Joni Atari is a no-fi music project/moniker that creates soundscapes in response to the worlds of novels and poems published by Moka Mocha Ink. Its aspirations lean more towards radio drama and audiobooks than chart-topping music. Inspirations include the downtempo sound of Dante Carfagna (paid homage to in the novel Amerika), the electric humor and warmth of Telex, the haunting mood of Air’s The Virgin Suicides soundtrack (which Ridhwan listened to while writing Mautopia), and experimental touches from the land of the rising sun—from Masaki Kobayashi to Kashiwa Daisuke, among others.
Joni Atari ialah projek muzik/moniker yang diselenggara no-fi dalam memberi kesan bunyi-bunyian terhadap alam novel dan sajak terbitan Moka Mocha Ink. Aspirasi Joni Atari lebih terarah kepada drama radio dan audiobook daripada muzik masuk carta. Inspirasi Joni Atari antaranya muzik downtempo Dante Carfagna (yang diberi homaj dalam novel Amerika), humor dan warmth listrik Telex, kegelapan album The Virgin Suicides oleh Air (yang menjadi muzik latar Ridhwan sepanjang proses menulis Mautopia) dan sentuhan experimental negeri matari terbit dari Masaki Kobayashi hingga ke Kashiwa Daisuke antaranya.
Beyond home recordings, Joni Atari also performs live sets—but never alone; it’s always open to collaboration. In its live form, Joni Atari remains a non-vocal music project, weaving ambient sounds and noise textures with poetry readings and spoken word. The project is driven by Ridhwan Saidi (analog synth, sampler, guitar) and Nurul Aizam (FM synth, pedal FX, voice), alongside free-form collaborations with artists such as Amir Hamzah (bass, synth FX), Nana (voice), Sijasad Bersiong (voice, harmonica), Goh Lee Kwang (pre-recorded sound), Fasyali Fadzly (rebab), Fariq (voice), Mohd Azmen (drums), Mucky (synth), Azizan Afi (MIDI controller), and various spoken-word friends. Maybe you next?
Selain rakaman rumah, Joni Atari juga perform set live tetapi tidak berseorangan, ia terbuka bagi kolaborasi. Untuk versi live Joni Atari masih sebuah projek muzik tanpa nyanyian yang memainkan bunyi ambien dan runut hingar selain disulami bacaan sajak dan spoken word. Joni Atari digerakkan Ridhwan Saidi (analog synth, sampler, gitar) dan Nurul Aizam (fm synth, pedal fx, suara) dengan kolaborasi bebas bersama seniman-seniman berikut: Amir Hamzah (bass, synth fx), Nana (suara), Sijasad Bersiong (suara, harmonika), Goh Lee Kwang (pre-record sound), Fasyali Fadzly (rebab), Fariq (suara), Mohd Azmen (drum), Mucky (synth), Azizan Afi (midi controller) dan rakan-rakan spoken words. Mungkin lepas ini anda?
Live set:
Lotus Club 7 | 18 February 2017, 2 Hang Kasturi
KotaKata | 1 April 2017, Siarkaki Maju Junction
If Walls Could Talk | 3 April 2017, Gaslight Cafe, Bukit Kiara
Arts For Grabs, Urbanscapes 2017 | May 20217, 2 Hang Kasturi
Switch On | 23 July 2017, Black Box, Medini Mall, Johor Bahru
Surat Dari Tawau, What the Elders Left Us a festival | 1 November 2025, Black Box Damansara Performing Arts Centre
Moka Mocha Ink 