Multicultural band enlivens Jakarta nightlife
Multicultural band enlivens Jakarta nightlife
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Tigapuluh music bar at Le Meridien Hotel was deserted when I
arrived at about 10:00 p.m. on a weekend. Only a few visitors
could be seen -- several men chatting with their girlfriends and
others conversing with colleagues.
While the stage hands of the featured band, Level 6, were
preparing their musical instruments on the diamond-shaped stage,
more and more visitors began to enter. Less than an hour later,
the bar had filled to the brim with guests.
The 6-member band performed covers of various musical genres,
including pop, rhythm and blues, reggae and jazz. A special touch
was female vocalist Chantelle Johnson's sometimes breaking out
into a salsa swing.
Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry and Peter Andre's Mysterious
Girl were among the cover songs performed that night, all-time
favorites that had guests gyrating slowly to the beat.
"I come here almost every week to enjoy the music. I'm a
regular visitor. I love this band," said Rini, who was sitting
beside me.
Surely, Level 6 must be like many other bands booked by hotel
bars in the capital -- but one thing that makes them different is
that the band comprises six members representing five different
countries: Canadian Chantelle Johnson (lead vocal) and Paul
Bennett (drums), Columbian Jonathan Castillo (male lead vocal),
Romeo Alexander of Trinidad and Tobago on keyboards, Frenchman
Rom Zareski on bass and Jamaican Maurice Smith on guitar.
It is even more unique in that their manager is an Indonesian,
Aida, .
"It's great being part of a unique band," said Romeo during a
recent interview.
He was reluctant to speak of how the six musicians first met
and formed the band.
"To keep it short, it's destiny that brought us together," he
said.
According to Maurice, the band members met across several
countries -- South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia. He
recalled first meeting Jonathan in Jakarta.
"Now, we're like family. We look out for each other. We can go
have fun together. That's what keeps us together," he said.
The band said they liked to perform here because the
Indonesian audience was appreciative. Before Jakarta, Level 6 had
played gigs in China and Korea.
"The band's contract finishes on April 2, having performed in
the music bar since Nov. 17. They will move on to Bangkok, where
they plan to visit a music studio for recording," Aida said --
Level 6 plans to record their original songs.
"As soon as they step out on stage, they make people happy. It
is rewarding. It's great to work with people from around the
world. They bring together different elements of their cultures,
and this makes our band different," she said.
Professional performers, Level 6 played to the Indonesian
crowd with local songs like Ada Apa Denganmu (What's up with you)
from Peterpan, Separuh Napas (Half a breath) from Dewa, and Setia
(Loyal) from Jikustik.
"I think the club has been doing well since we came," Aida
said.
Aside from entertaining the Tigapuluh audience -- most of whom
were foreigners -- they are getting acquainted with Indonesian
food.
They enjoy their short tour in each country, and feel sad
every time they have to pack their bags and travel to another
country on another contract.
"We have friends here, but we have to leave them," said Rom.
As I left the music bar that night, Maurice's voice singing
Mysterious Girl followed me out.
I stop and stare at you
Walking on the shore
I try to concentrate
My mind wants to explore
The tropical scent of you
Takes me up above
And girl when I look at you
Oh I fall in love
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Mysterious girl
I wanna get close to you
Oh, oh, oh, oh ,oh, oh
Mysterious girl...