Senyawa produce experimental practices by exploring tribal, primitive sounds with industrial music in the most powerful way. By weaving folkloric moods with various shades of modern genre hybrids, Senyawa has been navigating unexplored musical terrain for more than a decade. Their sound is comprised of Rully Shabara’s deft extended vocal explorations punctuating the frenetic sounds of instrument builder, Wukir Suryadi’s modern-primitive instrumentation.
Senyawa have performed at many notable festivals all over the world such as Primavera Festival in Barcelona to smaller but important venues such as Café Oto in London. Senyawa also won multiple awards such as the Green Room Award for Best Music Composition and Sound Design ain 2018 and 2017 Ars Electronica Award for Digital Music and Sound.
They have collaborated and performed with many notable musicians such as Stephen O`Malley, Robert AA Lowe, Otomo Yosihide, Rabih Beaini, Damo Suzuki, Justin Vernon, Oren Ambarchi, and many others. In 2012, filmmaker Vincent Moon made a film about them entitled "Calling the New Gods"
During the pandemic, Senyawa released new album `Alkisah` with over 40 labels around the world
and quoted by The New York Times as the new global jukebox for the future of international music
industry
“The concept of heaviness in music tends to be measured in terms of frequency and loudness, where low- end vibrations at maximum volume yield the weightiest results. Rully Shabara’s voice and Wukir Suryadis’ bambuwakir (a homemade percussive and stringed instrument) have forged Senyawa’s deep and extreme dynamics since 2011, yet theirs is a sound that brings with it another dimension of weight, one that can’t be measured.” – The Quietus
“Senyawa`s music rises from the belly of the beast and crawls out of its gaping maw. Each wail, drone, and plucked guitar string from the experimental Indonesian duo evokes the feeling of deep-set hunger; every sound contributes to the tension” – Pitchfork
“Generally speaking, Senyawa operate on a force-of-nature level” –Resident Advisor
“Indonesian duo Senyawa is one of the most intense live bands in the world” –Red Bull Music Academy
“Senyawa can be counted among the most thrilling, edgy and original live performance units anywhere in the world.” –The Wire