Effective period / Period of releases: 2013 - 2022

Navicula was formed in 1996 in Denpasar, Bali. After changing personnel numerous times, the current formation is: Robi (vocals, guitar), Dankie (guitar), Made (bass), and Gembull (drums). The name Navicula was inspired by a type of single celled golden algae, which is shaped like a small ship (in Latin Navicula means small ship). Their music has a grunge rock undertone, but is combined with many other genres of sound, such as ethnic, psychedelic, alternative, progressive, and straightforward rock. The band’s lyrics are heavy with activism messages of Peace, Love and Freedom.

Though the band has always been active in the indie music scene, in 2004 they signed a contract with Sony-BMG, a major label. Navicula released their 4th album, Alkemis, with Sony-BMG Indonesia. But, in 2007 they released their 5th album, Beautiful Rebel, independently and returned to following their ideals through the indie music scene. Navicula is based in Bali, but as an independent band, they continue to keep up a national profile.

Navicula’s music is strongly influenced by alternative 90’s rock, especially grunge rock/seattle-sound, through bands such as Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana. But what makes their music so unique is their condition of beginning in the melting-pot of modern Bali and having the opportunity to mold their creativity out of contrasts so extreme. From the spiritual mountains of Bali’s ancient kingdoms, to passion driven international artists who have come to find inspiration in Bali, and the raw punk rockers of down-town Kuta, this band finds their own taste through it all, the taste of ‘golden green grunge’, the taste of Navicula.

In Indonesia, Navicula are known as “the Green Grunge Gentlemen”. Since the formation of the band back in the 90’s, environmental and social issues have been a consistent theme in Navicula’s music. Living in Bali, the band often finds inspiration in nature, and seeing the environmental changes happening in Bali and the world, this inspires many of the topics of their songs. Environmental issues today affect all of us. It is important to act now and do what we can to spread awareness and understanding of greener practices. For Navicula, this is through their music. Using music as a medium they are spreading awareness to youth across Indonesia.

They have recorded Pantai Mimpi [Dream Beach] about the excesses and negative impacts of coastal development in Bali and the threats posed by pesticides to Bali’s beautiful fireflies, “Kali Mati” [Dead River] about the pollution of the rivers in Indonesia. In Hinduism, Kali is goddess of “Time” or “Death” (as in the time has come). The ‘green grunge gentlemen’ also turned their attention to the plight of one of our closest relatives, with a new song “Orangutan”. The song’s video includes footage from Green: The Film, a documentary about orangutans that has won 36 awards to date and is available free online.

Navicula believes, through art, a language youth can relate to, they are planting the seeds of change. Navicula continues to support social and environmental campaigns in Indonesia and around the world.

Navicula are currently working on their 7th full length studio album titled “Island of the Dogs”. The title is a critical adaptation of Bali’s iconic slogan “Island of the Gods”; many of the songs on this new album look at the negative environmental and social change in Bali due to tourism and unchecked development.