From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Iwan Fals | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Virgiawan Listanto |
| Born | September 3, 1961 Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Origin | Jakarta |
| Genres | ballad, country |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Associated acts | Kantata Takwa, Swami |
Iwan Fals (born Virgiawan Listanto; September 3, 1961 in Jakarta) is an Indonesiansinger–songwriter. In 2002, Time magazine named him as a Great Asian Hero.
Contents[hide] |
[edit]Early life
Iwan was born Virgiawan Listanto in Jakarta, on September 3, 1961 to Harsoyo, a soldier,[1] and Lies Suudijah. He studied at SMP 5 Bandung and SMAK BPK Bandung. He continued his studies at Sekolah Tinggi Publisistik and then Jakarta Arts Institute. At the age of thirteen, he performed as a street performer at wedding ceremonies and other social events.[2]
[edit]Career
During high school, he and his friend formed a group named Amburadul, and went to Jakarta to record an album which turned out to be unsuccessful. Later, he won at a country music festival. After recording four–five albums, Musica Studio recorded his first album, Sarjana Muda; however, he still busked.[3]
In 1982, he wrote "Galang Rambu Anarki" as gratitude for the birth of his first son. He continued busking until his second child was born in 1985.[4]
In early 1990s, he joined Kantata group. The band's first album was Kantata Takwa (Cantata of Piety). The musical style was "rebana rock", a blend of Jimi Hendrix and Rick Wakeman, to a Betawi rebana.[5] They also released "Bento" and "Bongkar" ("Rip It Down"), two of several songs which they sang during a demonstration by college students.[6]
In 1993, he released Orang Gila, after which he disappeared from recording. In 2002, he reappeared and released Suara Hati.[7] In July 1998, however, he released Salam Reformasi ("Greetings Reformation"), which sold more than 50,000 copies.[8]
In 2005, he released Iwan Fals Ii Love, consists of sixteen romantic songs with "Ijinkan Aku Menyayangimu" ("Let Me Love You") as the main single.[9]
In 2007, 50:50 was released by Musica Studios. The album's themes were romance and social criticism. One single of the album, "Pulanglah" ("Go Home"), tells about the death of Munir.[10] Six singles were written by himself and other six singles were written by his fellow musician.[9]
In writing song, he was inspired by news and environments. Some of his songs, such as "Kamu Sudah Gila" ("You've Gone Crazy") and "Apa Kamu Sudah Jadi Tuhan?" ("Have You Ever Been as God?") criticized the New Order regime . He also wrote "Belalang Tua" ("Old Grasshopper") while he noticed the grasshoppers in his backyard.[7] In "Oemar Bakrie" he told about teacher's life, whereas "Kembang Pete" ("Petai Flower") tells the poor who were underestimated.[1] "Aku Bosan" ("I'm Bored") is about a child protesting to his parents because they left him alone at home. While "Hura-Hura Huru-Hara" ("Fake Riot") compares moneylender to blood-sucking Draculas.[11]
In transportation, he wrote "Celoteh Camar Tolol dan Cemar" as a critic of the sinking of the Tampomas II in Masalembu. He also wrote "Wakil Rakyat" ("Representative of the People") as an allusion to the legislators who sleep during meetings.[12]
Beside social-themed songs, he wrote romantic songs, including "Yang Terlupakan" ("The Forgotten"), "Mata Indah Bola Pingpong" ("Beautiful Eyes, Pingpong Ball") and "Antara Kau, Aku, dan Bekas Pacarmu" ("Among You, Me, and Your ex-Boyfriend"). He also performed someone's songs, including "Kemesraan" ("Intimity"), "Jangan Tutup Dirimu" ("Don't Close Yourself"), "Kumenanti Seorang Kekasih" ("I'm Waiting for a Lover"), "Aku Bukan Pilihan" ("I'm Not an Option") and "Ijinkan Aku Menyayangimu".[13]
His musical style similar to Bob Dylan due to their being country. But Iwan's lyrics were more straightforward.[6]
[edit]Awards
In 2002, he was named as Great Asian Hero by Time magazine.[7] In 2011, he received "Satyalancana", the highest government awards fromJero Wacik, Culture and Tourism Minister of Indonesia.[14]
