How this all-female Indonesian band is using metal music to inspire change
Beethoven once said music can change the world. Well, a trio of girls from Indonesia are proving that's true.
Firda Marsya Kurnia, Widi Rahmawati, and Euis Siti Aisyah were just three teenagers from a rural town in West Java when they discovered the power of rock ‘n’ roll from their middle school guidance counselor, Ahba Erza. When they heard the heavy metal sound of drums and guitars played with full-on emotion, their world changed forever.
"For us, metal music is honesty,” said Kurnia. “A medium that can make us honest with ourselves and the world around us.”
In 2014, with Kurnia on vocals and guitar, Rahmawati on bass, and Aisyah on drums, they formed Voice of Baceprot, meaning "noisy" in Sudanese.
“Maybe you could say that we are one of those people who were saved by music,” said Kurnia.
Watch this all-female metal band from Indonesia rock out to inspire change.
The band hopes to empower the next generation by addressing issues like women’s rights and climate change. The girls aim to make a difference in the world, not just by playing music, but by constantly collaborating with organizations to raise money and taking action on the things they sing about.
“We were safe from underage marriage because, through music, we have the courage to oppose it," Kurnia explained. "We will survive from depression because we can express our emotions through our songs. We can even support other women's movements and dreams through metal music.”
And in the great rock ‘n’ roll tradition, they aren’t afraid of rebellion. Three young women creating a metal band that speaks out on humanitarian and environmental issues was not a typical thing to do where they grew up, and they were not always met with support and understanding.
“We try not to get carried away when we are upset,” said Rahmawati. “We also try to stay grounded on our wins. We think that life has to be balanced in that sense.”
Voice of Baceprot has big, noisy dreams for the future. Currently, in the process of making their first album, this is a band built on unity.
“We always remember that we have each other. Sisterhood,” said Kurnia.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: All-female heavy metal trio inspires change in Indonesia
