Hi-Ten by Gamelan Bike Bike

Hi-Ten includes four original works composed and performed by members of Vancouver’s Gamelan Bike-Bike (est. 2012). In this innovative ensemble gangsa, calung, and kecek built from discarded metals and recycled bicycle frames sit alongside Balinese kendang and gongs, reflecting the group’s freestyle ethos: “using what we have at hand and what is within our means rather than working from an overly determined or unified aesthetic.” Though inspired by Balinese gamelan, their original compositions and instruments represent a determined effort to create their own sound. In addition to honoring the origins of the instruments, Bike-Bike is a pun on the Indonesian pleasantry baik-baik (fine), a typical response to the question: how are you?

Gamelan Bike Bike draws its musical inspiration from Bali, Indonesia and its raw materials from the scrap metal bins of Vancouver. In 2012, instrument maker George Rahi collected over 100 discarded bicycle frames to build the instruments, configuring the colourful metal scraps into various types of metallophones and gongs. The 10 member ensemble is dedicated to performing new works for gamelan.