Record Store Day Kaltim, Enjoy Music from Physical Releases

While showing releases of cassette tapes, discs (CDs) and vinyl records, he was very passionate about telling stories. The corner of one of the Kopi Kanam cafes, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, is a place to talk about his love for music.

That evening, Sunday (28/4/2024), he guided one of the visitors to experience listening to music from physical releases. He took an album from a local music group from Balikpapan, namely Superego and Infact.

Dwin then inserts the cassette into the walkman, connects the earphones and clicks! The cassette tape spun and the visitor listened to the music.

"It's different, isn't it, listening to music through physical releases?" said the man whose full name was Erwind Dwi Yanto.

The visitor in front of him nodded. Dwin then guided the visitor to listen to music on vinyl records and explained various things.

This striking scene shows that the physical release is not completely extinguished. It still exists and is in demand by a number of groups.

Some people are curious, wanting to reminisce, experience a different sensation of enjoying music, and collect physical releases from decades ago that they have not yet owned.

Dwin's activities that night were part of the Record Store Day East Borneo event 2024. This was an event to maintain independent music stores that consistently sell various physical releases by musicians in East Kalimantan.

Held on April 27-28, 2024, at least 17 stands will showcase a variety of releases from local to world-class musicians. In addition to cassettes, CDs, and vinyl records, several stands will also offer t-shirts of local and international musicians, as well as books.

Also read: Shop Physical Releases at Record Store Day Indonesia Market

Looking at its history, the first Record Store Day was initiated by Eric Levin and his friends in the United States in 2007. Its main concept is to hold an event to revive independent cassette stores that sell physical releases. This is done to keep the industry alive amidst the development of digital music.

This spirit was brought to Indonesia, including East Kalimantan. This event is held in April, like in the United States.

At the local level in East Kalimantan, Dwin is one of the local independent music exponents in Balikpapan. He was once a vocalist in the rock music group In Fact, which has now transformed into Infact.

Although no longer active in music, Dwin is still involved in activities around the local music industry. Since 2000, he has run a distro business as well as a record label, Bandit Records.

Currently, Bandit Records is also selling physical releases in the form of cassette tapes. They also stay connected with local East Kalimantan musicians.

"Physical releases have a special impression because they can be collected, held, have a kind of nostalgia, and there is a different impression when listening to the music," said Dwin.

Although digital music is now easily accessible, some still come to Dwin's store. Aside from the 60s-90s generation, young people from Generation Z are also starting to become interested in collecting and listening to music from physical releases at Dwin's store.

First time

Naufal Al Habsyi (37), Program Director of Record Store Day East Borneo 2024, stated that Dwin is a figure who has persisted in the local music industry. Since 2000, Dwin has nurtured several local music groups to release cassette tapes.

According to Boim, also known as Naufal Al Habsyi, figures like Dwin have been instrumental for musicians in Balikpapan. In addition to helping release cassette tapes, there are also other things accompanying him, such as a network of friends, knowledge of music, information about music groups outside of East Kalimantan, and so on.

That is why he and a number of music activists in East Kalimantan agreed to hold Record Store Day East Borneo 2024. According to Boim, this is the first event in the province to carry out similar activities under the label of Kaltim.

Previously, in 2012, Record Store Day was first held in Samarinda. Only later did the event take place in Balikpapan in 2016.

The activity was carried out several times in the following years. Initially, they linked the name of their respective cities to the activity, such as Record Store Day Samarinda or Record Store Day Balikpapan.

In 2024, they agreed to use the name Record Store Day East Borneo. According to Boim, the goal is for this event to pave the way for all creative industry activists in East Kalimantan.

Also read: The Story of Durable Cassettes

"The main goal is that in every city in East Kalimantan there can be an offline record store. "If it already exists, there is no need for events like this bazaar anymore," said Boim.

According to him, the event called Record Store Day is important in introducing the creative industry in East Kalimantan. This is because many musicians or music groups have already emerged in East Kalimantan itself.

Along with that, many individuals are involved, such as cassette or t-shirt illustration makers, music studios, recording studios, and those who reproduce cassettes. That ecosystem, Boim continued, needs to be continuously introduced so that it is more widely accepted by the public, at least in East Kalimantan itself.

He said that physical releases, like cassettes, CDs, or vinyl records, can be an alternative way to enjoy music in this digital era. On the other hand, it can be an opportunity for music groups to approach their audience; providing an experience by offering cassettes or other similar physical releases to collect and listen to.

Also read: City Ballads on Black Records

In addition to presenting independent cassette stores, Record Store Day East Borneo 2024 also introduced a number of important figures in the local music industry. They held discussions to see what opportunities and challenges local musicians face.

This performance also presents activists who support the local music industry. For example, Record Store Day includes Kenstum, a local brand that produces hand made tape decks or handmade tape cassette players.

"We present this so that visitors can try it directly. Because, many people have bought tape decks, but they are easily damaged. "Also introducing products made by local residents here," continued Boim.

Apart from that, there is also a local hand made earphone manufacturer from Samarinda, namely Dimas Asrur Fauzi (31). The man known as Pacuel produces ear monitors under the Posilian brand.

Posilian products have been used by many musicians in Indonesia, such as Vierratale, Virgoun, Saint Loco, Oom Leo, and several other musicians. With an affordable price of Rp 350,000-Rp 380,000, Pacuel has received a warm welcome from these artists.

Without having to spend millions of rupiah on established brands, artists feel that Pacuel products have excellent quality and are comfortable to use.

”Apart from that, you can custom logo. "So the product is more personal," he said.

The two-day Record Store Day East Borneo event also celebrated the music industry, especially in the form of physical releases that continue to exist. They plan to make this event a regular occurrence to care for its ecosystem.

It's not that they are unwilling to move and adapt in the midst of digital convenience, but they offer a way to celebrate music in a different way: by looking at its history, getting to know its alternative industry, and supporting the development of local creative industries.

Also read: The Rise of LPs, Still Exist Even Without Dominating the Market