Wildstix's log, stardate 62550.6

Happy Sunday!!!

I did it! I conquered my laziness and idealism about the current church that I attend, I kept silent and let God do the rest. I heard Him spoke to me again, the essence of being someone who trust in Him. To give thanks (for me it's even more now), shine God's love & manifest Jesus in daily life not just as knowledge.

Wildstix's log, stardate 62550.9

I had invaluable lessons about my side business today and I'm sure I can do better next time.

I also met up again with my loyal stagehands after so many months and I'm just so happy to hear that they are as willing as before to go the extra miles for Academie of FarSide. I'll indtroduce them with the new member of the band next thursday.

The last significant thing I did today was postponing the Prog Fest that I planned. I felt terrible with this decision but luckily the venue's manager was so cooperative and supported every decision that I make. I don't know him well enough, but I salute him for his flexibility.

With two things at least settle, I can now concentrate on stabilizing Academie of FarSide new line up, the clinic trio and researching materials for new album.

Wildstix's log, stardate 62544.1

Starting from this post I'll be using another method of stardate. The rest of the stardates on previous posting will be changed accordingly.

I wrote a note about another evil thing happening in indonesia prog scene, catch it here

Wildstix's log, stardate 62540.9

Academie of FarSide, this is the band that I formed sometime in 2003 and since then it has been the focus of my works. I worked hard to make this band exist and going, composing music that would push the envelope, taking us in one global effort to advancing music further.

Unfortunately I live in a world where music is regressing rather than progressing. Nowadays, there are almost no more music that bear the trace of advancement wether that of mainstream or independent music industry. That's on a larger scale.

In a smaller scale, which is the music that I do and the place where I stay, it's even worse. In progressive music context, I was hoping we could get some strong supporters among local prog fans. I came up with new concept and approach in prog music, melting every piece of music influence into prog realm in hope it will be a fresh prog music. So then, what did I get?
Total rejection from local prog fans! Most of the older prog fans (let's call them seniors) just dismissed our efforts, saying we're not prog enough. I tried to tell them that we are doing music, not only prog. But I guess their ego wouldn't admit that there's another horizon in approaching prog music.
I thought their opinion won't have specific impact, but I was wrong. Being undermined for years by prog fan seniors, my former band mates started to feel that our efforts are useless and their faith in our music dwindled. They even put a blame on me for everything.
(I knew Academie of FarSide will sink forever if I don't act quickly, I took a painful decision to reform the band with new members)
Meanwhile on the other side there are some copycat prog bands that are (ironically) getting supporters from local prog fans. Even some of the so called senior fans endowed their support and endorsing to those copycats....what is this? A psychological war?

I don't really give a damn to the situation, but I must admit that rebuilding Academie of FarSide without having anyone to convince the new members about the full potential of the band, is like trying to freeze hell.
I have my true friends backing me up and I really thankful God put them there.

Dear Lord, until when You are going to let those copycats rule???

My music memories pt X

YES, I just don't know the right words for this band but I do know that I love them a lot!!!

Although I grew up in 80s but I managed to know this band and their music quickly turned me inside out. They are one of the best bands in the world and I will positively say (if anyone ask my native music) Yes is my form of native/traditional music.
If you listened to some of the music I composed, you'll be sure to find Yes influence as one of the dominant colors.

Wildstix's log, stardate 62539.2

I'm sure you all know about the israel-hamas conflict and all the reactions. During the conflict I strongly believe that instead of supporting or condemning the conflicting parties, we should look deeper into the matter. I often heard people (especially from superficial muslim organization in indonesia) always condemning Israel and blindly supporting hamas. Only a handful of them realized-just as I do-the main concern in every fighting, the common people.

Today I read a news about a Palestinian farmer who had his land and buildings forcefully taken by hamas fighter as their so called fortress. After the conflict, he have lost his home and waited for the empty promises of hamas (de facto governing the Gaza strip) that will give him cash to rebuild his home. Other people also share the same situation, they were afraid to reject the using of their homes as weaponry hideouts by Hamas gunmen because they will be accused as supporters of israel and as the consequence, their homes are now no more than ruins as the israel forces targeted their homes as military targets.

I always dreaming of mankind to go to the final frontier further, exploring the distant stars. But with all of the above still happens, I'm not sure we are ready-as human or society-to embrace the bright future.

Wildstix's log, supplemental

I just heard a terrible news, one of my classmates during elementary school died of suicide. He is one of the person that I long to see. Our last meeting was about 7 years ago and we never meet again until his death.

I guess I'll never see him again in this life. Rest in peace my friend.

Wildstix's log, stardate 62531.3

I attended my friend's wedding, one of Academie of FarSide veterans and though I'm happy to see her again, I was quite upset with the crowd. My wife and I decided not to stay longer.

After several days of thinking and improvising my music plan, I realize that I don't have the time and the fund yet for making a prog event. So I'm postponing the show to a further notice.
There are several factors to this:

• a. The new personnel are great but they still need more time to get the music right and tight
• b. Just happen that I shifted the fund to start my side business to make extra income for my family and the band
• c. I'm currently deepening my music knowledge for new materials of the new album
• d. My time and energy are practically all used up for all of the above
• e. If I carry on with the prog show plan, I will need to find someone else, who is trustful and resourceful to handle it. Unfortunately I couldn't find that someone.

It's a hard decision but I'm sure I can materialize the plan soon enough.

Wildstix's log, stardate 62527.5

After yesterday performing for the music clinic on schools, I feel much more relaxed and enjoying my time doing my side business that went pretty well.

I'll be having a rehearsal with my band, a replacement since yesterday was too tiring for me and our bass player couldn't make it too. There's a strong possibility that we're not going to rehearse in full team as the keyboard player pointed out that he can only come on Thursdays. But the bright side is, we are going to try out other repertoire of the band.

Wildstix's log, stardate 62520.6

Today I watched the changing in history as Barack Hussein Obama became the first african-american and the 44th president of the USA. I pray he will bring better times than his predecessor.

Wildstix's log, stardate 62516.8

I started today a bit late. Woke up around 10 am and I just don't felt like doing anything.

I took three leaves of toasted bread and a sachet of 3-in-1 coffee as my breakfast and tried out some of the mic and audio cables I work on yesterday. The mic cable didn't work and still no clear result wether the audio cables are working properly.
There hasn't much activities in the studio too as I'm too, don't feel like being there for a while. The next activities in the studio will be 2 hours from now, a 1 hour guitar class.
My wife and I also managed to make "to-do" list for our financial strategy.

Then I surfed around the internet as I checked emails. Nothing much on the emails and no words from Baltic Prog Fest organizer yet about the possibilities of Academie of FarSide participating on the festival.
So I then turned my attention to check out the updates on recording stuff and I found some interesting new items. I'm planning to get them.

Wildstix's log, supplemental

Last friday, I eagerly (tho a bit scarred too) invested on a new, promising business and today I received positive feedback from some of my future clients. I must say I'm quite excited with it.

Wildstix's log, stardate 62513.3

It has been a rainy week, we hardly can see the sun and floods were happening or threatening several area of jakarta.
For Academie of FarSide routine rehearsal. Because of the prolonged rain since wednesday night, our vocalist couldn't come to our rehearsal due to flood that paralyzed public transportation system in her area. Nevertheless, the rehearsal went well as we rehearsed the "anthem" of the band, Mei Hua's Katsu.

The next day, I rehearsed for the first time with the trio that is prepared for music clinic in several high schools. Although all went pretty smooth for a first time try, I still think and feel we need to work more on the materials. Unfortunately time is not something we have as a privilege. We managed to rehearsed some more on saturday but again I still didn't feel comfortable.

The planned clinic will be held next thursday and our only next rehearsal is a day before that, in wedesday. Oh Lord, we need lots of luck and miracle or that.

My google map update

I have updated my google map, check it out. =)


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My music memories pt IX

"Big in Japan!" these lyric was frequently heard by me when I was little as my older brother used to play cassette on our tape player. At first and then for so many years, I thought the lyric was "Made in Japan!" and only after I got serious into music (circa 97) I found out the who the artist was and the correct lyric.
Their music did not influence my music much but still, it's a great works in music.

ps: thanks to erniebogie for sharing the video

Great band, little exposure

I was talking with my best buddy about music yesterday night and he mentioned about this band. He said it is one of the cutting edge bands out there, but he also informed me a grim possibilities that the band is now may have disbanded.

So, just I woke up I tried to google them and having hard time to find them. Finally I found them on Youtube, a video of their performance at Dodge Street.

I must say that-if they really are disbanded-I'm not very fortunate to have the chance to see them live. It's a good band and inspiring. This kind of band should've receive more exposure and introduced to the rest of the world. -Just got updates. The band is still active and they're now preparing for their second album.-

Here's a little of what we can see about them, "Flutter Effect!" or "Fluttreffect"? -Based from their official myspace and website, it's Fluttrefect.-

disclaimer: video courtesy of regressing2apes

My music memories pt VIII

Though I'm not a big fan of Iron Maiden, but when their frontman Bruce Dickinson released this song I quickly became a fan to the song. I felt that this song is a successful attempt to merge the medieval spirit with the modern contemporary rock.

ps: thanks to lehcim0001 for sharing this wonderful memories

2009, the early part

Wow, we're now in 2009! Quite unbelievable how time flies.

So, 2009, what can I tell about the early times of it? Nothing really much. My wife and I were celebrating new year at home, with our families. January 2009 also marks my wife's pregnancy third month, she's still having hard time with food.

My band, Academie of FarSide has already rehearsed with new keyboard player and still need to see for at least one more rehearsal until we can really decided wether he's the one or not.

Since I also faced with tough challenge to write composition for Academie of FarSide third album, I need to deepen the music knowledge that I ever had before and hence I also started my self-class of Orchestration Study, the hardest part is to keep up with the schedule I set up myself.

I also met up with some new friends from several countries in europe through myspace and facebook. I'm so touched that even so they live far away, they showed sincere appreciation and support to my band and our music. That is not something that we could get in our own place.
My friends, if I have the chance to visit you all, I'll do it!