Felix Martua

Contributor at New Musical Express (NME)

Featured in: Favicon

nme.com

asianews.network Favicon

victormagazine.net Favicon

thejakartapost.com Favicon

einnews.com

Articles

Life goes on for Adrian Setiawan, one record at a time

1 week ago | weekender.thejakartapost.com | Felix Martua

Jazz-pop artist Adrian Setiawan’s debut album 'Multidimensi' emerges from a time of grief to radiate gentleness and warmth. Life goes on, and few understand that better than 27-year-old jazz-pop artist Adrian Setiawan. He has not only weathered the challenges of making it as a professional musician, he has also endured the heartbreak of losing his wife. His album, Multidimensi, emerges from the aftermath of that sorrow. Yet instead of brooding, it radiates gentleness and warmth.
'Sampai Jumpa, Selamat Tinggal' questions the redemptive power of love

2 weeks ago | thejakartapost.com | Felix Martua

Any cinephile familiar with Adriyanto Dewo's filmography would agree that the film director-writer has always had a soft spot for, what appear to be, cold-hearted characters. That being said, his latest theatrical entry, Sampai Jumpa, Selamat Tinggal (official English title: Goodbye, Farewell), touches on the more draconian side of human aloofness. His characters, this time, are people who deliberately choose a life of non-existence.
Two decades later, M2M is still in our dreams

2 weeks ago | thejakartapost.com | Felix Martua

It was a reunion that no one saw coming. When M2M posted the brief cover of "The Day You Went Away" on social media last September, it was as though the entire 90s and “noughties” generations were in a frenzy. Calling it “unexpected” would be an understatement, as it has been two decades since Marit Larsen and Marion Ravn last joined forces as M2M.
Henry's Steakhouse: A Supper Time Filled with Luscious Meats and Sweet Surprises

3 weeks ago | indonesiaexpat.id | Felix Martua

The editor of Indonesia Expat had the chance to enjoy dinner at Henry’s Steakhouse, Kuta, Bali. This is his story. It was a Friday night at ARYADUTA Bali. As I entered one of the hotel’s establishments billed as Henry’s Steakhouse, I was immediately greeted by a dimly lit scene of a sophisticated-looking tavern with a neon sign “Got Beef?” shining aglow on one of the ceilings, confirming that I was, indeed, at the right place.
BNI Java Jazz Festival 2025 was Its Most Fun in Recent Years

3 weeks ago | indonesiaexpat.id | Felix Martua

By unapologetically embodying the spirit of jazz, the 20th edition of this venerated music festival offered all-embracing joy while graciously shutting down the sceptics. Any music festival organiser worth their salt would understand, perhaps all too well, that staying in the game is a lot harder than entering one. Case in point: being one of the most enduring music festivals can be both an accomplishment and a deterrent.
Raissa Ramadhani is officially missing you

1 month ago | weekender.thejakartapost.com | Felix Martua

Say what you will about Gen Z musicians, they have always been good about confronting their deepest, sometimes darkest emotions. Raissa Ramadhani, as evidenced by her debut album, Ribuan Rindu (Thousands of Longings), manages to push that emotional audit to a whole new level. Across 10 tracks, she conducts an investigation of the heart, exploring what it truly means to miss someone. But why this particular emotion?
Into the depths: Omara Esteghlal's beast of burden

1 month ago | weekender.thejakartapost.com | Felix Martua

Omara Esteghlal sits down with The Weekender and discusses his leading role as Jefri in Joko Anwar's Pengepungan di Bukit Duri (The Siege at Thorn High). If you look at Omara Esteghlal's filmography, it seems there are two reasons directors trust him. First, he is the kind of actor who can add depth to what might otherwise be a rudimentary archetype character. Second, despite being only 25, he brings a level of psychological nuance that grounds even the most tormented roles.
Gunpowder and unspoken tension set Mouly Surya's 'Perang Kota' ablaze

2 months ago | thejakartapost.com | Felix Martua

After watching the press screening of Mouly Surya's latest pic, Perang Kota, or This City Is a Battlefield its official English title, last week, it was clear that the Indonesian film industry needs her presence. At a time when most Indonesian filmmakers seem to be more interested in how to move, and provoke, their audiences' hearts, the Citra-winning auteur, instead, dares to examine what makes Indonesian people so complex and, hence, fascinating to watch.
For ‘Jumbo’, Indonesian children are the true heroes

2 months ago | thejakartapost.com | Felix Martua

At this point, Jumbo is everywhere. The film has been dominating Indonesian theaters since the Idul Fitri holiday. Its soundtrack has been a regular on the airwaves and on streaming platforms. Images from the film have even become ubiquitous at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport as Jumbo posters greet practically everyone flowing through the airport.
10 Fun Facts About Easter You Might Not Know Yet

2 months ago | indonesiaexpat.id | Felix Martua

Turns out, there is more to Easter than just a religious public holiday. Easter is an important celebration day for Christians, as it is a moment to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to atone for human sins. Hence, it marks a celebration of victory as well as hope for Christians all over the globe. That being said, there are several interesting tidbits about this millenniums-enduring tradition that add more layers to what might come across as another religious public holiday.