LIVE AND DIRECT WITH NOIZEKILLA

BHISMO a.k.a Noizekilla is one of the old guard musicians in Bali and Indonesia. Probably best known for his work with KunoKini he has been in several other projects and is equally comfortable as a solo artist.

Bhismo also understands reggae music to a deep level, appreciates the culture, the different styles within the broader spectrum of reggae and is also well travelled as a result.

He very kindly took some time out of his schedule bouncing between Bali and Jakarta to answer some questions for us so our followers can get to know him better and understand the man behind the music!

Catch Bhismo every Tuesday at Ulu Cliffhouse or around the island at various other shows, Bhismo always delivers and is well worth checking out!

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF. WHERE DO YOU COME FROM AND WHAT BRINGS YOU TO BALI?

Originally I was born in Sulawesi and raised in Jakarta, I come from an artistic Family, my Mom is a Javanese Jogja dancer and choreographer, and co-founder of IDF (Indonesian Dance Festival). My Father is from engineering but as always loved Javanese dance, played gamelan and self tought himself the Saxophone.

I move to Bali because I wanted to extend my links, to get my music world wide, working and live here. I love it here in Bali, close to nature. Feed my soul indeed, I needed that!

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE REGGAE SCENE IN JAKARTA AND IN BALI?

In my humble experience, I don’t really feel the Reggae scene in Jakarta is developing, feel like them only play what they feel is safe. Why?! Because them not explore where Reggae music has been right now, in the world.. Reggae has developed, NOT just Roots or Ska only but also Soca, DanceHall, Reggaeton, a lot of things has changed and evolved. But dem stop only on Reggae Roots Bob Marley style.

But there’s Om Tony Q, Ras Muhamad, Conrad Good Vibration, Yoma Poli, StarBaks Music, Healty Body Sick Mind, Sentimental Moods, Caltonet that I respect and know them exploring the music, Im waiting for others to change and evolve, cos the time is NOW!

I play with and know them all from the reggae scene and Ska scene in Jakarta, and I feel the Ska scene has done much more then just events. Them know the history, have the knowledge, them even understand the SoundSystem culture. Them have Bands, DJ and Selekta… they know man! The culture, the history, them play them all, from Early SKA, Soca, Mento, SKA first wave, second, third, Rock Steady, and Selekta Soundsytem culture, them play ALL the song. This is all in a Reggae culture, from the beginning up until now. But the funny thing is the Reggae and SKA people don’t play together, they dont really blend one in another.

Reggae in Bali is a likkle bit different, them explore the music, playing as best they can be, but wanna be the only One, Unique! So them color are variety. Although sadly it means we don’t have a solid Reggae community here that is established, like in Jakarta. This is what I want for Bali… the next step! But we hang out and play with one another, I don’t give a shit what you play as long you got the heart!

But I think what we need now is we all become as ONE and move as one, Reggae and Ska community in Jakarta, all the Bali people, Sulawesi, all other Island move as ONE! Pushing it to the world, one ship, one vision and one mission.

I’m waiting for that with so much love!

OTHER THAN GOING SOLO, WHAT OTHER PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN RIGHT NOW?

Hehehe,, I have 3 bands that are active actually, KunoKini, CekOmbakProject, and Bhismo & Di JoyFullSound them all gonna release an album soon!

My other things are teaching in school, music director and composer for drama musical under Ardhanari Performing Arts, making workshops around Indonesian traditional instruments, Sound Healing 432hrzt, making events, designing jewellery, building Vespas, hhaHHHA I love to explore yaaa.. indeed indeed!!

FOR THOSE OF OUR FOLLOWERS WHO DON’T KNOW ABOUT KUNOKINI, DO YOU MIND TELLING US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BAND AND WHERE DID THE INSPIRATION COME FROM?

Yess KunoKini are my ideal band indeed, my blood and drugs.. Born in 2003 with the thirst of young people ready to explore! And them find it in traditional instruments, making music, solo concerts, workshops. We stay and still shine now for 16 years. Although KunoKini are only Me ( Adhi Bhismo Wrhaspati ) and Bebi ( Astari Achiel ), it doesn’t matter… we still rock it good! Hahaahahha…

We travel overseas a lot of the time, last time we stayed 1 month in Belfast, Northern Ireland for an artist residency and played at 3 festivals there. We are gonna release a single with Dani ( an artist from Belfast ) in the next couple of months. And are busy preparing for the next Album and tour.

The inspirations for me and Bebi are different, we have a different taste in music. So maybe that’s why it’s all good. I think KunoKini are just about pure ideas, we just want to be WE, nothing else! We are the hottest and the baddest! Using Indo instruments and just rocking it!

Don’t get me wrong we always take from traditional rhythm or notation and remake it again to be our thing! Is all inside Indonesia, them culture have everything that you call modern live here.

WHERE AND WHEN CAN WE SEE YOU PERFORM NEXT?

I play Tuesdays at Ulu CliffHouse, and Thursday at XBar come around please. KunoKini gonna release a single party around Bali on July 2019. See you there too hopefully!

WHERE DO YOU NORMALLY GO ON THIS ISLAND WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?

At home in Jimbaran or beaches around Jimbaran and Ulu, or sometimes Ubud. Cold mountains.. always nice for some inspiration.