A couple of days ago I wrapped up a speaking session at “Tech Media Talk,” organized by Binus International. Regular readers of this blog know I always enjoy discussions and exchanges of ideas — especially on music, and especially on the business of music. That is exactly what happened at the Binus JWC campus, just across from Senayan City mall.
The invitation came from Christine Gneuss, Head of Communication at Binus International, who reached out by email a few weeks earlier with the idea of organizing a music-focused talk and discussion series at the campus. She found me through Minaldi Loeis, Dean of the International Program, whom I had met at a British Council event. After hearing the concept and format, I was immediately interested — even more so when I learned it was part of a broader ongoing series, not a one-off.
The Event
The afternoon featured three speakers, each bringing a different perspective on the Indonesian music industry and where it is heading.
Robin Malau: The Music Business and the Global Ecosystem
I opened with an overview of how the global music industry works — the key revenue streams, the role of rights management, the importance of ecosystem thinking, and what Indonesia can learn from markets that have already gone through the transition from informal music scenes to structured industries. I also talked about my own journey: from being in a band to founding a music tech startup, and what that shift taught me about the gap between artistic ambition and business infrastructure.
Hang Dimas: How Technology Will Change the Music Industry
Hang Dimas shared his story of building music careers in Singapore and Malaysia — first with his band Bumi in Singapore, then with Hujan in Malaysia. The fact that he succeeded in two different markets with two different bands made it clear this was not luck. His experience in those more mature music markets made him determined to fix the industry at home, starting with copyright. Through his company Langit Data, Dimas built technology solutions for music licensing in Indonesia. He also played an active role in pushing for changes to Indonesia’s copyright law, which was ultimately signed by President SBY in October of that year.
Irfan Aulia: Be a Brave Mainstream Musician
Irfan Aulia, founder of Samsons and Massive Music, closed the afternoon with a message I rarely hear from mainstream musicians: be brave. Through his publishing company, Irfan has worked to show that commercial success and artistic integrity are not mutually exclusive — and that understanding the business side of music is not selling out, it is self-respect. He encouraged young musicians to know their rights, protect their work, and approach their careers with both passion and strategy.
It was a full, rich afternoon. The kind of conversation I think needs to happen more often in Indonesia — not just among industry insiders, but with the next generation of musicians and music entrepreneurs who are still figuring out how the whole thing works. Thanks to Binus International and Christine for making it happen.