Why English-Speaking Sahabat NOAH Still Struggle & What Needs to Change
Introduction: Sahabat Aanika from America
Hello! My name is Aanika and I’m a Sahabat NOAH from America.
Being an English-speaking NOAH fan has not been easy. I’ve followed NOAH for over a decade from outside Indonesia, and while their music has shaped my life in unforgettable ways, the reality has often been frustrating and isolating.
I’ve felt deeply moved by lyrics I couldn’t fully understand. I’ve tried to support official content, only to find websites I can’t navigate and merch I can’t purchase. I’ve wanted to learn more about Ariel, Lukman, and David, only to hit dead ends trying to verify even basic facts. Translation tools miss the nuance. Fan threads rarely have what I’m looking for.
This article outlines the top 5 struggles I’ve faced as a Sahabat NOAH from abroad and why these issues, though seemingly small, matter deeply for the band’s global reach, the fan experience, and their ability to truly connect with international audiences.
If you’ve ever loved something across a language or cultural barrier, you’ll understand. Check out my English song review of NOAH’s songs HERE.
What is a Sahabat NOAH?
Sahabat NOAH are the official fan community of Indonesia’s most iconic alternative rock band NOAH (formerly known as Peterpan).
Why English-Speaking Sahabat NOAH Struggles Impact NOAH’s Global Branding
Language barriers and access issues directly affect NOAH’s international reach, global fan retention, and long-term brand recognition, especially among English-speaking Sahabat NOAH who want to stay connected and support the band.
Obstacle #1: Language Barrier
Core Challenge
Unable to fully participate in the NOAH fan community due to communication barriers.
Key Impact
- Limited engagement in fan discussions
- Difficulty understanding interviews and content
- Reliance on translation apps for basic interaction
This one is the most obvious. I do not feel included and I can’t truly participate in conversations with the broader Sahabat NOAH community. It’s not because I don’t want to. It’s because using a translation app for every message makes it nearly impossible to sustain meaningful dialogue. These apps also struggle with informal slang and everyday expressions.
I felt this way over 10 years ago when I created the first English-speaking fan forum (open to everyone regardless of language) and I still feel this way today.
Some might argue that there simply aren’t enough English-speaking fans.
But how could there be, when basic information isn’t accessible in English and there’s no consistent effort to reach or support potential fans who don’t speak Bahasa Indonesia?
This is my honest opinion as a longtime fan.
And if there is an active English-speaking Sahabat NOAH community that I’ve somehow missed, please let me know!
Language Barrier Example – The Gundam Basic video
🎥 Watch the Gundam Basic Video
⏱️Timestamp: 9:39 – end
Issue: No English subtitles available
Fan Experience: what does Ariel say!?!?!? There aren’t any subtitles! ☹
Obstacle #2: Information Accessibility
Core Challenge
Without a centralized English-language resource, even the most basic information about NOAH is scattered, difficult to verify, and nearly impossible for new international fans to access.
There’s no easy-to-navigate official website or go-to place where I can find answers or guide potential new fans who want to learn more.
Common Questions
• Which song is on what album?
• Who wrote the lyrics or composed the music?
• Who directed the music video?
• Who created the visual concept?
Answers Based on Current Reality
• Check Wikipedia
• Click through dozens of YouTube videos
• Manually translate video descriptions
Example: “My Situation” Music Video
🎧“My Situation” Official Music Video
Music Video Caption: Cipt. Ariel NOAH
Step 1: Using a translation app to copy and paste the question: “What does “Cipt” mean?” to a Bahasa Indonesian speaking Sahabat NOAH in Whatsapp or Facebook group
Wait for Sahabat NOAH in Indonesia to reply
Sahabat NOAH in Indonesia replies: “Ciptaan”
Step 2: Copy and paste “Ciptaan” into a translation app. Result: “Creation”
Step 3: Write follow up question in English and copy/paste this translated question in Bahasa Indonesian back to fellow Sahabat NOAH Indonesia and HOPE they answer me.
My Follow Up Questions:
- What kind of “creation”?
- Creation of music video concept?
- Creation of song melody?
- Creation of lyrics?
- Who directed the music video?
All of this, just to try and understand a single credit underneath a music video description.
The Bigger Question:
Where can I find these answers without having to scroll endlessly through YouTube or rely on unofficial, possibly outdated sources?
Obstacle #3: Information Verification
Challenge: Lack of Reliable Sources
I know very little about the band members, even though I have wanted to for over a decade.
I have never known where or how to verify information on my own. I relied on what a few English-speaking fans told me years ago, combined with hours of watching and analyzing video clips.
I have lost count of how many times I had to copy and paste articles from KapanLagi or similar sites into a translation app just to understand a single point.
Personal Experience: Everything Is Guesswork
Things became a little easier once NOAH and its members created official social media accounts that offered more direct updates.
But the language barrier still keeps me from verifying what I see or hear.
Some people might ask,
“But Aanika, how can you say that after everything you’ve written?”
The answer is simple. It’s still the truth. It’s still how I feel.
Everything I know about Ariel is still a guess.
I guess he has a dry, witty sense of humor.
I guess he is introverted and shy in private, even though he seems confident on stage.
I have no way of confirming any of this because I do not understand what he is saying.
Over the years, I have read claims that Ariel is influenced by Nirvana, The Cranberries, and Kurt Cobain. Based on how often these references appear in fan discussions, I assume they are true.
I have also heard that Ariel’s songwriting is influenced by the poet Khalil Gibran. I believe this because he once shared an image of a hotel room welcome sign that included Gibran’s books.
Another “fact” I’ve read is that Ariel has Minangkabau ancestry through his mother.
Example: Minangkabau Ancestry and Cultural Learning
Is it true? I’m still not sure. But reading it inspired me to learn more about the Minangkabau people and their matrilineal culture in West Sumatra.
Even if Ariel is not of Minangkabau descent, I still gained knowledge I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
(Feel free to message me for your daily Indonesia fun fact! Just kidding. 😉)
(Note: If you’re wondering what I’m referencing, check out my original story about how Ariel and NOAH sparked my interest in Indonesian culture.)
Why It Matters
When international fans can’t verify basic facts, we are left assembling a puzzle made of rumors, guesses, and incomplete translations.
I don’t want another fan to confirm something for me.
I don’t want NOAH’s management team from Musica Studios to give me an answer.
I want to ask ARIEL directly myself in-person.
I want to hear the answer from him.
I want to ask him other questions as well.
I want to have a real conversation with him.
Not idol-to-fan. Just two people talking about music, meaning, and everything that lives between the lyrics.
Obstacle #4: Information Inconsistency
Official content from NOAH, especially on YouTube, is often inconsistent in how it presents information. This makes it difficult for English-speaking fans to understand the lyrics, creative credits, or the intended message behind a video.
Examples of Information Inconsistency
Example 1: My Situation
🎥 “My Situation” Official Music Video
Description includes only lyrics and “Cipt. Ariel NOAH.”
🎧 “My Situation” Official Audio
Description: No lyrics or context provided.
🎸 “My Situation” Acoustic Version (released 2021)
Description: English lyrics are missing from the description.
Watch the acoustic version of “My Situation”
Example 2: Kota Mati (NOAH Music Video)
📽️ NOAH “Kota Mati” Official Music Video
The description is excellent. It includes a thoughtful story concept written in both Bahasa Indonesian and English. Whoever decided to make this the prequel to Tak Ada Yang Abadi deserves credit. This is exactly how all video descriptions should be structured.
Still, some important elements are missing: lyricist, composer, and full English lyric translation.
Example 3: Kota Mati (Peterpan Official Audio)
🎧 Peterpan Kota Mati Audio Only Version
Description for Song & Lyric: Lukman Hakim & Nazril Irham
However, the lyrics themselves are missing. No other credits are listed.
Example 4: Kau Udara Bagiku
🎥 NOAH “Kau Udara Bagiku” Official Music Video
Description: includes lyrics and credits Ariel as the songwriter. No additional information provided.
🎧 NOAH “Kau Udara Bagiku” Audio Only Audio
Description: includes song title, lyrics credit, and album name but no lyrics are shown.
Example 5: Cobalah Mengerti NOAH feat. Momo GEISHA
🎤 “Cobalah Mengerti” ft. Momo GEISHA Official Music Video
I was trying to sing along but noticed that the lyrics listed say “Aku” while Momo actually sings “Akan.”
Small details like this matter when learning or performing a song in a language you don’t speak.
🎤 Karaoke version has correct lyrics inside the video, but the lyrics listed in the video description do not match.
📝 Cobalah Mengerti Alternate Lyrics page: Read the “Cobalah Mengerti” lyrics on Genius
Obstacle #5: Merchandise Access
Buying official NOAH merchandise from outside Indonesia is still incredibly difficult. Despite strong interest from global fans, technical issues and shipping restrictions make the process nearly impossible.
Even when I want to purchase official NOAH merchandise, I simply cannot complete the order.
Where to Buy NOAH Merchandise (In Theory)
According to the official NOAH Merchandise Instagram page @noahstoreid and @musicamerch Sahabat NOAH can buy original NOAH merchandise from these platforms:
Musica Studios Official Merchandise Website
Shopee Musica Studios
Tokopedia Musica Studios
Technical Issues for International Fans
I created an account on the Musica Studios Merchandise website, but I could not enter my international shipping address.
The only country listed is Indonesia.
The “City” field only accepts Indonesian locations.
When I try to proceed with my real (non-Indonesian) address, the system blocks the order with an error message.
Shipping & Payment Challenges
Even if the address issue were fixed, there are still major hurdles:
- High international shipping costs
- Foreign transaction fees
- Currency conversion charges
- Limited or no payment options for international cards
The result? International fans are shut out from supporting the band through official merchandise, even when we’re willing to pay.
Sahabat NOAH Indonesia Are Struggling & Speaking Out Too
It’s not just international fans. Even local Sahabat NOAH in have raised concerns about miscommunication, unclear rollouts, and a lack of transparency from the band’s management team.
Example 1: Aditya Bintang (2023)
In 2023, Sahabat NOAH Indonesia Aditya Bintang wrote about the challenges Indonesian fans faced with official fan club registration, membership structures, and annual fees. His post, written in Bahasa Indonesia, reflected broader dissatisfaction within the local fan community.
🔗 Read Sahabat NOAH Indonesia Aditya Bintang’s article here
Example 2: Aditya Bintang (2025)
In 2025, Bintang published another article criticizing NOAH’s management for continued lack of transparency and disingenuous marketing tactics.
A major point of controversy was the release of the song “Suara Dalam Kepala” featuring Ramengrl, which aired in a soap opera before fans were officially informed of its launch on February 21, 2025.
Several NOAH fanbase Instagram accounts, including @fyi.noah and @xarielsite, also publicly voiced their disappointment.
How NOAH Management Can Support International Fans: My Suggestions
Here’s how NOAH’s team could better support their growing international fanbase, especially English-speaking Sahabat NOAH who remain loyal. Consider implementing English subtitles despite years of limited access:
- Add English subtitles to official content
- Launch a multilingual version of the official website
- Enable international shipping for official merchandise
There is a growing community of English-speaking fans around the world, many of whom regularly post high-view YouTube reviews of NOAH’s songs.
These fans represent an untapped global market. With the right support, they could help NOAH expand internationally and generate increased revenue through broader reach and deeper engagement.
© 2023-2025 Aanika I. All Rights Reserved.
More NOAH Stories, Reflections, and Tributes
🎤 Ariel NOAH Main Page
Explore all my personal stories, poems, essays, and fan art inspired by Ariel NOAH and the band’s journey.
🎶 Song Review – Honest Thoughts on NOAH’s English Songs
Aanika Reviews My Situation & Hero
📖 How Ariel NOAH’s Voice Changed My Life
A love letter from Oklahoma to the world reflecting on how one Indonesian rockstar reshaped my global playlist and emotional world.
🎨NOAH & Peterpan Fan Art Showcase
A decade of visual tributes and artistic storytelling rooted in deep admiration for Ariel and his evolution from Peterpan to NOAH.
🌑Dark Angel: A NOAH-Inspired Poem
A lyrical expression born from the haunting beauty of Ariel’s performance in the “Menunggumu” music video.
🔥 Disappear in Flames Music Video ft. Ariel NOAH
An intimate reflection on loss, healing, and the unexpected comfort found in one powerful NOAH track during life’s hardest season.
#kaleidoscopicfootprints #kaleidosopicheart #arielnoah #sahabatnoah #sahabataanika
