SMANDEM. 12AM in Bali (2021)
Midnight snacks, counting down to midnight and that unique quality that a new day and entirely new years hinge on distinguish 12am from all other hours. It is a little bit magical. I mean, there isn’t a countdown to lunch time or 8pm. Yes, the nighttime is so seductive for all the opportunities to misbehave, drink, dance and watch TV without the sun's glare. All good fun, but there’s something deeply compelling about the wee hours when the well-behaved are asleep and creativity abounds. How else can one explain why so many creatives stay up all night working on their craft?
Midnight prayers are also an instrument in combating spiritual quandaries, and apparently the hours between midnight and 3am are some of the most spiritually active. It makes sense: If all the monsters come out at night, then it might be that those who meet them with prayer or art are called to practice their craft at midnight too.
Whatever it is that inspires those who create to do what they do, humanity remains in rapt attention and appreciation for their efforts. Music does keep the darkness at bay; a song at the right time can remind us that we aren’t alone. The resonance of music reminds us that someone has felt just what we are feeling and might understand us. I haven’t been to Bali, but if being there at midnight sounds like the utter freshness and dynamic instrumentation displayed in Amsterdam-based neo-jazz quartet SMANDEM.’s “12AM in Bali”, midnight in Indonesia must be a vibe.
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