Three years have passed since the release of “Delta Indonesia”, the debut album from Adrian Adioetomo, but the blues craze have only just begun. Under the label-namesake MySeeds records, Adrian released his album back in 2007. This album marked a statement of individuality among the Indonesian music scene, which seemed to have been divided by two; The Industry, and the Independent.
Based on the delta-blues of the 1930’s, Delta Indonesia rogued away from any genres that have previously settled in Indonesia. ‘Delta’ is in no way a mainstream album, but neither it is a typical “indie” release of post-alternative music. This album is filled with delta-grit, lonesome singing, tricky slide-guitar playing, and downright gut-felt lyrics. The decidedly ‘vintage’ production aims more towards a stature of replica than to declare anything ‘retro’. Elected as one of the best albums to come out in 2007 by Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine, Delta Indonesia presented the wide audience with an intervention between the 1930 Mississippi and pre-independent Indonesia.
Recently, the blues-craze is sweeping the nation. It’s a trend built up from the accumulation of collective-interests in a genre not popular among the pop-culture industry. But curiosity lead the way to a brand new search of a century-old music, and Adrian has managed to present prime sampler in his first album late 2007. His performances are also a testament of this pioneering effort. Without a doubt, the blues craze has been a blessing in disguise for Adrian. Many now seek to watch his performance wanting to know what the blues would be like onstage without questioning the kind of music he’s playing.
Hype aside, Adrian will always try to present the music as he only knows how. And that is to channel the blues in its spirit and its most pure essence. Not just to rely on the staple rhythm and scales per-se, but also to express the feeling and inspiration in new and more explorative way. One can hope to see that coming, hopefully in his second album to be released during the dry season of 2010 (around March).
CONTACT ADRIAN:
adioetomo73@yahoo.co.id
Tagor Siagian : +62 816 806 522
