Mo'ong & Bilawa by Mo'ong & Bilawa
Bloxham Tapes BT40
Presenting 'Mo'ong & Bilawa' by MO'ONG & BILAWA.
Bloxham Tapes is delighted to illuminate the winter gloom with the life-affirming debut full-length release from Mo'ong & Bilawa.
'Mo'ong & Bilawa' is the work of Indonesian musicians Bilawa Ade Respati – a multi-disciplinary artist drawing influences from everything from engineering to the performing arts; from European music tradition to the art of Javanese Karawitan – and Mo’ong Pribadi, best known for his experimental music and instrument building in the bands Raja Kirik and Takkak Takkak.
This cassette draws on traditional music from Java, pulling and pushing it into new sonic areas via what they refer to as a "playful encounter"– a sort of musical game, but wherein neither party should win or lose, and so one that demands cooperation and negotiation, acknowledging the different interests of both the players.
Numerous contemplations and conversations accompanied Pribadi and Respati in the creation of this exhilarating collaborative work. Putting aside their individual practices, they engage in dialogues to create a playful and syncretic musical output: all the cacophonies of life audible and to be embraced from this game for two.
Chance and intentionality. Resonance and serenity. It is an album of twos. A playful encounter, perhaps, but undeniably one played with a soaring determination and sonic clarity – an epic duo exchange for repeated listening.
Credits
All tracks are composed and recorded by Moong Pribadi and Bilawa Ade Respati at Rumah Budaya Indonesia, Berlin, Germany
Moong Pribadi: saron, demung, slenthem, kenong, kendhang, rebab, electronics
Bilawa Ade Respati: saron, demung, bonang, gender, kendhang, voice, electronics
Mixing: Moong Pribadi
Mastering: Joe Osborne
Artwork: Luke Drozd
The album is realised with the support of Rumah Budaya Indonesia in Berlin and the Work Grant for Old Music, New Music, and Sound Art 2024 from the Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt Berlin
