When i was 15 I left home to study overseas. I didn't bring much but i made sure I brought my guitar along. It was my very 1st guitar. A cheap, locally made classical guitar. The Brand says "KAEBU - Belfinas - Made in Indonesia".
Wrote my 1st song soon after. It was crap. But i never stopped writing. I realised I couldn't stop writing. I kept hearing tunes in my head, I will become restless if i don't write them down. Many of my songs are crappy, some are good, some are really special, some remain unfinished.
My songs are mostly about people. My friends, my family, people that inspires me. 90% of my songs are about my wife. Whom i met when i was 18. Who continues to inspire me to this day.
Late 2006, in Melbourne, Australia, I teamed up with a fantastic vocalist, who became a very good friend, Awangku Faviq. We made recordings and distribute them amongst our families and friends. In 2007, we were invited to open for Glenn Fredly and Marcell's concert. It was surreal. We were both beginners. He never sang in public and I've only played my songs to close friends before that. We didn't even have a band. Just My guitar and Faviq's voice. To my surprise, a portion of the crowd were actually singing our songs.
Unfortunately, that was our 1st and last performance ever. We both completed our studies and had to go our separate ways.
2008. I'm 26 years old. Working in Adelaide. Still playing the same 11 year old KAEBU guitar. Still inspired by the people around me. Still writing.
Thanks you for taking the time to read this.
, Ridwan 18/08/2008
PS: Unless otherwise noted, That's my voice. It's not as good as I want to be, but its heartfelt.
