This is the 9th release (including remixes) in 2021, and as part of our series of dance music named after cities that we have been working on since the beginning of this year, we have released the song “Jakarta.” The reason why we are continuing with this kind of dance music series can be read in the article we wrote when we released the song “New York City”, so be sure to have a look at it here.
The reason why we went to Jakarta
We made our debut in March 2017 with the song “Best Part of Us,” which was heard by many people around the world at a pace that was much faster than we could have imagined. The trigger for this was Spotify, and the songs that we released after that were instantly listened to by people all over the world in the same way. Including our debut song, we had prepared about five songs in advance, which were released to the world each month, and with Spotify, we were able to increase the number of plays at a speed beyond our imagination. We needed to prepare our next song to keep this momentum going. What else did we have to do besides releasing? In the midst of our hectic lives, we received a call from Spotify, asking us: “Would you like to participate in a live event hosted by Spotify as the representative of Japan?” It appeared to be an offer for a live event in Indonesia organized by Spotify. As of 2017, there was only a limited number of artists who were distributing their music to so-called subscribers, and it seems that even the artists who were releasing their music didn’t think Spotify was that important. Also, there were only a few artists from Japan that were being listened to overseas, so it was quite a miracle that the offer came to us by chance. To be honest, we were both happy and bewildered at the same time, since we had only been thinking about composing songs and releasing them. “We haven’t prepared for a live-performance. What should we do?” I don’t remember too many of the details, but I think this was around June 2017, three months after our debut.
Preparations for Jakarta
In order to get our visas, we had to go to a photo studio to have our ID photos taken (because there was a specification for the background color). We also had to prepare our so-called Tech Rider, which is a document that gives instructions for needed equipment on stage, and of course we had to go into the studio to plan our performance and make other preparations for our live-performance. At the same time, even if we added up all the songs we had released, we would not have had enough material for the gig. The songs we wrote for this performance were “Darling Break Free” and “Sunset Breeze.” “Sunset Breeze” is a particularly memorable song for us, as it was premiered and released on the very day of the performance. While we were working on the songs, we were getting interviews from various media, and during our preparations for the gig, we were spending days that we could have never imagined, as the time was closing in for the event.
Upon arrival in Jakarta
In August 2017, we arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, after quite a hectic time, which nonetheless quickly went by since we initially received the offer. As we got off the plane and entered the airport, several security guards surrounded us and guided us to the exit. Normally, we would have to go through the immigration process, but we could just pass through all the gates as if nothing had happened and were out in no time. There were several cars waiting outside the exit, and with the help of the police guiding us, we quickly passed through the congested roads and arrived at the hotel where we would be staying. On the way, we not only saw many large billboards set up all across the city advertising the Spotify concert, but there were also several billboards with our pictures on them. We were amazed by what was going on. There were only four of us, including AmPm, coming from Japan, but when we arrived in Jakarta we quickly started to realize the significance of the event. We had our own car to go out, and there was always security. It had been only six months since our debut, but we felt like superstars.
First AmPm gig, in Jakarta
On the day of our performance, there were many people queuing up around the venue. Since NCT127 and other popular Indonesian artists were performing as well, there were many people holding paper fans with the names and photos of the artists they wanted to see, just like in Japan. As the opening act, we were about to take our turn. We don’t know how many people were there, but the arena-sized venue was completely filled up and bursting with excitement. A few minutes before our turn to perform, we started to wait at the side of the stage. Perhaps as a signal to start the event, the Indonesian national anthem was played. The whole audience sang along enthusiastically. Then, a 60-second countdown was displayed on the monitors set up on the stage to announce our arrival. Our appearance was met with loud cheering, and as we walked towards the DJ booth set up in the center of the stage, we already had goosebumps all over our bodies, and we felt a rush of excitement as we had never experienced before. At this point, it had been only six months since our debut. We were showcasing our songs in Jakarta, not in Japan! Loud cheering and enthusiastic singing… Michael Kaneko, who accompanied us as a guest vocalist, later said that he “felt like Justin Bieber.” We can still vividly remember the thrill of being in a foreign country, where we were welcomed with loud cheers and where the crowd sang along with great enthusiasm. This live-performance in Indonesia also gave us the opportunity to connect with Dipha Barus, who was also performing there, which eventually led to the release of “On The Black and White / Dipha Barus Remix.” So, this was a bit of a long preamble, but with all these memories, we were inspired to release a song named after one of our beloved cities, Jakarta.
On the new song “Jakarta”
This is the third song in the dance music series, following “Tokyo” and “New York City.” Although this song is in the same category of dance music, it has a slightly different flavor from the previous two songs, featuring many Oriental elements. In particular, through the use of Indonesian folk instruments such as the Angklung and Gamelan, the Oriental feel of the song is enhanced, and we believe this creates a Jakarta-like feeling. By producing it with a Slap House arrangement, we think it conveys both the style of AmPm and a sense of Jakarta. But rather than trying to explain it through words, we would like to encourage you to actually listen to the song and feel for yourself. Jakarta, and Indonesia in general, is a very attractive place that has its own unique culture with its diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural mix. There are also many enthusiastic, hard-working, and cordial people in the midst of the many modern skyscrapers, and we believe that these various elements are what make Jakarta attractive and contribute to its unique diversity that cannot be found in other cities. We would like to dance in this place while playing the sound of Jakarta at the timing of the release. It is difficult to make this happen right away, but we will definitely return to Jakarta when people will be able to travel more freely again and absorb as many things as possible. Our series of dance music named after cities will continue. For now, we hope you will enjoy listening to “Jakarta!”
