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VOB, Metal Band with Hijab Alumni from Madrasah Worldwide

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VOB, who are madrasa alumni, have successfully penetrated the world public

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA— Music is a universal language that can be understood and enjoyed by various groups. From a song, listeners can interpret what the singer wants to convey.


Anyone can make music and anyone can make music a place to express thoughts, express complaints, work to achieve success.


Coinciding with National Music Day which falls every March 9, several groups of creators from West Java interpret their music which contains social stories through rock/metal genre songs.


Voice Of Baceprot (VOB) is a rock trio consisting of three young women, Firdda Marsya Kurnia (vocals and guitar), Widi Rahmawati (bass), and Euis Siti Aisyah (drums). The word “baceprot” itself comes from the Sundanese language which means noisy, chosen because it refers to the genre of music they bring.


Departing from their love for the arts, the trio started their introduction through the world of theater when they were still studying at Madrasah Tsanawiyah in Singajaya, their village which is about two and a half hours by private car from Garut City, West Java.


The forerunner of VOB starts with Erza Satia, a Counseling Guidance (BP) teacher and theater coach at their school. Erza or who is usually called Abah, not only introduced them to the world of theater, but also to music.


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Initially, Abah provided music references on his laptop while starting to teach the three personnel the basics of playing instruments with makeshift devices. It was also Abah who encouraged and convinced VOB to express their creativity and voice through music.


Since then, VOB together with Abah have explored the world of music through YouTube, from learning how to play a musical instrument, exploring rock music from around the world across time, seeking inspiration to make original songs, and even learning English.


No wonder, if the first song they released some of the lyrics were written in English. The name VOB itself began to steal attention when one of their performance videos performing Rage Against The Machine’s song in 2015 was uploaded via YouTube.


After that, various videos performing songs from their idol bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica and Slipknot, also brought VOB into the spotlight of international icons and media.


Apart from the expertise of each personnel in playing their instruments, the rock/metal combination performed by the three hijab-wearing young women from Indonesia was seen as surprising and unique.


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“Regardless of gender or hijab, we want to be known as musicians who have quality works. We feel that through music, we can express what we see in the surrounding environment which is packaged in rock/metal music, while maintaining our identity as Singajaya-Garut children, Indonesian children, and Muslim women,” said VOB vocalist Marsya.


Since the video, VOB has started to spread their wings through the release of original songs that tell a lot about social dilemmas and their concern for the issues around them. Until now, “School of Revolution” has been watched by more than 600 thousand viewers.


In addition to uploading their music on YouTube, VOB also provides a variety of content that brings fans to the other side of the person and the life of each individual. At the end of 2020, the three VOB personnel decided to move to Jakarta.


In the capital, they deepened their musical skills from senior musicians such as Andyan Gorust and Alan Musyfia (Hellcrust drummer and bassist), as well as Stevi Item (guitarist Andra & The Backbone, Deadsquad).


They also condense their daily schedule by practicing in the studio, as well as holding workshops on making new materials under the guidance of Stephan Santoso (guitarist of Musikimia, recording engineer of several successful albums, including those of Sheila On 7, Edane and Padi).

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