Episode 4: Aku Bukan Mesin / I Am Not a Machine

08/14/21 • 35 min

In this episode, we are exploring violent religious extremism, through Aku Bukan Mesin (I am not a machine), one of the songs that the band recorded in response to terrorist bombings that shook Bali and Jakarta in the early 2000, and a turbulent political transition in Indonesia which saw conflict flaring up in various parts of the country. The conflicts were dividing communities across religious lines and resulted in large scale destruction, violence, displacement, and the deaths of thousands of people. Joining us in this episode is a special guest, Sidney Jones - a widely renowned expert on religious extremism and conflict in Indonesia.

Hosted by: Ewa Wojkowska
Writing and Production: Ewa Wojkowska, Julia Winterflood, Lakota Moira
Production and sound design: Gede Robi
Co-production: Sergina Loncle, Andre Dananjaya
Mixing and Mastering: Cipta Gunawan, Tude Arta Sedana
All Music: Navicula
Podcast Artwork: Krishna Adipurba
Web design: Jay Sims, Vanessa Harsamto, Fleava, Major Tom
Photography: Penny Lane
Show Notes: https://naviculamusic.com/podcast/

Previous Episode

Episode 3: Merdeka / Freedom

We're going back to the very beginning - back to 1996, the year that Navicula was formed, and talking about the band's journey over the past 25 years - to how they got to where they are today. There's a lot in this episode, we're speaking with the whole band - Robi, Dadang, Palel and Krishna, as well as two of the band's former managers, Rudolf Dethu, and Lakota Moira. We'll hear about Navicula's experience recording at Record Plant Studios in Hollywood, and the band's deal with Sony and their subsequent split with the record label. We'll find out why Gembul, Navicula's former drummer left the band. And we'll also hear about the tragic loss of Made, Navicula's Bass player, three years ago. In this episode, we're exploring Navicula's song, Merdeka, which means freedom. We'll hear about the inspiration for this song, as well as how over the years, this song, as well as the meaning of freedom has evolved for the band.

Next Episode

Episode 5: Everyone Goes to Heaven

This is the second of a two-part episode on violent religious extremism. If you haven't already, listen to Aku Bukan Mesin - I Am Not a Machine, first.

In this episode, we are looking at how and why people become violent religious extremists, and explore “Everyone Goes to Heaven” - one of the songs Navicula released in response to a turbulent time in Indonesia’s history.

We are joined by Sidney Jones, a widely renowned expert on religious extremism and conflict in Indonesia, and Heidi Arbuckle, an expert on tolerance and on the role of music and the arts in creating an informed and tolerant society.

A Soundtrack of Resistance - Episode 4: Aku Bukan Mesin / I Am Not a Machine

Transcript

Ewa:
A quick note before we begin - this is a serialized show, so if you haven’t already, go back to the prologue, and start listening from there.

Robi:
Because this tragedy related strongly with the extremism in the, in the name of the religion, it’s shocking me. Like not believing how human can be programed into a machine. Human is not supposed to become a machine.

Ewa:
Hi I’m Ewa, and this is “A Soundtrack of Resistance