Their sound is comprised of Shabara's deft extended vocal techniques punctuating the frenetic neo-tribalism of instrument builder Suryadi's modern-primitive instrumentation. Suryadi's inventions are numerous, for example his handcrafted »Bambu Wukir,« a thick stem of bamboo strung up with percussive strips of the plant's skin alongside steel strings. Amplified, it fuses elements of traditional Indonesian instrumentation with garage guitar distortion. Sonically dynamic, the instrument can be rhythmically percussive on one side while being melodically bowed and plucked on the other.

The duo has been performing together since 2010 when Wok the Rok dared them into an impromptu improvisation. They quickly began composing music together and shortly after released their debut self-titled album on Wok The Rok's seminal label, Yes No Wave. Following several Indonesian tours, Senyawa's mesmerizing live show quickly attracted considerable attention, and they have since played all over the world and collaborated and performed with many notable musicians including Otomo Yoshide, KK Null, Keiji Haino, Rabih Beiani, Trevor Dunn, Greg Fox, Melt Banana, Damo Suzuki, Oren Ambarchi, and more.

Senyawa rang in the start of their second decade with the tremendous Alkisah, an apocalyptic tale of a crumbling nation. Released as a decentralized album by 44 labels worldwide and growing into a namesake network, Alkisah suggests that it might be possible to build something out of the ruins.

• ALKISAH (2021), by Senyawa (Official)

• ALKISAH (2021), by Senyawa (Official)