Kotak’s Journey Rocking Indonesia’s Music Scene

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Born from The Dream Band audition, Indonesia’s rock band Kotak has been turning their dreams into reality since 2004. Their electrifying journey has added vibrant color to Indonesia’s music scene and continues to influence listeners across generations.

Originally composed of four musicians, Kotak consisted of Julia “Pare” Lepar, Cella, Icez, and Posan. The name Kotak, which literally means “square,” symbolized four distinct sides coming together harmoniously to form one strong musical structure.

Kotak released their self-titled debut album in 2005 under Warner Music Indonesia, marking their entry into Indonesia’s music industry. The album featured early hits, including “Terbang (Khayal),” “Hilang,” and “Saat Kau Jauh,” introducing the band’s signature sound.

In 2006, vocalist Pare departed from Kotak, and Tantri Syalindri Ichlasari later joined the band as the new frontwoman. Later, the band underwent further lineup changes when bassist Icez left the group, with Swasti “Chua” Sabdastantri joining as his replacement and completing KOTAK’s new lineup.

This lineup boosted Kotak's popularity in Indonesia’s music scene following the release of their second album in 2008, "Kotak Kedua". The album brought the band widespread recognition through hit songs, including “Beraksi” and “Masih Cinta.”

In March 2011, drummer Posan Tobing officially parted ways with the group to focus on other projects. Rather than replacing him as a permanent member, Kotak continued as a trio comprising Cella, Tantri, and Chua, with additional session drummers supporting live performances and studio sessions.

Celebrating 22 years of their musical journey, Kotak is entering a new era as an independent band after parting ways with Warner Music Indonesia. “At 22 years old, we stand as a new band..a new step at 22 years old because we are learning to become an independent band,” Tantri stated recently on Voice of Indonesia’s music program, The Session.

To begin their journey as an independent band, Kotak released a brand-new single titled “YOLO (You Only Live Once).” The song serves as an anthem encouraging listeners to be fearless, trust themselves, and embrace life fully with the support of those who care about and love them.

“Even though ‘You Only Live Once,’ it doesn’t mean acting recklessly. We have to be able to make ourselves better without becoming a burden, without having to be like others, we have to be ourselves,” Chua explained.

Furthermore, Chua revealed that the song was inspired by her daughter, who experienced verbal abuse from a former caregiver. The experience deeply affected her daughter emotionally, prompting Chua to write the song as a source of encouragement and strength.

“The song YOLO tells a story about an energy boost for my daughter. She experienced verbal abuse from a former worker at my house, which made her very fearful and feel like she wasn’t good enough,” she added.

Chua explained that “YOLO” was also inspired by the anxiety caused by the many choices people face today. She hopes the song encourages listeners to make decisions, embrace new experiences, and grow into better versions of themselves.

As part of their 22nd anniversary celebration, Kotak is set to perform on Roblox, aiming to connect with younger listeners who enjoy the platform while embracing the digital era. The virtual performance is scheduled to take place on September 27, 2026.