Every band has global ambition, but few have the drive to move 7,000 miles across the world to realize it. Summer 2022 saw Elephant Kind relocate from Indonesia to London, embarking on a new chapter as a band and starting a new era on the other side of the globe.
“This is the dream of every Indonesian artist, probably most artists in the world. Everyone that we love moved to London at some point, and writing here, it means a lot to us,” says Bam Mastro, frontman and founder of the group.
Elephant Kind was formed in Mastro’s bedroom in Perth, Australia, over a decade ago. Originally a purely introspective project, it was an outlet for Mastro to express himself creatively, more for himself than anyone else. After moving to Indonesia, the project evolved into a full band. By 2022, Elephant Kind had become a three-piece band with four projects to their name, hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners across the globe, and a firmly cemented place as one of Indonesia’s most beloved alternative outfits. Their fresh take on alternative indie has earned them critical recognition and acclaim both at home and internationally, steadily building year after year as their global ambitions come to fruition.
In Indonesia, the band has won big at awards ceremonies, including The Indonesian Cutting Edge Music Awards, and earned numerous nominations at The AMI’s and Indonesia’s Choice Awards. Their domestic success has attracted some of the most culturally impactful brands, leading to collaborations with the likes of Gucci, Dior, Vans, and Dr. Martens, to name a few.
Kevin Septanto and Bayu Adisapoetra complete the trio alongside Mastro, working together to create Elephant Kind’s genre-straddling sound. By blending a multitude of inspirations and styles, they craft something remarkably unique. This new dynamic has led to a fresh writing process, where full band involvement has replaced the previous solo approach. Their forthcoming project marks the start of a new era, showcasing their most forward-thinking work to date.
“This is the first record where I let go of a lot of my ego, I suppose,” says Mastro. “And I just kind of let everyone join with ideas this time. That was difficult at first as it’s hard listening to other people, but Bayu and Kevin came in with new, exciting things. It was refreshing just knowing that you’re not as powerful as you think you are on your own.”
Although Indonesia is rife with talent, few bands achieve international success, making this moment so exciting for Elephant Kind. “When we were younger, we never saw an Indonesian band have international success, so the dream has always been there for us to break that mold,” says Bayu Adisapoetra.
“I think the best part of being successful in Indonesia is that, by nature, you’re able to sustain a career longer than everywhere else in the world. If you make it there, they’re gonna love you for a very long time.”
When it comes to live performances, the next year will introduce Elephant Kind to a totally new audience, with an entirely new country of fans to engage with. As one of Indonesia’s definitive alternative outfits, they’ve also been a go-to support for huge international talent, having toured with the likes of The XX and Franz Ferdinand. Their significant presence in Southeast Asia is now starting to translate even more globally with the band’s move to the UK. This move ignites a fire in Elephant Kind, setting the stage for an exciting next 12 months.
