Kijang Trans Am is an experiment in applying the principles of the three minute rock song to Balinese gamelan. I chose gong kebyar because its ubiquity and explosive energy make it the closest equivalent to the American garage band. Although these five pieces contain moments of sheer bombast and vulgarity, the project was less about bravado and more about the inner colors of rock and kebyar. Beneath the surface they share commonalities in riff, energy, structure and feeling. Though, the question remains: is it possible to concentrate the experiments and idioms of contemporary gamelan into short and accessible nuggets that pack artistic punch without losing their integrity? - Evan O’Donnell
credits
released April 5, 2017
Recorded in Pura Dalem Munduk Sangkur, Desa Tunjuk, Kab. Tabanan, Bali on August 24th 2016.
Evan would like to express his sincere appreciation to the two groups that made the project possible, and special thanks in particular to their leaders, I Putu Arya Deva Suryanegara (Arya) of Naradha Gita and I Made Joker Winangun (Joker) of Prabawa Bakti.
Naradha Gita (#NAGi)
Banjar Jambe, Desa Kerobokan Kaja, Kab. Badung
Rehearsals at Puri Jero Kajanan, Desa Kerobokan and the Bale Banjar Jambe, Desa Kerobokan Kaja, Kab. Badung
Prabawa Bakti
Banjar Pengosekan Kelod, Desa Mas, Kab. Gianyar
Rehearsals at Pura Taman Limuh, Banjar Pengosekan Kelod, Desa Mas, Kab. Gianyar
Additional thanks to I Made Arnawa for arranging the recording location.
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