Ali is a Indonesian funk band set to showcase at SXSW. The band blends Arab and Indonesian culture and is sure to make you want to dance all night long!
The best part of SXSW is being exposed to brand new artists who are redefining music. The three-piece band Ali is not one to miss out!
Ali hails from Jakarta, Indonesia, and plays with both a 70’s Indonesia funk sound and a Arab influence. They blend Middle Eastern sounds and use Arabic influence to play to the mixed heritage of Arswandu Cahyo, a founding member of the band. This band is reminiscent of “habibi funk” , a new wave of music incorporating Middle Eastern music with funk and disco. The band is known for using exclusively Arabic lyrics while still drawing influence from the Indonesian contemporary cultural scene.
The band is composed of Cahyo (bass and vocals), John Paul Patton (drums), and Absar Lebeh (guitar). They hope to bring a unique musical experience to the Indonesian music scene and to bring a piece of their culture to SXSW. The band describes themselves as ‘Middle Eastern Beats with South East Twists’ and will be bringing it to Austin this March.
Recently, the band has released their newest single An Najma, meaning star. The song is beautifully funky, making you want to jam along to each beat. If you are into bands like Thee Sacred Souls, Ali is a great band to listen to. They also recently released their album “Malaka” in 2023. Their song, Dance, Habibi is a must listen. It is soulful, yet groovy. This album is sure to get you on your feet and dancing. The band plays with backtracking and layering in their composition to make this fun song come to life.
If you are looking for a new band to listen to at SXSW, check out Ali. They are sure to make you get your groove on. SXSW is March 7-15 in Austin, Texas. Be sure to head down to check out amazing artists and enjoy new music in the heart of Texas.
SXSW 2025 will be taking place from March 7th through March 15th. View SXSW Badge levels + prices + more information here.
CHECK OUT OFF RECORD MEDIA’S 2024 COVERAGE 🙂
I am a student at University of Houston currently studying Strategic Communications. In my free time, I write for different publications as I am extremely passionate about music. I collect vinyls, go to concerts, and play guitar. Some of my favorite artists include Paramore, Kendrick Lamar, and Lorde. On the weekends I make pottery, sew, and spend time with my dog.
