So I was blessed enough to receive a spontaneous call a week beforehand, asking if I was willing to perform at some vague De Major Record Label gathering all the way in Jakarta, Indonesia. Very casual. Of course it was such late notice but I could not say no to a city and country I’ve never set foot on and was curious about. The gig was forecasted for Friday 20th of December but I had a gig in the Gold Coast on the 18th and Brisbane on the 22nd – meaning I had 3 days to go to and fro Australia & Indonesia. Being a crazy cat, I took it.
After my Wednesday performance had wrapped up around 8, I vamoosed from the Gold Coast to Brisbane airport to catch the 11:30pm flight. I had to transit through Singapore at an early 6am then found myself in Jakarta at 9am their time. It was a 12 hour journey. I hate the sea legs after plane rides.
I had a police escort from my terminal all the way through to ease with the lines. I didn’t need one obviously, but I didn’t get scanned, processed or go through immigration – they figured I was VIP, what were they thinking? I had a bag collector, which I wasn’t comfortable with, but they assured me it is fine and that in Indonesia there’s a little job for everyone. I guess I wasn’t used to having people do everything for me. I was hustled onto this pimp van with electronic doors and recliner chairs and then – two policemen on motorbikes pushed forward in front of the van and lead us home, allowing us to cut traffic and move people out of the way!
They let me freshen up at a hotel room I wasn’t staying at, but I opened my suitcase to find that my laptop was stolen. Let’s not dwell on this moment, I was very shocked and upset – the locks hadn’t been meddled with meaning it could only be security with their TSA access. I showered, ate then left to go to Puncak, a somewhat jungle village town famous for 3 day hooker weddings and their open safari.
People really aren’t joking when they warn about Jakarta’s traffic. It is shocking at all times of the day. Lucky we had the Motor Brigades to make it all a bit faster – suddenly all these extra luxuries seem to be essential. Here’s a buffalo we were stuck behind for a solid 20 minutes. Feeding the zebras were my utmost best experience but seeing such a close up of a hippo and her dentist work was pretty cool too.
This is the village I stayed at with a view – I was catered well. And they had ridiculous opulence like ladies coming in everyday to hand pick the grass – WHAT! After a personal chef made a gorgeous meal, the caretaker bought some fireworks for our enjoyment. Do you remember the liberal times where fireworks could be launched a few feet away in your own backyard? It was nostalgic.
It was nice to just enjoy a bit of me time, I didn’t know that this is what I signed up for.
Drinks came out at night and the policemen loosened up and joined us. I traded a song for a ride on his bike, which probably wasn’t the best idea. Though he requested an Indonesian song for his girlfriend, and I’m not Indonesian so I did my worst best.
My two gallant escorts for Jakarta, and me being a tough nut.
Seemed all like one big long day due to my overnight flight, but we headed back to Jakarta, of course with the policemen pushing the traffic out of the way, I checked into a GORGEOUS hotel – I’ve never stayed at a 5 star before. I had a suite overlooking Jakarta central city, with an eggshell stone tub right at the window. The jungle didn’t have a shower so I freshened up, ordered some room service and got ready for gig.
Sound check done and thinking about my set list…
Cafe Mondo was underground in the funky part of town, Kemang. Behind me was a food cart vendor turned vinyl DJ turntable set up and the walls were decorated in retro posters and LPs. It was completely dark and smoky but that made it all the more cozy for me to relax and share my stories.
I love playing in Asia. The hardest thing about playing in Asia is unventilated rooms with 50 smokers billowing it in your face though haha. I wonder how Frank Sinatra used to do it while performing back in the 1940’s.
De Major Record Label and Cafe Mondo owner for after gig beers…
On my last day in Jakarta, I went to Jalang Surabaya, an antique flea market. I spent about an hour with this man, a vinyl collector and seller, going through his racks and listening to them. He would go get me fresh OJs as we sat listening to Armstrong, Lennon or Presley etc. We then got talking about all the people that stroll through his store and he showed me a photo of him and Katy Perry on his phone and autographs from many like Sigur Ros.
Just pretending to be a hassling market owner
They were very strict about having at least one policeman with me at all times, so Mr. H and I wandered the markets. He decided he wanted to find something nice for his girlfriend and we stopped here for ages as he polished a statue with a toothbrush, haggling the price and rubbing into its true metallic colours. I asked him what his girlfriend would want with a Chinese lord with a Buddha-like belly figure and he said, “Oh no it is for me.”
“What happened to getting something for your girlfriend?”
“Ahhh.. I gave her my heart already.”
Hahaha he just made me laugh all the time with his poor yet hilarious English. Everywhere we went, he settled in with the fellows and made friends – sitting in their chairs, smoking their cigarettes, laughing as if they’d known each other forever. Apparently not though. It seems people in Indonesia are just very friendly.
3 days was quickly over and I had to be back home in Brisbane, just in time for my night gig at Brisbane Arts Theatre. It was rushed but exhilarating, and I am always one for experiences. Hope to see Indonesia again soon!
Merry Christmas
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