Activist First, Rock Star Second

Gede Robi Supriyanto: Activist First, Rock Star Second 

Considering it has only been two years treading on the island, Bali's mystic has eternally enlightened my senses. As my work continues with IndoSole, I am introduced to unforeseen facets on this island and my fervor rises. However, all who are connected to Bali like myself, will need to partner together and consciously engage in the development, waste management and food scarcity challenges to come.  

The Jakarta Post recently conducted an insightful interview with Balinese grunge rocker Gede Robi Supriyanto of Navicula. On an island where funding for social or environmental programs are dictated by greed and corruption, it is the unification of passionate individuals such as Supriyanto who will help guide the sustainability vision for Bali.

"Over the past 16 years, rock musician Gede Robi Supriyanto has ensured his idealism for environmental issues has been heard through the lyrics and music played by his Denpasar-based indie band, Navicula — Still singing about his environmental idealism today, Robi does not allow himself to swim at the discourse level only. He is not a NATO (No Action Talk Only) kind of a guy. He transforms his words into actions, having initiated his own urban farm on several plots of land in Denpasar. He has also taken to writing to spread the message, founding the online magazine akarrumput.com, “an earth walker guide to growing wild”.Bali Daily’s Agnes Winarti recently talked with 33-year-old Robi about his environmental and social activism. Here are excerpts of his views." READ ON

Beach Oddities

BEACH ODDITIES

I prefer living in the city than a beach town. I'm not trying to discredit your sandbox, but some California beaches can become too predictable.

Last Saturday, city residents woke up to unusual warm rays and needless to say....things started getting odd. I like odd and I'm hoping you can appreciate it too. My good mate Anton and I skated to the local coffee joint and briefed over the day's possibilities. Somewhere during our muffled, hungover conversation, we realized that the dark roast cup was not going to cure the morning grogginess. Rather than be lackadaisical, we check the buoys and found some bumps in the water. We packed our grimiest beach gear and headed to Nudie Beach for head high close outs.

- J.U

 

A day inspired by RunMan

Yoki Shop_Re-Purposed Threads

"Design Different, Make Different, Sell Different"

There's a notion telling me that this guy is on to something. It's not backed by the statistical research junk, but rather that the mind conceptualizing the needle designs is Jeff Yokoyama. Yeah...that's right, Jeff Yokoyama. Name not familiar with you? Hmmm... I could proceed to write a couple wordy paragraphs of praise and respect; however, I'm choosing to insert this link instead since it's concise { Yokoyama Bio }.



Basically, I'm alluding to the fact that Jeff is one of the forefathers to surf (if I shall label) fashion. I say "surf", but c'mon and let's get real. You would have to be cryogenically frozen for the last two decades to not notice how the surf / skate culture has influenced other subculture fashion trends. His new project doesn't have any branding labels and rightfully so since one who purchases an item from Yoki Shop, Jeff's in-house design and retail store, knows that the item is not in a collection line thus will not be seen on some neighborhood passerby. Jeff is smart and may be indirectly changing the whole game up for any company's design strategy.

I share the same philosophy. I wake up in the morning, percolate some joe, read the paper and finally make my way to the closet. I live for creativity since I believe the day has no right to be mundane. But, most of us will eventually get to an office desk by 9:30 and have an oriented list of duties sent from someone up the chain. Nonetheless, not much room for creativity. Picking out an outfit may possibly be the only self expressionist opportunity one has throughout the day. Whether it is contrasting colors or selecting an era of time, we should appreciate the originality and freedom of dress. Jeff understands that people enjoy seeking out outfits for an element of surprise and originality "think thrift". Listen to man himself in an interview done by our good mates at Korduroy TV.



J.U.

Mary Osborne is an icon in the international surf industry. At her young age, she has already accomplished opportunities as a competitive surfer, fashion model, writer, and environmental advocate. Traveling to remote places, she has become an ambassador for environmental causes as well as female empowerment.





Mary is Indosole’s newest "sole surfer.” We are extremely proud and honored to welcome her into the family and its not only because of her effortless surfing style. It's more so for the journey that she has chosen in her life in making a difference in the environment’s stability and that is what impresses us the most. 

Mary has a long list of impactful travels to reflect upon:



• Gulf coast to help clean the coastal environments after the BP Oil spill of 2010
• Sailed from Brazil to South Africa studying the effects of plastic pollution in the South Atlantic
• Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Safe Campaign and the 5 Gyres Institute
• Traveled to China twice to surf the tidal bore of Qiantang River, the world’s largest and fastest bore, and become the first female to surf the natural phenomenon, a roaring river-wave with recorded heights nearing 30-feet.
• She even has a visit to the White House and a photo chilling out with Obama “What other surfer has that in their Facebook album?!”


These are just some of the latest events in the wonderful life and career of Mary Osborne. Please stop by on occasion to see which surf break and environment she impacts next. 

Mary is a Sole Surfer. And for that Mary we thank you.



For more on Mary Osborne please visit http://maryosbornesurf.com



Photos by Justin Bastien www.justinbastien.com

Nyepi 2012

SHHH...today is NYEPI

Nyepi is a Hindu tradition and a day of silence that is commemorated every new year. It is a day of silence, fasting and meditation. Observed from 6am until 6am the next morning, the Balinese Hindu populations respect this day as self-reflection. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires, dim lighting, no working, no entertainment, no traveling, and for some, no talking or eating at all.