Rully Shabara

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As one half of Senyawa, vocalist Rully Shabara has become one of South Asia’s most recognisable faces in the underground and experimental music scene. Known for his dynamic, intense performances, which captivate audiences globally, Shabara’s onstage presence bridges contemporary metal with traditional Indonesian folk and various theatrical performance styles.

Starting with experimental punk band Zoo in 2005, Rully Shabara began making a name for himself through frenetic live performances and fast-paced, urgent records. Five years later, Zoo’s record label Yes No Wave organised an improvisational performance between Shabara and instrument builder Wukir Suryadi, thus hosting the first Senyawa event. Using metal music as their spiritual centre, Senyawa fold in Suryadi’s folk and theatre background into their compositions and improvisations. While Rully Shabara continues with Zoo and Senyawa, he has also commenced a new project entitled Setabuhan.

Comprised solely of percussion (drummers Ramberto Agozalie and Caesarking), and Shabara’s voice, Setabuhan is a modern reinvention of tribal trance. They take inspiration from the monotonous, interlocking beats of the ancient Central Sulawesian animistic ritual, Balia. The ritual focuses on healing people possessed by evil spirits, exorcising and appeasing the spirit through repetition, dance, and movement. Shabara will also be participating in DIY research platform Kombo at CTM 2019.

A rich thread which runs through Rully Shabara’s work is his relationship with nature and a personal exploration with the possibilities of his voice. In an interview Shabara says: “Voice is my instrument of choice, not only for its huge range of sound and texture possibilities, but also its strong connection to spirituality and the environment…It cannot be separated, so personal, we need to look inward to master it. Learning vocals is about learning about yourself, including your weaknesses.”

Resonances and Fractures in Nusantara

Kunstquartier Studio 1, Wed 30.01.2019, 16:00

Cheryl Ong, Kok Siew-Wai, Pisitakun, Rully Shabara. Moderated by Wok the Rock and Tengal.

Kombo

HAU2, Sat 02.02.2019, 19:00

Andrea Neumann, Bhakti Prasetyo, Cheryl Ong, Kok Siew Wai, Marta Zapparoli, Raed Yassin, Ramberto Agozalie, Rully Shabara, Sabine Ercklentz, Yuen Chee Wai

CTM 2016 Opening Concert

HAU1, Sat 30.01.2016, 19:00

Vincent Moon, Rabih Beaini with Sofia Jernberg, Rully Shabara, Sam Shalabi, Daniele De Santis, Liz Albee, Mazen Kerbaj, Tommaso Cappellato, Sharif Sehnaoui

Coordinates III

HAU2, Wed 03.02.2016, 19:00

Keiji Haino, Kazuhisa Uchihashi, Rully Shabara & Wukir Suryadi (Senyawa)