[article] Indonesia's Dance Culture: The Society's Scapegoat?

[jana]

Indonesia's Dance Culture: The Society's Scapegoat?

Just months ago, I engaged myself in a discussion at one forum particularly designed for Indonesian clubbers networking, and there's a particular term that resounded over and over again: 'educate the crowds'. Apparently, some DJs and clubbers are a bit annoyed with how the crowds in clubs are coming to be. The current crowds seemed to have used the club and dance scene as a justification for sexual harassments, overly drug abuse, or 'pick-up' spots for illegal transactions of all sorts. Well, that's nothing new. Still, this discomfort deserves to be taken seriously as one special urban discourse.

Rave and clubbing culture in Indonesian began as underground club culture, taken place at smaller clubs in Jakarta around year 1996, followed by series of warehouse rave parties. On year 2002, Indonesian ravers marks the new era of outdoor and beach raves -- proudly having Cream, Gatecrasher, Godskitchen, and Heineken Thirst as their patrons. The local musical festives also produced yearly rave events, such as Jakarta Movement, Lost Chapter, Aquasonic, etc. Then the numbers of clubs, party organizers, DJ managements, and electronic dance music lovers increased drastically around year 2000 until this very second. Music genres -- mixed or played live -- consisted of trance, progressive, electro, house, tribal, drum n bass, new wave, and other roots subgenres with similar 'rave ambiance' -- of course with a BPM (beat per minute) limit.

For the last years, many international DJs, producers, and musicians had performed in various massive events in Indonesia, such as Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Prodigy, Sasha, Marco V, Jazzy Jeff, BT, Randy Katana, Sander Van Doorn, John Digweed, Solarstone, Junkie XL, King Unique, Christopher Lawrence, Gareth Emery, Andy Moor, and more names are keep adding up to the list. In addition, when it comes for international DJ performances, Indonesian young ravers are known as one of the most enthusiastic crowds in the world.

For ways of enjoyment, Indonesian ravers adapted the Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect rave idealism and they promote the "Support Your Local DJ" ideal as their terminology. "Support Your Local DJ" gives an underlying principle for Indonesian DJs and electronic-music musicians to improve themselves in quality, technology, skillfulness, and mentality, in order to expand and represent themselves nation and global wide.

There are major internationally known clubs in Indonesia, such as Embassy/Wonderbar (Jakarta), Stadium (Jakarta), and Double Six (Bali) which has also been rewarded as one of the best clubs in the world, according to Mix Mag. Types of venues varied from clubs, beaches, valleys, highlands, parking lots, even airplane hangar. And the best highlight of Indonesian rave scene was on Tiesto's In Search of Sunrise IV (Carnival Beach - Ancol, Jakarta), which had successfully gathered over 20.000 ravers from all over the country and Tiesto's personal astonishment for Indonesian ravers' awe-inspiring hype and energy.

Okay. For a moment there, you might assume the culture is another trend frenzy or another pop-culture product gone overrated. Nevertheless, if there is something unique about Indonesia's rave and dance culture, it is the fact that its image had created multidimensional perception in the society and the fact that it is powerless to control its own image.

Then again, trend frenzy does not go for almost ten years long.

Here's a summary of how people respond when asked on how they perceive Indonesia's – especially Jakarta's – clubbing, dance, and rave culture:

First, the culture viewed as the society's gem, an affirmation that the society has financial security for secondary and subordinate necessities. Due to the high statistics of its consumers on the non-tax paying level, most commercial marketers and retail strategists use this as a powerful market potential; advertisers also use illustrations that associates strongly to the culture. Please note that when it is said 'consumers on the non-tax paying level', that's just a economical term for: They're kids. Well, most of them.

Second perception claims that the culture is somehow a peer-pressuring device where new set of values placed upon them, not on what's right or wrong, but more of 'survival of the fittest'. In my own words, this is where they grew up and learn the hard life; their own choices lays before them, whether they want to take ecstacy or get drop-dead-drunk, or find an instant lover, or simply listen to the music, or spend money like crazy. Those choices are theirs alone and whatever they may decide, whatever consequences they take, it gradually builds their character. I personally agreed to this claim because life best learned by actually doing it, and yes, by making mistakes as well.

Lastly is the perception which I will bring up to the issue, the culture is also the society's scapegoat. The dance culture is the all-time favourite easy target for social bullying. Its mass is easily mocked as a bunch of young, cocky, hedonistic, secular brats and the girls are merely lollipop barbies. TV soap operas have use them as a bully target as well, displaying the culture as 'where the bad guys roam' and 'where bad misfortunates happens'. In short, glamour is wrong; excitement is sinful. Many market behavior analysts have theorized this as the society's own defense against 'the invisible hand': the market leaders.

In conclusion, there's a stark contradiction: one moment, they're exploited by the marketing industry as today's 'cool', successful, rebellious young market leaders; on the other hand, exploited as an easy target for the society's negativity against hedonism, display of sexuality, and financial comfort.

The irony is that by judging from those several perceptions, the recognition of Indonesia's dance culture as the country's strongest indication of musical appreciation, simply felt jaded; the intellectual being of its professionals also often left discarded.

Not many people – even the clubbers themselves – notice the advanced system of its work hierarchy; just like all corporateship, this culture too has various set of task force and duties, ethics and politics. On an intellectual point of view, the culture expected high awareness for technology: to comprehend European-engineered devices for each task (music-mixing process, visualization, lighting engineering, etc), and to level those tasks according to the international standards; in addition, the ability to have it economically beneficial for all aspects.

There's also those who have managed to create global cooperation, such as bringing international-scale competitions back home, making record deals with international label companies (e.g Romi, Altuna, Innerlight), not to mention numbers of the Indonesian DJs that have performed in other countries, such Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, and China.

Although the culture held the 'Support Your Local DJ' jargon even on global basis, efforts from Indonesia's dance crowds to promote the more positive side of the culture have been very much understated, and at its worst, underestimated by most. Ironically, this understatement also comes from the – somewhat less idealistic -- clubbers themselves.

The thing is, the culture has a very high expectancy for quantity, and its professionals are fully aware of the fact that speeches for music idealism won't make people order for two tall glasses of Long Islands or a bottle of Chivas. They know their consequences in the business; they must count the numbers as well. Knowing the fact that 'quantity' preserves and presents more, they are again detained by that doofus, stoned, and perverted demon-like image. So what can they do?

This antagonistic stigma, of course, happened for a reason and the culture's mass is quite realistic about the situation. They even admitted straight in open public: Yes, we have drug and xes abuse issues; it happened, it is happening, and we are all apart of it. Realistic, honest, and yet, submissive as well.

For years now, the rave culture faces dilemma against the society's moral and religious ideals, such as xes and drug issues. Like being placed in a seesaw, it is constantly rocking left and right in between; at required moments, the culture resents the xes and drug abuse, and at other point, it is accustomed to the fact and accepted it as a social justification, even social requirements. However, it seems like the mass itself is not allowed or empowered to worry about such issues, and the only thing they're allowed to nag about is another police raid.

Here's one picture to describe a bigger one, I asked a particular high-rated DJ if it is possible if local DJs joined hand-in-hand to promote a more positive and 'cleaner' dance culture. He replied, saying that he would've even gone solo for such project, but the problem is that he along with most DJs doesn't want to sound too hypocritical for something that isn't their problem, and for taking that risk, they don't want to loose their crowds either.

Later on, I reviewed other responds and finally concluded: these DJs concern is for the music's (and its audience) sake, and not the society's morale. Unfortunately, what seems as 'the society's morale' has put them cornered with harsh one-sided judgments. So, why bother?.

Quite logical. If I were to be its professional, I would've responded the same.

Inevitably, the culture's community grows apathic and ignorant of their stand in the larger community; the repetitive mechanism defense began to worn out like a broken tape record. For this reason as well, they have grown weak in handling their own presentation to the ever-critical public.

If there should be efforts, it is not by inducing negative reaction to the situation, such as overreacted prejudice against these young clubbers. Like it or not, they are facing a substantial crime syndicate first hand that they too cannot control nor eliminate – and to eliminate such factors would be a total reform of the country's psychological, economical and educational system. Tough luck.

So first thing first: the only best resolution is by putting forward more assertively and forcefully the facts on public that there are hard-working, creative, and highly consistent young professionals behind the scene; in which these people could very well inform and inspire their 'crowds' that life is also about taking chances, making real efforts, taking labors, and making the right choices.

These facts cannot be left unobserved.
Let the society decide, but let the culture educate.



- Taken from thelunchbox-online.com
View comments concerning this article here
Writer of this article sends her thank you to Ravelex.net for the information given in order to complete the essay.

[dirtynumbangelboy]

dalem cink HAHAHAH

[ginalfyl]

mmhhhhh... yepp

[Gober]

nicely writen, ironic but really true...
terharu juga ada juga yang peduli ama masalah ini.
semoga lebih banyak artikel lagi yang ngebahas hal ini.

good essay...

[si mbo]

If there should be efforts, it is not by inducing negative reaction to the situation, such as overreacted prejudice against these young clubbers. Like it or not, they are facing a substantial crime syndicate first hand that they too cannot control nor eliminate – and to eliminate such factors would be a total reform of the country’s psychological, economical and educational system. Tough luck.

So first thing first: the only best resolution is by putting forward more assertively and forcefully the facts on public that there are hard-working, creative, and highly consistent young professionals behind the scene; in which these people could very well inform and inspire their ‘crowds’ that life is also about taking chances, making real efforts, taking labors, and making the right choices.

These facts cannot be left unobserved.
Let the society decide, but let the culture educate.



- Taken from thelunchbox-online.com
View comments concerning this article here
Writer of this article sends her thank you to Ravelex.net for the information given in order to complete the essay.

yang nulis kayaknya mendalami sekali nih....
Siapa ya??
member RVLX juga nih...

[kc]

translate donk..

[Ricco.Sepet]

so true..
nice essay

[BuNi]

Indonesia's Dance Culture: The Society's Scapegoat?


Here's one picture to describe a bigger one, I asked a particular high-rated DJ if it is possible if local DJs joined hand-in-hand to promote a more positive and 'cleaner' dance culture. He replied, saying that he would've even gone solo for such project, but the problem is that he along with most DJs doesn't want to sound too hypocritical for something that isn't their problem, and for taking that risk, they don't want to loose their crowds either.

Later on, I reviewed other responds and finally concluded: these DJs concern is for the music's (and its audience) sake, and not the society's morale. Unfortunately, what seems as 'the society's morale' has put them cornered with harsh one-sided judgments. So, why bother?.

Quite logical. If I were to be its professional, I would've responded the same.

emang sulit ya nentuin sikap kalo udah kayak gitu..

[ranir]

 

[fartoodeep]

bravo !!

[jazzymike]

standing ovation 4 the writter!

[...Jimprut...]

translate donk..

[1945MF]

waduh ada nama gue tuh.. he he

[DOUBLE DEE]

Let the society decide, but let the culture educate.

[si mbo]

waduh ada nama gue tuh.. he he

dimananya nih?

[1945MF]

There's also those who have managed to create global cooperation, such as bringing international-scale competitions back home, making record deals with international label companies (e.g Romi, Altuna, Innerlight), not to mention numbers of the Indonesian DJs that have performed in other countries, such Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, and China.

[si mbo]

ooh iya....

skip bacanya....

hehehe....

[DimsumonDLine]

hahahahaha very good essay Icha,,,,

These facts cannot be left unobserved.
Let the society decide, but let the culture educate.

IMO, klo udh education culture nya salah, ya pd akhirannya ya serba salah juga,,, yeah, gw harap RVLX bs trus menjadi salah satu sarana edukasi sosial untuk mengembangkan dunia EDM Tanah air!!!!

[dirtynumbangelboy]

hahahahaha very good essay Icha,,,,

These facts cannot be left unobserved.
Let the society decide, but let the culture educate.

IMO, klo udh education culture nya salah, ya pd akhirannya ya serba salah juga,,, yeah, gw harap RVLX bs trus menjadi salah satu sarana edukasi sosial untuk mengembangkan dunia EDM Tanah air!!!!

mari dimulai dengan meng-educate diri kita masing2 yang masih bobrok ini

[jana]

@ Gober

yep. the culture sbnrnya udh ada kans di media... shrsnya akan selalu ada esai seperti ini,
bahkan lebih baik n lebih spesifik krn ini cuman bigger picture-nya aja..
Kompas aja udh berapa kali naro profilenya dj lokal, yg gue sempet baca sih Naro & EBDJ..
itu artinya kan aksesnya sbnrnya sedang diusahakan..
tergantung niat.

thanks for the encouragement, unkle.

@ dnab

to educate ourselves, is just the same thing as to educate the culture sih.. secara ga langsung..
one thing leads to another and the process is irreversible ..*quoting dimsum's blog.

@ fyl

itu pas di the brains ada writernya thelunchbox juga, tp gue lupa ngenalin..
lo ribet bgt gitu kyknya, akhirnya ngenalin ke darius doanq.. malah dikira laki gue gitu bo.. ngaco

@ simbo

ha??? hiehehe.. writernya double personality tuh pak.. di rvlx beda lagi personalitynya..

@ kc & jimprut

katanya sih salah satu rvlxer ada yg mo translate... tapi belon sempet kli pa gmn..
nnt diusahakan.

@ mikey

gmn? ..jadi?

@ buni

yep. imho.
klo dah nentuin sikap dalam lingkup culture itu sendiri, ya lama-lama in the larger community..
the industry needs these professionals, anyho. klo engga, sapa yg mo ngerjain?
jadi sbnrnya utk take charge ya bisa aja.. in a good sense.

@ all

jahhh.. don't bravo to the writer. nanti ge-er.
bravo to the hardworking professionals in the culture..

diusahain ada esai serupa utk kedepannya.

[jana]

There’s also those who have managed to create global cooperation, such as bringing international-scale competitions back home, making record deals with international label companies (e.g Romi, Altuna, Innerlight), not to mention numbers of the Indonesian DJs that have performed in other countries, such Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, and China.

iya semoga nama"-nya nambah terus, om romi...

[wedhus]

hahahahaha very good essay Icha,,,,

These facts cannot be left unobserved.
Let the society decide, but let the culture educate.

IMO, klo udh education culture nya salah, ya pd akhirannya ya serba salah juga,,, yeah, gw harap RVLX bs trus menjadi salah satu sarana edukasi sosial untuk mengembangkan dunia EDM Tanah air!!!!

gw setuju rvlx tetep harus eksis menjadi salah satu sarana edukasi sosial untuk mengembangkan dunia EDM Tanah air, tapi sejauh mana see peran serta kita ( pribadi masing-masing ) untuk mengedukasi masyarakat sekitar....???

[jazzymike]

@dnab: gw nga ngrasa bobrok lho,cingk... ekekekekekeke

@jana: iya... pelan2 ya.. nga buru2 kan.. hehehe

[VK]

Siap menyusul oom,hehehe..

[dirtynumbangelboy]

hahahahaha very good essay Icha,,,,

These facts cannot be left unobserved.
Let the society decide, but let the culture educate.

IMO, klo udh education culture nya salah, ya pd akhirannya ya serba salah juga,,, yeah, gw harap RVLX bs trus menjadi salah satu sarana edukasi sosial untuk mengembangkan dunia EDM Tanah air!!!!

gw setuju rvlx tetep harus eksis menjadi salah satu sarana edukasi sosial untuk mengembangkan dunia EDM Tanah air, tapi sejauh mana see peran serta kita ( pribadi masing-masing ) untuk mengedukasi masyarakat sekitar....???

emmm, more behave?
shows more attitude among people
and giving supportive act(s) to the industry maybe?

back to the early days of ravelex,
about the mindset of changing the drugs scene into dance scene i supposed

HAHAHAHAHA

peace ah nyoo