International dub music label Dubophonic Records releases Suwarnadub EP from Roadblock Dub Collective. Suwarnadub EP (taken from the Sanskrit Suwarnadwipa, the name for Sumatra Island in the past, which means ‘golden island’). This set contains 6 songs, consisting of 2 original songs, 2 remix versions and 2 live dub versions by Subconsious Dub, a rising dubmaster from the city of Nicosia – Cyprus.
The Suwarnadub EP brought by Roadblock Dub Collective through their modus operandi of music. A set of work from an infusion of traditional Lampung music through audio samples from Gambus (Lampung’s own Oud Guitar) and Rebana (a hand drum skin) with Jamaican music nexus such as reggae, dancehall and dub.
Suwarnadub EP is an effort from Roadblock Dub Collective to bring the identity of music from the city of Lampung, the gateway of Sumatra Island. An EP that comes from acculturation, the music culture itself and the technology in it.
The 2 original songs in the Suwarnadub EP are “Ngelajau Dub” (which in Lampung language means Let’s keep the dub alive!). An interweaving of the duo’s personal musical preferences. The trajectory between funk and tight dancehall, a homage to some of their heroes in their work. This song also comes in a remix version which is inspired by Tahtim (motion in Lampung’s traditional dance). Also a manifestation of their belief in the “digital-meets-cultural-tradition” ethos.
Next, “Achtung! Ghetto Lioness” a homage from the Roadblock Dub Collective to the music and words that have played a role in shaping their repertoire from the very first day, the simple illustration about what music is for them and a call out to youth to keep their awareness alive. This track also comes in a remix version which was tweaked and also inspired by Khesek, another form of Lampung’s traditional dance style.
Supported by Suarasuku Studio (Jakarta) through Ben Gunawi & Tegi Merkuri as mixing engineers, Antreas Kastos a.ka. Subconsiousdub (Cyprus), as master engineer (who also contributed 2 live dub versions) and Andri Karnegie (Guitar) & Iriawan Wijaya (Trumpet) and Nugroho Arif Prabowo as art director, this Suwarnadub EP already available on various digital music channels.
Founded in 2013, Dubophonic Records has had a really long catalog. Releasing dub music in its most diverse forms, whether it is electronic or acoustic/organic, roots or steppers, classic or contemporary, defining the outer boundaries of dub music. They have distributed lots of outernational dub acts ranging from Japan, Argentina, Greece, Tanzania, Nepal, Russia, France, Germany, Spain to the UK and Jamaica.