Biography

Endah N Rhesa

Endah N Rhesa is one of Indonesia's most celebrated independent acoustic duos, known for their distinctive blend of acoustic guitar, bass, and vocal harmonies. Formed in 2004 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Endah Widiastuti and bassist Rhesa Aditya, the duo has built a sound rooted in folk while naturally embracing elements of jazz, blues, rock & roll, and ballads. Their minimalist instrumentation has become their signature, allowing thoughtful songwriting and intimate performances to take center stage.

The duo first met while playing in a rock band in 2003. After the band dissolved, Endah returned to writing and recording her own songs independently. A collaboration on the song When You Love Someone, where Rhesa added his bass arrangement, revealed an undeniable musical chemistry between them. Encouraged by enthusiastic audiences during a series of campus performances, they officially formed Endah N Rhesa in 2004.

Over the past two decades, Endah N Rhesa have remained fiercely independent while establishing themselves as one of Indonesia's most respected musical acts. Their breakthrough came with the repackaged release of Nowhere To Go through Demajors, introducing their heartfelt songwriting to a wider audience. The album sold more than 25,000 copies and earned the AMI (Anugerah Musik Indonesia) Award for Best Alternative Album Production, while the duo was also named Rolling Stone Indonesia's Rookie of the Year.

Their sophomore album, Look What We've Found (2010), expanded their musical landscape by incorporating African and Caribbean rhythms alongside rich acoustic textures inspired by nature, travel, and traditional culture. The album received critical acclaim and was followed by AMI Awards for Best Alternative Performer and Best Alternative Album Producer. Since then, the duo has continued to evolve through releases including Escape, Seluas Harapan, Regenerate, and more recent singles that reflect the different seasons of life, from hope and companionship to loss, healing, and renewal.

Known for writing songs that resonate across generations, Endah N Rhesa explore themes of love, friendship, family, self-discovery, and everyday life with honesty and warmth. Their music has connected with audiences not only throughout Indonesia but also internationally, with performances in Malaysia, Singapore, and Kazakhstan.

Beyond the stage, Endah N Rhesa have also composed music for film, including the score for Cita-citaku Setinggi Tanah and the original soundtrack for Cinta Dalam Kardus (Love in a Box). Their songs Menua Bersama and Ruang Bahagia each received AMI Awards for Best Folk/Country/Ballad Song, further affirming their place in Indonesia's contemporary music landscape.

During the pandemic, the duo continued creating music that reflected everyday emotions and shared experiences. Songs such as SSSlow and Pulang Ke Pamulang celebrated slowing down, finding comfort in familiar places, and appreciating life's quieter moments. The lyrics of Pulang Ke Pamulang were later commemorated in a public monument at Pamulang Town Square, the neighborhood they proudly call home.

Their commitment to music extends beyond recording and performing. In 2013, Endah N Rhesa founded Earhouse in Pamulang, South Tangerang. What began as a small café and community gathering space has grown into a vibrant venue for live music, workshops, creative collaboration, and independent arts. They later established Earspace Studio, a recording studio that has become home to productions by both emerging and established Indonesian artists, reflecting their ongoing dedication to nurturing the country's independent music scene.

Today, after more than twenty years together, Endah N Rhesa continue to write, record, perform, and mentor the next generation of musicians. Whether through intimate acoustic concerts, award-winning recordings, or the creative communities they have built, they remain committed to creating music that feels honest, timeless, and deeply human.

On Stage Lists :

Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival
Jakarta Blues Festival
Jakarta Fair
Joyland, Jakarta
Soundfest, Jakarta
Opening Act for Rick Price in Jakarta
Opening Act for Bebel Gilberto in Jakarta
Opening Act for Zee Avi in Jakarta
Opening Act for Michael Learns to Rock in Bali
Bekasi Jazz Festival
Jazz Gunung Bromo, Central Java
Jazz Traffic, Surabaya
Ngayogjazz, Yogyakarta
Iklim Fest, Bali
We The Fest, Jakarta
Pestapora, Jakarta
Soundrenaline, Bali, Jakarta
Sanur Jazz Festival, Bali
Ubud Folk Fest
Synchronize Festival, Jakarta
Jazz Goes to Campus, Depok
The Sounds Project, Jakarta
JakCloth, Jakarta

Abroad and Overseas

Music Matters, Singapore
MIDEM Conference & Festival, Cannes, Perancis
Marketplace of Creative Arts, Singapore, Kazakhstan
Indie Asia, Singapore
Blues Celebration, Malaysia & Singapore
KinestAsia, Singapore
Darwin Festival, Australia
Indofest, Melbourne, Australia
NAMM Show, Anaheim, California (USA)

Awards :

Nominasi Anugerah Musik Indonesia kategori Folk/Country/Balada lagu “Everything in Between” (Andien feat. Endah N Rhesa) 2019
Anugerah Musik Indonesia kategori Folk/Country/Balada lagu “Menua Bersama” 2018
Anugerah Musik Indonesia kategori Folk/Country/Balada lagu “Ruang Bahagia” 2017
Nominasi Anugerah Musik Indonesia kategori Bidang Penunjang Produksi Grafis Desain Terbaik album "Seluas Harapan" 2016
Nominasi Anugerah Musik Indonesia kategori Karya Produksi Alternatif Terbaik lagu "Jangan Berhenti Engkau Bernyanyi" DDHEAR (Kolaborasi Dialog Dini Hari x Endah N Rhesa) 2016
Nominasi Indonesian Choice Awards kategori Band/ Group/ Duo 2016
Anugerah Musik Indonesia kategori Album Lintas Bidang album Escape 2014
Nominasi Indonesian Choice Awards kategori Band/ Group/ Duo 2014
Penampilan Terbaik oleh Free Magazine Award 2012
Anugerah Musik Indonesia kategori Karya Produksi Alternatif Terbaik lagu "Monkey Song" 2012
Musisi Terbaik Yang Berhasil Membangun Karir Melalui Media Sosial (Best Musician Successfully Build a Career from Social Media) oleh Salingsilang.com 2011
Rolling Stone Editors' Choice Awards "Rookie of the Year"
Anugerah Musik Indonesia kategori Produksi Album Alternatif Terbaik "Nowhere To Go" 2011
Nominasi ICEMA (Indonesia Cutting Edge Music Awards) kategori Best Pop Song "When You Love Someone"
20 Album Terbaik versi Majalah Rolling Stone untuk Album "Look What We've Found"
Junksounds Awards 2009 for Best Acoustic Act (Asia Tenggara)
MTV Indonesia Music Awards 2009 Nominasi Artis Cutting Edge Terbaik
Bubuawards 2009 for People’s Choice Awards website www.endahnrhesa.com