Chukimai | en

Somewhere in the mid 90's a rather huge buzz was created on the massively popular music site MP3.com regarding a new, mysterious artist who had appeared on the site. This artist was uploading some very compelling yet confronting pieces of music. The diversity this new artist displayed covered a wide range, everything from jazz, hip hop, dance, and pop to avant-garde, classical and abstract sound-design. Never losing sight of his well honed yet highly unique sound. Other than the name Chukimai and a photo shown of a mysterious Japanese lady, nothing was known about who the originator of these joyous tunes was. Leaving listeners to find themselves in the much debated subject - "Who is Chukimai?"

His carnal appearance came into existence in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1971 but as a youth later moved to Holland where he still resides. Music was already showing itself to be a big part of his character as a young boy when he started playing the sax for his uncle's band, Indonesian jazz pianist Chris Kayhatu. Chris whose musical influence is already well known and felt in his home country also came to be an immense influence on Chookiii's outlook towards music. Teaching him the importance of a more "genre-free" approach to musicianship, which Chookiii has held as his foundation approach to music.

By age of thirteen Chookiii (formerly known as Chukimai) began to compose his own songs and proceeded to form his own band a few years later. His diversity of styles was already emerging, the songs stood out from multiple genres, but with an obvious influence by artists such as the legendary Frank Zappa. After many years of playing live with his band, it ultimately dissolved with creative differences coming to light between the band members. A still very young Chookiii now in his twenties upon the break up of the band, decided to take a different route with his music. Realizing the endless creative potential of computers and technology, he puts his computer to work as an instrument and extension of his natural talents. Thus leading to the birth of his career as a composer, with a focus on composition and arrangement.

Though Chookiii has proven himself to be a very versatile musician, looming in the shadow of his music stands a frustrated film maker. His truest passion and devotion lies within the realm of visual delights. His subsequent work during the 90's found a strong injection of influence from the world of the cinematic. Songs do not adequately describe Chookiii's work, they stand more as “cinematic moods” each drawing the listener in. Utilizing the power of music to paint wonderful visual worlds with the imagination. His body of work has included compositions which graced the fashion shows of L'Oreal and Issey Miyake, product presentations for Subaru, commercials, film and documentaries.

Providing an underlining of Chookiii's talents he has surprisingly also developed himself as a pop and r&b producer, writing and producing songs for successful Dutch artists Re-Play and Romeo. Though a good portion of his work has been achieved through the medium of internet, opening up the creative pallet even further with various collaborations with vocalists and musicians. Of which include international artists such as Riviera, Voice of the Satellites, Puch, Noriko Olling, Darrius, and acclaimed Russian film-composer Lev Zhurbin.

Appreciation of Chookiii's contributions to the music world include having a track chosen in 2001 for a compilation CD released by the prestigious Source Records. Finding him hand picked by the highly respected German DJ/producer Move D as a result of his fame on MP3.com. He has been featured in the hugely popular online music web magazine DE:BUG. Chookiii's work has been featured on other compilation releases by various names such as Swiss label Monolog Records of which included a collaboration with popular Swiss band Zofka. German avant-garde label Bubble Bunny Records (2001), and the famous and infamous worldwide electronic underground label Digital Kranky (2008).The bulk of Chookiii's work over the years has been released online as free downloads to his fans on various sites of which include the now defunct Mp3.com, IUMA, LAST FM, and Besonic.


Future plans and projects include a full-length album, a feature film, and further collaborations with a myriad of online and real life artists. Artists such as Anji Bee, Noriko, Me Raabenstein, Subsequent, Sate just to name a few, he also plans to reconnect with his roots and establish a new live band, this time with his wife, composer/singer Agnes Fred. The desired direction is to focus more on Chookiii's trademark eclectism. A dream of making electronic music a more organic and alive entity.. .