Though the band has always been active in the indie music scene, in 2004 they signed a contract with Sony-BMG, a major label. Navicula released their 4th album, Alkemis, with Sony-BMG. But, in 2007 they released their 5th album, Beautiful Rebel, independently and returned to following their ideals through the indie music scene. In 2009 Navicula released a 6th album “Salto”, and they are now working on their 7th full-length studio album (release date still to be announced). Navicula is based in Bali, but continue to keep up a national profile.
Navicula’s music is strongly influenced by alternative 90’s rock, especially grunge rock/Seattle sound, through bands such as Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana. But what makes their music so unique is their condition of beginning in the melting pot of modern Bali and having the opportunity to mold their creativity out of contrasts so extreme. From the spiritual mountains of Bali’s ancient kingdoms, to passion driven international artists who have come to find inspiration in Bali, and the raw punk rockers of down-town Kuta, this band finds their own taste through it all, the taste of ‘golden green grunge’, the taste of Navicula.
Navicula “the Green Grunge Gentlemen”
Navicula are known as “the Green Grunge Gentlemen”. Since the formation of the band back in the 90’s, environmental and social issues have been a consistent theme in Navicula’s music. Living in Bali, the band often finds inspiration in nature, and seeing the environmental changes happening in Bali and the world, this inspires many of the topics of their songs.
Navicula continues to support social and environmental campaigns in Indonesia and around the world. Following are some of their most recent Social/Eco-Actions:
2010: Navicula was chosen as official spokesperson for Live Earth Bali 2010. Live Earth is an International Organization founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Live Earth seeks to leverage the power of entertainment through integrated events, media and the live experience to ignite a global movement aimed at solving the most critical environmental issues of our time.
2009: Navicula contributed the song “Mafia Medis” to Prita Muliyasari’s fight for medical justice and freedom of speech. The song was offered for free download on the band’s website, encouraging fans to listen to the song for free and then as payment donate directly to Prita’s cause (Koin untuk Prita).
2008: Navicula was featured on a national compilation album founded by LIPI to raise Disaster Awareness. Robi (vocalist of Navicula) along with Pepeng (drummer of Jakarta band Naif) we’re chosen as the spokespersons of the program and participated in giving trainings to communities in disaster prone areas of Indonesia, including Irian Jaya, Yogyakarta, and Bali.
2007 Navicula was awarded Environmental Ambassadors of Bali by the local government.
Navicula also is active as a performer, supporter, speaker, producer, as well as event organizer for many fundraisers, educational and art campaigns, social work, and sub-culture events.
Aku Bukan Mesin
Navicula Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Untuk ikuti maumu
Ku punya hati nurani
Aku pemimpin diriku sendiri…Tak ku makan buah berduri
Tanpa ku kupas kulitnya
Isi ku cicipi dengan cinta
Tuhanmu tuhanku juga
Aku…
Aku pun punya norma
Tapi ku tak mau dipenjara etika buta
Yang membunuh demi surga
Aku…
Bukan mesin
The lyrics to Navicula's song Aku Bukan Mesin reject the idea of blindly following the will of others, particularly in matters of morality and ethics. The singer asserts that they have a conscience and are the leader of their own life. This is reflected in the lines "Jangan memaksa…Untuk ikuti maumu" which translate to "Don't force me to follow your wishes". The singer refuses to consume the "fruit with thorns" without peeling the skin implying that they will not blindly accept things without questioning them.
The line "Yang membunuh demi surga" translates to "That kills for heaven" and indicates the rejection of religious extremism or fanaticism that justifies violence. The phrase "Aku Bukan Mesin" which translates to "I am not a machine" emphasizes the singer's humanity and their ability to make choices based on their own reasoning and morality.
Overall, the lyrics of the song celebrate individualism and critical thinking, a call to be true to oneself and not conform to the expectations of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Jangan memaksa...
Do not force me to follow your will
Untuk ikuti maumu
To obey your every whim
Ku punya hati nurani
I have a conscience
Aku pemimpin diriku sendiri...
I am the leader of my own self
Tak ku makan buah berduri
I will not consume fruits with thorns
Tanpa ku kupas kulitnya
Without peeling off its skin
Isi ku cicipi dengan cinta
With love, I will taste its content
Tuhanmu tuhanku juga
Your God is my God too
Aku...
I am
Bukan mesin
But not a machine
Aku pun punya norma
I also have standards
Tapi ku tak mau dipenjara etika buta
But I do not want to be imprisoned by blind ethics
Yang membunuh demi surga
That kills in the name of heaven
Aku...
I am
Bukan mesin
But not a machine
Contributed by Jeremiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rizkyjulian6277
Jangan memaksa...
Untuk ikuti maumu
Ku punya hati nurani
Aku pemimpin diriku sendiri... Tak ku makan buah berduri
Tanpa ku kupas kulitnya
Isi ku cicipi dengan cinta
Tuhanmu tuhanku juga
Aku...
Bukan mesin
Aku pun punya norma
Tapi ku tak mau dipenjara etika buta
Yang membunuh demi surga
Aku...
Bukan mesin
@rizkydc2373
band keren yang ga terekspose di media publik indonesia. sungguh disayangkan. tetep semangat, YOU'RE THE BEST INDONESIAN GRUNGE
@othoyrio1966
18_09_2023.salam dari grunge cileungsi bogor🤟🤟🤟
@kolokovswari5238
hahaha.. keingetan 1stage with NAVICULA di semarang.........long time ago nad grunge still NO DIE.......
@user-yk3ud4zi2v
Ben semangat
@panserpurba7230
Band keren... Plis jangan bubar tetap berkarya.
@azkadhiyahaura6479
r.i.p made indra .. jasamu dalam karya selalu kami kenang
@yassecore380
Grunge never Die..
@WMyArt1
Darah Nirvana tertancap di tanah Bali.
@mymentbanezya1194
Mantrapz smngt trus berkarya👍👍👍
@user-pk9dy4hx3y
so sad gembul leave this band's