“You are now subject to Indonesian law. Bringing cannabis products, including gummies, into Indonesia can result in prison time or death” the Australian flight attendant informed us passengers as we descended into Jakarta.
I made a friend on the ground who told me their favorite band is Bad Religion, but cannot wear their shirts as it could result in up to two years in prison.
Everything I read going into Jakarta proved to be true. It is intense, it is hot, it is full of smog.
But perhaps more importantly, the food is amazing and the people are warm and wonderful. We ate congee both mornings for breakfast and our hosts took great care of us.
We saw psych bands playing in the streets and we visited an underground mall of lost artifacts from the 90’s and early 2000s - including the Angus soundtrack on cassette.
Oddly, I had just watched Angus for the first time since high-school while in New Zealand two weeks earlier after walking past a bar that was playing Mazzy Stars phenomenal “Fade Into You”. The song triggered the memory of the slow dance scene in Angus and later that I night watched the movie as I fell asleep.
Why is Angus back in my life?
Cornering me in Auckland,
And again in Jakarta?
What does it mean? It reminds me of a line from David Bermans poem Self Portrait At 28:
I know these recurring news articles are clues,
flaws in the design, though I haven’t figured out
how to string them together yet.
But instead of recurring news articles, it is recurring Angus.
The Angus soundtrack is one of the all time greats. It has both a Weezer and Green Day B-Side that happens to be two of their best songs, respectively. It was also my introduction to Mazzy Star, The Smoking Popes and The Muffs.
If you, the music supervisor for Angus, are out there somewhere - please know that you did the lords work.
Playing in Jakarta was the furthest from home I have ever performed my songs and for that I am grateful. I was also surprised by how many Woods fans I met. Jeremy or Jarvis, if you’re reading this, you should go!
Thanks to Wayan and Jocelyn for your incredible hospitality and bringing us to your country. Thanks to everyone who came out to the show.
Here’s some photos of our 30 hours in the city.
Cool chronicle of a moment in time, how as we wander around our mind wanders too, how Mazzy Star and memory and a line from a Berman poem (aren’t his poems great magnified?) intertwine. I like your perspective, the way you share these moments with us. Thanks!
You are allowed to wear MXPX shirts?!