Predicting the Future of Vinyl Records in Indonesia
It was vinyl records that truly captured my attention. Four vinyl releases stood out: Panbers from Elevation Records, 8 Tahun by Adhitya Sofyan, a 7-inch vinyl single from Ikkubaru, and another 7-inch single by Thee Marloes. The latter quickly became a must-have for me.
Another highlight of the day was the booth by PHR Pressing, a new business unit of PHR Records. Specializing in vinyl pressing, this Jakarta-based company marked the return of vinyl manufacturing in Indonesia after a 50-year hiatus.
From reports across online media, PHR Pressing has reintroduced the possibility of local vinyl production—a thrilling development for my band and me, as we dream of seeing Dinamika released in vinyl format.
In a conversation with Taufiq Rahman of PHR Pressing, he expressed optimism about the company’s role in addressing the challenges faced by labels and bands wanting to release vinyl records. According to their website, phrpressing.com, the company offers competitive pricing, starting at just IDR 75,000 per vinyl plate. This affordability opens up the possibility for more artists and labels to consider vinyl as a viable option.
The question lingering in my mind, however, is: how large is the audience for vinyl records in Indonesia? Would there be enough demand to justify releasing Dinamika on vinyl?
Although I haven’t conducted extensive research on this, some indicators suggest promising growth. For instance, PHR Records alone sells approximately 1,000 turntables annually. This statistic reflects a growing interest in vinyl, as the demand for turntables often translates into increased demand for records.
This trend becomes even more evident during events like Record Store Day, where music enthusiasts of all ages flock to browse and purchase their favorite vinyl records.
Another testament to the growing popularity of vinyl came just before Record Store Day, on May 5, when three albums by The Adams sold out overnight. This mirrors a similar phenomenon experienced by Naif’s vinyl release back in 2015.
The enthusiasm for The Adams’ vinyl release is part of a broader trend. Many Indonesian albums reissued by local labels, including Musica’s iconic albums like Dewa 19, have garnered significant appreciation. Independent bands and musicians have also contributed to this resurgence with their vinyl releases.
The emergence of PHR Pressing has undoubtedly injected new energy into the Indonesian music industry, particularly in physical record production. Their presence solidifies vinyl as a viable and promising option alongside cassettes and CDs for Indonesian album releases.
With this renewed interest in vinyl and the growing infrastructure to support it, the future of vinyl records in Indonesia looks bright. Whether for collectors, audiophiles, or music enthusiasts, vinyl is more than just a nostalgic format—it’s a medium that continues to inspire and thrive.
