Salammusik to belt out tradition and modern music

KUCHING: Local reggae band Salammusik will for the first time perform on the main stage at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2024, offering a unique blend of traditional instruments and modern music styles.

According to its lead vocalist, Ashraaf Salam A. Azlan, their set will feature selections from their third studio album, “Riwayat,” which incorporates a variety of traditional instruments, some of which will be performed live at the festival.

“We’ve infused several songs with traditional instruments like gamelan, chak, kroncong, and gendang.
“We also used the shehnai, an Indian clarinet-like instrument, and the serunai, a Kelantanese instrument. This is a special arrangement specifically for this festival, as we rarely perform these songs live,” he said during a media conference at Damai Beach Resort here on Saturday.

Salammusik is scheduled to performed on the third day of the festival, Sunday.

“Normally, we play more reggae and hip-hop, He said, adding, “songs like ‘Dewi Seraya’ and ‘Cerita Kedai Kopi’ reflect our love for these genres, which we grew up with.”

“However, incorporating traditional music helps us create a unique identity, especially when performing in Europe, where reggae and hip-hop are already well-represented,” he explained.

He said that festival-goers can still expect to hear some of the band’s signature reggae and ska tunes during the show.

“We’ll definitely include some reggae and ska in our performance. Since our second album in 2013, we’ve been integrating these traditional elements into our music,” he said.

As for the message of their songs that they would put forward to the world, he said their message is very simple.

“It’s just love. We say a lot… it’s not like the love between one individual to the other. It’s not like a couple kind of love. It’s more, I think, empathy. And to enjoy this moment that we have on earth. It’s a message we believe in deeply,” he said.