidentally, we sent four songs and the one that won was by Jon Kastella (vocals, guitar) and Fariz ‘Aceng’ Alwan (flute)”, said Dwi Yuddhaswara (bass, vocals).
After the competition, SIR returned to explore the history of spices and finally decided to compose the stories contained in the six numbers, ranging from stories about colonialism, conflict, romanticism, nostalgia, and cultural acculturation.
“The topic about spices is so interesting and sexy to bring up because it doesn’t only talk about cuisine, but also touches on the history of Indonesia itself, the emergence of the Europeans to the land, and their colonial history,” continued Yuddha.
SAMARA, the debut EP of Syarikat Idola Remaja is now available for streaming on various streaming platforms.
