Raga Fullmoon is a singer-songwriter – a Lombok local who is making a name for himself and his Full Moon Band. They have a reggae-inspired sound, with folk and rap influences, and a connection with people and nature seems to give shape to their music.  

Raga spoke with My Lombok about his career, his band and his new album, Summer Holiday.

Tell us something about yourself

I grew up in Masbagik, in Lombok Timur, and I still live there. When I finished school I went to Bali to find a job and get some experience in the ‘real’ world.  I began singing on the streets in Denpasar, to collect money to live. I also saved money to go to university in Mataram. I studied English for a year and then I travelled again. I came to Kuta in 2012, and since then I have been fully involved in music.  

When did your interest in music begin?

I have been singing since I was a child. My mom is a good singer and so is my grandfather.

In 2004, I learned to play the guitar. In secondary school I entered a competition and won second prize. My uncle, who passed away about a year and a half ago, was the person who really inspired me. He was the first teacher in my life and he bought me my first guitar in 2006.

How did you get into music as a career?

I visited my cousin, who was already living in Kuta, and from there I started to play in different places – first at The Corner Café and then at Magic Bar. In 2014 the Reggae Bar opened on the beach and I started performing there.

Have you had any formal training?

No, I haven’t. Everything I have learned about music comes from nature.

You have your own band?

Yes, the Full Moon Band. At the moment there are four members: I sing and play guitar, and I can also play percussion. Maman is on bass, Ivan’s on keyboard, and Iman plays the drums. We are all from Lombok. I have been playing music with Maman for 13 years. We had a band in 2005, when we were in high school. Then we formed the Helicopter Band. The Full Moon Band has been going for 6 years, and now we play reggae, folk and rap music.

Do you write any of your own songs?

Yes, I do. I usually pick up a paper and pen and just start to write. I let my mind wander, and sometimes my head goes everywhere!

Who would you say is your musical inspiration?

My absolute favourite reggae singer, without a doubt, is Bob Marley. In every one of his songs and lyrics there is always a positive – a good way to learn. His songs have inspired me to do a lot of positive things to help others.

Have you released any albums?

Not yet – but I am about to. The new album is called Summer Holiday and everyone can listen to it on Spotify. I was inspired to write the third song on the album when I was going to Lombok’s ‘sister island’ – Moyo Island, in Sumbawa. I wrote it on the boat, while I was on my way to the island. The song is about having exciting times in the summer, and going on holiday  – looking around, exploring the islands, and visiting the jungle and the waterfalls. It is literally my ‘summer holiday’ song.

Where do you perform in Lombok?

We perform in Palate Café & Bar, at Surfer’s Bar and Rasta Bar in Kuta, and sometimes we play in Gili Trawangan. Then we had the earthquakes, and we decided to stop performing there and help the people affected by the earthquakes instead. It made me think the people might need my help – especially the children and the women. So I went to the villages in Sembalun, Pemenang and all around the North and West of Lombok, singing and teaching them about art and music. I also helped rebuild the school in Sembalun. With some of my friends, I wrote a song ‘Aku Anak Lombok’ (‘I’m a Kid from Lombok’), which we taught to all the children and sang it on our visits around the earthquake affected areas.

Do you travel and perform outside Indonesia?

Yes, I have been to Germany, Holland, France, and Malaysia.  I busked around Europe, and I also took part in a competition in Germany – ‘Kunst gegen Bares’, which means ‘Art for Money’. I sang the famous Bob Marley song, ‘No Woman No Cry’, and I won first prize.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to travel and discover new places. I have explored North Bali, and I’ve been to Germany in winter and experienced the freezing cold; that’s when I saw snow for the first time. I especially like going to places I’ve never been before.

What is your dream for the future?

My dream right now is to make my music go universal. I want everyone to be able to hear it and enjoy it. It would also be a dream come true for my Mom (my Grandmother).

Music is very important to you?

Yes it is. I couldn’t do without it, or without my guitars. I have two, and I always take one of them with me wherever I go!

When I play music, I feel different. Something comes into my head, and the music comes from my playing.

The Full Moon Band’s songs can be downloaded or streamed via music apps (Spotify, iTunes, Joox, etc). Listen to ‘I’m a Kid from Lombok’ here. Raga can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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