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Expert Advice: Stars and Rabbit on How to Get the Most Out of a Trip to Yogyakarta

Indie-pop darlings Stars and Rabbit offer personal tips for exploring their hometown.
Photo courtesy Stars and Rabbit via Facebook.

The indie pop duo Stars and Rabbit are proud Yogyakartans. The city's artsy, laid-back vibe is the perfect place for the band's gorgeous, dreamy folk pop.

The city is in the band's blood. Singer Elda Suryani cut her teeth performing in a cover band at cafes around the city in the early aughts. She caught the attention of guitarist Adi Widodo but the two failed to connect during Elda's cover band days.

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Elda went on to win Reinkarnasi, a musical competition show on Indosiar, and eventually fronted the rock band eVo. But the band fizzled out and Elda briefly dropped out of music to open a vintage shop in Yogyakarta. One day, she received a text message from Adi asking if she wanted to play music together.

The two formed Stars and Rabbit—a wonderful folksy duo that sounds like a bit like Joanna Newsome minus the harp. It's confident, but tender music, sort of dreamy, big-skies folk pop for the big hearted.

We sat down with Elda and Adi to talk about Yogyakarta—their favorite places to hang out and what advice they can offer first time visitors to this culturally significant city.

Stars and Rabbit performing at Jogja's Teater Garasi

VICE: So, where do you usually hang in Jogja?
Adi Widodo: We love to hang out at coffee shops where we can have good conversations with friends. I personally love to go to Semesta Coffee.
Elda Suryani: At our friends' places, coffee shops, cafes with reading nooks, or at the beach.

Where are the best places to go record shopping?
Adi Widodo: I think the second level of the Jogja National Museum is best. Although, there are so many record stores in Jogja.

What about live music? So many bands are from Jogja.
Elda Suryani: You need to be actively looking at the flyers and posters on the streets. We have a lot of concerts where underground bands can rise to the surface. But, in Jogja, there isn't one specific place to check out cool local bands on the regular.

What about places to eat?
Adi Widodo: Definitely the gudeg! You need to try Gudeg Yu Djum.
Elda Suryani: There are so many, I don't even know where to begin. My favorite places are Milas and Letusse—both are vegetarian restaurants. I also like gudeg mercon, in Kranggan, empal goreng, in Pasar Bringharjo, and the nasi rames served in front of Mirota Batik.

What three tips do you usually tell first-time visitors to Yogyakarta?
Adi Widodo: Always ask the price of something before you buy it, especially at the street markets. Consider going to places you don't see on the internet. Instead go ask the locals. And finally, rent a motorbike. That way you can get around Yogyakarta with ease, and it's so much cheaper.
Elda Suryani: Visit the alun-alun in the north at night. You'll be amazed. Go to the traditional markets like Pasar Bringharjo or Mirota Batik for tons of ideas for oleh-oleh and take a walk around Kotagede.