INDONESIA has made headlines in music news in some weird and wonderful ways. There’s everyone’s favourite chart-topper Rich Chigga . Or that time when a public bus horn caused mass confusion among the EDM world. Or the tragic story of Dangdut singer Irma Bule who was bitten by a python while singing on stage.

But dig beyond the WTF headlines, and there’s a goldmine in Indonesia’s urban independent music scene right now. The thing thst characterises the scene here is the sheer volume of music and the totally chaotic market these artists navigate through, despite lack of government or decent industry support.

Most musicians in Indonesia’s urban underground music world belong to collectives, rather than labels, prioritising community-building rather than money-making. Some get political, and most ride against the mainstream pop anthems blasted through the many, many shopping malls. It’s these grassroots collectives and the country’s strong DIY culture that keep this scene burning.

Here are four artists on what it’s like to survive and thrive in Indonesia’s music scene.