Interview - SUWUNG

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If you follow the chronology of SUWUNG, this project at the beginning of its establishment is more inclined towards Dark and Ambient oriented Noise. This project based in Pekalongan, Indonesia has evolved well in terms of ideas and musically where if you listen to the latest singles like "Rumekso Ing Wengi" and "Adigang Adigung Adiguna" more towards a mystical, spiritual, ritualistic and traditional sound. Abdul Dark (the individual behind this) actually has several other projects such as Noestalgya, Sadness of Pluto, Membabi Brutal etc. but this time we are talking about Suwung.

Interview by Jiwa

[01] Hail and greetings Abdul Dark. What's up today? As an introduction, it would be good if you tell us something about yourself and maybe about your daily life?

Abdul Dark: Hello, I'm great today, thank you. I was born in Pekalongan city, Central Java. And now I work in Bekasi city, West Java. Even weekdays going work like a majorities person and when weekend going to music event, gigs, or creating art with my project band.

[02] How did you find an interest in experimental music such as ambient, noise, etc? Do you believe that all of that is a form of expression?

Abdul Dark: I know Ambient music since 2014 through Nicrotek, an Ambient Black Metal from Surabaya. Then I explored and found many projects like Sial and Delusi from Malaysia, Saturn Form Essence from Ukraine and many more. After that I know what "Experimental music" so I listen project noise SARANA, Karnivulgar, and Theo Nugraha.

Yes I thought thats some these were from emotion and  abstract feeling. I think, ambient always romanticizing all feeling and noise destruct all concept construction "how most emotions must expressed".

[03] I know you have several musical projects, but this discussion will only be about SUWUNG. Please share about its history & background and what you want to explore through this said-to-be a Dark Noise / Dark Ambient project?

Abdul Dark: I think I must some expression my alter ego, when I'm finishing my DSBM project. I must expressed more sadness, loneliness, and low feel that's more go on, without some rules so the truly I'm feel more free. So I'm created Abdul Dark in 2018 and the first track is Mendung Kelam Kelabu and I upload and SoundCloud.

But after that, I busy with other project and activity in real life so that's project was vacuum. But when COVID-19 coming, I have more many time in home and I thinks I must re-create that's project. And since thats COVID booming, I also study about esotericism and spirituality so I changes the name and concept about that's project.

[04] If I'm not mistaken "suwung" means "the voids" in English. Does each creative process of yours for this project come from your empty soul? How do you get ideas and compose songs?

Abdul Dark: In Javanese philosophy or western theosophy, this all or this universe is created from nothingness. Something what we don't know what's is that's? In sufism maybe related like an emanations concept by Al-Farabi. Like what I spoke before, since COVID-19 period I more study about spirituality and I'm find peace in that.

So I created Suwung to be expression that's peace to other. All music I was records by digital instrument like ORG, easy synth, walkband, FL studio and many more.


[05] What was the very first release from Suwung and what was the latest one? How would you compare the two releases in terms of music and sound, and overall how do you see Suwung evolving over the years?

Abdul Dark: In the first time Suwung like a noise project with ambient element. And with the theme of emotions and depression and the newest released. I feel like that's the traditional music ambient like a Javanese music and some mysterious sound.

[05] "Rumekso Ing Wengi" is a really stunning single; sounds sacred, ritualistic and coupled with very spiritual female chants. Let us know your personal view upon that song?

Abdul Dark: The truly "Rumekso Ing Wengi" is some traditional poem and prayer Java. Created by some figure name Sunan Kalijaga. That's poem like some protector from accident, bad intention and dark energy from other world.


[06] Are you planning something better and great for Suwung in the future?

Abdul Dark: I want release some EP / Full-length maybe with the latest theme. Mystic, spiritual, and traditional.

[07] What are your opinions about doing releases in splits, compilation & collaborative tracks format?

Abdul Dark: Whenever someone invite me, I join. What ever format is no problem.

[08] What is on your current playlist?

Abdul Dark: The latest I listen Aindulmedir - The Lunar Lexicon.

[09] What do you think about the Experimental / Electronic music scene in Indonesia, especially in Pekalongan - Central Java?

Abdul Dark: Sadly in Pekalongan, most people don't know about this music. They only know hardcore, death metal and punk. But in Indonesian since 2022 Experimental music is booming, many more project created in that's years like Silent Garden or Great Mercenary.

[10] Thank you very much Abdul Dark. Wrap up this interview with some of your final words?

Abdul Dark: You are welcome, the final words: "Tetaplah berkarya dan hidupkan jiwa".

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