The Spin: Indonesia's Hit Is Nidji's 'Laskar Pelangi'

Summer deserves its own soundtrack -- for the beach, for warm nights and for the road. But don't worry if your travel budget is tight: This summer, All Things Considered and NPR Music will take you on a global journey through music. We're checking in with DJs, musicians and writers for the songs that define summer in some of the world's most vibrant cities. We're calling it The Spin.

From the lush jungles of Bali to the 24-hour buzz of Jakarta, Indonesia is an island nation with a host of summer song offerings.

Daniel Mananta is a VJ with MTV Indonesia and the host of Indonesian Idol. He says Indonesia has bands that are influenced by British pop, but it also has its own distinct character of music. Artists often present traditional music with flavors of R&B and hip-hop. And he says much of that music tends to be mellow.

"We're romantic people," he says. "We love our mellow songs."

It's summer weather all year long in Indonesia, but Mananta's choice for his country's song of the summer is Nidji's "Laskar Pelangi," which he describes as the most listener-friendly song in Indonesia. Mananta says Indonesians everywhere know the words and sing along.

"It's all about being inspiring to people," he says. "You know, be a hero to the people around you. Be honorable. It's such a positive song."

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