‘We Want To Stimulate The Imagination’: Ali On Indonesian Identity, Arabic Lyrics, And Keeping Things Surprisingly Low-Key

By Ben Liew  •  17 Jul 2026 in Features

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If you’ve spent any time trying to describe Jakarta trio Ali, you’ve probably found yourself running out of hyphens.

Psychedelic funk, Indonesian grooves, Middle Eastern melodies, soul, disco, rock… the list goes on, but it never quite lands. Their music seems to exist somewhere between familiar and foreign, constantly nudging listeners to rethink where certain sounds are “supposed” to come from.

Ahead of their long-awaited Kuala Lumpur debut, JUICE caught up with the Jakarta trio’s frontman, Arswandaru Cahyo to unpack the cultural influences behind their music, why Arabic became the language of choice for their songs, the band’s surprisingly wholesome tour habits, and the one compliment they’ll never forget.

While many first-time listeners assume Ali’s Arabic lyrics point to a particular genre or geographical influence, the band sees things differently. For them, it’s less about crossing borders than reflecting the cultural exchanges that have shaped Indonesia for centuries.

“People tend to categorise the genre or culture. I know it’s inevitable. But there’s a cultural message behind our music: Indonesia is very diverse. This is Indonesian music, even though I sing in Arabic.”

Arabic wasn’t chosen simply because it sounds exotic or unexpected. According to the band, it felt like the most natural fit for the melodies they were writing.

“Phonetically, it suits the notes in our music. It also shows that it’s part of our culture. Thousands of Arabic words have been absorbed into Indonesian. It’s been assimilated for centuries.”

That philosophy extends beyond language. Ali’s compositions quietly reflect Indonesia’s rich musical heritage, where local traditions have long intertwined with influences from across Asia and the Middle East.

“The scales are very unique. In some regions, the music blends organically with Arabic scales without being too dominant. It’s subtle, but it still sounds unmistakably Indonesian.”

Rather than transporting listeners to a literal place, the trio hopes their music opens up somewhere far more personal. “A happy place. It doesn’t have to be a beach or any specific scenery. It can be wherever your imagination takes you. We’d like to stimulate the imagination.”

Built Together

Spend enough time listening to Ali and it’s easy to assume there’s one mastermind steering the ship. The band quickly dismisses that idea.

“Ali, musically speaking, is teamwork. Everyone has a part in making the music. It’s nothing like a one-man show, so yes, it would sound totally different if any one of us wasn’t in the band.”

After years of playing together, that chemistry has become almost instinctive. “We know when someone isn’t in the mood just by their presence.”

Not Quite The Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy

Despite the hypnotic grooves and festival appearances, don’t expect wild backstage stories.

Ali admit they’re probably much quieter than most people imagine.

“We’re far from the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle people might expect. Even today, after a show, we’d usually just watch YouTube together in our hotel rooms instead of going to some wild after-party. Pretty boring, but honestly, it’s a luxury.”

Ready For Ping-Pong?

As they prepare for their Kuala Lumpur debut, the band isn’t asking for much from Malaysian audiences.

Just bring the energy. “Especially in an intimate show, we need the crowd’s energy. It’s like ping-pong. We give something, they give something back.”

Outside the venue, they’re equally excited to explore another side of Malaysia.

Food, naturally, tops the list. “The cuisine, of course. We all love exploring food. And maybe a few golf courses.”

Perhaps the best way to sum up Ali’s live experience isn’t through a review or a carefully crafted description, but a spontaneous shout from someone in the audience who was in the middle of doing a capoeira-like dance: “Please don’t stop!”

It’s simple, unfiltered, and perhaps the highest compliment any live band could hope for.

Catch Ali live in KL in August.

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