Navicula was formed in 1996 in Bali, Indonesia by two musician activists: R… Read Full Bio ↴Navicula was formed in 1996 in Bali, Indonesia by two musician activists: Robi and Dankie. After changing personnel numerous times, the current formation is: Robi (vocals, guitar), Dankie (guitar), Made (bass), and Gembull (drums). The name Navicula was inspired by a type of single celled golden algae, which is shaped like a small ship (in Latin Navicula means small ship). Their music has a grunge rock undertone, but is combined with many other genres of sound, such as ethnic, folk, psychedelic, punk, alternative, funk, blues, and straightforward rock. The band’s lyrics are heavy with activism messages of Peace, Love and Freedom.

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.

Over Konsumsi
Navicula Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lautku yang biru,
tubuhmu yang beku menghampiriku
Langitku yang biru, selimut kelabu membungkusmu
Matahari, cahyamu… seperti membakar hari-hariku

Di sini, negeriku sayang
Hutannya hilang, bencana datang
Nelayan dan petani rugi

Karena iklim tak berteman lagi

Penguasa jagalah dunia
Bumi kita, rumah kita bersama

Amerika, kurangi emisi gasmu
Jerman juga, hentikan agro-kimia
Jepang Cina, harusnya jaga Asia
Kita semua, telah over konsumsi

Di sini, Indonesia...
Hutannya hilang, bancana datang
Penguasa, awasi dia…
Mafia kayu tak tahu malu
Yeah... Yeah... Yeah...

Selamatkan diri kita
Dari diri kita sendiri

Overall Meaning

The first lines of the song paint a picture of the singer standing by the ocean and feeling the chill of the person next to them. The blue sea and sky are contrasted with the grey blanket covering the other person. The sun's rays feel scorching, which is like a metaphor for how difficult life can sometimes be. Then the lyrics shift to focus on Indonesia, expressing the sorrow over the devastation that has come to the nation's forests and the struggles of the fishermen and farmers due to the changing climate. The message of the song is that people need to start taking responsibility for the current state of the planet and try to save it from further damage.

Line by Line Meaning

Lautku yang biru, tubuhmu yang beku menghampiriku
The blue sea I inhabit, your frozen body approaching me

Langitku yang biru, selimut kelabu membungkusmu
My blue sky, a grey blanket envelopes you

Matahari, cahyamu… seperti membakar hari-hariku
The sun, your light… feels like burning up my days

Di sini, negeriku sayang
Here, my beloved country

Hutannya hilang, bencana datang
Forests disappearing, disasters arriving

Nelayan dan petani rugi
Fishermen and farmers suffering losses

Karena iklim tak berteman lagi
Because the climate is no longer friendly

Penguasa jagalah dunia
Rulers, take care of the world

Bumi kita, rumah kita bersama
Our earth, our home together

Amerika, kurangi emisi gasmu
America, reduce your gas emissions

Jerman juga, hentikan agro-kimia
Germany too, stop agro-chemicals