Decolmuseum

RELEASED 20 JUNE 2025

Decolmuseum (Decolonized Museum) is a boundary-pushing, genre-defying album that liberate cello from its classical playing cage with lead vocals, hybridize with progressive rock/metal and Indonesian sub-genres such as keroncong and dangdut. A bold statement of “differences are born to be celebrated, not to be competed.” This conceptual album invites listeners to reflect on colonial history and its aftermath. A colonial and imperial past whose shadows continue to affect and cause pain to modern societies such as hypercapitalism, social injustices, inferiority complexes and entrenched nepotism.

FULL BAND CONCERT

Emir teamed up with Kaan Yazici on bass and Sander van Elferen on drums for his full set concert formation. Expanding the traditional rock formation, Emir performs lead vocal, cello and guitar on stage. This formation serves the rebellious identity of musical tradition while being connected to the root firmly at the same time.

LIVE CINEMA VERSION

The Decolmuseum Live Cinema is a combines live music performance with archival colonial films. Montaged with film materials from the Dutch-colonial Nusantara (East Indies), Japanese occupation of Indonesia and Indonesian War of Independence, Emir created both storytelling and narration that focuses on tributing the resilience and resistance of the people of Indonesia during their crucial struggling time towards independence. The live cinema version was being tried out in Zutphen, Amsterdam and Brussels, receiving wide variety of intellectual and emotional receptions.

Decolmuseum Live Cinema at Luxor Theater Zutphen (part of International Cello Festival Zutphen 2025). 29 August 2025. Photo credit Quinn Osterbaan.

BLUSUKAN (COMMUNITY OUTREACH) & CHAMBER MUSIC VERSION

Adapted to different venues and atmosphere, the concert can take various forms—including an intimate acoustic setup that serves community outreach program. In this division, Emir goes door to door, bridging this album to serve as a communication and empowerment to those who has limited resources and access to music and concert venues.

Community outreach at De Voorkamer, Utrecht. 3 September 2025. Acoustic set with Simon Nagtegaal on guitar & sharing sessions with the neighbourhood community.

Community outreach at Ruang Melamun, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 26 July 2025. Album listening & sharing session.

Community outreach at The Brewing Room, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 27 July 2025. Album listening & sharing session.

Decolmuseum chamber music concert, Zutphen. 30 August 2025. With Alessandro Soccorsi on piano. Photo credit Melle Meivogel.

MUSIC ALBUM ON DIGITAL & PHYSICAL RELEASES

This 10-track album invites rock and metal enthusiasts into a new sonic realm while expanding the horizons of cello and classical music listeners. After completing his master’s degree in classical cello at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, Emir returned to his musical roots: rock, metal, and Indonesian folk music. Together with music producer Kaan Yazici, they set out to find the perfect balance between the raw, gritty tone of the cello and distortion effects reminiscent of guitar amplifiers. The duo spent countless hours crafting intricate chains of sonic world that would ultimately define the album’s identity.

In Decolmuseum, Emir defies mainstream song structures, opting instead for linear compositions, a form rarely explored in non-classical music. This approach reflects his vision of intertwining classical composition with the energy and edge of popular music, forging a sound that is both boundary-pushing and deeply personal.

The album is available in both digital and limited bio vinyl edition.

VINYL ORDER? PLEASE CONTACT

Limited edition 1st pressing bio vinyl. Manufactured in Copenhagen with bio recycled material, it provides the same visual and audible quality as conventional PVC. Bio vinyl is fossil-fuel free – reducing carbon emissions by 90%. The raw materials chosen for production do not impede efficiency or quality of the final product. Pressed on a marbled oyster colour (between purple and pink), the remaining oyster edition are only 70 copies left. Includes full colour credits/lyrics page and white polybag inner sleeve.

Listen ‘Decolmuseum’ on Bandcamp

Watch ‘The Fall of a Confused Empire’ archival music video👇🏻

Watch ‘Decolmuseum’ official lyric music video 👇🏻

Watch ‘Merdeka’ official lyric music video 👇🏻

Watch ‘Pseudo Oath’ archival music video 👇🏻

Watch ‘Tyranny Park’ archival music video 👇🏻

ALBUM CREDITS

Music composed and lyrics written by Alfian Emir Adytia

Produced, recording engineered, edited and mixed by Kaan Yazıcı in The Hague, The Netherlands

Mastering engineered by Acle Kahney at 4D Sounds in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Vocals, cellos, guitars, pianos, electronics performed by Alfian Emir Adytia

Drums in ‘Decolmuseum’, ‘The Fall of a Confused Empire’, ‘Tyranny Park’ and ‘De Stille Kracht’ performed by Koen Herfst

Drums in ‘Morning Revolt’, ‘Encrypted Algorithm’, ‘Merdeka’ and ‘Code Blue’ performed by Efraim De Nijs Latuheru

Poem for ‘De Stille Kracht’ recited by Laura Scarborough

Electric bass performed by Kaan Yazici

Choir in ‘The Fall of a Confused Empire’ performed by:
Robin Block
Cleo Ian Songono Tjitrodipo
Marlina Deasy Hartanto
Iva Khuang
Hesce Mourits
Johannes Gierl
Simon Nagtegaal
Kaan Yazici
Alfian Emir Adytia

Children’s choir in ‘Tyranny Park’ performed by Sami, Teuntje and Jan-Willemijn

Album cover artwork original charcoal painting by Timoteus Anggawan Kusno. Coloured digitally by Alfian Emir Adytia. Voted by crowdfunding campaign supporters.

This album production was financed thanks to the support by 123 individuals through a crowdfunding campaign via Voordekunst, as well as generous supports by het Cultuurfonds and Amarte Fonds.