He is known by the stage name Masanies Saichu. Started his career as one of the scenesters in the early wave of Jamaican Sound in Indonesia. He was the frontman of the historical music unit that has ever existed in Indonesia, Asian Roots.

Born as Anies Syaichu in Yogyakarta, he began to interact with music in this city. Before playing reggae, he had played rock and new wave. He played songs from the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Alice Cooper. While living in Germany in the late 1970s he had formed a new wave band, through the drummer at the time, he became acquainted with reggae.

Having returned to his homeland in 1985, he stayed for a while in Bali, becoming a singer with various bands residing in many clubs. He returned to the Netherlands a year later. To Kultur, He said:

“After one year in Bali, I went to the Netherlands. From there, with friends attended the ‘Reggae Sunsplash Festival’ in Jamaica. Watch Black Uhuru, Yellowman, Sugar Minott and more. Since then, I’ve been into reggae.”

He further explained, Bob Marley was the biggest inspiration for him in reggae. Although he underlined that being himself is something that becomes the foundation of his works. He added:

“Bob (Marley) is one of the best in the world, (his work) carries the spirit of Intellectual Rebel. This is what reggae really means to me.”

Masanies runs his career casually. Art for him is something that can make feel free and happy. “Like an abstract painting, it must be pure from our will,” he explained. Running his career easily made him “only” produce 2 albums, “Yang Bagus Akan Datang” (2003) and “Gombale Bolong” (2012) so far. Currently, he is preparing his 3rd album.

He often works with various musicians for his music. Recently, he has been supported by one of Indonesia’s greatest talents, Fred Gasa, as his partner and producer. With Fred, who is much younger, he knows technology and enjoys it immensely.

An interesting note from Masanies for kultur is the formula he pours into his works. He admitted that apart from Marley, he was also influenced by ASWAD and liked the New Zealand music unit, Katchafire. But Masanies’ work has always become something that is tempting to explore.
He easily conveys the hidden message in “Gombale Bolong” that young men must shape up their chivalry for their own upcoming things in the future. In the song “Sing Dodol Jamu” he tells the story of a traveling traditional herbalist seller, who for him is a public health hero. All this, he wrote in Javanese. He explained why he used Javanesse:

“Because of pride, it’s a habit, I’m used to using Javanese. It’s my mother tongue. Inherent in my soul, It certainly make me sing more soulful”

He also added, just like he interpret that reggae is a form of an intellectual rebel:

“I believe (through reggae), we can share the goodness that this country has to the world, (about sharing) peace, the environment, and the pride we have about OUR NATION”

 

Apart from music, Masanies also has another big passion, painting. Salvador Dali is as equal as Bob Marley for his passion in painting. Just like to underline his previous statement above, “painting is something that can live the life up”, he said.

Yes, Masanies is living the fun with his music.He just sings his soul, he doesn’t even know how can his music video “Don’t Run” be broadcast by one of the prestigious reggae portals in the world, Reggaeville. Something special, it should be! Longlive Masanies! Keep having fun!