PUBLISHED August 14th, 2024 10:00 am | UPDATED August 22nd, 2024 12:46 pm
Fresh off his alluring performance at Suara Festival, City Nomads caught up with Batik Boy, the genre-blending DJ who’s been making waves in the music scene. With roots in Indonesia and formative years spent in the Netherlands, Batik Boy has crafted a unique sound that fuses Afrobeat, Amapiano, 3step, Baile Funk, and Latin Rhythm. His journey from the vibrant streets of Bali to the diverse music culture of Europe, and back to his homeland, has shaped his musical identity in profound ways. In this conversation, he shares insights into his creative process, the birth of Batik Boy Radio, and his future aspirations.
Give Batik Boy’s mix a listen as you read along!
A Glimpse into Suara Festival
The Suara Festival, held from 26-28 July 2024, is Bali’s premier multi-sensory event, and this year it took place in the stunning, newly unveiled Nuanu City. Spanning 44 hectares of lush jungle, rivers, and breathtaking ocean views, Nuanu City is a visionary creative hub. The festival featured sustainable architecture, modern amenities, and larger-than-life art installations, making it a truly immersive experience. Suara, meaning ‘voice’ in Indonesian, blends international talent, local culture, and the natural beauty of Bali, offering attendees more than just music. Workshops, market stalls, and culinary delights were also part of the mix, all set within an eco-conscious and state-of-the-art environment.
A Musical Odyssey
Batik Boy’s journey from Indonesia to the Netherlands and back is a tale of cultural immersion and musical evolution. Moving to the Netherlands at 10 years old, he faced the challenge of adjusting to a new language and culture. Fortunately, a diverse school environment and supportive friends helped him adapt. “Holland became my second home, even though I knew I would move back eventually,” he shares. Nine years ago, he returned to Indonesia, bringing with him a wealth of musical influences from his time in Europe.
Growing up, Batik Boy was surrounded by the sounds of Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, and traditional Indonesian music. His time in the Netherlands expanded his musical horizons further. “In Holland, I was introduced to James Brown, Fela Kuti, but also Dutch hip hop artists like Opgezwolle,” he says, highlighting the blend of genres that would later define his own style.
Crafting a Unique Sound
Batik Boy’s music is a vibrant mix of Afrobeat, Amapiano, 3step, Baile Funk, and Latin Rhythm. His approach to creating this diverse sound is rooted in intuition. The challenge of mixing genres is one he embraces, even when it requires experimentation and adaptability.
“From gut feeling. I literally feel when something hits different, a feeling of inspiration and curiosity. What happens when I blend this new sound? Can I make it flow and turn it into a story, take you on a journey through sound.”
Batik Boy Radio was born during the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by a desire to stay connected with music. “I launched Batik Boy Radio during Covid, so actually to stay busy and stay focused on music,” he says. The platform has since become a space for sharing and discovering new music, with Batik Boy constantly on the lookout for fresh sounds.
“I’m searching and finding new music every day from anywhere and everywhere. From browsing Bandcamp to Soundcloud, music sent by producers, or diving deep into music from different cultures and understanding why and how they made this music. So sometimes its not only about the sound, but also the cultural idea behind the music that makes it super interesting.”
Suara Festival: A Vibe to Remember
Looking back on his performance at Suara Festival, Batik Boy fondly remembers opening for Disko Afrika. “I was the opening DJ for Disko Afrika which I always love, because you can introduce and start the journey,” he says. Among the tracks he was excited to share were “A Train To Soweto” by Vusinator and “East and South 2.0” by Kelvin Momo. The audience’s energy was palpable, underscoring the festival’s role in fostering a sense of community through music. “I think the Disko Afrika showcase at Suara Festival showed how you can bring a community together through sound,” he notes.
Looking Ahead: Advice and Aspirations
Batik Boy’s future is full of exciting projects, including the Kitchen Series, an intimate showcase that combines music and culinary arts. “Both music and food have so many layers, with DJs cooking with sound, and a chef cooking food for everyone to enjoy,” he explains. He also plans to expand his international presence with upcoming performances in Paris, The Hague, and Australia. For aspiring DJs and music producers, Batik Boy offers this advice:
“Follow your feeling, and not the hype or what anybody expects you to play. Your feeling signals what music to follow, nothing else.”
Keep up with Batik Boy here.
All images courtesy of Batik Boy.