Dressed Like an Ocean’s debut album, “…A Winged Coda From My Leeching Arms”, out November 23, 2024, is a raw exploration of human emotion, identity, and the struggle to find meaning in imperfection. The Ambarawa-based band delivers screamo fused with post-rock and touches of jazz, creating a sound that mirrors the complexities they tackle in their lyrics.
The album doesn’t provide answers—it invites listeners to interpret and connect with its stories on their own terms.
It’s incredible how young people from such a remote corner of the world can strike straight into your heart—that’s the magic and wonder of today’s era of accessible music. It’s also the essence of emotional post-hardcore, a genre that, in its niche, resonates so deeply. We love it.
The band describes their thematic focus as “a humanly figure representing the deepest sides of emotion—unexpressed longing, unbearable loss, and the pain of loneliness.”
These experiences are channeled into a narrative of denial, chaos, and eventual self-acceptance. For the band, this journey isn’t linear. It spirals into moments of insanity, forcing their protagonist to confront doubts, regrets, and isolation before emerging with a clearer sense of reality.
“We see this as a dialogue,” the band shares. “Every word and image is rooted in dreams and fragments of memory. Talking about emotions is never easy, but we try to articulate them through music.”
The result is a deeply personal album, recorded with meticulous care. Guitars, bass, and vocals intertwine to build immersive soundscapes, recorded and mixed by guitarist Irvan Naba at Inside The Whale Labs. Drums were tracked separately at 4WD Studio, while additional contributions, like piano by Hidda Iqbal, add texture and depth. Guest vocals from Marcelino Noreen and Hilmy Zaidan on select tracks broaden the album’s emotional palette.
Ambarawa, Java, Indonesia, a small town better known for its historical significance than its cultural ecosystem, provides the backdrop for Dressed Like an Ocean’s unfolding.
The band is part of a wave of renewed activity in the town’s underground music scene, which has faced decades of challenges, from societal resistance to a lack of infrastructure. Yet, Ambarawa’s musicians and collectives have consistently found ways to keep the music alive.
The city’s music scene dates back to the late ’90s, initiated by metal musicians and later dominated by hardcore acts in the mid-2000s. Venues like Pemuda Building Ambarawa and Jetis Bandungan Village Hall hosted numerous independent shows, fostering a DIY culture that connected local artists and audiences. However, as youth trends shifted and economic pressures mounted, activity waned, leaving the scene almost dormant by the late 2010s.
In 2019, Kolektif Matisuri reignited the underground movement. Their gigs, often held in unconventional spaces like Pathrap Coffee and Creative Space, welcomed diverse performers and genres. While their events have faced resistance—one was shut down by neighbors who deemed it “disturbing”—the collective has persisted, organizing shows, releasing compilations, and cultivating a community spirit.
This DIY ethos mirrors Dressed Like an Ocean’s approach to their debut album, which was released in collaboration with three labels: Mortal Blood Records (Indonesia), BSDJ (Japan), and Slow Down Records (Norway).
Tracks like “Virtues From A Loathsome Tune” and “I Saw Your Blue One-Piece Dress Dancing Like A Wave Above The Sky” exemplify the album’s lyrical density.
Inspired by poets like Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Bukowski, the band seeks to capture complex emotions through layered imagery and open-ended narratives. Each lyric leaves room for personal interpretation, allowing listeners to project their own experiences onto the music.
“We learned from literature how to address complex emotions,” the band explains. “Our songs aren’t just stories—they’re spaces for others to find their own meanings.”
This philosophy aligns with the broader ethos of Ambarawa’s music scene.
Local acts like Chewing Glass, a metallic hardcore band, and Kerrra!, a hardcore punk group, similarly push boundaries with their sound and message. Chewing Glass’s 2023 tour and Kerrra!’s EP release via Mortal Blood Records represent milestones for a scene that often operates with minimal resources but maximum resilience.
Despite its challenges, Ambarawa’s music scene is anchored by a sense of community and a commitment to documentation. Labels like Mortal Blood Records and venues like Pathrap Coffee provide platforms for artists, while initiatives like gig posters and event archives ensure the scene’s history isn’t lost to time. For a town where music often exists on the margins, these efforts are vital.
Ambarawa’s underground isn’t just surviving—it’s evolving. Dressed Like an Ocean’s album is a testament to the creativity and determination that drive this community forward, offering a glimpse into a scene that refuses to fade into obscurity.
Stream “…A Winged Coda From My Leeching Arms” on Bandcamp via Mortal Blood Records, BSDJ, and Slow Down Records.
To learn more about the Ambarawa underground scene, please see this special piece dubbed “Ambarawa Scene Report: The Dynamics of the Independent Music Scene in Ambarawa Today”, by Dheni Fattah, originally posted on Medium.
Ambarawa Scene Report
Dynamics of the Independent Music Scene in Ambarawa Today
by Dheni Fattah
Writing about the artistic life in one’s own town is perhaps the most fundamental and straightforward task for those directly involved in its scene dynamics. I attempt to document the vibrant activities undertaken by my friends around Ambarawa. It seems that my friends and I are too tired of waiting for someone else to come and be willing to report on what is happening in our scene.
However, the spirit of such writing is rarely seen these days. I must painstakingly search through social media channels, navigating connections between accounts to gather more information without any concise written guide providing it. The information I do get is usually just a general outline without anyone explaining the who, what, why, and how of their movements.
Meanwhile, underground activity is no longer just thriving in big cities but is also growing in rural areas for diverse and complex reasons.
I am more intrigued by the work processes, initiatives, sustainability, existence, or strategies they use to activate the arts in small regions. I am convinced they must work harder compared to those in big cities where everything is more established. I believe every event in this journey is worth sharing, even if only to document and describe brief information. Perhaps these notes open up opportunities for us to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other.
Not many people are familiar with our daily environment. Most people may only know Ambarawa from the historical “Battle of Ambarawa,” often mentioned in high school history books. This significant post-independence battle occurred between the People’s Security Army (TKR) and Dutch and British forces in Ambarawa. Beyond that, many remain unfamiliar with this small region on the outskirts of Semarang. Geographically, Ambarawa is not difficult to locate, as it sits on the Semarang-Jogja route. But when it comes to its music scene, Ambarawa is not fertile ground for practicing arts. Yet, interestingly, in the realm of music, the scene here has never truly died.
Over time—especially in the past year—I am quite happy with the rise of musical scene activities in Ambarawa. Several initiatives have emerged from friends across different communities and generations who strive to keep the rhythm of music alive in this area. While the movement here is not as massive as in big cities, I notice groups or individuals who passionately and enthusiastically dedicate their energy, time, and thoughts to keeping the Ambarawa scene alive. They are building a music ecosystem formed through intercity friendships, aiming to draw as much attention as possible to the potential that Ambarawa has to offer. Hats off to your spirit!
Please note, as readers, that this article is not a comprehensive report on Ambarawa’s music scene but rather a brief introduction for those interested in getting to know it today. The scene in Ambarawa is still unfamiliar to outsiders. Apologies if some parties are omitted, as they may not yet be within the writer’s radar. Through this piece, I also invite friends from other towns to document news related to scene activities in your areas.
There isn’t much I can share about this city. It lags far behind larger cities, both in quality and quantity. Frankly, we are still struggling. Limited spaces and a lack of appreciation may be among the main factors contributing to the minimal cultural output here. Honestly, who cares? This writing should be a wake-up call for myself and my Ambarawa friends. Thankfully, the underground scene has long discarded the term “competition” within it. So we’re not too scared, only occasionally plagued by shame. If someone glorifies this city, don’t believe them entirely. The truth is, opportunities here are very limited, requiring sweat and blood to keep the flames alive. Interestingly, despite these limitations, Ambarawa always finds a way to make music persist. There are some recent activities by friends worth sharing. Please take a look, and my message to all readers is: “Take care of your scene.”
LABELS
Mortal Blood Records is one of the independent labels in Ambarawa—”maybe” the only one—founded in 2021 by Amar (Chewing Glass) and Redy. Mortal Blood has released two local records:
Chewing Glass – Dig Own Your Grave (EP), in cassette format.
Various Artists – They Hate Us: Ambarawa Compilation Volume One, in compact disk format.
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VENUE
Pathrap Coffee and Creative Space Bandungan
Apart from financial issues, another major problem often faced by event organizers is the availability of space. Expensive rental fees and complicated permits often dampen enthusiasm. However, I don’t want to dwell on complaints here, as many other cities surely face similar irritating challenges. During the pandemic, I discovered the most promising alternative space for small-scale music events: Pathrap Coffee in Bandungan.
Several gigs have been held here, ranging from hardcore, punk, metal, indie, to dangdut. In addition to music performances, there have been occasional film screenings and discussions. I highly recommend this venue for event organizers and bands to hold shows here. Regarding venues today, Pathrap Coffee has successfully answered the long-standing frustrations of friends in Ambarawa.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Gedung Pemuda Ambarawa, Gedung Serba Guna Banyubiru, Ruko UKM Kerep Ambarawa.
MUSICIANS/BANDS
Stevian Yudhistira
A folk soloist from Ambarawa whose lyrics narrate personal experiences accompanied by light acoustic sounds reminiscent of American folk. Stevian’s presence makes Ambarawa feel even cooler and more serene. He is reportedly working on his debut album—something to look forward to while sipping coffee and smoking kretek.
FFO: Watchhouse, Bob Dylan, Bon Iver
Dumb Ass
A noisecore/grindcore/powerviolence trio from Bawen consisting of Pakis (drums/vocals), Najib (guitar/vocals), and Aril (bass). Dumb Ass incorporates satirical-comedy lyrics into their music, similar to Anal Cunt. Formed in 2011, they have produced nine albums and several splits with both domestic and international bands. Their recordings, made using basic equipment in a practice studio, produce a raw and rough sound.
FFO: Anal Cunt, Man Is The Bastard
Papergrown Unit
A grindcore band from Bawen formed in 2012 by three members: Nanang Huda (vocals), Eko (guitar), and Ari (drums). They independently released their debut album in 2016, titled Konsekuensi Harga Mati. Like their grindcore predecessors, they respond to social issues through their lyrics, delivered with lightning speed, intensity, and aggression, complete with vocals that strike like a hammer!
FFO: Nasum, Napalm Death, Insect Warfare, and Earache Records
Chewing Glass
A two-step/metallic hardcore band from Ambarawa, formed in 2017 as a continuation of the hardcore unit Take It Back. Members include Amar (vocals), Joko (bass), Oktavio (drums), and Fajar (guitar). In 2021, they released the EP Dig Own Your Grave via Mortal Blood Records in cassette format. The EP explores personal themes tied to their daily lives, delivering a fresh musical direction compared to their previous project.
FFO: Guns Up!, Expire, Bitter End, and Cold World
Mafialokal
A crust/d-beat band formed in 2010 in Ambarawa, consisting of Kayoen (vocals), Arif Syambudi (guitar), Nanda (drums), and Andi (guitar). As pioneers of the early underground scene in Ambarawa (Total Urunan Resistance Crew), they craft straightforward, dark, catchy, and epic Scandinavian-style crust/d-beat riffs. Their lyrics are politically charged, and their high-quality recordings inspire collective defiance against tyrants.
FFO: Hark! It’s A Crawling Tar-Tar, His Hero is Gone, Anti-Cimex, From Ashes Rise, and Tragedy
Petriot Junkie Noise
Founded in 2017 in Ambarawa, featuring Chilmi (guitar/vocals), Ginung (bass), and Reno (drums/vocals). They self-released a digital album titled Alcoholose containing eight tracks. Petriot Junkie Noise blends crust-punk/d-beat with speed-metal elements reminiscent of Motorhead and the wild punk-rock energy of GG Allin.
FFO: Anti-Cimex, Motorhead, Disfear, and The Murder Junkies
Psychiatric Disease
A slam/brutal death metal band formed in March 2016 in Ambarawa. The lineup includes Andunk (bass), Angga (drums), Yuda (guitar), and Danar (vocals). In 2019, they released a promotional CD titled Promo 2019. Their lyrics delve into gore, sickness, diseases, and dark humor. Their ferocious and heavy compositions are reminiscent of New York death metal, delivering raw and slamming brutality.
FFO: Jasad, Injected Sufferage, Cerebral Incubation, Kraanium, Hymenotomy, and Visceral Disgorge
Libertad
A renowned alternative-rock/grunge band from Ambarawa. There’s nothing more to say about this band—they’re my idols! Hehe…
FFO: Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine, God Bless, Stone Temple Pilots
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Striving, Potato Head, Ruction, Strength Down, Bentrok!, Explosive Rats, Chloride, Swampz, Toilet Kiss.
GIG ORGANIZERS
Kolektif Mati Suri
A music collective formed in 2019 focused on organizing gigs in Ambarawa. Born from shared interests among its members, the collective aims to revitalize the Ambarawa music scene. They create a self-sustaining DIY space, host small-scale music events, and build intercity friendships. Their regular gig series, Belok Kiri Jalan Terus, features touring musicians alongside local Ambarawa acts. Other notable projects include organizing gigs, releasing compilation recordings, publishing newsletters, and hosting music discussions.
Ambarawa Hardcore Crew
A group of hardcore music enthusiasts in Ambarawa. They host an annual event titled Ambarawa Hardfest, showcasing a lineup of hardcore and related subgenres. I prefer to call Ambarawa Hardfest an annual family celebration of the hardcore scene in Ambarawa. The first event was held in 2018, and it continued yearly until a hiatus over the past two years. I’m unsure if this was due to internal issues, but I recently heard rumors about its return. Let’s wait for their next surprise.
This concludes my brief notes on Ambarawa’s current music activities, driven by cross-generational youth efforts. No matter the circumstances, they always find a way to have fun. Still, there is much homework for the scene’s participants to address, including consistency, documentation, nurturing and expanding networks, and productivity—factors I consider crucial to prevent future groups or individuals from falling into unresolved problems left by earlier inhabitants.
