This week on Artist of the Week, we are very pleased to present you with a band which carries a unique blend of music; smoothly combining the sound of their land of heritage in their very own music style and concept.

Horja Bius is an indie band based in Jakarta, which consists of seven gentlemen passionate about creating music and retrieving and implementing some of the endangered Batak traditions from North Sumatra.

Horja Bius equals  Mogan Pasaribu (Vocals), Haspo Sinambela (Backing Vocals, Ogung/Gong), Martahan Sitohang (Sulim, Sarune, Hasapi), Rudi Silitonga (Sulim, Hasapi), Boby Sandy Sihombing (Taganing), Bolek (Bass) and Rob iBob (Guitar).

And yes, you have indeed just read several names of instruments that might sound very foreign to you, and no, that is not because you are not cultured or well-informed enough. You are just fine! It is these guys that actually meant to introduce (or in some cases re-introduce) all of us to the traditional distinguished sounds from the Batak land; so being clueless about the above instruments is exactly the start we aim for!

The name Horja Bius is adopted from the Batak culture as well. During the old days, the Batak people lived by the highest customary law which applied to all the clans and tribes in all Batak communities. That law was called Bius.

This band was formed in February 2014, and it has been quite a journey ever since. To quote the band’s statement; “Horja Bius is far from romanticism, as the exploration of the Batak culture was all conducted objectively through an extensive research and revitalization of the Batak traditions.”

During the 1,5 years since it was born, Horja Bius has been pretty busy introducing their music from stage to stage, focusing on those which line-up mainly featured acts that carried a world music or ethnic element in their sound.

They enjoyed the opportunity to perform in cities all over Indonesia, including their Bali tour earlier this year, and introduced their nice blend of Etnic Batak, Ambience, Art Rock, Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady with a hint of Blues!

Following the success on the national stages, Horja Bius is now ready to take things to the next level as they already got invited to perform on international world music festivals for next year!

It has been exciting times for the band for sure, and in the meantime, they have also released their debut album, entitled Tonggo-Tonggo which is a term is taken from the indigenous language. Tonggo-Tonggo translates into the spells, prayers, teachings of wisdom, and life philosophy which the Batak ancestors lived by as part of their indigenous spiritual belief back then.

In the spirit of Tonggo-Tonggo’s philosophy, these guys created a few songs and came up with an original shade of music, poured into the debut album. Most of the song titles start with “Tonggo” as the first word of the phrase; by us interpreted into the idea every song has its own message of wisdom, hope or expectations, flowing in the positive and dynamic vibe that these songs contain.

It is not very often that we come across elements of art rock, ambience, reggae, ska, and rocksteady sounds along with those particular Batak ethnic sounds, style as well as the language they use in their songs. It is definitely a delightful addition to the unique bands we have on our menu on the national scale! So, check them out!

Tune in for the band's tracks on the radio for two full weeks starting from October 12, 2024 – October 25, 2015, every day at 7 am, 12 pm, 7 pm and 12 am Bali Time!

Also visit their pages on:
Facebook and Page Horja Bius
https://www.facebook.com/HORJA BIUS
https://www.facebook.com/pages/HORJA BIUS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HORJA BIUS

Twitter
@Horja Bius_ind