SymphonicPlanet

Enjoy our new albums on all of your favorite music streaming platforms! The Ballad of the Traveler - December 12, 2023 The Quest Beyond - December 19, 2023 Embrace - December 25, 2023 Follow us on social media for more upcoming updates and stories! IG: @SymphonicPlanet Facebook: Symphonic Planet #newmusicalert #symphonicplanet #music

The landscape and beauty of Borneo inspired us to craft something meaningful and dedicated this piece to a very special species of animals found only in very view places in the world: the Orangutan. Unfortunately, their habitat has been threatened by deforestation for decades, and so we wanted our piece, which we called "The Fallen Kingdom", to bring attention to this issue and honor not only these majestic creatures, but the beauty of Borneo’s still remaining rain forests. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Terima Kasih is an incredibly beautiful phrase used in Malaysia to say “Thank You”. When translated to English, it means “I give you my love” - two simple words that carry a wealth of meaning and emotion. It can be used to show genuine gratitude, as well as express shared empathy and respect. It reminds us that our actions and words are never done or said in isolation, but rather with others at heart. Whether it's given between family members, friends, colleagues or almost strangers, Terima Kasih encourages us all to be kinder and more compassionate with those we come into contact with. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

As musicians we often feel overwhelmed to be in a place like Los Angeles and feel the pressure to focus on one thing and become the best. It can be difficult to express thoughts and feelings through music alone, so it's been inspiring to learn about other musicians who are also artists - doing more than just music. People like Alena Murang who creates beautiful paintings, and others who build their own instruments. Seeing other people get creative in various ways is reassuring; it allows us to explore multiple creative outlets for expressing ourselves. Every musician is really an artist at heart, and we are grateful for our journey of learning how all forms of art support each other. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Working with a team to create something from scratch is one of our favorite ways to explore music. We especially love taking melodies/songs from around the world and reinventing it into something wholly new. Recently, Jonas took the song Ti Selamat, which originated in Borneo, and arranged it for a string orchestra. Recording this piece in Los Angeles with our team and orchestra was a powerful moment – we felt connected to our colleagues in an entirely different way than usual. It highlights the immense value of collaboration and its potential to create beautiful works of art. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Having conversations about how different people want to be perceived can open up a world of perspectives and understanding. For example, while visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, we were introduced to many people who had traditional values and firmly wanted to be seen and respected as such. However, there are also cultures that resist being categorized as anything other than current. It's important to be aware of these nuances and honor each person's unique values and beliefs in order for them to have ownership over their identity. All communities around the world should feel supported in developing their own culture and making it current for future generations. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

At Symphonic Planet, we are big believers that the journey is just as important as the destination – which is why we take our time not only exploring the places we travel to but also recording the unique ambiance and sounds of each environment. After long days spent wandering and recording, we have the privilege to take what we gathered and turn it into beautiful melodies in our studio. Here’s a peak behind the scenes at us prepping at the studio in Los Angeles to turn these recordings into something magical! Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

We can't travel right now. So, we took our music to a beautiful spot outside! Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

It was fascinating seeing all of the different instruments from around the world housed together in the Rainforest Music House. You can feel just how proud Malaysia is of its traditional music simply walking through it. Not only does it honor the indigenous instruments, but it also brings in samples from Africa due to the yearly Rainforest Music Festival. It's truly incredible that artists from all over offer up their musical works, many of which are showcased here in this extensive music house. The best part? Everything is accessible as everything is set up and ready to play! We visited and were able to collaborate with some local musicians in a recording session to sample various instruments — what an experience! Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #rainforestmusichouse #internationalinstruments #rainforestmusicfestival #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

When we met Eric, a musician specializing in an instrument called Unkoramon, we were intrigued by the amount of uniqueness and skill this instrument requires. Unlike gongs which are traditionally suspended, the Unkoramon must be laid down to be played, while bigger ones are anchored off the ground in a special acoustic crate. Eric explained that this instrument was introduced to Malaysia through Chinese traders during the barter system centuries ago. This trade exchange of metal instruments, cultures and ideas came from other civilizations which had found its way into Malaysia through time. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #unkoramon #eric #bartersystem #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

East Malaysia consists of two states, Sabah and Sarawak. The former is characterized by its many beautiful natural sites and parks, whereas Sarawak is home to a variety of tribes with distinct cultures. Residents of this state proudly display their way of life in the Sarawak Culture Village’s museum grounds. You can find different traditional architectures and styles of homes used by the various tribes in Sarawak when you visit the village. One of the hallmarks is seeing how each tribe uses diverse wooden structures and unique designs for their longhouses. It's truly a delight to see how these communities showcase their culture and heritage. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #alenamurang #orangeulutribes #communities#globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

I was so eager to explore the jungle, particularly a waterfall I'd heard about. Being confident of my marine training and experience with an outward bound school expedition, I was certain I could take on this excursion myself, packing up my gear early in the morning shortly after the rains had stopped. I couldn't have prepared for how difficult it would be though - but suddenly it was impossible to spot the trail path. I was totally lost, and neither the map nor the compass could help me figure out which way to go. After a while, I knew enough to just stop and sit still for a moment in order to get my bearings - quite literally! Talking aloud became something of a companion on this journey and getting clear headed meant getting one step closer towards finding my waterfall. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #waterfall #trail #lost #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Exploring my family history by visiting Borneo was something that held huge significance for me. With a Malaysian father and Venezuelan mother, my parents both taught me the importance of my diverse background and the stories that shape it. From what I’d been told from my family members, eight generations ago there had been a king in our lineage from Kalimantan. Knowing this connection to the island made me want to explore its mysterious lands further. It gave me an opportunity to discover the many distant stories of connecting tribes and cultures unlike any other. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #family #history #king #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Writing an arrangement for the song Ti Selmat was a unique experience for me. After being injured, I was unable to travel to be with the team, but instead our collaboration blossomed via recording bits and sending them over to me. Wonders of technology, right? This incredible process awakened in me a deeper appreciation for connecting with cultures through music. Through working on this project and finding ways to honor their culture, my work felt more meaningful than ever before - it wasn't just about learning facts or information, but instead preserving these sounds and moments for times when we could not be present together. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #tiselmat #collaboration #tehnology #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

As we set out for Borneo, I couldn't help but think of Jonas and all the exciting plans we had made for the trip. Unfortunately, he was unable to join us due to his head injury, and it became apparent from the get-go that his absence had a marked impact on our experience. While we soaked up the incredible sights and sounds of Borneo, no adventure felt complete without our dear friend leading the way. We thought of Jonas often throughout our travels, missing his enthusiasm. We kept hoping that Jonas would get better soon so he could join us on future quests! Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #jonas #injury #adventure#globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Master Matthew Ngua Jau has such a deep connection with traditional music that he explains the strong, poetic messages within. This music goes beyond simply carrying a tune, but also expresses ages-old wisdom to its listeners. Without written lyrics, these sound waves gain significant meaning from their musicality and are able to speak volumes. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #sape #traditionalmusic #matthewngaujau#globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

It has been a real honor to have learned the folk song Liling from Master Matthew Ngua Jau. Liling is a popular tune that is commonly sung at social events like parties, barbecues, and casual gatherings. There's a powerful message within; no matter how difficult our lives get, we need to always find strength somehow and keep going. Learning this song has been quite a meaningful experience as it reminds us to be strong and stay determined through it all. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

The Sape has a lot of history that stretches back thousands of years. In its past, it was reputedly used for healing; a legend even exists about how the instrument came to be regarded in this light. According to the story, there once was a woman struck suddenly ill with an illness no shaman could cure. In her dream she told her husband to venture out into the forest and play the Sape. Upon doing so, she supposedly made an astonishing recovery! This story of the power of music is just one example of the mystique behind the revered Sape instrument. From the way it's crafted by hand to its traditional song possibilities, each time someone lays hands on a Sape they are engaging in a deeply historical and spiritual act. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #matthewngaujau #sape #jungle #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Meeting Master Mathew Ngua Jau was an amazing experience. As soon as we arrived, it was clear that this was no ordinary master - he wasn't wearing traditional garbs and lived off the beaten path in a jungle! When we spoke, he had a casual nature about him with tattoos and beer bottles scattered all around his home. He was very direct with his words and immediately offered us three rooms to stay in his long house. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #matthewngaujau #sape #jungle #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Pratu’unk is an intriguing instrument built out of a thick part of the bamboo tree stock. It is designed with an acoustic chamber that adds to its wonderful tones, which are produced through the tension on both sides that suspends it. To play this instrument well requires detailed coordination as the strings are placed quite close together, meaning any incorrect patterns will be heard notably! On the side of the instrument there is a cutout that can produce a kind of bongo sound when you hit it with your hand - or you can even mute or open the sound more fully. Its circular shape means you have to use every part of your body to play it, including your heel and left foot, while propping it on your other leg folded up. Pratu’unk truly demands intrigue and respect as an instrument! Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #pratu’unk #arthurborman #traditionalinstruments #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

We are always curious to learn more about how instruments are tuned in different cultures, as they don't all follow the same Western tuning! During my conversations with Arthur Borman, he imparted some wisdom on this topic. He said, "It's not really about the technicalities of music - it's about what feels right". I came to understand that the tuning of instruments we encountered was unique and almost never precisely tuned; rather it was constantly between frequencies. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #tuning #westernmusic #arthurborman #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Entering the longhouse, we were greeted by Arthur Borman, along with two Pratu’unk players and a percussionist. We were soon entranced by the performance that took place in front of us. Dressed in beautiful garments adorned with guards, bell bracelets, and anklets, the elder women captivated us as they moved gracefully through the music. Before we knew it, we were ushered into the dance with them. It was an incredible experience—watching a performance unfold in the humid jungle setting while seated on the floors of the longhouse—and it evoked within us a feeling of respect for such ancient traditions. As Arthur explained to us how he had learned these songs from generations of Indigenous peoples before him, we were filled with appreciation for those who had kept their traditions alive and taught them to younger generations. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #longhouse #welcome #arthurborman #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Our first musical encounter in Borneo was with Arthur Borman, who played a bamboo zither called Pratu’unk. We were so thankful about the warm hospitality extended to us through rice wine at our arrival, which tasted delicious! Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #arthurborman #sarawak #ricewine #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringmexico #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #yucatan #mexico #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Traveling to new places is always exciting, however, when it comes to third-world countries, jungles and other remote areas – additional preparation may be required. After hearing about the need for immunity shots, I made an error in judgment by just going to a clinic for the same, a day before we were supposed to leave. Little did I know at the time that the three shots I was administered would cause me to faint. When I woke up, I had a concussion and a skull fracture close to my spine! Thankfully, the doctor had called an ambulance which helped save me from any further damage. After 24 hours of monitoring in the hospital, thankfully I received a discharge but was advised against any travel for a while. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #immunity #injury #thirdworldcountries #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling

Music has always been an integral part of cultural practices, and many traditional instruments still remain relevant today. Calling them “traditional instruments” is therefore not quite accurate. We recognize that these instruments aren't linked exclusively to age-old traditions, but actually form part of a living culturethat is still very much alive today. Visit https://symphonicplanet.com/ for more exclusive content. #traditionalinstruments #exotic #tribes #globalcitizen #culture #musician #exploringborneo #music #culture #tradition #travelreels #borneo #malaysia #viral #viralreels #trending #trendingreels #explore #explorepage #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #travelvideos #originalmusic #blowthisup #symphonicplanet #redefinedstorytelling