Voice of Baceprot

Voice of Baceprot
Voice of Baceprot performing in 2022
Background information
OriginGarut, Indonesia
Genres
Years active2014 (2014)–present
Members
  • Firda Marsya Kurnia
  • Euis Siti Aisyah
  • Widi Rahmawati
Websitevoiceofbaceprot.com

Voice of Baceprot (Sundanese pronunciation: [ba.t͡ʃə.prot]; bah-che-prot, lit. 'loudness/noise')—often abbreviated as VOB—are an Indonesian all-female rock trio formed in Garut, West Java, in 2014.[1][2][3] The group consists of Firda Marsya Kurnia (vocals and guitar), Widi Rahmawati (bass), and Euis Siti Aisyah (drums).[4] They sing in English as well as Sundanese. The word baceprot means "noisy" in Sundanese. It is meant to represent the band's musical style.

History

Formation

VOB formed in the West Javan town of Singajaya, Garut, in 2014, after the members, who were school friends, were introduced to heavy metal by their counselor, who saw music as an outlet for their proactive, rebellious nature, which had gotten them in trouble with teachers.[5] They generated numerous views on YouTube with a cover of a Rage Against the Machine song in 2015. The trio continued to produce videos of cover songs by artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and Slipknot.[6][7] The band presented a seemingly contradictory image, with their heavy style of playing, in contrast to their modest Islamic attire, including the hijab, worn by all three members.[8] This has caused them to receive criticism from some conservative Muslims in their hometown of Garut.[1][9] They have also received support, however, from various quarters.[9][10]

All three women had been learning to play musical instruments at school and were encouraged by their theatre coach to sign up for band competitions. Their coach went on to become their manager as well as lyricist.[11][12]

First single and recognition

In 2018, VOB signed a deal with Jakarta-based booking agency Amity Asia.[citation needed] Not long after, they released their debut single, "School Revolution". The single gained the band significant traction, and they received a number of invitations to perform at international music festivals.[13]

When American rock band Guns N' Roses played at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta in November 2018, guitarist Slash invited the trio to meet him backstage.[14]

They received further endorsements on social media from Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, as well as Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid.[15][16]

Second single and live EP

In early 2021, VOB returned to the studio to work on "God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music", a response to the conservative criticism they faced.[5] It was their first original single in three years. The song was released on 17 August 2021, preceded by an EP of five live tracks, titled The Other Side of Metalism (Live Session).

US tour and debut album

In June 2023, the band announced an 11-stop US tour, beginning in August of that year.[17] They also announced the upcoming release of their debut album, entitled Retas, on 13 July 2023, via 12Wired. The band issued the first single from the album, "What's the Holy (Nobel) Today?", on 15 June.[18]

In June 2024, VOB became the first-ever Indonesian musical act to play at the Glastonbury Festival.[19]

Band members

  • Firda Marsya Kurnia – vocals, guitar
  • Euis Siti Aisyah – drums
  • Widi Rahmawati – bass
  • Drummer Euis Siti Aisyah
    Drummer Euis Siti Aisyah
  • Vocalist/guitarist Firda Marsya Kurnia
    Vocalist/guitarist Firda Marsya Kurnia
  • Bass guitarist Widi Rahmawati
    Bass guitarist Widi Rahmawati

Discography

Albums

  • Retas (2023)

EPs

  • The Other Side of Metalism (Live Session) (2021)

Singles

  • "School Revolution" (2018)
  • "God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music" (2021)
  • "[NOT] Public Property" (2022)
  • "PMS – Perempuan Merdeka Seutuhnya" (2022)
  • "What's the Holy (Nobel) Today?" (2023)
  • "Rumah Tanah Tidak Dijual" (2024)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2022 Anugerah Musik Indonesia Best Duo/Group Rock Collaboration "God Allow Me (Please) to Play Music" Won [20]
2023 "PMS" Nominated [21]

References

  1. ^ a b Lamb, Kate (9 June 2017). "The schoolgirl thrash metal band smashing stereotypes in Indonesia". The Guardian.
  2. ^ "Hijab-Core! Meet the Indonesian All-Girl Muslim Metal Band, Voice of Baceprot – Metal Injection". Metal Injection. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Indonesia's hijab-wearing Muslim metal group smashes barriers". South China Morning Post. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  4. ^ 12WIRED (16 August 2021). "God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music". Voice of Baceprot. Retrieved 21 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b "Voice of Baceprot: Indonesia's hijab-wearing metalheads play Glastonbury". BBC. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  6. ^ Cochrane, Joe (2 September 2017). "In Indonesia, 3 Muslim Girls Fight for Their Right to Play Heavy Metal". New York Times. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  7. ^ News Team (16 June 2022). "Watch Voice of Baceprot Cover "Enter Sandman" by Metallica Live in France". GhostCultMag. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Badass hijabi all-girl metal band gain viral fame in Indonesia". SBS Indonesian. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Indonesian all-girl Muslim metal band 'Voice of Baceprot' challenges stereotypes". www.geo.tv.
  10. ^ Kurnia, Firdda; vocalist; Baceprot, guitarist of Voice of. "Meet Voice Of Baceprot, The All-Girl Metal Band Making Waves In Indonesia". NPR.org. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  11. ^ Dean, Sri (30 May 2017). "Badass hijabi all-girl metal band gain viral fame in Indonesia". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  12. ^ Shindu Alpito, Agustinus (7 June 2017). "Tiga Hijaber Metal". Medcom.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  13. ^ Tri Devi, Ixora (19 May 2023). "Voice of Baceprot: Breaking Barriers with Heavy Metal". The Asean Magazine. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  14. ^ Al Farisi, Baharudin (18 August 2021). Setuningsih, Novianti (ed.). "Profil VoB, Grup Band Rock Perempuan Asal Garut yang Mulai Go International" [Profile of VoB, a Girl Rock Band from Garut who Started Going International]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  15. ^ Rahadian, Bagas (7 May 2020). "Voice of Baceprot Dapat Pengakuan Tom Morello Usai Cover Lagu 'Guerrilla Radio' di TV" [Voice of Baceprot Gets Tom Morello's Recognition After Covering 'Guerrilla Radio' on TV]. hai.grid (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  16. ^ Mills, Matt (17 July 2023). "'Music lets us be the real versions of ourselves': Indonesian Muslim metalheads Voice of Baceprot". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Upcoming Events". voiceofbaceprot.com. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  18. ^ Emily Carter (15 June 2023). "Voice of Baceprot announce debut album, share new single". Kerrang!. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  19. ^ "BBC talks to Voice of Baceprot ahead of Glastonbury set". bbc.com. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  20. ^ frl/chri (14 October 2022). "Daftar Lengkap Pemenang AMI Awards 2022" [Complete List of AMI Award Winners 2022]. CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Daftar Nominasi AMI Awards 2023" [List of AMI Awards Nominee]. CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). 22 September 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.