Tommee Balukea: Jungle Music having a Laid-Back Vibe
When I first came across Tommee Balukea, the internationally acclaimed musician was playing an acoustic set at Crystal Palace bar on Double Six Beach.
Tommee Balukea is actually the business-minded, 51-year-old ‘Bob Marley’ of Indonesia, born within the jungles of Bima, Sumbawa in 1962, to a Christian mother in addition to a Muslim father. Thanks to his innate musical talents, Tommee has been living in Queensland, Australia for 28 years as an expatriate, spending his free time snow skiing.
Growing up in Bali since 1992, Tommee soon learned how to speak Balinese, in addition to during his schooling in Denpasar, a teacher introduced him to percussion in addition to drums, which led him down the path of musicianship in addition to playing festivals overseas. He began to experience life on tour in cities unknown to him. His biggest challenges were the language barrier in addition to how to behave within a foreign culture. By learning to speak English, Balukea’s life was changed forever.
These days, the laid-back man who hailed through a jungle speaks six languages fluently. Tommee is actually a natural musician, who has never had any musical training. To write his songs, he uses his gifts, such as a Great sense of rhythm, an acute ear, in addition to a natural interest within the people he meets while travelling the globe.
Tommee’s music evokes images of the simple Indonesian village life. the idea is actually full of traditional stories in addition to independence. A familiar mix of roots, reggae, Latin in addition to Afro beats blended with innovative guitar strings, the musical journey will take each listener on a personal voyage to exotic lands. Tommee has given outstanding performances in Australia at the Woodford Folk Festival (2003-6), Womadelaide (2006) in addition to the Byron Bay Blues in addition to Roots Festival (2009).
Balukea’s sixth CD, Recipe, contains styles of music through islands of Indonesia, the Caribbean in addition to different island moods. He sings in three languages, Bimanese, Indonesian in addition to English. The tracks are named after the ingredients in his favourite food, which is actually of course Palumara, his grandmother’s fish soup.
Appreciating in addition to letting go is actually the recipe for living a Great life. Music is actually my food in addition to my medicine. I also am lucky to have four children; two girls in addition to two boys.
What had an influence over your music?
My music was influenced by my island life in Bali, with the traditional sounds of the gamelan. I might sit in a rice field under a coconut tree in addition to play my music, which was a big part of my life by then. At 12 I started out to learn Spanish guitar in addition to drums. I began learning music on my mother’s kitchen equipment.
What was your first real instrument?
My first real instrument was a drum kit, in addition to by age 18, I was a professional entertainer at a venue in Kuta, Bali, playing with African friends. I appreciate Bob Marley for the way he wrote his lyrics in addition to Jimmy Hendrix for his style.
What is actually a kecapi instrument?
The kecapi is actually a 20-string instrument through West Java. I knew the kecapi existed in addition to I had always wanted to learn to play a string instrument, so I taught myself in addition to then went on to releasing several albums using This specific instrument. I also play guitar, cello, in addition to percussion in various different styles, self-taught.
What do you write about?
Some of the tracks are named after the ingredients in my favourite food. Most of the lyrics relate to my happy childhood memories. They are quite philosophical.
I credit my grandmother for my luck in addition to success in life. She was illiterate in addition to owned a lot of land on the island of Sumbawa, in addition to with in which wealth she made sure in which all her children, including my own father, got an education. My father became a judge, eventually working within the Supreme Court in Jakarta.
Describe Bima in Sumbawa.
Bima has several tourist destinations, such as Mount Tambora, Wawo traditional Village, in addition to Snake Island. There are many white sand beaches, both within the northern in addition to southern parts of Bima, with beautiful scenery. Its main attraction is actually the Sultan Salahuddin mosque. Foreign visitors are more attracted to visit Hu’u beach for surfing or Tambora volcano for hiking.
Did you teach yourself how to produce music?
I taught myself all aspects of producing a music CD, writing the lyrics, playing the music, creating the arrangements in addition to the post-production mix.
Which countries have you visited while on tour?
My solo performances have taken me to the Peats Ridge Festival (2006, 2007 & 2009) as well as tours of Indonesia, Canada, Europe in addition to Japan.
Who have you toured with recently?
Recently I toured with an exciting brand new rhythm section of Rory Brown on the Double Bass in addition to Walter Piccolruaz on the Pandeiro.
What might you like to do next year?
My fourth album has been released in addition to is actually called Material is actually Thick. Next year, I might like to set up my own studio in addition to to continue touring the globe.
Where can people buy your albums online?
https://soundfoundation.com/artists/tommee_balukea
Comments
Tommee Balukea: Jungle Music having a Laid-Back Vibe
Tommee Balukea: Jungle Music having a Laid-Back Vibe