Another Victoria's Secrets

We went to Cinere, where Rumah Bonita is, where they held a live performance on Rumah Bonita's Youtube channel. It is a monthly event they do, and I guess I was quite lucky to get a chance to be there in flesh (like, literally. LOL.) I've been loving Bonita's voice since like 2011, especially from the single 'Ari' by Bonita and the Hus Band. I was so thrilled to get the chance to finally meet her in person -- in her house!


So that Saturday night, after having dinner there (which made us feel a bit awkward for being a stranger shamelessly eating in a celeb's house LOL), we sat down on the floor and watched the performance. First, they had Mary Jane and Opik Bape duet playing Jane's songs. I instantly fell in love with her songs, for they're folk, indie, and sung by a woman. Totally my kind of thing!

FYI, Jane is currently recording her songs and I really can't wait for her album to be released. I'm a fan already. Check her Instagram for updates, guys!

Curly And Me

After they closed the live performance, some of the guests (who were mostly musicians too) had a jamming session till it was midnight. There was Rull Darwis, Jason Ranti (and wife and son), Arief S. Pramono, Budie Tanzania (and wife Carla and son), Nissan Fortz, Duta Pamungkas, and many others. Most of them are from Ruang Putih community in Bandung. I couldn't really keep up with all of the new faces and names that night, but the energy was super positive. Each of them performed 2-3 songs, and ended with Mba Bonita singing two of her songs with ukulele.

Opik Bape, me, Jane, and Metha

Metha, Mba Bonita, and me

After midnight, we (me, Icat and Metha) ended up in Kemang eating rice porridge and instant noodle in a warung because it was almost 2 a.m. (there was a traffic of local people 'parading' after late night prayer in Jalan Fatmawati so we had to take another route) and we were hungry but the places we knew were already closing. I was terribly tired and sleepy when I got home, but happy for sure. Thank you, Rumah Bonita for having us crashing the party!

Have you watched the La La Land? Well I watched it for the second time last night with my mom. I didn't want to, because I knew it'd make me emotional again, but there weren't much choices for her but the action movies she doesn't like. So we watched the award-winning movie together.

Watching the movie for the second time makes me look at more details and simple things that I forgot from the first watch, just like the mentioning of Indonesia that I didn't remember before. And just returning from Universal Studios Singapore made me realize that one of the settings was around a studio, the Warner Bros.

But the main thing that makes this movie special for me (and being reminded last night) is the story. It talks about dreamers, about making their dreams come true, about choosing between lover vs ambition. It made me really think: what do I value more in life; is it more to keep the love of my life, or to have the life that I've always dreamed of?

If you ask me the question, my answer would be to have my love forever in my arms. But in reality, I just realized, it doesn't go that way. The older I get the more I realized that most of my childhood plans don't work out. I dreamed of getting married with the first and only guy I date--but life happened and I'm already on my eleventh guy now at the age of (almost) 33.

Instead, my younger sister got married first almost two years ago, and I'm still single now. In fact, almost all of the theories and principals I had in mind when I was a little girl had changed now into the opposites. I've realized many years ago that life isn't as pretty as those fairy tales or Disney princess' stories. The happy-ever-after kinda life, I know now, happens just for a glimpse, for once in a lifetime, and could live forever only in our minds--just like Seb and Mia's fantasy when Seb played their song in his club at the end. Sad, isn't it?

But I'm a dreamer. Boy, I'm such a terrible dreamer. Deep in my heart I believe that I'd have that kind of ending; the happy-ever-after one. I know that I deserve such happy ending. So what if my last boyfriend chose his career over me, just like Mia chose to pursue her dream, got married with another man, and left Seb with nothing but his own dream to chase? Well, I might be Seb here, and I know I'm gonna have that club of my own. But unlike Seb, I believe I'll have another Mia in my life.

The last paragraph might sound delusional or like a denial, but I prefer to think of it as hopeful. At least to keep me going on for now. For the past two years I'd been lamenting my fate for being so unlucky with love life and repenting on why did he left me. But the movie--despite depicting my story in a grand musical way--reminded me that I, too, have a choice to make in this life. I have the power to rewrite my story, to reset my destiny, to change the plot anytime that I want.

Most people, after experiencing such great love and have lost it, choose to give in to life and surrender to the system: find any next eligible one available, marry them, have kids, and die old. I guess I'm never a fan to that theory. Maybe I'm really born a rebel. I prefer to experience greatness than mere goodness. Maybe I'll end up just like Seb: having my dream comes true for my career, without a family to build. I guess a family is not necessary to make, isn't it?

La La Land movie reminds us about choices in life. We are always offered with options, and each has its own consequences. It's just which consequence we want to live in better. And when we're the one who have to accept the other one's choice, we still have choices on how we'd live with that option. Because life is all about choices and consequences.

the main gate

It's been almost two months and I didn't have time to write about this before but yes, I went to Soundrenaline 2016 this year. It was on September 3-4 at GWK and I got my 2-days ticket from a friend. I went with my vlogger friend Adit Comma on the first day and he made a vlog about that day you can watch below (I appeared there on minute 9:58 onward):


But tho I came with Adit, we went separate ways that I was watching the bands all by myself for hours. I saw Shaggydog at Louder Than Ever stage, RAN and Naif at A stage, Stars & Rabbits at the Avolution stage, and back to Maliq & D'Essentials at A stage. I met several other friends at the gig (Chika, Willy and Hans Aditya), although there were more who said they were also attending but I didn't get meet. The venue was too packed, although there were 4 different stages!

Jarwo Naif

David Naif (this shirtless act made so many girls went crazy)

I was so lucky to get this guitar pick that Jarwo Naif threw out at the end of Naif performance!

Stars & Rabbit

Kalula and Andi /rif

I couldn't afford being in the crowd too much I finally went to the Go Ahead stage below, just in time for Soundrenaline Project featuring Andi /rif, Kalula and Kikan singing. The crowd was getting crazier as Temper Trap was performing that night, but we called it a day and we (Adit and me) decided to go home as the band was starting their gig. It was the right decision, however, because my other friends who stayed till the end was stuck until 4 a.m. to get home!

Base Jam Reunion--our pop hero in the '90s

I came again the next day, just in time for Base Jam Reunion who played at the Avolution stage. I met a friend, Hans Aditya, again and we headed to see Efek Rumah Kaca performing at Go Ahead stage below. Then we headed up to Louder Than Ever stage to watch /rif, some other local bands, and then spent more time at the Go Ahead stage with Tulus, Kahitna and finally Bloc Party performing.

Efek Rumah Kaca

I didn't get to watch Simple Plan, the main guest star for the second day. I was already too tired but felt happy anyway for I met more friends there: David, Egi, Jojo, Rama, Ratu and Ical (who were actually working at the event). The whole 2-days gig was the longest music concert I've ever been (I don't remember about the 2012 Java Jazz but I guess I went only 1 day there) and also the best one because I like most of the line up (viva la '90s!). I dunno if I'd want to go to another 2-days gig it's too exhausting. But I'm so up for more live music concerts! Yay!

 
Last week was kind of crazy for me. I got a new Editor in Chief at work, got my aunt and her friends came to Bali (which isn't really that crazy but I had to manage one thing or two for their business here), and got my first event coverage task going on. So the Viral Fest Asia 2016 was held in Bali and I got this job to do together with my colleague from Jakarta, Aldio. While the group from Jakarta stayed in Bali Paragon Hotel for 3 nights, I had to go back and forth for two days all the way from Denpasar to Jimbaran.

one of the Thai artists I interviewed: the talented 18-year old Jannine Weigel

Aldio, Bang Rizki, Sheilla, Bara, Prisca, Bang Rizal, Alex, Zia, Anda, Levi and me

The first day of the session was Rise of Asia Forum which was held in Golden Tulip Bay View Hotel. I brought my motorbike and had Aldio rode it (and I was on the back) to go to GWK instead, to interview some of the artists. We had to wait for a while but when the other Indonesian press came we made new friends there while having our lunch at Bebek Bengil. The interview stuff finished at around 4 p.m. and we continued on tour around the GWK statue before we go back.

cool entrance setting

new friends, Indonesian press

The next day (I didn't get a passage for gala dinner that night so I went home) we started late and I got to the hotel at 4, after accompanying my new friends, the Global TV press, shopping for souvenirs. Anyway we all went to GWK at 6 p.m. and the event was about to start. I wrote the whole story at Brilio.net and the photos of the event there too. Still, I got some more here that I want to show off. So, enjoy these:

the colourful & shiny stage

me with Suran, Korean singer/songwriter

food truck

our dinner: pork noodle

JW from Hong Kong

the red carpet backdrop

Noh Salleh from Malaysia--I love his indie-folk songs!

 

press among the audiences

The concert finished at 12 a.m. and the EDM party continued till 2 a.m. But we decided call it a day and loaded a bus to get us to the hotel. Funny enough, the driver took us to the 24-h souvenir shop instead. It took us another hour to go back and forth from Jimbaran-Tuban-Jimbaran-Denpasar and I could finally get home at 2:30 a.m. It was so tiring, but I'm glad that I could make so many new friends now. This is what I like about working in the media (;


The vlog above is made by my friend Adit Comma who apparently also came to the gig. I was there on minute 5:08!

Album "Selamanya", signed for me (;

I got this CD from The Overtunes and heard all songs from the album over and over again for the past 3 days. I am liking it! The music are colorful and very much different to be compared with other Indonesian music lately (say, the past 10-15 years). This band of 3 brothers brings out a fresh concept to the industry.

As I listen to the album, I found out why I love this band so much: they play the kind of genre I liked, even if it's still pop. I could hear a bit of Plain White T's, The Script, etc (well I can't say much about this because I'm not following today's music trend anymore). I've heard some of the songs on the radio ("Jatuh Dari Surga", "Dunia Bersamamu" and "Sayap Pelindungmu"), but never knew they sang all of it.

For me personally, I like "Alien" and "Mungkin" (the one reminds me to Plain White T's). But actually I like all of the songs. I could hear the whole album repeatedly. And "If It's For You" reminds me so much of Landon Pigg, Ed Sheeran or even Death Cab For Cutie--the kinds of pop/indie/folk I listen to. This is the kind of album you'll like listening to in a road trip or in your room before sleep.

I don't really understand music arrangement and composing technically, but I really enjoy the different arrangements they carry in each of their songs, with a clear vocal quality. Moreover, I haven't find anything to mock at (which I usually do to most Indonesian songs nowadays). Anyway, I'm saying that this is a must-have album for Indonesian, because The Overtunes really brings the tunes up to a whole new level!

by Ane Brun


She's got everything she needs, she's an artist, she don't look back
She's got everything she needs, she's an artist, she don't look back
She can take the dark out of the nighttime and paint the daytime black

You will start out standing, proud to steal her anything she sees
You will start out standing, proud to steal her anything she sees
But you will wind up peeking through her keyhole, down upon your knees

She never stumbles, she's got no place to fall
No, she never stumbles, she's got no place to fall
She's nobody's child, the law can't touch her at all

She wears an Egyptian ring that sparkles before she speaks
She wears an Egyptian ring that sparkles before she speaks
She's a hypnotist collector, you are a walking antique

Bow down to her on Sunday, salute her when her birthday comes
Bow down to her on Sunday, salute her when her birthday comes
For Halloween, give her a trumpet and for Christmas, buy her a drum


I'm liking this song because my boyfriend 'gave' this to me and I'd like to be this girl for him. <3>

~ Damien Rice

Wherever you are, you know that I adore you
No matter how far, well I can go before you
If ever you need someone, what not that you need help in
But if ever you want someone, you know that I am willing
 
 I don't want to change you
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change your mind
I just came across an angel, out among the danger somewhere
In the stranger's eye
 
Wherever you go, I can always follow
I can feed this real slow, if it's a lot to swallow
If you just wanna be alone, I can wait without waiting
If you want me to let this go, I am more than willing

'Cause I don't want to change you
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change your mind
I just came across some angel, out among the danger somewhere
In the stranger's eye
 
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change your mind
I just came across some angel, out among the danger somewhere
In the stranger's eye
 
I-I've never been with anyone in the way I've been with you
But if love is not for fun, then it's doomed
'Cause water races, water races down
The waterfalls, water races, water races down
The waterfalls!
 
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change you
I don't want to change your mind
I just came across some angel where there is no danger
 
Where love has eyes, it is not blind

So two of my friends from different circles (that surprised me they knew each other but then again Bandung is a small city) decided to form a band with two others named Zealspeaks. They play rock based on British music and now they need our vote to enter Kickfest 2014. Click here to vote.. and thank you in advance for your support!

Found this great new movie on the internet, watched it and loved it! I have just known that Keira Knightley could sing (of course she could, who couldn't? well I mean professionally..) The movie plot is light and entertaining and the musics are great.. I love Knightley's outfits and the way the movie ends. A kind of indie movie indeed.

Yes, I am a fan of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's songs and earlier this year she released a new album, Wanderlust. Her songs makes me happy and the videos are just as cute as her voice. I love the 60s setting, her beautiful British face and--well, everything about her music. Different from her "more disco" previous album, Wanderlust is more to my kind of songs. Listen up!

My brother made this song 4 years ago, upon our father's death on Dec 2009. It was a sudden death that shocked us all and brought dark times for us. This song is one of his many many songs but the first that he releases to public. Enjoy!

Macy Gray is one of my favorite singer and her newest song (that I know about) comes on my top playlist now. Simply love her voice!

Yes, I love Shakira: her voice, her moves.. She really brings the latina spirit to the music!
 

Call me SUPER outdated, but I just know something else about my future husband, Robert Downey Jr. (kidding). It's not only that he's a very talented, witty and gorgeous actor. He is also a pianist, drummer and singer/songwriter (!!!), just to add more points to my list of why I adore him. Why else? Of course it's in his heavy voice, hypnotizing stare, and--yes--handsome face. He also seems like a great and loyal friend.

Call me outdated but I just finished watching Frozen and can't keep myself for replaying it over and over again. Not just because I love the animation details, the figures of the princess and queen (especially Elsa as Snow Queen, of course) but also the soundtracks. 'For the First Time In Forever', however, is also a great song and 'Let It Go' had won the Academy Award's best original song and sang by Demi Lovato.

But I really am captured by 'Do You Wanna Build A Snowman' and also keep replaying the song. I just found a reprise to the song sang by Elsa that should've been in the scene where Anna just froze--I agree it'll make the movie even better for the touch of the closeness of their sisterhood and the answer to Anna's years of waiting for just that one question. I wonder why they decided not to put it into the movie. It would be just perfect with this reprise.

This movie is about love between sisters, and also true love. It also speaks to us how fear would never get anything right, only will make things worse--as also anxiety, distrust and loneliness. Love, instead, would bring summer to our hearts. Although I'm almost 30 years old now I still need to learn a lot about love and the act of love.

I just realized that I'd been Elsa who let worry control her but now I want to start opening my heart to love and let love fulfill me instead of fear and anger. Actually I had known about this, especially for the past 1.5 years but I keep on falling to the valley of insecurity and get panicked. Someone said once, fear is okay but panic is deadly.

Frozen really reminds me to keep being optimistic and happy like the young Anna who never gets tired asking Elsa to play and 'build a snowman'. I am not gonna let go of anything that makes me happy and of anyone that loves me and promise to set him free. The act of true love that melts frozen heart. I agree 100% with Kevin Fallon to say this as Disney's best movie since Lion King. This really is full of love and inspiring.

I turned on my iTunes this morning and it shuffled to this song, that really hit me for the first time. I ended up playing it over and over again, thinking of my best friends Rachelle and Cheryl and our friendship and how we are so much far apart but still close at heart, although we don't keep in intense touch. This song is about friendship, love, support and courage. The song that really touches hearts. Cheers, Kenny Loggins!

I just found this new singer from Youtube who covers the top 40s and make quite nice video clips for each of the songs. She also has her own original songs there. I haven't googled her (maybe later) but here are some of her clips.. Very girly!
(Note: I like her version of The One That Got Away and We Are Young, but I am just so into Just Give Me A Reason right now..)


Apparently there are many already covered this song, so I'm gonna show y'all those I've found. Which one do you like most? (my vote goes first to Alvord & Trevor, then Bernal & Milan, but the violin is quite interesting..)

Last night Katon Bagaskara was performing at Hard Rock Cafe. He invited me and Devi but she was not in Bali so I asked my sister instead. We arrived at 11.30 p.m. just when he started singing. It was a full nostalgia moment for he was singing all of his old songs, such as Dengan Logika, Negeri Di Atas Awan, Yogyakarta, and closed with Dinda Dimana.


We had fun singing along and dancing because he made as many contact with the audience as possible. He is so good at making people love him more and satisfied with his performance. Very entertaining... Brava, Mas Katon!

Welcoming another newcomers for my playlist, here are more:

1. The Paper Kites

2. Snakadaktal

3. Ben Howard

4. Tanlines

5. I Am Kloot