Sugab

-- What's the theme or vibe of today's DJ set?

Today I brought nothing but Indonesian music. The set centers on Pop Kreatif, a genre from the 1970s and '80s that blends jazz, disco, soul, funk, bossa nova, and other influences. You could think of it as Indonesia's version of city pop.

Sharing the appeal of Pop Kreatif feels like a mission of mine, and I hope this mix connects with music fans in Japan and inspires them to explore Indonesian music further.

-- Do you think Pop Kreatif is becoming popular again among music fans in Indonesia?

Yes, definitely. Pop Kreatif has become quite popular again in recent years. Not only in Indonesia, but people from other countries are also becoming increasingly interested in Indonesian music.

-- One of the factors behind the resurgence of Japanese city pop was that it was "discovered" by music fans overseas through YouTube. Was there any specific trigger or turning point that led to Pop Kreatif gaining wider attention as well?

Indonesian music has also gained worldwide attention through reissue labels outside Indonesia, beginning with labels such as Soundway Records in the UK and, more recently, fellow Asian label Big Romantic Records.

As global interest in Southeast Asian music continues to grow, Indonesia is no exception. Much of this renewed appreciation is thanks to our own community of collectors, archivists, musicians, and enthusiasts who have worked to nurture and preserve our musical heritage. A special shout-out goes to Irama Nusantara, as well as Indonesians around the world who continue to keep our music scene alive and introduce it to new audiences.

And if you happen to be in Tokyo, be sure to visit SUBstore in Koenji, an Indonesian music and food bar that has become a wonderful gathering place for anyone curious about Indonesian music and culture.

-- Are Pop Kreatif records easy to find, or have they become rare and expensive?

Many of them are quite rare. Back then, Pop Kreatif was primarily released on cassette, and in many cases the only vinyl editions that exist were promotional copies made for radio stations. So not only were the original quantities very limited, but competition from overseas collectors has also intensified in recent years. As a result, prices keep going up, and many records have become increasingly difficult to find.

-- In Japanese city pop, there are legendary artists like Tatsuro Yamashita, Minako Yoshida, and Toshiki Kadomatsu. Who would you say are the key artists in Pop Kreatif?

Definitely Fariz RM. He's something like Indonesia's Tatsuro Yamashita. He's a renowned artist who has had a major influence on many musicians, and he's still active today.

-- Among the records you played today, are there any that you especially wanted to play or introduce to the audience? Please show us a few records and tell us about them.

One record I'd like to highlight is "1980" by Bimbo, a band that first got me hooked on Pop Kreatif. I became obsessed with a song called "Cerita Dari Pantai Carita," which I played earlier in the set.

Another one is "Yang Pertama Kali" by the female singer Ernie Soemarto (Erni Sumarto). I first discovered it through a YouTube channel run by members of the Indonesian diaspora living in the Netherlands.

-- I'd also like to ask about your record shop, Kamar Gelap Records, in Jakarta. When did you open it?

It's been about ten years. I launched Kamar Gelap Records as an online store in 2016, and about five years ago I opened a brick-and-mortar shop in Jakarta. Business has been going very well lately. The shop keeps growing, and things are moving in a really positive direction.

-- What kinds of music do you mainly sell?

When I first started the shop, I mainly focused on Japanese music, especially city pop. I actually bought a lot of records through ELLA RECORDS' auctions (laughs). More recently, demand for electronic music, especially house, has been growing, so I've started stocking more of those records as well. And of course, we also carry Indonesian records.

-- What kinds of records are popular right now?

At my shop, city pop and Pop Kreatif are still the most popular genres.

-- What age groups make up most record buyers today?

Most record buyers today are young people in their 20s and 30s. We even see teenagers getting into records from time to time. On the other hand, I don't really see older generations buying records very much these days.

-- How is the record culture in Indonesia these days?

I think it's in a very healthy place right now. There's a vibrant club scene, for one. That said, just like in many other parts of the world, record prices in Indonesia keep going up, which can make vinyl less accessible for younger people. Because of that, some collectors have turned to cassettes, which are still very affordable. Either way, there's no doubt that young people are buying physical music formats again, and that's a very positive thing.

-- How did you first get into records? Please tell us the story of how you became seriously interested in collecting and listening to them.

I started collecting music back in high school. At first, I was buying punk and hardcore cassettes because, back then, you couldn't really listen to that kind of music anywhere else besides physical media.

When I got to college, I finally saved enough to buy my first vinyl record, Black Flag's "My War." Vinyl was really expensive in Indonesia, and there were barely any record stores at the time.

To support my collecting hobby, I started selling records. One thing led to another, and somehow that hobby turned into what I do today. So yeah, that's the story (laughs).

-- Mikoasis, who played at After Hours Session last year, also runs a record shop in Jakarta. What does he mean to you?

He's like a brother and a mentor to me. We've been helping each other since the early days. Our shops were actually right next to each other in Pasar Santa, Jakarta, so we spent a lot of time hanging out and learning from each other.

I was actually the one who first introduced him to ELLA RECORDS and the record store scene in Japan. But these days, he probably knows Japan inside and out better than I do (laughs).

I'm really grateful for our friendship, and I just hope we'll keep supporting each other and stay close for many years to come.

-- Do you think Jakarta is a good place for young people to start a record shop or try new cultural projects?

Yeah, I think Jakarta is a great place to start a record shop or any kind of cultural project.

Unlike Japan or Singapore, no offense, things here aren't too strict. It's a bit chaotic, and every day feels like an adventure (laughs). But I think that's what gives Jakarta its energy. The city is always changing, and you'll find people from all kinds of backgrounds, so there's always something new happening.

There's a real DIY spirit here. If you've got an idea, people are usually open to it and willing to support you. You don't need everything to be perfect to get started; you just have to do it.

Jakarta can be messy, loud, and unpredictable, but that's exactly why it's such an exciting place to build a community. You never know who you'll meet or what opportunities will come your way.

-- What do you think about Japan's record culture and club scene?

I'm always amazed, and honestly sometimes a little jealous, of Japan's record culture. At least from my experience in Tokyo, you can find a record shop almost everywhere, just a few steps away. And what's even more amazing is that people are actually there to buy and listen to records.

My shop is sometimes full of people just taking photos (laughs).

I remember seeing people lining up before a record store even opened on a completely normal day, with no special event or exclusive release. They were just excited to go record shopping. That really left an impression on me.

-- What plans do you have for 2026?

I'm actually planning to learn Japanese. I've been doing business with Japan for almost ten years now, and I think it's silly of me not to know the language properly or understand the culture.

Maybe it's a little late to start, but to be honest, I never expected my relationship with Japan to last this long. What started as buying and selling records has grown into long-term friendships and business relationships that I really value.

I want to communicate better and understand Japan beyond its record stores. I think that will make those relationships even stronger in the long run. I'm open to any opportunity.

-- Lastly, how was your experience DJing at ELLA RECORDS today?

I really enjoyed it. Everyone at ELLA RECORDS was so kind and supportive, and they helped me out in many ways.

I had a truly wonderful time. Thank you very much.