RIVABA MANALU | DEVIL WITH A GOOD HEART
Photos, film, and words by The Bukit List
Guitar: 1999 Gibson Les Paul Studio | Location: Balangan Beach, Bali
You know those musicians who are so immersed in their craft that they look almost possessed when they’re performing? Like, please give us some of whatever they’re having because it looks really fucking good?
Well, for those of us who aren’t channeling the spirits of legends like Hendrix or B.B. King when we’re making GarageBand jams in our living room, that high will remain elusive forever. But for Rivaba Manalu? The dude straight-up looks like he’s tapping into another dimension when he plays guitar. His eyes roll right into the back of his head and everything.
And Rivaba doesn’t just look like he’s got something special going on when he plays. He’s a damn good guitarist, singer, and songwriter. And whether he’s channeling a rock god or pouring out his own soul, one thing is certain—the guy plays from the heart.
The self-taught musician, originally from Bandung, West Java, has been living in Bali for seven years and he’s been a Bukit resident for the past three. Rivaba started playing guitar in his bedroom when he was 14 years old. He dabbled in lessons briefly, but he quickly discovered his own path.
Guitar: 1999 Gibson Les Paul Studio | Location: Balangan Beach, Bali
We’ve had the privilege of seeing Rivaba perform live with Rick Battson of Suicidal Tendencies fame, and Duane Betts of The Allman Betts Band (yes, Dickey Betts’ son). Rivaba can hold his own alongside any musician. He’s also jammed with local Bali jazz legend Balawan who’s known for his “Touch Tapping” guitar style, among other things. And one of Rivaba’s most memorable collaborations was with Hari Pochang—a blues elder in Bandung who’s also highly regarded as the best harmonica player in Indonesia.
We had a chat with Rivaba about how his style has evolved over the years and how he ultimately came to find his sound. Make sure to check out the film up above.
You can also find details about Rivaba’s upcoming shows, his current album, and the album that he’s working on now over on his Instagram page @_rivaba