Do you have a band that still struggle to find the way up? Do you think it’s really hard to find any producer that’s willing to sign a contact? Do you find it hard to exist in this music business? Fear not, because there’s an easy way to reach your dream. Fourth Monkey, is a web-based recording label and community that gives indie artists a chance to produce their albums, using the money from the fans or supporters. This is a really smart and brilliant move to break the difficulties with big labels. They provide the simplest way, in three simple step as follows:

1. The artists meet the fans (they called them “Fanatics”)
2. The fans invest in the artists that they believe in
3. Artists and the fans share the profit.

How much easier can it go? This is a break-through concept to break the difficulties of finding the right producer, even to find the way on how it actually works in the music industry. Several weeks ago, 4th-monkey made their second event called Fourth Monkey Festival 2 at Ke’Ku:n Cafe, located at Kemang, Jakarta, and the theme this time was jazz/funk/soul. Still with the brilliant concept, “fans financed artists”, this time they put the concept into the form of live performance: “crowd financed activities”, where the artists made an event for themselves. 5 bands were there giving out their best, with Barry Likumahuwa as the guest star. Another break-through brilliantly given by 4th-monkey to bridge the gap and provide the most simplest ladder to go up. We interviewed the man behind this concept, Aries Lukman before the event started. Let’s find out more about 4th-monkey’s background.

Where did you get the idea to make this concept from?
Actually I was inspired to apply Web 2.0 to Indonesian music industry. This concept actually isn’t new in some countries, where we heard success stories about making a break-through, a new channel for musicians to start their careers.

Can you tell us how you started this site?
At first I worked with my friend, Jangki, we wanted to make something different. I met him when I was still studying economic in Sidney. I had IT (Information Technology) business before this, but Jangki has always had a big passion in music. Together we blended the idea, and that’s how this was started.I personally think we can still explore the music world of Indonesia. There are still a lot of opportunities. That’s why we’re here to offer something different.

One of the participants on stage

Where did the name come from?
Actually it was based on Japanese philosophy that widely known as 3 Wise Monkeys. You know, those philosophy where you see 3 monkeys sitting, one of them with the eyes closed (see no evil), then the other one with the ears closed (hear no evil) and the last one closed its mouth. (speak no evil). But… not many people know that there’s actually the 4th monkey in this philosophy, where the 4th one closed its private part (the crotch), which reffers to “Do no evil”. This is where the name came from, and it really suits our business philosophy, Do No Evil.

How many registered member are there right now?
Up to this day, we already have no less than 1.500 members.

What role does Barry Likumahuwa have in Fourth monkey?
Barry Likumahuwa is our ambassador. He is always very enthustiastic about our concept and offered himself to be our ambassador. Barry Likumahuwa was the first artist we produced under Fourth Monkey label.

Using banana as your currency is unique.. Why banana?
Yes, banana is our currency. Because we have monkey as our icon, then we decided to use banana as the name of our currency. By using this banana, the Fanatics can support their artists. Once the artist has collected enough amount of banana to reach the target, we’ll produce their album.

Nice and cozy place to enjoy jazz/funk/soul

How many band will perform tonight?
There will be 5 bands

Why did you choose Ke’Ku:n Cafe to hold the second event?
We choose Ke’Ku:n because this place fits the theme chosen for this event (jazz/funk/soul). The audience can enjoy themselves and chat with each other while listening to these kinds of musics. Actually we planned to have it outside, but since it’s raining, we had to move it inside immidiately.

Do you have any wish for the future?
We wish this site, 4th-monkey.com can be a media that can help indie bands in Indonesia to reach their dreams. We will bridge them so they can share their musical inspiration and appreciation to the listeners.

Reporter: Fariz Budiman

To get more information, log on to http://www.4th-monkey.com/

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