Gesang Receives Rp71 Million in Royalties
Monday, 30 March, 2009 | 12:54 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Surakarta:The maestro of keroncong music, Gesang Martohartono, yesterday (29/3) received royalties for his album sales during the period of July to December 2008.

From the Rp71 million he received, Rp42 million came from Indonesia.

“The two volumes of Gesang’s golden albums boosted sales in Indonesia,” said Hendarmin Susilo, head of Penerbit Musik Pertiwi, the company that owns the license for Gesang’s works.

According to Hendarmin, the royalties were rather special, considering the music industry is currently facing difficulties due to piracy. Moreover, the market for keroncong music is quite narrow.

Many of Gesang’s albums were sold in Japan and the Netherlands. Some even put Gesang as the album owner and changed it to a Dutch name although the lyrics are still in Indonesian.

In May, Hendarmin will take care of Gesang’s royalties in the Netherlands.

Gesang said he was thankful for the royalties, adding that the public has accepted keroncong more.

He went on to say that it was really hard in the past to find keroncong singers, but now there are more of them.
“I don’t have a big dream. I just want keroncong to remain in Indonesia,” said Gesang.

UKKY PRIMARTANTYO