Tag: indonesia

Celebrating One Year of Spotify Lite

September 8, 2020

A year ago, we unveiled Spotify Lite, a small, fast, and simplified version of our app. It was built from the ground up based on user feedback from around the world, and has allowed millions of listeners in areas with limited bandwidth and phone storage to enjoy audio wherever they are. And as our users globally have found, though the app is lite, it’s just as loud.

In the 12 months since launch, listeners around the world have enjoyed and discovered thousands of new artists and podcasts—while easily controlling their data and storage. But where have fans been streaming from Spotify Lite the most, and what have they been streaming?

Since July 2019, we found that our listeners in Brazil have listened to the most music using Lite, out of all 37 markets with the app.* They’re followed by Mexico, India, Indonesia, and Argentina.

Even though some Lite users are on opposite sides of the world, they share some interesting listening patterns. For one, Mondays and Sundays are the top days for streaming, and lunch is the most common time to listen to music and podcasts.

Take a look at what they’re listening to:

Top Tracks

  1. “Señorita” – Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes
  2. “Dance Monkey” – Tones And I
  3. “Tusa” – KAROL G, Nicki Minaj
  4. “China” – Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, KAROL G, Ozuna
  5. “LA CANCIÓN” – Bad Bunny, J Balvin

Top Podcasts

  1. PODKESMAS (PODCAST KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT)
  2. Rintik Sedu
  3. Do You See What I See?
  4. NerdCast
  5. Kajian Hanan Attaki

Indonesia clearly had a great year for podcasts, with the market’s PODKESMAS, Rintik Sedu, and Do You See What I See all in the top five of the most streamed.

Plus, with a new year comes new growth—or rather, a reduction. Although the app was already small—only 10 MB when it came out of beta in 2019—we’ve been able to reduce the Lite app download size by an additional 15%.** This saves even more space on listeners’ phones while offering more than 60 million tracks and 1.5 million podcasts, regardless of network connectivity, data plan, and whether or not they have the latest phone.

The Spotify Lite app can be downloaded separately from the main Spotify app, and is available for both Free and Spotify Premium users. Use it alongside or independently from the main Spotify app on all Android phones running version 4.3 or higher.

*Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, India.

**App download size can vary depending on phone types.

New and Existing Telkomsel Customers Can Now Get Three Months of Spotify Premium at No Charge

August 25, 2020

Spotify and Telkomsel, the largest wireless network provider in Indonesia, are teaming up for an offer that’s music to everyone’s ears. For the first time ever, new and existing postpaid Telkomsel customers can get three months of Spotify Premium on us—no credit card required. 

Eligible Telkomsel customers who sign up through their KartuHalo Telkomsel bills will have access to all the features Spotify Premium users around the world know and love for the first three months, including offline downloads, unlimited skips, and ad-free streaming of more than 50 million tracks with no data charges. 

“At Spotify, we believe all audio fans should have control of their listening experience and easy access to their favorite music and podcasts wherever they are,” said Gautam Talwar, Spotify’s Managing Director of Southeast Asia. “Through this partnership with Indonesia’s biggest mobile operator, we can enable millions of Indonesians nationwide who don’t use credit cards to sign up for a three-month trial of Spotify Premium.”

The two companies have partnered since 2019—the deal allows Telkomsel postpaid and select prepaid customers to stream Spotify without being charged for data. Listeners who opt in for this latest offer will also be able to take advantage of the added bonus.

After the three-month trial ends, customers can continue their Spotify Premium subscriptions for 53,459 IDR a month and pay through their existing Telkomsel postpaid plans. That means one convenient bill for your wireless service plus access to all your favorite songs and podcasts at your fingertips. Now that’s a win-win.

New and existing postpaid Telkomsel customers can sign up now for three months of Spotify Premium on us at no charge. And check out the Musik Indonesia Hub to discover playlists, new releases, and more coming out of the country.

From True Crime to Romance, Four New Indonesian Podcasts Tap Into the Local Culture

August 5, 2020

Listeners in Indonesia can’t get enough of podcasts. In fact, they stream more podcasts on Spotify than any other country in Southeast Asia. Which is why we’re excited to introduce four new Spotify Original Podcasts in the market.

The quartet of podcasts taps into Indonesian culture, spanning genres from horror fiction and true crime to love and relationships. Each show was produced in collaboration with best-in-class storytellers and features local celebrities and personalities. With these new shows, Spotify is working to expand the current podcast landscape in Indonesia while providing more opportunities for the country’s growing creator community.

Find out more about the new podcasts and check out previews for each of the shows below.

LENYAP

LENYAP joins the ever-growing genre of true-crime podcasts, this time focused on some of the most infamous murders committed in Indonesia. Taking stories straight from the nation’s headlines, host Marissa Jeffryna transports listeners from the crime scene to the investigation and explores how detectives worked to solve the case. Buckle up, this podcast is full of dramatic twists and turns you won’t want to miss.

Listen to the LENYAP series trailer here.

Pembunuh Berantai

Also joining the true-crime lineup is Pembunuh Berantai, an exclusive local adaptation of the popular podcast Serial Killers. Like its counterpart, the show gives listeners a psychological—and entertaining—glimpse into the minds, methods, and madness of some of the world’s  most notorious serial killers.

Listen to episode one of Pembunuh Berantai, “Zodiac Killer Bag. 1” here.

Dear Dearest

Ever wonder what celebrities write to their sweethearts? Find out on Dear Dearest, where each episode features love letters written and read by Indonesian celebrities and personalities. Hosts share personal stories with listeners, offering unique insight into their lives. 

Kicking off the first episode are singer Joshua Suherman and actress Clairine Clay. Check it out here.

Kisah Horor The Sacred Riana

If you’re a fan of things that go bump in the night, Kisah Horor The Sacred Riana is for you. The weekly show serves up scary stories, urban legends, and creepy folklore from Indonesia. Featuring the voices of guest celebrities—and backed up by sound effects and a spine-chilling score—this podcast is designed to create an immersive narrative and stimulate the listener’s imagination. Keep an ear out for the voices of singer Widi Mulia, actress Rachel Amanda Aurora, singer Ihsan Tarore, and other popular Indonesian personalities.

Listen to the Kisah Horor The Sacred Riana trailer here.

Stream these podcasts now, available exclusively on Spotify.

The Power of Anchor-Made Podcasts in Indonesia: Spotify Highlights Top Shows, Including ‘Do You See What I See’

February 26, 2020

If you think podcasts are all the rage around the world, you’re onto something. Thanks to a new partnership with some of Indonesia’s biggest podcasters, eight of the top-streamed shows in Indonesia (Podcast Raditya Dika (PORD), Do You See What I See, PODKESMAS, Rapot, Menjadi Manusia, Podcast Bagi Horror, Box2Box Football Podcast, and Podcast Suara Puan) are now available exclusively on Spotify—marking the first round of Spotify Exclusive Podcasts in Southeast Asia.

While all of these shows were made using Anchor—the platform where creators have the ability to record, distribute, and monetize their podcasts from any device (for free)—it turns out that 90% of podcast consumption on Spotify in Indonesia comes from Anchor-made programming. This platform, which was acquired by Spotify in 2019, has given more podcasters an opportunity to produce their own original content.

As the number of podcasts continues to grow in Indonesia, the number of hours spent listening to podcasts has also increased—by tenfold in the past year. We asked Rizky Ardi Nugroho, host of one of the top podcasts in Indonesia, Do You See What I See, what it takes to create one of the most popular shows in the country.

What inspired you to start Do You See What I See (DYSWIS)? Did you have any podcast experience prior to this?

It all started with telling my true horror story on Raditya Dika’s show. Radit—who is one of Indonesia’s most famous content creators (and host of Spotify Exclusive Podcast PORD)—happens to be my high school friend. We made five videos in the Rumah Eyang series, and all five went viral with more than 15 million views. From that experience, I saw that audiences liked horror stories delivered directly by those who experienced it. So, when the opportunity came, I would say, I took the chance—and my channel was trending in one week of airing.

I like to try new things; I learned and I did it on my own. I had no experience in the world of content creators, and I had never worked on audio editing, but I have been a podcast listener for a long time.

Why do you think Indonesians are embracing listening to and creating podcasts?

Podcasting is a new media in Indonesia. Oftentimes, something that’s new and viral is exciting for them to try. It occurred almost at the same time anchor.fm started to sprout and gain traction in Indonesia. Given the fact that it is easy and trending, [Anchor] is all they need to start making podcasts on their own.

Most of my listeners are commuters, so this podcast is interesting to listen to on the go. Podcasting also has more benefits, such as light bandwidth and being battery friendly. People don’t need to watch the screen all the time—not to mention there are various themes and categories being offered.

When sharing stories, you go by the name of Mizter Popo. What’s the origin behind the name?

Mizter Popo is a nickname my friend gave me in middle school. It’s taken from a character in the famous Japanese manga comics at the time, Dragon Ball. It turns out that having a nickname helped me develop my character.

You built two businesses: a rice company and a bakeshop. What did it take for you to start one of the biggest podcasts in Indonesia? Can you describe what your process was like?

I don’t like it when I am labeled as a follower and likened to other existing content/channels, so when I first wanted to make Do You See What I See, I did a lot of research on horror podcasts and content that already existed. I wanted my creation to be different from all that.

I change the sound design for each storyteller—different back sound, different SFX, and without a bumper—in the hopes that listeners will always have different experiences in each episode.

Are you still actively running the businesses?

Yes, as of now, I am still actively doing the organic rice business, O-Rice Brand, and 24-hour cake shop, Honey To The Bee.

What is it about DYSWIS that has people hooked? 

I think people like DYSWIS because the concept features different experiences in each episode.

For the uninitiated, what do you hope people take away from this podcast?

I hope this podcast presents entertainment in the form of storytelling that continues to grow and is different from other channels in Indonesia.

Check out Anchor to find out how you can make a podcast of your own, and listen to Do You See What I See? on Spotify now.

Meet Rich Brian, the Indonesian Rapper Performing at Spotify On Stage Jakarta

September 5, 2019

Jakarta music lovers, leave your headphones at home. On October 4, Spotify On Stage, Spotify’s premier live concert series, will be back and bigger than ever in the Indonesian capital for an immersive, electrifying live event. 

In a one-night-only experience at Jakarta International Expo Hall (JIExpo), three of the world’s hottest artists — rapper Rich Brian and K-Pop sensations (G)I-DLE and ATEEZ — and local superstars Arsy Widianto, Brisia Jodie, Marion Jola, and Rizky Febian will be coming together onstage at Spotify On Stage Indonesia. Together, these artists have a combined 15 million monthly listeners on Spotify, though how the numbers might shift after a night of musical discovery is anyone’s guess.

Rich Brian has only just turned 20 and he’s already the most-streamed hip-hop artist on Spotify in Indonesia. This means he’s also one of the biggest international stars hailing from Asia.

Besides gearing up to perform at the concert, Rich Brian also recently partnered with Spotify for an interactive showcase in Jakarta to celebrate the launch of his new album, The Sailor. The Sailor Experience exhibition took Rich Brian fans through an immersive journey into the mind of the hip-hop star, giving a unique insight into the influences and memories behind the album. The exhibition also featured a screening of Rich Brian’s cinematic debut, Rich Brian Is The Sailor (A Short Film), accompanied by exclusive audio commentary by critically acclaimed director Sing J Lee. Check out the video recap from the entire event below. 

https://www.facebook.com/SpotifyID/videos/2378984662157093/

 

We sat down with Rich Brian  after his event to get to know him a bit. Like many other stars growing up in the age of the internet, Rich Brian has spent a lot of time searching the web for the secrets of success. He especially loves trolling fans on Twitter and really wants to get into acting. We also discussed his excitement about recording his latest album and checked in leading up to his Spotify On Stage performance.

You’re originally from Indonesia but you’re now living in LA. How has living internationally influenced your sound, process, or attitude? 

A lot of things influence my sound, from listening to traditional Indonesian music, to the stuff I listened to while spending full days on the internet making videos. Living internationally definitely influenced my attitude towards everything positively. I’m very grateful for everything that I have now and things just never get old for me—each new experience feels like a blessing.

How was the experience of collaborating with big names like RZA and Bekon on your sophomore album? You grew up listening to Wu-Tang Clan and Kendrick Lamar—how does it feel to be working with their producers?

Working with them was insane. Bekon and the whole crew and I were locked in the studio for months—I felt so close to everybody at that point. I kept forgetting how insanely talented everybody is and how lucky I was to be in the same room with those guys. RZA was just another level—the day he came to the studio was memorable for all of us. He was so nice. Seeing him just do his thing and kill it in a room full of people he’d just met that day was very inspiring. 

The Sailor definitely has a different sound from 2018’s Amen and your earlier music. What was your inspiration behind this more experimental album?

Making this album, I tried not to care about what’s currently trending or what’s relevant, but instead made what I personally think sounds good. I care less now about the amount of listeners, and more on the impact it’s made on the people who do listen.

You talk a lot about your youth and accomplishments on the track “Kids.” What do you see as your role for inspiring other young creatives, especially young Asians?

I’m just here doing my thing, doing what I love to do and making what I love to make. My only purpose is to show other people that it’s all possible. I live for those moments where someone tells me that they quit music, and when they saw me doing it they wanted to pick up the guitar again. It’s what keeps me going. 

How do you feel about performing live at the Spotify On Stage Indonesia concert?

I’m super pumped to do a show here again, I feel like this is gonna be a pretty crazy one.

Check out Rich Brian’s newest full-length album, The Sailor, featuring RZA and Bekon.

Watch 15-Year-Old Jazz Pianist Joey Alexander Share His Passion for Music

August 17, 2018

Each time jazz musician Joey Alexander opens Spotify, he sees something that most 15-year-olds don’t: his fourth studio album. What’s more, he sees the numbers: 400,000-plus listeners from around the world follow the Indonesian jazz pianist.

The care and delight Joey expresses with each stroke of the keyboard is apparent in his performance of his own free composition, “Eclipse,” seen in an exclusive interview and performance with Joey at Steinway Hall in New York City. Between his utter surrender to the melody and the excitement with which he shares his story, it is clear that when Joey plays, he pours his heart and soul into the music and instrument he loves.

Music has always been a part of Joey’s life. He taught himself piano when he was 6 years old by both listening to his father’s jazz albums and sitting down at the piano to practice playing the notes himself. At 9, he won the Grand Prix at the 2013 Master-Jam Fest, an international, all-ages jazz competition. And when he was 11, he became the youngest jazz artist ever to be nominated for a Grammy. But what’s most important in all of this, he says, is “to enjoy every moment.”

It’s more than talent and dedication that have pushed Joey decades ahead of his peers in his musical career. His passion for jazz, belief in music’s ability to bring people together, and love of storytelling through composition all fuel his playing—and keep him going. Joey’s musical influences and inspiration span decades of jazz expertise, as you can hear in his Inspiration Playlist:

Between his utter surrender to the melody and the excitement with which he shares his story, it is clear that when Joey plays, he pours his heart and soul into the music and instrument he loves.