Komang
Following a sold-out first show at AsiaTOPA as part of SIGNAL Young Creatives Lab, Melbourne soul’s ‘new-kid- on-the-block’ Rosie Clynes aka Komang is finally set to release her long-awaited debut single ‘Dewi’ this month. Endorsed by a mentorship with local electronic powerhouse Sui Zhen and citing Kelsey Lu, Erykah Badu and Little Dragon as her influences, the multidisciplinary producer, performer and vocalist blends soul-based groove and echoes of traditional Gamelan to create vibrant electronic RnB described as ‘neo-soul meets Balinese mystic power’ and ‘Solange with an Indonesian twist’.
Out Friday 21 August through Ditto, ‘Dewi’ is the first track to be lifted off of Komang’s forthcoming EP Mythologies set to be released later in the year. Layering ethereal electronic soul, ‘90s house-style production and Komang’s truly enchanting vocals, ‘Dewi’ pays homage to motherhood, ancestry, tradition and family in a powerful display of sonic femme energy.
Formally trained as an actor, Komang’s flair for production started while working as a performer and writer in Jakarta’s contemporary theatre world. It was there that, entranced by the city’s jazz and hip hop community, she began learning to produce her own music, becoming a frequent collaborator with Jakarta’s own soul scene (Greybox, Ezra Kunze) before returning back to Melbourne. Earlier this year, Komang turned heads and pricked ears at her sold-out AsiaTOPA show with a night of spoken word performances, dancers, DJs and an Indonesian feast, all curated by Komang herself. The evening celebrated the creation of her forthcoming Mythologies EP, a sonic exploration of her return to Indonesia as an adult – relearning language, traditions and stories.
With more music soon on the horizon, her multidisciplinary vision, ties to community and epic themes of longing and mythology make Komang a definite one to watch for the immediate future.
