In this interview I sit down with Indonesian bassist Zoltan Renaldi to discuss his creative inspirations, his upcoming project Revelation, and, of course, playing bass.
Introduce yourself to our readers and describe the style of music you create.
Zoltan Renaldi, from Indonesia, Southeast Asia. I play electric bass ( fretted and fretless ), and also acoustic bass. Been around the Indonesian music scene since 2007 and played/recorded with musicians ranging from pop, jazz,orchestral, and traditional music.
2015, decided to make an album of my own, and Indra Aryadi as a producer, while still supporting other musicians on some projects.
Why did you choose this style or genre(s)? What attracts you to it?
My music is based on bass role as a main idea. When i inspired of something, i just transfer that from my head into my bass, mimicking the events that i want to create. But with all the limitations from the bass (things like tone, pitch, tunings), i create the melodies, rhythmic patterns, grooves, or even ambient, textural shape from it. Sometimes its not even sounded like a bass, i just let the ideas came out naturally. So pretty much bass is just my vehicle to (create) music, because bass is the most familiar instrument for me.
I’ve decided to start creating my own music. Coming from my background as a supporting musician (that im also really enjoy), for me i learn a lot by playing with many different musicians. And that leads me to do the creation, my own compositions. by composing, i think we can really tell what and who we really are.
Who or what influences your playing or writing styles? Also, what motivates you to keep creating?
As a main influence i would like to say Jaco Pastorius. Also a lot of other bass players like Michael Manring, Avishai Cohen, and so many to mention. But that’s only the bass part, when it comes to music, i really like jazz, rock, pop, or whatever that is interesting to me.
What was the last song you listened to?
the last song i listened to (before i wrote this resume), i think is “We Are” from Karnivool,Australian proggresive-rock band. The song has an interesting composition, with beautiful video clip. As for newer artists, maybe like Christian Scott (trumpet), Braxton Cook, and Walter Smith (sax).
Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish creatively, or otherwise, on your newest project?
My first and upcoming album will be titled “Revelation“. Its about my thoughts on life, and everything that’s been slowly being revealed to me as i grow. Its a story of my whole life from past until present, that i want to share to music listeners from a bass player’s perspective.
My joy, sadness, anger, spirituality, everything that is me, is all in this album.I played fretted, fretless, and acoustic bass here, and i use them as an indispensable tool to support my music ideas.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
Some of my playing is at Youtube, just type my name. You can also search my name Zoltan Renaldi on social media : Facebook, Twitter, Path, and Instagram. And for e-mail you can contact me at zoltanrenaldi@yahoo.com. It will get better when I’m start the album promo, as I’m just getting started.
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
I am honestly not a man of words, so i just let my music speak to the listeners.
Lastly, i would like to say thank you for this interview. It will be a great start for me as well.
