EMIR CELLO
New indonesian wave
READ (SHORT) BIO
Dubbed the “Jimi Hendrix of the cello” and hailed as a vanguard of the “New Indonesian Wave,” Emir Cello (Alfian Emir Adytia) is an Indonesian cellist, composer and performer whose work moves freely between classical, contemporary music, progressive rock, metal and Indonesian traditions. Rooted in both rigorous classical training and a deep connection to his Javanese and Minangkabau heritage, Emir creates music where cultural memory, history and raw musical energy collide. Together with Turkish bassist Kaan Yazici and Dutch drummer Sander van Elferen, he brings these ideas to the stage as a powerful trio, combining virtuosic cello playing, progressive arrangements and immersive live performance.
“Re-appropriating historical propaganda as a WITNESS to the people’s resistance”
–musikeras
“Cello solos alternate effortlessly with heavy metal and danceable folk.”
–3voor12lokaal
“Bombastic progmetal, which brings to mind a comparison with Muse during the Absolution era.”
– IO Pages
“A dense, unresolved field that demands listening as a critical act.”
– Psychedelic Baby Magz
“amplifies the restlessness with vigorous scratching, strumming, and grinding.”
– De Volkskrant
“Eyes naturally drift to the musician, whose cello shrieks, creaks, and sighs. He delivers a sound of unruly melodies mixed with ominous sounds: panting, war noises, helicopters.”
– Theater Krant
“a mesmerising and high-octane listen”
– Prxludes
PRESS COVERAGE
12 Oct 2026 🇮🇩 (Pop Hari Ini) Alfian Emir Adytia Tampil Kembali di Cello Biënnale Amsterdam 2026
12 Oct 2026 🇮🇩 Alfian Emir Adytia Tampil Kembali di Cello Biënnale Amsterdam 2026
11 Oct 2026 🇮🇩 Emir Cello Membawa Unsur Metal dan Keroncong ke Biënnale Amsterdam
11 Oct 2026 🇮🇩 Semangat Metal Ke Pentas Dunia
11 Jul 2026 🇳🇱 Cellosolo’s worden moeiteloos afgewisseld met stevige metal en dansbare folk.
16 Apr 2026 🇮🇩 Musisi Indonesia yang membawa cello ke ranah metal dunia
5 Apr 2026 🇨🇦🇬🇧 (MV feature) Mophead’s Musings
5 Apr 2026 🇨🇦🇬🇧 (Radio airplay) Radio Waterloo
24 Mar 2026 🇬🇧 (Radio Interview) BRAM Radio
Mar 2026 🇳🇱 “Bombastische progmetal waarbij de vergelijking met Muse ten tijde van Absolution bij mij opborrelt.”
7 Dec 2025 🇳🇱 Cellist Alfian Emir Adytia versterkt de rusteloosheid van de dansvoorstelling door driftig te krassen en…
26 Oct 2025 🇳🇱 Op de vlucht in een wankele wereld
24 Sept 2025 🇳🇱 De Indonesische progrock- en new wave-artiest brengt zijn nieuwe album Decolmuseum
21 Jul 2025 🇬🇧 Decolmuseum: A Sonic Reckoning of Colonial Trauma
21 Jun 2025 🇮🇩 Alfian Emir Adytia Menantang Narasi Di Album Konseptual “Decolmuseum”
23 May 2025 🇮🇩 Alfian Emir Adytia Merilis Single Kedua Merdeka
29 Apr 2025 🇮🇩 The Fall Of A Confused Empire: Dua Gugatan Alfian Emir Adytia
29 Apr 2025 🇮🇩 Alfian Emir Adytia Luncurkan Single Perdana The Fall of a Confused Empire
28 Apr 2025 🇮🇩 Emir Cello Seniman Indonesia yang Mengubah Paradigma Musik dengan Cello dan Kekuatan Lirik Protest
23 Nov 2024 🇮🇩 (Video Podcast) Merintis Karir Sebagai Musisi Indonesia Di Belanda
12 Sept 2024 🇬🇧 (Video Podcast) The Early Current w/ Kems Kriol | Operator 12.09.2024
13 Aug 2023 🇳🇱 Van Indonesische Beat Tot Mozart’s Muziekdoosje Het Grachtenfestival Biedt Een Ongekend Rijk Scala
2 Jan 2023 🇳🇱 Alfian Emir Adytia earned ‘Special Mention’ at Calefax Composers Competition 2022
28 Nov 2022 🇬🇧🇭🇺 Alfian Emir Adytia earned ‘Honorary Mention’ at Bartok World Competition 2022 in Budapest
2 Dec 2020 🇳🇱 Emir Adytia speelt ‘huzarenstuk voor iedere cellist’ in Haagse Kunstkring
17 Aug 2020 🇳🇱 Indonesische Alfian groeit in Zutphen uit tot Meester
