Journey · Log

JOURNEY

Makassar roots · L.A. nights · gospel choirs · band life

After Hour · Los Angeles · 1988

Atis’ journey isn’t just a straight line from Papua to Los Angeles — it’s a series of late-night rehearsals, campus hustle, gospel choirs, and basement jams that turned into packed clubs on Melrose. Think: Indonesian roots, American stages, and a voice that keeps finding new rooms to fill.

Timeline

From 4Q to After Hour

Chapter 01 · Campus band 4Q

First jams · First band

Atis' passion for music runs deep, and being in the US gave him the perfect opportunity to dive into the American music scene and industry. Back in 1984, Atis and a group of fellow Indonesian students decided to start a band. Led by guitarist Gumilang Ramadhan, the band featured Danang Darundono and Iwan Kaldjat on keys, Todung Panjaitan on bass, Taufan Goenarso on drums, and Dharma Sadono as the vocalist. They came together and named their band 4Q.

Chapter 02 · Discovery

Meeting Ken Barrow

Andy was discovered by Kenneth Barrow, a band manager in LA who everyone called Ken, through a friend. Ken saw Andy's potential and offered to manage him. That's when Andy's music journey really took off and got serious.

Chapter 03 · Smithy’s Ensemble

Gospel backbone

Andy’s journey hit a high note when he joined Smithy's Ensemble in South Central Los Angeles, a group renowned for its soul-stirring gospel compositions and choirs under the legendary Smithy's direction. With a little help from his long-time manager, Kenneth (Ken) Barrow, Andy nailed his audition and became the ensemble's tenor vocalist.

Chapter 04 · The After Hour

Building the band

Ken hit up Andy and was like, "Hey, can you put together a band? Bonus points if they're Indonesian musicians." So, Andy rallied his squad: Taufan Goenarso on drums, Sakti Maki on bass, Danang Darundono on keys, Tursi Argeswara also on keys, and Budi Winarto on sax. They formed the band and called it The After Hour. To add some extra flavor, Ken brought in two African American female singers.

Chapter 05 · Nucleus Nuance

Melrose nights · packed rooms

1987 was a lit year for The After Hour. Ken Barrow managed to get Amy Weston, the legendary manager of Nucleus Nuance on Melrose Avenue, to come down to the Indonesian Consulate on Wilshire Blvd to check out their basement jam session. Amy was so impressed she booked them for her club on the spot. The gig was set for two nights, and they crushed it—packed the place both nights with lines stretching down the sidewalk. Nucleus Nuance was known for its vibrant atmosphere and had hosted famous recording artists like Stevie Wonder, Stanley Clarke, and more.