Indonesian DJ and producer Budi Suteja, known by his stage name INI BUDI, has just released a new EP titled Untold Story.
The EP features two tracks: “Untold Story” and “Solitude.”
We sat down with INI BUDI to talk about his music journey and the release of this heartfelt project.
The Origin of INI BUDI
One of the first things that caught our attention was his unique stage name.
Budi admitted that he struggled to find a DJ name that would set him apart.
With so many artists named Budi, he wanted something memorable.
His mentor Faried, also known as FA, suggested “INI BUDI” because it was humorous and instantly recognizable.
The phrase comes from a famous line in Indonesian language textbooks, making it iconic and easy to remember.
Career Story
Budi began his DJ career in 2018, mostly spinning Hip Hop and R&B, though he wasn’t very active at first.
During the pandemic, he returned to his hometown, Solo, and continued to DJ casually when venues reopened, mainly focused on getting gigs and being paid.
After the pandemic, Budi moved back to Jakarta and worked as a sound engineer, with no immediate plans to return to DJing.
However, everything changed in early 2024 when he met Marcelo Vasami, a family acquaintance who introduced him to Progressive House.
Budi found this genre deeply meaningful.
For him, Progressive House offered a musical journey filled with dynamics, not just crowd-pleasing beats.
It was music you could enjoy both at a party and during quiet moments.
He began learning music production through YouTube and drew inspiration from Vasami, who often shared his own creative process.
Although Budi feels there’s still much to learn, he enjoys producing and continues to explore new aspects of the craft.
So far, Budi has created over 20 tracks.
Most of them are personal learning exercises that remain unreleased, while a few are remixes that can’t be published due to copyright issues.
Still, he keeps many of these ideas for future development.
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Back On Stage
When Budi returned to the stage, he felt nervous.
Previously, he only cared about getting paid.
Now, he carries the responsibility of entertaining a more music-savvy and diverse crowd.
He’s noticed that audiences today prefer sitting on couches rather than dancing on the floor.
A trend that, as a performer, he finds frustrating.
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His mentorship with Faried began when Budi worked at an equipment rental company that supplied gear for the Triple Decker events.
Faried often brought Budi along to help with setups, unaware that Budi was a DJ himself.
Once Faried discovered his mixtapes, he started inviting Budi to perform and became his mentor.
Faried taught him essential values, such as humility and engaging with the crowd.
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Something Budi, a naturally shy person, is still working on.
He gradually relaxed and started attending other DJs’ events to show his support.
Before every performance, Budi prepares several folders of tracks to match different moods.
He’s also open to requests, often playing his own remixes.
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Releasing the “Untold Story” EP
As for the new EP, both tracks reflect Budi’s emotional side.
- “Untold Story” stems from Budi’s introverted nature. It represents thoughts and feelings he wishes he could express. The music is powerful yet upbeat, masking deeper emotions behind a fun exterior.
- “Solitude” is a message to a close friend who often isolates himself. This track is darker and more emotional in tone.
Budi finished “Untold Story” in just three days, while “Solitude” took a bit longer, around five to seven days, due to its complexity.
Mixing and mastering were the most time-consuming parts, involving countless revisions to achieve the perfect sound.
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He sought feedback from Faried and a few other DJ friends, focusing strictly on the final quality rather than creative direction.
Some tracks required up to 40 renders to meet Budi’s standards.
While many advised him to start with a smaller label, Budi sent his EP straight to AH Digital, a Belgium-based label.
Within just two hours, the label responded positively and agreed to release the EP.
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They requested unmastered mixed files, and the process moved forward quickly from there.
Budi hopes the EP encourages people to get up and dance, not just sit on sofas.
He creates music to bring happiness and energy to the dance floor, especially for those looking to shake off stress.
So, have you listened to INI BUDI’s Untold Story EP yet? It’s now available on all major digital streaming platforms.