“You can buy a clock, but you can’t buy time, so use it wisely.” 

Rizal Hadi – 

Allow me to introduce Rizal Hadi, a contemporary musician from West Java who has dedicated several decades to working with bamboo. Through his expertise, he has crafted a diverse range of musical instruments utilizing this versatile material. One of which he calls the Rasendriya, which is his most well-known invention. 

The Rasendriya combines an 8-string guitar, didgeridoo, and celempung (percussion). 

Now this innovative musician calls Ubud, Bali, his home, where he continues to pursue his hobbies and passions as a musician, music producer, and the founder of Ubud Folk Fest. 

I had the privilege of chatting with Rizal at his studio in Ubud, Bali. Together, we delved into his journey as a contemporary musician and social activist. 

Hello Rizal, what are you busy with right now? 

Besides my consistent work as a music producer, working with music artists from all over the world, my biggest project currently is preparing for Ubud FolkFest 2023, where we will welcome the best of Indonesian music & art to our stages.  

Can you tell us about your initial interest in bamboo musical instruments? 

Growing up in a small village in west Java without access to conventional musical instruments, I was inspired to make my own if I was serious about learning and playing music. I discovered that bamboo is an easily accessible material, sustainable and free! 

The Rasendriya is a musical instrument you craft, requiring significant time to complete. Can you tell us about the challenges you faced during the process of bringing the Rasendriya to fruition? 

My main struggle with the Rasendriya stemmed from the fact that I was creating a musical instrument that never existed before- I had no reference point to work from!  

It took me years to perfect the design and eventually build the instrument we can now hold in our hands and play. 

As a musician, you have embarked on many tours. What year was your first tour? Additionally, did you bring the Rasendriya with you on all of your tours? 

My first tour in Indonesia was in 2008. I then went on to tour overseas in 2012. Of course, I brought my Rasendriya with me!  

It saved me paying extra for luggage because it’s three instruments in one! 

You have been a part of many bands throughout your musical career, which band best represents you the most? 

Definitely Rizal Hadi & Folk. We’ve changed the band’s name many times over the years as it 

has shifted and evolved, but I love that the essence has remained the same. We play with the instruments I have created. I play the Rasendriya, my Bamboo Lapsteel Guitar, and sing, while my band members play the bamboo bass, bamboo cello, and bamboo drumkit.  

I also have a duo project with drummer Reza Achman called “Rhythm Rebels,” which is a live drum and bass band. I play my bamboo didgeridoo, one-string bamboo bass, and my brand-new instrument which doesn’t even have a name yet! 

Could you describe the circumstances that led you to relocate to Bali, particularly Ubud, and why you chose Ubud as your place of residence up until now? 

In 2013, I was invited over to Ubud to give a Ted Talk. The moment I stepped foot in Ubud, I immediately felt at home among the many artists and musicians here. I was unaware of the amazing opportunities that would follow on from this Ted Talk. Funnily enough, I didn’t even really know what Ted X was when I received their invitation. I began playing all over Bali, collaborating with other incredible musicians here, and eventually, in 2015, was chosen as one of Bali’s 20 Inspirators by HelloBali Magazine, which ultimately was what inspired me to stay here in Bali and call it home.  

For collaborations with other musicians, you have often performed live with several national musicians. What was the most memorable live collaboration performance for you? 

I have collaborated with so many musicians over the years, but the most memorable collaboration for me has to be my collab with Kecek Bali. It gave me goosebumps.  

You are also known as a social activist who often makes music performances, discussions, workshops, and other activities. Can you tell us about what you do as a social activist? 

The most recent activist project I joined is called Music Declares Emergency (Indonesian Chapter), which is an environmental pressure group with no commercial or political affiliations whose purpose is to create a vehicle for musicians and the music industry to bring their influence to bear on climate breakdown mitigation. 

What is your greatest achievement in music thus far?  

That’s hard! Besides producing over 50 albums for talented artists all over the world, I think it has to be when I was invited to be a guest speaker and performer at TEDx Ubud. The video of my performance was selected as a TED Talks Global Editor’s Pick and also featured as one of three ‘Weird and Wonderful TEDx Musical Performances’ from TEDx conferences internationally. Recently I was also chosen as a ‘Global Youth Hero 2018’ by Global Youth Leaders, which I’m completely humbled by. These aren’t necessarily musical achievements, however, everything in my life comes back to my love for music. 

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