Interview with Jetstream Pony
Shiny Happy: It is nice to see indiepop veterans play together in a band, How did you guys meet and decide to start Jetstream Pony?
Shaun: Beth and I first met when our bands played together (The Luxembourg Signal and The Fireworks), later Beth joined The Fireworks after our original singer Emma left. The early demos were meant for that band, but evolved into Jetstream Pony as something separate. Kerry and I had played in Turbocat back in the 90s so I asked her if she’d be interested when Jetstream Pony started. She’d finished playing music and had even sold her bass, but bought a new one! Sara is a friend of hers and a great drummer, so was her immediate suggestion.
Shiny Happy: How many times in a month you guys meet up for rehearsal? Or you rehearse when you have a gig only?
Shaun: We all have jobs and I have kids, so it’s generally when we have gigs, especially as Beth is in Croydon. I would say a couple of times a month.
Beth : I’m happy to just rehearse a couple of times a month or before a gig. JP was always meant to be a fun thing to do on the side (as we all have jobs like Shaun said) and I’d never want to be in a band that rehearsed every week as that feels like having a second job. Not into that, especially during football season!
Shiny Happy : Do you guys gig a lot? Share with us your best gig so far!
Shaun: We played about 10 gigs last year. Augsburg in Germany was one of the best, as it is the home of our label, it had a lovely atmosphere. Supporting The Wedding Present at David Gedge’s At the Edge of the Sea festival was great too, as I think we surprised a few people!
Beth - We gig more than I’d intended to as I’ve never liked playing live much, but we keep being offered good gigs so it’s hard to say no! I’m getting a bit more used to it, but still come off a bit “awkward” on stage. Some highlights this year was At The Edge Of The Sea, an opening slot for Rose McDowell in a church, and the launch gig for the new Chorusgirl LP (Shimmer and Spin) with Mammoth Penguins and Chorusgirl.
Shiny Happy: Why the name is Jetstream Pony? Any story behind the name?
Shaun: Jetstream Pony is the original racing name of our pet greyhound, who came from the Retired Greyhound Trust. She’s now called Jenna, and spends most of her time lying on our sofa or pushing me out of bed at night. She’s big, but very gentle, they are lovely dogs.
Shiny Happy: self destruct EP has sold out quickly, it seems that you got positive feedback from the pop kids. Where did you record your songs from the EP? How was the recording process!
Shaun: The first single (Like You Less/Had Enough) was recorded on my iPad in my bedroom. I was as surprised as anyone that Ronny from Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten wanted to release that actual version. Self-Destruct Reality was our first proper studio recording. We recorded it in Church Road in Brighton, though some of it was remixed by a friend of Beth’s just outside Chicago. It was fairly standard, mostly recorded live at the same time but with overdubbed vocals and extra guitars.
Shiny Happy: Who mostly create the music and the lyrics? Or all the members of the bands working together?
Shaun: Generally it starts with music I put together on my iPad, which I use like an old four track. Beth sends me rough lyrics sometimes which I store up. When I have new music, I flick through them for the words that fit the best, then edit them around the song. Beth often then edits them again for the final version. My partner Carol (who also does our great artwork under the name @atelierbricolage) did Not the One the same way, and Kerry has done the same too. I’ve struggled with lyrics in the past, so this works really well for me.
Shiny Happy: What are your lyrics deal with? Do u include the political issues in your lyrics?
Beth - I should deal with political issues but I never have done. I hear Silvi’s lyrics in Chorusgirl and think “shit, I need to up my game” but my lyrics are all basically thoughts I have when I’m annoyed, that I stick in iPhone “notes”. If something is really heavy, like a death of a loved one or break up, or genocide... my brain can’t make sense of it enough to articulate it properly. It’s easier to sing about not getting enough attention. I’m a terrible poet.
Shiny Happy: Some pop kids say that Jetstream Pony is like somewhere between The Popguns, the wedding present and Trembling blue stars, do u agree with that? What will you say about Jetsream Pony music? What are the influences for the band!
Shaun: I would say it is inevitable that we will sound influenced by our previous bands. I’m fine with that, I use that description myself sometimes!
Beth - I love TBS but I can’t see any similarities there.
Shiny Happy: What will Jetstream Pony do after the EP and split tape? Are you going to have another release coming up?
Shaun: Writing and recording something new is the main priority at the moment. We have some new songs, but not enough for an album so we do need to concentrate on that.
Shiny Happy: All the members of Jetstream pony have been active in indie scene since 1980, how do you see indie scene nowadays? Tell us What are the different compare with the time when you still active with pop guns or the wedding present?
Shaun: Not sure about 1980 (apart from me!). There are a lot more women in bands nowadays, which is great. Some bands have more expensive guitars than the original C86 days, though this sometimes represents older bands, who have more money from their jobs, playing to older audiences. The Indiepop scene is smaller, bands tend to play Popfests with bigger bills to get people along. It’s good fun and there are some great bands, but I do think it needs shaking up somehow too.
Shiny Happy: Shaun, You’ve been in the time when the Vinyl record, cassettes and Cd are used as a medium of sound recording and reproduction. Which format is your favorite? Do you think cassette, Cd and Vinyl record still relevant until now? And What do you think about digital format?
Shaun: I actually don’t mind digital formats, though vinyl is my favourite. Putting that needle down is still really exciting to me. It’s nice to have a physical product for things you really like, but the digital formats are an easy way to hear new stuff.
Shiny Happy: What bands do you listen often recently!
Beth - Chorusgirl, Wolf Girl, Young Scum, Treasures of Mexico, Rolling Blackouts CF, Soft Science, Lake Ruth, Clay Hips, The Perfect English Weather, The BV’s, Amor, Grouper, Roy Montgomery, Pia Fraus, Simon Scott... I could go on!
Shaun: I do like Chorusgirl, Juniore, and the bands Beth mentions. I would like to find time to listen to more new stuff, Beth’s done a couple of great playlists I’m working through!
Shiny Happy: Aside from music, what other activities you do?
Shaun: Family stuff mostly, but I do also still play football with friends. It’s really good fun, competitive but not competitive, it doesn’t really matter who wins!
Beth - Watch AFC Croydon Athletic, bumble around Tate Modern, book shops and record stores, take naps.
Shiny Happy: I saw you posted the photo of your daughter play in a band,that is interesting, does she plays in an indiepop band as well?
Shaun: Nina’s looking for a band at the moment. She plays bass and drums, though she is just fourteen. I am really pleased she has the music bug, we will have to see what kind of band she joins, her biggest influence is the Beatles but she likes all sorts of stuff.
Beth - Nina is awesome.
Shiny Happy: About football, What do you think about Ole Gunnar Solskjær returns to MU? Do you think he will bring back the victory to MU? What’s your favorite football team?
Shaun: I am a season ticket holder at Brighton and Hove Albion FC, so I don’t really care about Man United! I generally prefer to support the underdog, and am happy watching lower league football too. My team have been through a lot over the years, we lost our original ground and nearly ceased to exist after the club were bought by people who wanted to sell off the ground for money. Whatever happens now in the Premier League, I still can’t believe we are actually there. How did that happen?!
Beth - I prefer lower league football but if we’re taking Premier League, I’m down with Liverpool. I loathe Man-U.
Shiny Happy: Thanks for the interview Shaun, do you have any other words to say?
Shaun: Just to say thanks for releasing the cassette! Indie music seems to be getting more popular in South East Asia, which is really interesting and exciting, maybe it is the new energy that the indie scene needs!
Shaun: Beth and I first met when our bands played together (The Luxembourg Signal and The Fireworks), later Beth joined The Fireworks after our original singer Emma left. The early demos were meant for that band, but evolved into Jetstream Pony as something separate. Kerry and I had played in Turbocat back in the 90s so I asked her if she’d be interested when Jetstream Pony started. She’d finished playing music and had even sold her bass, but bought a new one! Sara is a friend of hers and a great drummer, so was her immediate suggestion.
Shiny Happy: How many times in a month you guys meet up for rehearsal? Or you rehearse when you have a gig only?
Shaun: We all have jobs and I have kids, so it’s generally when we have gigs, especially as Beth is in Croydon. I would say a couple of times a month.
Beth : I’m happy to just rehearse a couple of times a month or before a gig. JP was always meant to be a fun thing to do on the side (as we all have jobs like Shaun said) and I’d never want to be in a band that rehearsed every week as that feels like having a second job. Not into that, especially during football season!
Shiny Happy : Do you guys gig a lot? Share with us your best gig so far!
Shaun: We played about 10 gigs last year. Augsburg in Germany was one of the best, as it is the home of our label, it had a lovely atmosphere. Supporting The Wedding Present at David Gedge’s At the Edge of the Sea festival was great too, as I think we surprised a few people!
Beth - We gig more than I’d intended to as I’ve never liked playing live much, but we keep being offered good gigs so it’s hard to say no! I’m getting a bit more used to it, but still come off a bit “awkward” on stage. Some highlights this year was At The Edge Of The Sea, an opening slot for Rose McDowell in a church, and the launch gig for the new Chorusgirl LP (Shimmer and Spin) with Mammoth Penguins and Chorusgirl.
Shiny Happy: Why the name is Jetstream Pony? Any story behind the name?
Shaun: Jetstream Pony is the original racing name of our pet greyhound, who came from the Retired Greyhound Trust. She’s now called Jenna, and spends most of her time lying on our sofa or pushing me out of bed at night. She’s big, but very gentle, they are lovely dogs.
Shiny Happy: self destruct EP has sold out quickly, it seems that you got positive feedback from the pop kids. Where did you record your songs from the EP? How was the recording process!
Shaun: The first single (Like You Less/Had Enough) was recorded on my iPad in my bedroom. I was as surprised as anyone that Ronny from Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten wanted to release that actual version. Self-Destruct Reality was our first proper studio recording. We recorded it in Church Road in Brighton, though some of it was remixed by a friend of Beth’s just outside Chicago. It was fairly standard, mostly recorded live at the same time but with overdubbed vocals and extra guitars.
Shiny Happy: Who mostly create the music and the lyrics? Or all the members of the bands working together?
Shaun: Generally it starts with music I put together on my iPad, which I use like an old four track. Beth sends me rough lyrics sometimes which I store up. When I have new music, I flick through them for the words that fit the best, then edit them around the song. Beth often then edits them again for the final version. My partner Carol (who also does our great artwork under the name @atelierbricolage) did Not the One the same way, and Kerry has done the same too. I’ve struggled with lyrics in the past, so this works really well for me.
Shiny Happy: What are your lyrics deal with? Do u include the political issues in your lyrics?
Beth - I should deal with political issues but I never have done. I hear Silvi’s lyrics in Chorusgirl and think “shit, I need to up my game” but my lyrics are all basically thoughts I have when I’m annoyed, that I stick in iPhone “notes”. If something is really heavy, like a death of a loved one or break up, or genocide... my brain can’t make sense of it enough to articulate it properly. It’s easier to sing about not getting enough attention. I’m a terrible poet.
Shiny Happy: Some pop kids say that Jetstream Pony is like somewhere between The Popguns, the wedding present and Trembling blue stars, do u agree with that? What will you say about Jetsream Pony music? What are the influences for the band!
Shaun: I would say it is inevitable that we will sound influenced by our previous bands. I’m fine with that, I use that description myself sometimes!
Beth - I love TBS but I can’t see any similarities there.
Shiny Happy: What will Jetstream Pony do after the EP and split tape? Are you going to have another release coming up?
Shaun: Writing and recording something new is the main priority at the moment. We have some new songs, but not enough for an album so we do need to concentrate on that.
Shiny Happy: All the members of Jetstream pony have been active in indie scene since 1980, how do you see indie scene nowadays? Tell us What are the different compare with the time when you still active with pop guns or the wedding present?
Shaun: Not sure about 1980 (apart from me!). There are a lot more women in bands nowadays, which is great. Some bands have more expensive guitars than the original C86 days, though this sometimes represents older bands, who have more money from their jobs, playing to older audiences. The Indiepop scene is smaller, bands tend to play Popfests with bigger bills to get people along. It’s good fun and there are some great bands, but I do think it needs shaking up somehow too.
Shiny Happy: Shaun, You’ve been in the time when the Vinyl record, cassettes and Cd are used as a medium of sound recording and reproduction. Which format is your favorite? Do you think cassette, Cd and Vinyl record still relevant until now? And What do you think about digital format?
Shaun: I actually don’t mind digital formats, though vinyl is my favourite. Putting that needle down is still really exciting to me. It’s nice to have a physical product for things you really like, but the digital formats are an easy way to hear new stuff.
Shiny Happy: What bands do you listen often recently!
Beth - Chorusgirl, Wolf Girl, Young Scum, Treasures of Mexico, Rolling Blackouts CF, Soft Science, Lake Ruth, Clay Hips, The Perfect English Weather, The BV’s, Amor, Grouper, Roy Montgomery, Pia Fraus, Simon Scott... I could go on!
Shaun: I do like Chorusgirl, Juniore, and the bands Beth mentions. I would like to find time to listen to more new stuff, Beth’s done a couple of great playlists I’m working through!
Shiny Happy: Aside from music, what other activities you do?
Shaun: Family stuff mostly, but I do also still play football with friends. It’s really good fun, competitive but not competitive, it doesn’t really matter who wins!
Beth - Watch AFC Croydon Athletic, bumble around Tate Modern, book shops and record stores, take naps.
Shiny Happy: I saw you posted the photo of your daughter play in a band,that is interesting, does she plays in an indiepop band as well?
Shaun: Nina’s looking for a band at the moment. She plays bass and drums, though she is just fourteen. I am really pleased she has the music bug, we will have to see what kind of band she joins, her biggest influence is the Beatles but she likes all sorts of stuff.
Beth - Nina is awesome.
Shiny Happy: About football, What do you think about Ole Gunnar Solskjær returns to MU? Do you think he will bring back the victory to MU? What’s your favorite football team?
Shaun: I am a season ticket holder at Brighton and Hove Albion FC, so I don’t really care about Man United! I generally prefer to support the underdog, and am happy watching lower league football too. My team have been through a lot over the years, we lost our original ground and nearly ceased to exist after the club were bought by people who wanted to sell off the ground for money. Whatever happens now in the Premier League, I still can’t believe we are actually there. How did that happen?!
Beth - I prefer lower league football but if we’re taking Premier League, I’m down with Liverpool. I loathe Man-U.
Shiny Happy: Thanks for the interview Shaun, do you have any other words to say?
Shaun: Just to say thanks for releasing the cassette! Indie music seems to be getting more popular in South East Asia, which is really interesting and exciting, maybe it is the new energy that the indie scene needs!
Interview with Ablebody
Shiny happy: How did you come up with the name Ablebody? why and when did your
start this project? Tell us more about this band!
Ablebody: I started using the Ablebody name in 2011 when i was touring
constantly with the Pains as a way to keep sane on long van rides and
flights. At that point I had only ever written with an instrument in
hand so it was a new exercise in trying to compose without one, using
a laptop to sequence/program tracks and the built-in microphone in my
earbuds for vocals. Our first EP was a collection of songs I did
entirely on the road and about half our LP was composed in the same
way.
The name comes from an acronym I noticed in a book I was reading about
Mahayana Buddhism at the time in a section describing the three bodies
of the Buddah: appearance, bliss and law body (ABLbody). To me the
name was an impetus to convince myself and ourselves that we’re all
capable, interesting people with something to say and whatever
limitations we might have should be celebrated and not glossed over as
it’s precisely those flaws that make us singular and interesting. I
really feel that the best art comes from people striving for something
beyond their capabilities and being forced to invent interesting
workarounds for their shortcomings.
Shinyhappy: How do you divide your time between Ablebody and The pains of bring
pure at heart?
Ablebody: There’s no hard division for me as I’m able to work on Ablebody while
on tour with the Pains. Of course it’s easier to focus when I’m home
but I try to stay active writing while away. It’s tougher to schedule
recording when we’re in the middle of an album cycle but our tour legs
have become shorter since Kip had a baby a few years ago so we’re
generally away for 2 weeks at a time as opposed to 4-6 weeks like we
used to which helps quite a bit.
Shinyhappy: Aside from 80's atmosphere that I could feel in Ablebody's tunes ,
do you agree if I say that Ablebody's music is somewhere between The
Pains of bring pure at heart and The Depreciation Guild? how do you
describe Ablebody music?
Ablebody: It’s difficult for me to describe my own music as I try my hardest to
make sure it’s an unconscious effort when writing. I’d say the
production perhaps is closer to the Pains than Depreciation Guild but
our chord progressions and melodies are closer to The Depreciation
Guild for sure. I’ve always been drawn to certain types of
progressions and don’t see a divide between what we did with that band
and what we’re doing with Ablebody. I think of my music as more of a
specific approach to songwriting and melodicism rather than a
particular ‘style' as style/genre change from song to song for us but
the songwriting remains constant. Our new music doesn’t have any
guitars in it and might sound different to some but to me it’s an
extension of the same approach.
Shiny Happy: tell us about "adult contemporaries". What's the lyrics
deal with? how long did you take to finish this album? how was the
recording process?
Ablebody: Adult Contemporaries’ is the culmination of many years of
experimentation captured fairly quickly in less than 4 weeks of
recording. About half of the songs were written right when I moved
back to Los Angeles from New York after leaving the Pains in 2012 to
try to regain a sense of stability in my life and separate from a
destructive relationship I was stuck in for many years. The other half
of the songs were written on the road closer to when the record was
recorded in a much less frantic fashion, most of which make up side B
of the record.
The lyrics all revolve around the sense of hopelessness and cynicism I
felt about love at the time, exploring the disconnect from all angles
as a counterpoint to the sensationalized ‘romanticism’ we all succumb
to for better or for worse when falling in and out of love. I suppose
this record is a tribute to all the classic tropes of heartbreak that
seem so overwrought when viewed from the other side but are so real to
those in the throes of it.
The recording process was very disciplined but pretty DIY. We did it
all with our friend Kenny Gilmore in his studio which is essentially a
drum booth in the back of his parent’s house. We worked every day for
almost a month, my brother and I playing all the instruments and Kenny
helping on bass and keys when needed.
Shiny Happy: how many releases you have so far and what are they!
It’s hard to say. I've posted many small collections of works in
progress on soundcloud and bandcamp throughout the years but
officially we’ve released one EP, one 7” and one full length, as well
as various collections of covers/remixes/etc.
Shiny Happy: what are the bands or musician that inspire you in making music?
Mostly my peers and friends at this point in my life but growing up I
was an obsessive music fan who wouldn’t leave the house without my
lunch pal of cassette tapes. As a child I listened to mostly Art of
Noise, Michael Jackson and the Eurythmics. My dad turned me on to
things like Devo and Tom Waits a little later on in life. Discovering
Nirvana was a huge revelation in junior high and inspired me to pick
up guitar and start trying to write songs of my own. In college I was
really into shoegaze/dream pop but got deeper into experimental/noise
stuff before returning to pop music through people like Kate Bush and
Ariel Pink. Today i’m most inspired by songwriters like Burt
Bacharach, Scott Walker, Louis Philippe, Barry Gibb, Harry Nilsson,
Sally Oldfield, etc, but mostly i just listen to a lot of Elvis and
Barbra Streisand.
Shiny Happy: What's your next plan after "adult contemporaries"? New releases maybe?
We have a new record written, just trying to figure out how to record
and release it given our monetary constraints but would love to
release something soon. Got a few vids in the works too, hoping to get
one of those out sooner than later.
Shiny Happy : I follow your Instagram and found that you gig a lot.. any plan for
Asia tour? Play on Indonesia maybe?
Ablebody: We’d love to play Indonesia! No plans as of yet but if the right
opportunity came about we’d jump on it in a heartbeat.
Shiny happy: Have u ever imagined that someday you have tour together with
ablebody, the Pains, the Depreciation Guild and ice choir.. I think
that would be a great tour.
Ablebody: I’m not sure that will even happen but would be fun if someone wanted
to organize that.
Shiny Happy: I've been following you since you were playing with Kurt in The
Depreciation Guild and Kip in The Pains. I have questions that stay
in my mind and I think it's the right time to ask. The Depreciation
Guild was a masterpiece, I bought spirit Youth LP though. why Kurt
and you decided to disband the band?
Is there any possibility that Kurt and you Will work for new songs?
Ablebody: I think Depreciation Guild just naturally ran it’s course for us. We
toured heavily for many years and loved the project but Pains started
taking up more of our time and Kurt and I wanted to explore styles
that maybe wouldn’t make sense under the Depreciation Guild name. I
live in Los Angeles and Kurt lives in New York which makes it hard for
us to collaborate but perhaps sometime in the future we’ll work
together again, definitely not ruling it out.
Shiny Happy: Thank you for your answer Christoph, any other Words to say?
Thanks for your support and thanks Shiny Happy Records for taking
interest in our music, much love!
start this project? Tell us more about this band!
Ablebody: I started using the Ablebody name in 2011 when i was touring
constantly with the Pains as a way to keep sane on long van rides and
flights. At that point I had only ever written with an instrument in
hand so it was a new exercise in trying to compose without one, using
a laptop to sequence/program tracks and the built-in microphone in my
earbuds for vocals. Our first EP was a collection of songs I did
entirely on the road and about half our LP was composed in the same
way.
The name comes from an acronym I noticed in a book I was reading about
Mahayana Buddhism at the time in a section describing the three bodies
of the Buddah: appearance, bliss and law body (ABLbody). To me the
name was an impetus to convince myself and ourselves that we’re all
capable, interesting people with something to say and whatever
limitations we might have should be celebrated and not glossed over as
it’s precisely those flaws that make us singular and interesting. I
really feel that the best art comes from people striving for something
beyond their capabilities and being forced to invent interesting
workarounds for their shortcomings.
Shinyhappy: How do you divide your time between Ablebody and The pains of bring
pure at heart?
Ablebody: There’s no hard division for me as I’m able to work on Ablebody while
on tour with the Pains. Of course it’s easier to focus when I’m home
but I try to stay active writing while away. It’s tougher to schedule
recording when we’re in the middle of an album cycle but our tour legs
have become shorter since Kip had a baby a few years ago so we’re
generally away for 2 weeks at a time as opposed to 4-6 weeks like we
used to which helps quite a bit.
Shinyhappy: Aside from 80's atmosphere that I could feel in Ablebody's tunes ,
do you agree if I say that Ablebody's music is somewhere between The
Pains of bring pure at heart and The Depreciation Guild? how do you
describe Ablebody music?
Ablebody: It’s difficult for me to describe my own music as I try my hardest to
make sure it’s an unconscious effort when writing. I’d say the
production perhaps is closer to the Pains than Depreciation Guild but
our chord progressions and melodies are closer to The Depreciation
Guild for sure. I’ve always been drawn to certain types of
progressions and don’t see a divide between what we did with that band
and what we’re doing with Ablebody. I think of my music as more of a
specific approach to songwriting and melodicism rather than a
particular ‘style' as style/genre change from song to song for us but
the songwriting remains constant. Our new music doesn’t have any
guitars in it and might sound different to some but to me it’s an
extension of the same approach.
Shiny Happy: tell us about "adult contemporaries". What's the lyrics
deal with? how long did you take to finish this album? how was the
recording process?
Ablebody: Adult Contemporaries’ is the culmination of many years of
experimentation captured fairly quickly in less than 4 weeks of
recording. About half of the songs were written right when I moved
back to Los Angeles from New York after leaving the Pains in 2012 to
try to regain a sense of stability in my life and separate from a
destructive relationship I was stuck in for many years. The other half
of the songs were written on the road closer to when the record was
recorded in a much less frantic fashion, most of which make up side B
of the record.
The lyrics all revolve around the sense of hopelessness and cynicism I
felt about love at the time, exploring the disconnect from all angles
as a counterpoint to the sensationalized ‘romanticism’ we all succumb
to for better or for worse when falling in and out of love. I suppose
this record is a tribute to all the classic tropes of heartbreak that
seem so overwrought when viewed from the other side but are so real to
those in the throes of it.
The recording process was very disciplined but pretty DIY. We did it
all with our friend Kenny Gilmore in his studio which is essentially a
drum booth in the back of his parent’s house. We worked every day for
almost a month, my brother and I playing all the instruments and Kenny
helping on bass and keys when needed.
Shiny Happy: how many releases you have so far and what are they!
It’s hard to say. I've posted many small collections of works in
progress on soundcloud and bandcamp throughout the years but
officially we’ve released one EP, one 7” and one full length, as well
as various collections of covers/remixes/etc.
Shiny Happy: what are the bands or musician that inspire you in making music?
Mostly my peers and friends at this point in my life but growing up I
was an obsessive music fan who wouldn’t leave the house without my
lunch pal of cassette tapes. As a child I listened to mostly Art of
Noise, Michael Jackson and the Eurythmics. My dad turned me on to
things like Devo and Tom Waits a little later on in life. Discovering
Nirvana was a huge revelation in junior high and inspired me to pick
up guitar and start trying to write songs of my own. In college I was
really into shoegaze/dream pop but got deeper into experimental/noise
stuff before returning to pop music through people like Kate Bush and
Ariel Pink. Today i’m most inspired by songwriters like Burt
Bacharach, Scott Walker, Louis Philippe, Barry Gibb, Harry Nilsson,
Sally Oldfield, etc, but mostly i just listen to a lot of Elvis and
Barbra Streisand.
Shiny Happy: What's your next plan after "adult contemporaries"? New releases maybe?
We have a new record written, just trying to figure out how to record
and release it given our monetary constraints but would love to
release something soon. Got a few vids in the works too, hoping to get
one of those out sooner than later.
Shiny Happy : I follow your Instagram and found that you gig a lot.. any plan for
Asia tour? Play on Indonesia maybe?
Ablebody: We’d love to play Indonesia! No plans as of yet but if the right
opportunity came about we’d jump on it in a heartbeat.
Shiny happy: Have u ever imagined that someday you have tour together with
ablebody, the Pains, the Depreciation Guild and ice choir.. I think
that would be a great tour.
Ablebody: I’m not sure that will even happen but would be fun if someone wanted
to organize that.
Shiny Happy: I've been following you since you were playing with Kurt in The
Depreciation Guild and Kip in The Pains. I have questions that stay
in my mind and I think it's the right time to ask. The Depreciation
Guild was a masterpiece, I bought spirit Youth LP though. why Kurt
and you decided to disband the band?
Is there any possibility that Kurt and you Will work for new songs?
Ablebody: I think Depreciation Guild just naturally ran it’s course for us. We
toured heavily for many years and loved the project but Pains started
taking up more of our time and Kurt and I wanted to explore styles
that maybe wouldn’t make sense under the Depreciation Guild name. I
live in Los Angeles and Kurt lives in New York which makes it hard for
us to collaborate but perhaps sometime in the future we’ll work
together again, definitely not ruling it out.
Shiny Happy: Thank you for your answer Christoph, any other Words to say?
Thanks for your support and thanks Shiny Happy Records for taking
interest in our music, much love!
Interview with the Silent Love
Ganesha Mahendra:
"sebetulnya aku menggilai banget sarah records tuh sekitar 10 taun yang lalu,kalo sekarang sih udah ga terlalu-terlalu banget.paling cuman denger the field mice , brighter sama blueboy aja. saking tergila-gilanya sama sarah records dulu aku pernah bikin label dengan nama asal records ngikutin sarah records gt,tapi cuman bertahan 2 rilisan aja hahah."
1. Jadi siapakah gadis dari ciputat itu? Gimana kelanjutan ceritanya?
seseorang yang dulu pernah disukai..kelanjutannya ngambang kaya lagu-lagunya slowdive hahah..
2. Saya tau ganesha mahendra adalah orang dibalik Funny little dreams, lalu apa yg membuat kamu membuat the silent love? Adakah misi tertentu? atau ini salah satu jurus untuk menaklukan gadis ciputat?
Hehehe ga ada misi apa-apa sih,cuman akunya suka bikin-bikin lagu aja.kebetulan lagu-lagu di the silent love ini kebanyakan lagu-lagu yang tadinya mau buat fld cuman dirasa agak kurang cocok buat fld,hhahah susah bro modusinnya xD..
3. Kapan the silent love resmi terbentuk? Makna dari nama band ini sendiri apa sih? Dan sudah berapa releasan sejauh ini?
kapan ya ,2010 awal deh seingetku.maknanya sih cinta yang terpendam hahahahh,waktu itu lagi nyari nama2 band dan kebetulan lagi dengerin lagu blueboy yang the silent life ,terus aku rubah aja dikit . sejauh ini udah ada 5 rilisan , there's something i need to tell you (single 2010) ,painted feelings (ep 2012),memories (ep 2012),why dont you love me (single 2012)sama yang baru rilis di shiny happy ini .
4. Rainy seasons, ada tidak kaitanya judul album ini dengan banjir yg selalu menimpa jakarta setiap musim hujan? Bisa diceritakan makna dari judul EP ini?
hahahah ga ada ,kebetulan waktu itu aku nentuin dulu judul albumnya ,pas lagi ngelamun di transjakarta sewaktu hujan.terbesitlah kalimat rainy season dan kayanya indie juga buat di jadiin judul album.
5. Bagaimana sih proses rekaman album ini sehingga mendapatkan sound yg secantik ini ! Sepertinya kamu merekam dikamar sendiri ya?
wahh makasihh,sebenernya pas didenger2 lagi di speaker baru*pamer*,banyak yang belepotan rekaman album ini,aga nyesel juga pas mixing aga terburu2. iya rekaman di kamar sendiri aja , belum mampu sewa studio hahah.
6. Gimana kamu mendesign kamar kamu supaya bisa selalu mendapatkan mood untuk menggarap lagu? Apakah km pasang foto2 cewe jepang untuk memberikan inspirasi?
Hehhe. kamarku berantakan banget dan kalo lagi musim hujan kaya gini suka bocor,hahahah engga gitu juga kalii xD..
7. Kalau manggung, siapa aja yg membantu the silent love?
belum tau juga ,paling additionalnya fld juga sih kayanya.
8. Lagu-lagu di album ini sangat kental nuansa sarah records, bisa diceritakan seberapa besar pengaruh sarah untuk kamu!
sebetulnya aku menggilai banget sarah records tuh sekitar 10 taun yang lalu,kalo sekarang sih udah ga terlalu-terlalu banget.paling cuman denger the field mice , brighter sama blueboy aja. saking tergila-gilanya sama sarah records dulu aku pernah bikin label dengan nama asal records ngikutin sarah records gt,tapi cuman bertahan 2 rilisan aja hahah.
9. Saya suka lyrics the silent love yg apa adanya. Apakah semuanya berdasarkan pengalaman pribadi?
kebanyakan pengalaman pribadi ,beberapa lagu fictional saja ,hmm 70-30 deh.
10. Kamu kalo bikin lagu biasanya bikin lyric dulu atau musik dulu baru bikin lyric?
biasanya kalo bikin lagu dapetnya dari humming2 sebait irama yang terbesit di dalem hati dan kalo udah dapet humming2 gitu langsung aku rekam di hape.
11. Pernah ga kepikiran bikin lagu dengan lyric yg political? Berupa sindiran mungkin?
waduh engga ,bukan duniaku.
12. Kalau kamu bikin lagu yg menyindir, kamu bakal sindir siapa?
nyindir orang yang menyia2kan perhatian dariku hahahahh.
13. Bagaimana dengan funny little dreams? Apa kabar dengan band ini?
nah ini pertanyaan yang sering dilontarkan pendengar fld,bandnya masih jalan ,kita lagi bikin beberapa demo2.maunya sih album baru fld digarap lebih serius dan lagi ngumpulin dana jg buat rekaman juga heheh.
14. Kalau km disuruh milih, mau jadi additional player untuk club 8 atau brighter?
hmm brighter kayanya ,pengen puk-puk bang keris howard juga kalo ketemu langsung,kayanya kehidupan percintaan doi 11-12 sama aku deh.
15. Saya follower setia soundcloud supersapi loh.. Band kamu kok banyak banget sih?
Funny little dreams, the silent love, casual conversation, nesh band.. Ada lagi nggak yg belum kesebut? sbenernya banyak tapi udah aku bubar2in semua hahahah.ya tinggal 4 itu doank sih sekarang.oh iya sama ada cotton clouds ,proyek aku sama Iqbal dan Rima annemarie,ditunggu saja ,insaalloh taun ini mau rilis sesuatu.
16. kalo kamu ada kesempatan membuat sebuah acara indiepop, konsep acara indiepop seperti apa yang bakal kamu bikin?
pengennya bikin di taman cibodas gitu ,stagenya kecil aja dan penonton yang dateng ga lebih dari 100 orang,kaya festival mitt sista liv di swedia gitu deh.
18. Terima kasih ganesha atas interviewnya, ada yang ingin disampakain lagi?
sama-sama Ko,kayanya ga ada deh hahah.
"sebetulnya aku menggilai banget sarah records tuh sekitar 10 taun yang lalu,kalo sekarang sih udah ga terlalu-terlalu banget.paling cuman denger the field mice , brighter sama blueboy aja. saking tergila-gilanya sama sarah records dulu aku pernah bikin label dengan nama asal records ngikutin sarah records gt,tapi cuman bertahan 2 rilisan aja hahah."
1. Jadi siapakah gadis dari ciputat itu? Gimana kelanjutan ceritanya?
seseorang yang dulu pernah disukai..kelanjutannya ngambang kaya lagu-lagunya slowdive hahah..
2. Saya tau ganesha mahendra adalah orang dibalik Funny little dreams, lalu apa yg membuat kamu membuat the silent love? Adakah misi tertentu? atau ini salah satu jurus untuk menaklukan gadis ciputat?
Hehehe ga ada misi apa-apa sih,cuman akunya suka bikin-bikin lagu aja.kebetulan lagu-lagu di the silent love ini kebanyakan lagu-lagu yang tadinya mau buat fld cuman dirasa agak kurang cocok buat fld,hhahah susah bro modusinnya xD..
3. Kapan the silent love resmi terbentuk? Makna dari nama band ini sendiri apa sih? Dan sudah berapa releasan sejauh ini?
kapan ya ,2010 awal deh seingetku.maknanya sih cinta yang terpendam hahahahh,waktu itu lagi nyari nama2 band dan kebetulan lagi dengerin lagu blueboy yang the silent life ,terus aku rubah aja dikit . sejauh ini udah ada 5 rilisan , there's something i need to tell you (single 2010) ,painted feelings (ep 2012),memories (ep 2012),why dont you love me (single 2012)sama yang baru rilis di shiny happy ini .
4. Rainy seasons, ada tidak kaitanya judul album ini dengan banjir yg selalu menimpa jakarta setiap musim hujan? Bisa diceritakan makna dari judul EP ini?
hahahah ga ada ,kebetulan waktu itu aku nentuin dulu judul albumnya ,pas lagi ngelamun di transjakarta sewaktu hujan.terbesitlah kalimat rainy season dan kayanya indie juga buat di jadiin judul album.
5. Bagaimana sih proses rekaman album ini sehingga mendapatkan sound yg secantik ini ! Sepertinya kamu merekam dikamar sendiri ya?
wahh makasihh,sebenernya pas didenger2 lagi di speaker baru*pamer*,banyak yang belepotan rekaman album ini,aga nyesel juga pas mixing aga terburu2. iya rekaman di kamar sendiri aja , belum mampu sewa studio hahah.
6. Gimana kamu mendesign kamar kamu supaya bisa selalu mendapatkan mood untuk menggarap lagu? Apakah km pasang foto2 cewe jepang untuk memberikan inspirasi?
Hehhe. kamarku berantakan banget dan kalo lagi musim hujan kaya gini suka bocor,hahahah engga gitu juga kalii xD..
7. Kalau manggung, siapa aja yg membantu the silent love?
belum tau juga ,paling additionalnya fld juga sih kayanya.
8. Lagu-lagu di album ini sangat kental nuansa sarah records, bisa diceritakan seberapa besar pengaruh sarah untuk kamu!
sebetulnya aku menggilai banget sarah records tuh sekitar 10 taun yang lalu,kalo sekarang sih udah ga terlalu-terlalu banget.paling cuman denger the field mice , brighter sama blueboy aja. saking tergila-gilanya sama sarah records dulu aku pernah bikin label dengan nama asal records ngikutin sarah records gt,tapi cuman bertahan 2 rilisan aja hahah.
9. Saya suka lyrics the silent love yg apa adanya. Apakah semuanya berdasarkan pengalaman pribadi?
kebanyakan pengalaman pribadi ,beberapa lagu fictional saja ,hmm 70-30 deh.
10. Kamu kalo bikin lagu biasanya bikin lyric dulu atau musik dulu baru bikin lyric?
biasanya kalo bikin lagu dapetnya dari humming2 sebait irama yang terbesit di dalem hati dan kalo udah dapet humming2 gitu langsung aku rekam di hape.
11. Pernah ga kepikiran bikin lagu dengan lyric yg political? Berupa sindiran mungkin?
waduh engga ,bukan duniaku.
12. Kalau kamu bikin lagu yg menyindir, kamu bakal sindir siapa?
nyindir orang yang menyia2kan perhatian dariku hahahahh.
13. Bagaimana dengan funny little dreams? Apa kabar dengan band ini?
nah ini pertanyaan yang sering dilontarkan pendengar fld,bandnya masih jalan ,kita lagi bikin beberapa demo2.maunya sih album baru fld digarap lebih serius dan lagi ngumpulin dana jg buat rekaman juga heheh.
14. Kalau km disuruh milih, mau jadi additional player untuk club 8 atau brighter?
hmm brighter kayanya ,pengen puk-puk bang keris howard juga kalo ketemu langsung,kayanya kehidupan percintaan doi 11-12 sama aku deh.
15. Saya follower setia soundcloud supersapi loh.. Band kamu kok banyak banget sih?
Funny little dreams, the silent love, casual conversation, nesh band.. Ada lagi nggak yg belum kesebut? sbenernya banyak tapi udah aku bubar2in semua hahahah.ya tinggal 4 itu doank sih sekarang.oh iya sama ada cotton clouds ,proyek aku sama Iqbal dan Rima annemarie,ditunggu saja ,insaalloh taun ini mau rilis sesuatu.
16. kalo kamu ada kesempatan membuat sebuah acara indiepop, konsep acara indiepop seperti apa yang bakal kamu bikin?
pengennya bikin di taman cibodas gitu ,stagenya kecil aja dan penonton yang dateng ga lebih dari 100 orang,kaya festival mitt sista liv di swedia gitu deh.
18. Terima kasih ganesha atas interviewnya, ada yang ingin disampakain lagi?
sama-sama Ko,kayanya ga ada deh hahah.
Interview with The Arctic Flow
Brian Hancheck:
"The Arctic Flow is like an alternate universe for me. It's like a secret place that I can escape to. I guess that's why I'm like the only member. "
1. Hi Brian. What are you busy at right now? I heard you are about to release The Arctic Flow in cassette format. How is that?
Hi Eko! Actually I've been working a lot lately. I'm ready for some time off so I can just unwind and spend time with my family. I really want to just take a trip somewhere and go exploring.
Yeah, the cassette release of our full length album, All The Way Until December, which came out digitally in 2009, was recently released. It's a limited edition release with hand-made artwork. Olin from Friendly Otter Records put it out. It's a strange match. Friendly Otter is more of a Screamo/Punk label. I have no idea why he wanted to release us, but I think he just puts out what he likes. There are some other plans to re-release some older Arctic Flow titles on CD or maybe a limited-edition lathe cut disc.
2. Can you tell us about The Arctic Flow and when you started it?
Sure! The Arctic Flow is the name of my music project that I started in 2008. It's something that began as a hobby once I obtained a digital 8 track from a friend of mine. I thought it was brilliant to be able to multitrack and I began creating ambient soundscapes and shoegazy type songs. I managed to put some of those early experiments up on the Myspace page I had at the time. I eventually grew tired of doing those experiments and wanted to start writing songs. So, that's what I did! Some of the earliest songs I did actually ended up on our EP December Morning in 2009. They were recorded during the sessions for I Saw The Silver Sun, but they among the first ones that I wrote for The Arctic Flow.
The Arctic Flow is like an alternate universe for me. It's like a secret place that I can escape to. I guess that's why I'm like the only member.
3. What's the story behind the name of the band?
In the 90's there was this one band called The Prayer Chain who put out a few albums. Their songs "Crawl" had this line in the bridge that goes something like, "Embrace the arms enclosed" and I thought they were singing "Embrace the arctic flow." Ha ha!!!
4. How do you describe your music?
I think my music has varied with each release. At least that's what it seems. I just don't see the point in putting out the same songs with every release. My music has been labeled shoegaze, indiepop, dreampop, pop, etc. I would describe it as pop songs with just different ways of putting them together. I think all my songs, if stripped down, would stand on their own. But the style depends on the song itself. Some songs need a heavy shoegaze glaze poured over them while others just need a simple guitar part.
I write nearly everything on one guitar and as I'm writing, I hear what I think the finished song should sound like. I usually write songs in batches. But when I record an EP or whatever, I try to find the best songs to fit a certain mood I'm going for. I like when albums have a certain sound, not like a compilation, That goes back to my love of The Cure and how their early albums had one mood. It wasn't until Head On The Door that they varied their songs for an album. I just like atmosphere.
5. Sunbathing/Stargazing-Please let us know the story behind this EP title.
I crafted this EP as The Arctic Flow's "surf" album. I wanted a very beachy sound and I thought it needed a beachy title. My wife showed my some artwork on Pinterest or something that had those words on it. I told her immediately that I was going to name the EP Sunbathing/Stargazing. It really sums up how we live here in Summer....spending endless days at the beach and then staying at the beach long after the sun goes down. I can't even begin to explain how important the beach and the ocean are to The Arctic Flow's aesthetic.
6. Can you tell us what's Bay Bliss, Myrtle Beach and why did you chose to record your songs there?
Bay Bliss is the name of my studio, if you can actually call it a studio. I live on Bay Road so I just decided to call my studio Bay Bliss. It's not an elaborate set up. It's a very humble process. Some people I know have very nice studios with vocal booths and really hi-tech equipment. I've never really cared about hi-tech gear. Just as long as it sounds good.
7. You're the one who recorded all the instruments and vocals on this EP and probably the rest of The Arctic Flow's releases. Can you tell us how you recorded the songs for this EP. Let us know the process till we can hear the final result.
Well, yes I play and sing everything for The Arctic Flow. The recording process is much like building a house or baking a cake in that you are layering elements on top of each other to create something. I always start with the drums. Some songs have real drums while other are programmed. But either way the recording process begins with drums. Then I'll add the bass
guitar and then listen back. I'll then decide what to add next. It's all very spontaneous and just depends on the song I'm recording at the moment. I don't usually plan out in advance the exact instruments I just go with whatever the song needs at that moment. So I will often add what ever else needs to go on the recording like guitars or keyboards. I always do vocals last as that is my least favorite part. Once I record everything, I sit down and mess around with some effects to make it sound fuller and that's basically it.
8. The additional vocal on "Here To Stay" is Madison Hancheck. Who is she?
Madison is my daughter. She's 11 and wanted to sing on my next CD. I had to really think how I could include her and she and I were trying some vocal parts out and I played the chord structure for "Here To Stay" and had her sing the melody. I'm proud that she was a part of it.
9. It seems that your family truly supports your music. Can you tell us how your family got involved in music and how they support your music?
I couldn't do any of this without Aimee', my wife. She understands how important The Arctic Flow is to me and has never stood in the way or tried to compete with it. I mean, it's not like The Arctic Flow is an all-consuming thing for me-but it does take a lot of time to create and compose and record. She's my biggest fan and cheerleader. And then there's my Dad and Mom. They met playing in bands when they were younger. They both have records and albums to their credit. My Mom made her first single when she was just 11 with the B-side written by my grandfather. You can still find the single on several compilations of 1960's Girl Groups. She also recorded with The Spinners. My Dad and Mom moved form Rock to Country and Western Swing, which was really popular in the late 60's and early 70's. They always told me that I could do music for a hobby, but not to make a living at. Growing up, half of our living room was a music room with drums, amps, guitars, piano and a full PA system. We would always play together or have friends and family over.
10. I've been following you since you released some stuff on Holiday Records. You always make good music. What bands are really inspiring you to make music as The Arctic Flow.
Oh wow!! Thank you,Eko. What a nice thing to say. I really do like all kinds of music. I'm not an indie snob or anything. I can find an artist or two that I like in every genre. Really whenever I'm recording I'm inspired by whatever I am listening to. For several years I've wanted to do something just dead simple. A band like Alpaca Sports can write such simple songs with modest arrangements and it just sounds so good. I hear them and I want The Arctic Flow to sound like them. But whenever I give it a try I just doesn't work. I can take the sunniest melody and turn it into a rainy day. It must be my voice. I've been told I have a very melancholy singing voice and I guess there's a dark cloud that looms over everything I sing.
Currently, The Proctors are a really big influence on me. The Lucksmiths, Harper Lee, The Smittens, Cats on Fire, Immanu El, Math and Physics Club, and probably The Ocean Blue have been my biggest influences in the last 4 months. I like to absorb as many influences as possible and then meld them all together. I just like the shoegaze sounds, but within the context of pop songs.
11. One time on Facebook chat you told me that you played in a hardcore band. How was that? What band is it and did you release anything?
That was a very long time ago. I've been in several bands before The Arctic Flow. Some have been cool, some not so cool. I was in a punk band called Seven 37. We put out a custom made cassette, but sold out of them. Then I was in a band called Beautiful Execution. It was a hard core band that played locally. We didn't release anything, but it was fun. I remember one gig, during the middle of Summer, we played in a building that didn't have any air conditioning. I was the drummer and the place was packed. 300 kids all crammed into a little room all jumping and sweating and I had Pneumonia at the time. I remember on the last song I felt like I was going to die. I literally couldn't even find strength to breathe. I just collapsed behind my drum kit and had to recover in another room.
12. Talk about the gig. Do you gig a lot?
These days I don't play out. I want to, but there's not really a good scene in Myrtle Beach. Charleston has a good scene and so does Asheville. Most of my listeners are international, so I would have to travel abroad. There are some exciting shows coming up that I'm going to be playing, but I can't announce it yet.
13. Any plan to do a tour? How about Indonesia?
Oh man, if I had a way to finance it, I would tour. I think it would be great to go to Indonesia and Southeast Asia for maybe 10 days and do a tour. I know there is something in the works for a South American tour in Brazil and Peru. I guess I would be able to do it If someone would help offset the airfare and lodging costs.
14. Do you know about the indiepop scene? Tell us about it.
Back in 2009, when I first put out an EP, I didn't know indie pop existed. All I knew was Shoegaze. Holiday Records was the first Indiepop that I ever got into. They were my introduction. to Indiepop. I immediately wanted to sound like all those twee Indiepop bands. The Indiepop community is the best group of fans and musicians I've come across. Everyone is family and fans of each other.
15. Brian, can you list your 5 favorite bands of all time?
Of all time? The Smiths, The Cure, Starflyer 59, The Beach Boys, and The Cocteau Twins
16. It's good news that Slowdive are reunited in early 2014. Are you a fan of Slowdive as well? Has Slowdive influenced you in making music?
Totally! Just listen to our first EP. It's a giant Slowdive ripoff. I love Slowdive. I discovered them at a time when I need a change in my life. I had just ended a lengthy relationship and took a drive and spent about $150 and a record store and just bought a bunch of CDs from bands I had heard of but never actually heard. Their album Just For A Day was like a gift from Heaven.
17. Back to The Arctic Flow. After this EP what are your plans? Do you have any ambitions that you really want to achieve?
I'm recording a new EP for Dufflecoat Records that will be out in May or June. Then I'll be working on a 7" EP release for the end of the year. This next EP is going to be more shoegazy than the last EP.
As for any achievements, I would like to be able to play some festivals and actually use my passport before it expires. I want to experience life. I'm ready to live and go out and see the world.
18. So, if a big record label someday asked you to put out an LP release, will you accept? Or are you happy just being like this?
Probably. I'd love to. But I am really happy and thankful to get to put out CDs and have people from around the world listen and tell me how much they love my songs.
19. Last one. Do you want to say anything to pop kids who read this interview?
Yes, actually. And this is advice that I wish I could give my 17 year old self. And that is don't let someone else decide your life for you. Life really is good and there is so much world to see. I would say travel every chance you get. Take chances and take risks and just go after your dreams.
Thanks so much for the interview.
"The Arctic Flow is like an alternate universe for me. It's like a secret place that I can escape to. I guess that's why I'm like the only member. "
1. Hi Brian. What are you busy at right now? I heard you are about to release The Arctic Flow in cassette format. How is that?
Hi Eko! Actually I've been working a lot lately. I'm ready for some time off so I can just unwind and spend time with my family. I really want to just take a trip somewhere and go exploring.
Yeah, the cassette release of our full length album, All The Way Until December, which came out digitally in 2009, was recently released. It's a limited edition release with hand-made artwork. Olin from Friendly Otter Records put it out. It's a strange match. Friendly Otter is more of a Screamo/Punk label. I have no idea why he wanted to release us, but I think he just puts out what he likes. There are some other plans to re-release some older Arctic Flow titles on CD or maybe a limited-edition lathe cut disc.
2. Can you tell us about The Arctic Flow and when you started it?
Sure! The Arctic Flow is the name of my music project that I started in 2008. It's something that began as a hobby once I obtained a digital 8 track from a friend of mine. I thought it was brilliant to be able to multitrack and I began creating ambient soundscapes and shoegazy type songs. I managed to put some of those early experiments up on the Myspace page I had at the time. I eventually grew tired of doing those experiments and wanted to start writing songs. So, that's what I did! Some of the earliest songs I did actually ended up on our EP December Morning in 2009. They were recorded during the sessions for I Saw The Silver Sun, but they among the first ones that I wrote for The Arctic Flow.
The Arctic Flow is like an alternate universe for me. It's like a secret place that I can escape to. I guess that's why I'm like the only member.
3. What's the story behind the name of the band?
In the 90's there was this one band called The Prayer Chain who put out a few albums. Their songs "Crawl" had this line in the bridge that goes something like, "Embrace the arms enclosed" and I thought they were singing "Embrace the arctic flow." Ha ha!!!
4. How do you describe your music?
I think my music has varied with each release. At least that's what it seems. I just don't see the point in putting out the same songs with every release. My music has been labeled shoegaze, indiepop, dreampop, pop, etc. I would describe it as pop songs with just different ways of putting them together. I think all my songs, if stripped down, would stand on their own. But the style depends on the song itself. Some songs need a heavy shoegaze glaze poured over them while others just need a simple guitar part.
I write nearly everything on one guitar and as I'm writing, I hear what I think the finished song should sound like. I usually write songs in batches. But when I record an EP or whatever, I try to find the best songs to fit a certain mood I'm going for. I like when albums have a certain sound, not like a compilation, That goes back to my love of The Cure and how their early albums had one mood. It wasn't until Head On The Door that they varied their songs for an album. I just like atmosphere.
5. Sunbathing/Stargazing-Please let us know the story behind this EP title.
I crafted this EP as The Arctic Flow's "surf" album. I wanted a very beachy sound and I thought it needed a beachy title. My wife showed my some artwork on Pinterest or something that had those words on it. I told her immediately that I was going to name the EP Sunbathing/Stargazing. It really sums up how we live here in Summer....spending endless days at the beach and then staying at the beach long after the sun goes down. I can't even begin to explain how important the beach and the ocean are to The Arctic Flow's aesthetic.
6. Can you tell us what's Bay Bliss, Myrtle Beach and why did you chose to record your songs there?
Bay Bliss is the name of my studio, if you can actually call it a studio. I live on Bay Road so I just decided to call my studio Bay Bliss. It's not an elaborate set up. It's a very humble process. Some people I know have very nice studios with vocal booths and really hi-tech equipment. I've never really cared about hi-tech gear. Just as long as it sounds good.
7. You're the one who recorded all the instruments and vocals on this EP and probably the rest of The Arctic Flow's releases. Can you tell us how you recorded the songs for this EP. Let us know the process till we can hear the final result.
Well, yes I play and sing everything for The Arctic Flow. The recording process is much like building a house or baking a cake in that you are layering elements on top of each other to create something. I always start with the drums. Some songs have real drums while other are programmed. But either way the recording process begins with drums. Then I'll add the bass
guitar and then listen back. I'll then decide what to add next. It's all very spontaneous and just depends on the song I'm recording at the moment. I don't usually plan out in advance the exact instruments I just go with whatever the song needs at that moment. So I will often add what ever else needs to go on the recording like guitars or keyboards. I always do vocals last as that is my least favorite part. Once I record everything, I sit down and mess around with some effects to make it sound fuller and that's basically it.
8. The additional vocal on "Here To Stay" is Madison Hancheck. Who is she?
Madison is my daughter. She's 11 and wanted to sing on my next CD. I had to really think how I could include her and she and I were trying some vocal parts out and I played the chord structure for "Here To Stay" and had her sing the melody. I'm proud that she was a part of it.
9. It seems that your family truly supports your music. Can you tell us how your family got involved in music and how they support your music?
I couldn't do any of this without Aimee', my wife. She understands how important The Arctic Flow is to me and has never stood in the way or tried to compete with it. I mean, it's not like The Arctic Flow is an all-consuming thing for me-but it does take a lot of time to create and compose and record. She's my biggest fan and cheerleader. And then there's my Dad and Mom. They met playing in bands when they were younger. They both have records and albums to their credit. My Mom made her first single when she was just 11 with the B-side written by my grandfather. You can still find the single on several compilations of 1960's Girl Groups. She also recorded with The Spinners. My Dad and Mom moved form Rock to Country and Western Swing, which was really popular in the late 60's and early 70's. They always told me that I could do music for a hobby, but not to make a living at. Growing up, half of our living room was a music room with drums, amps, guitars, piano and a full PA system. We would always play together or have friends and family over.
10. I've been following you since you released some stuff on Holiday Records. You always make good music. What bands are really inspiring you to make music as The Arctic Flow.
Oh wow!! Thank you,Eko. What a nice thing to say. I really do like all kinds of music. I'm not an indie snob or anything. I can find an artist or two that I like in every genre. Really whenever I'm recording I'm inspired by whatever I am listening to. For several years I've wanted to do something just dead simple. A band like Alpaca Sports can write such simple songs with modest arrangements and it just sounds so good. I hear them and I want The Arctic Flow to sound like them. But whenever I give it a try I just doesn't work. I can take the sunniest melody and turn it into a rainy day. It must be my voice. I've been told I have a very melancholy singing voice and I guess there's a dark cloud that looms over everything I sing.
Currently, The Proctors are a really big influence on me. The Lucksmiths, Harper Lee, The Smittens, Cats on Fire, Immanu El, Math and Physics Club, and probably The Ocean Blue have been my biggest influences in the last 4 months. I like to absorb as many influences as possible and then meld them all together. I just like the shoegaze sounds, but within the context of pop songs.
11. One time on Facebook chat you told me that you played in a hardcore band. How was that? What band is it and did you release anything?
That was a very long time ago. I've been in several bands before The Arctic Flow. Some have been cool, some not so cool. I was in a punk band called Seven 37. We put out a custom made cassette, but sold out of them. Then I was in a band called Beautiful Execution. It was a hard core band that played locally. We didn't release anything, but it was fun. I remember one gig, during the middle of Summer, we played in a building that didn't have any air conditioning. I was the drummer and the place was packed. 300 kids all crammed into a little room all jumping and sweating and I had Pneumonia at the time. I remember on the last song I felt like I was going to die. I literally couldn't even find strength to breathe. I just collapsed behind my drum kit and had to recover in another room.
12. Talk about the gig. Do you gig a lot?
These days I don't play out. I want to, but there's not really a good scene in Myrtle Beach. Charleston has a good scene and so does Asheville. Most of my listeners are international, so I would have to travel abroad. There are some exciting shows coming up that I'm going to be playing, but I can't announce it yet.
13. Any plan to do a tour? How about Indonesia?
Oh man, if I had a way to finance it, I would tour. I think it would be great to go to Indonesia and Southeast Asia for maybe 10 days and do a tour. I know there is something in the works for a South American tour in Brazil and Peru. I guess I would be able to do it If someone would help offset the airfare and lodging costs.
14. Do you know about the indiepop scene? Tell us about it.
Back in 2009, when I first put out an EP, I didn't know indie pop existed. All I knew was Shoegaze. Holiday Records was the first Indiepop that I ever got into. They were my introduction. to Indiepop. I immediately wanted to sound like all those twee Indiepop bands. The Indiepop community is the best group of fans and musicians I've come across. Everyone is family and fans of each other.
15. Brian, can you list your 5 favorite bands of all time?
Of all time? The Smiths, The Cure, Starflyer 59, The Beach Boys, and The Cocteau Twins
16. It's good news that Slowdive are reunited in early 2014. Are you a fan of Slowdive as well? Has Slowdive influenced you in making music?
Totally! Just listen to our first EP. It's a giant Slowdive ripoff. I love Slowdive. I discovered them at a time when I need a change in my life. I had just ended a lengthy relationship and took a drive and spent about $150 and a record store and just bought a bunch of CDs from bands I had heard of but never actually heard. Their album Just For A Day was like a gift from Heaven.
17. Back to The Arctic Flow. After this EP what are your plans? Do you have any ambitions that you really want to achieve?
I'm recording a new EP for Dufflecoat Records that will be out in May or June. Then I'll be working on a 7" EP release for the end of the year. This next EP is going to be more shoegazy than the last EP.
As for any achievements, I would like to be able to play some festivals and actually use my passport before it expires. I want to experience life. I'm ready to live and go out and see the world.
18. So, if a big record label someday asked you to put out an LP release, will you accept? Or are you happy just being like this?
Probably. I'd love to. But I am really happy and thankful to get to put out CDs and have people from around the world listen and tell me how much they love my songs.
19. Last one. Do you want to say anything to pop kids who read this interview?
Yes, actually. And this is advice that I wish I could give my 17 year old self. And that is don't let someone else decide your life for you. Life really is good and there is so much world to see. I would say travel every chance you get. Take chances and take risks and just go after your dreams.
Thanks so much for the interview.
Taman Kota - Rainbow, reviewed by Acoem Trax Magz
(taken from traxmagz.com)
SAKING indahnya, EP ini sampai diminati oleh dua label, Shiny Happy [Indonesia] dan Dufflecoat [Inggris]. Sebuah karya jangly-pop yang tersusupi twee pop yang kaya, debutan baru Tamankota nampaknya tahu benar harus bagaimana membuat kesan yang baik untuk sebuah rilisan debut. Bersampul artwork putih sederhana bergambar sketsa sebuah taman imajiner yang menarik, seolah memaparkan seperti apa musik dan gaya band ini, warna-warni, riang, catchy. Dibuka dengan “Sometimes”, pahatan jangly ala Blueboy yang menarik, bebunyian reverb di sana-sini mengiringi warna-warni lirik yang melankolis. “Takan Hilang” menyemprotkan polesan cat melodi dengan beat yang manis. Meski ada sayatan distorsi kecil seolah tak menganggu tarikan vokal yang mengalun. “Shine” tak kalah esensialnya. Bak menghirup bau rumput, daun dan bunga-bunga, sangat segar. Ditutup oleh “Siklus”sebuah percik jingle-jangly yang mengalir melewati bebatuan di pinggir sungai. Overall, dari EP ini nampaknya jadi indikasi bahwa tunas-tunas indiepop Bandung mulai merekah dan bergairah kembali. Kami menantikan rilisan-rilisan selanjutnya. <wahyu
Interview with PALMS ON FIRE
PALMS ON FIRE, a female-fronted four-piece indie-pop band from Izhevsk, Rusia have just released their EP Call Me on Shiny Happy Records. I had a chance to interview two of their members Max and Anna. Here is the interview, I hope its help you to dig more about them :)
Shiny Happy: Can You introduce your selves !
Palms on Fire: Hi! We are Palms on Fire. My name is Max and I’m playing guitar. My name is Anna and I’m playing guitar and singing.
Shiny Happy: What inspired you guys to start making this band?
Palms on Fire: Max: Most probably I was inspired by c86 bands. At that time I was playing in different band, I did neo-psycodelic music, kinda Brian Jonestown Massacre, Galaxie 500. When I heard Pastels, Talulah Gosh, Heavenly first time it was something new for me, and it was like a fresh air and I wanted to do the same music. Then me with my sister recorded a few songs at home.
Shiny Happy: How did you come up with the name “Palms on Fire’?
Palms on Fire: Anna: It came accidently, while listening to our first recorded tracks and we decided that it suited perfectly.
Shiny Happy: Can you describe the music of Palms on fire !
Palms on Fire:Anna: It’s short pop songs about simple things.
Shiny Happy: Lets talk about Call Me EP, can you tell us more about this EP and how long did you take to record all the songs in this EP?
Palms on Fire: Max: To record Call Me EP took us a lot of time, maybe about half a year or more. It took us long for recordings and mixing. We could not get what we wanted.
Anna: This EP is different from what we did before. This is more Pop than used to be. The sound has become clearer. Lyrics has become more simple. It’s another step. Our every EP is another step for us. We can say that we are still searching.
Shiny Happy: Where did you record the songs?
Palms on Fire: Max: It was all recorded at home. We like this approach, it doesn’t limit our time, let us search, experiment and get what we want. But It’s not ruled out that we will record something in a studio in the future.
Shiny Happy: On track number 1 Call Me (feat. Romain Guerret) who is Romain Guerret? Maybe some people still don’t know who is
Romain Guerret and why do u want to collaborate with him?
Palms on Fire: Max: Romain Guerret is frontman of french band Aline (ex-Young Michelin), also he has project Dondolo.We are big fans of his music.
We found him on Facebook and offered him to take part in our song and sent him a Demo. He liked and agreed. We were very happy about that.
Shiny Happy: What’s your plan after releasing this EP?
Palms on Fire: Anna: We don’t have any big plans. We hope that more and more people will listen to our music and come to our concerts.
Shiny Happy: What is the biggest ambition for Palms On Fire?
Palms on Fire: Max: It’s a hard question. For now, I think, it’s to record a good album.
Shiny Happy: What’s your daily activity aside playing Music?
Palms on Fire: Anna: Most of us have job, someone is still studying. We don’t have much of a free time, and usually, we spend it on music.
Max: As for me, I like watching and playing football.
Shiny Happy: You guys are from Izhevsk, Rusia. Please let us know more about this town and how indiepop scene grow there?
Palms on Fire : Anna: Izhevsk is small industrial city located in european part of russia and known as birthplace of the Kalashnikov Assault Rifle.
I can’t say much about indie pop scene of Izhevsk, I think it
doesn’t exist. Talking about overall Russia, there are many good bands, the most famous are Motorama and Ifwe.
Shiny Happy: Can you mention other Russian pop bands we should hear to?
Palms on Fire : Max: pinkshinyultrablast, amazing electronic talking cave
Anna: Heather
Shiny Happy: Have you ever heard Indonesia Indiepop scene?
Palms on Fire: Max: I havn’t heard a lot, but I remember Annemarie, I like what they are doing.
Shiny Happy: Anything else would you like to say before we end up this conversation!
Palms on Fire: Thanks to everyone. Listen to good music, listen to different music!
Shiny Happy: Thank you very much
Interview with Taman Kota
Taman kota adalah salah satu band Indie Pop yang berasal dari Bandung, Jawa Barat. yang terdiri dari M Febri Hendarsyah - vocal, Rega Zulhan Vocalian - drum, Jamil Nur Ikhsan - gitar dan Handy Pamungkas Herman - bass. Taman Kota menghadirkan nuansa pop minimalis tahun 90'an dengan ciri khas petikan gitar crunchy dan tempo drum yang upbeat bergaya pop inggris tahun 90'an, sehingga selalu mengajak pendengarnya untuk berdansa atau sekedar menggoyangkan kepala serta memberikan angin segar dan pesan positif. Shiny Happy Records bekerja sama dengan Dufflecoat Recs(uk) merelease EP pertama mereka yg berjudul "Rainbow". Untuk menggali lebih dalam mengenai Taman Kota , Shiny happy berbincang bincang singkat dengan Ebbie(Vocal) dan Jamil(Guitar). Silahkan disimak :)
Shiny happy : bisa diceritakan gimana awal terbentuknya Taman kota?
Taman Kota: awalnya dari pertemanan adik saya (rega) drumer tamankota sama jamil yang sering main kerumah dan suka musik yang sama dengan saya akhirnya entah bagaimana mulanya tiba2 terbentuklah tamankota mungkin dari seringnya kita jaming
Shiny happy : itu tahun berapa?
Taman Kota: 2007
Shiny Happy: sudah berapa kali ganti personil hingga sekarang?
Taman Kota: mmhh sejauh ini tamankota belum pernah ganti personil paling pake additional player (bass) karena handi pernah hengkang dari tamankota karena kesibukannya dan akhirnya bergabung lagi sampe sekarang
Shiny Happy: Bicara soal nama band, apa yang melatar belakangi kalian menamakan band ini TAMAN KOTA? Apakah ada pesan dibalik nama ini?
Taman Kota: sebenernya ga ada arti khusus di balik nama tamankota ini tiba2 nama itu akhirnya terpilih tanpa fikir panjang kenapa saya memilih nama itu mungkin biar lebih gampang di ingat aja sih heheh
Shiny Happy: Bicara tentang Rainbow EP. Berapa lama kalian mempersiapkan EP ini hingga akhirnya direlease?
Taman Kota: kurang lebih 8 bulan dari mempersiapkan materi yg mau di garap sampe dirilis februari kemarin, cukup lama juga karena seperti biasa selalu ada kendala di setiap proses
Shiny Happy: Dimana kalian merekam materi lagu? Di studio tau di kamar?
Taman Kota: kebetulan kami mengerjakannya di rumah jamil di daerah jatinangor kamar jamil bisa disebut ruang kreatif buat saya, banyak ide2 lahir disana
Shiny Happy: secara keseluruhan apakah kalian puas dengan hasil recording dari EP ini? dalam arti inilah karakter sound yg diinginkan Taman Kota atau masih ada yg belum tereksplore?
Taman kota: sejauh ini sih sudah cukup mewakili apa yg kami inginkan (dari segi sound) bicara tentang masih ada yg belum tereksplore, pasti masih ada dan kami masih akan tetap berencana karena buat kami main musik itu seperti melukis tiap hari moodnya berubah2
Shiny Happy: lyrics lagu taman kota di album ini seperti ingin memberikan semangat dalam menjalani hidup..apakah ini memang bagian dari konsep EP ini dan kaitanya dengan Rainbow?
Taman Kota: Jamil: sebenernya sih konsep dari ep kami sendiri hanya sebatas untuk berbagi pengalaman dan semangat kami kepada kawan2 di seantero nusantara hahahah
tapi alangkah bahagianya kami apabila semangatkami bisa menghidupkan semangat kawan2 semua heheheheh. Ebbie: dan rainbow ini merupakan representasi dari lagu2 di ep tersebut
Shiny Happy: band band apa aja sih yg banyak memberikan influence buat Taman Kota?
Taman Kota: Ebbie: jujur saya banyak di pengaruhi oleh sarah records terutama blueboy dan madchester scene dan spirit DIY lokal tentunya
Jamil: menurut saya sih influence band dari kami tidak cenderung sama mas eko.. setiap personilnya punya influence masing2.. tapi kebetulan influence dari kami masih dalam satu irama. kalo buat saya sih yang paling berpengaruh buat saya blur, stone roses & blueboy yang paling melekat dihati dan jiwa ahahaha
Shiny Happy : Saya sering mendengar orang yg selalu menyebutkan “brit pop” , seperti: “gw anak brit pop, gw suka music brit pop and so on and so on”. Nah Kalo taman kota salah satu band yg menyebutkan kalo taman kota adalah band brit pop atau Taman kota adalah Indiepop? Perbedaanya dimana sih menurut taman kota brit pop dan indiepop itu sendiri?
Taman kota: HAHAHAHAHA saya jadi teringat cerita jaman saya (ebbie) masih smu yg dimana saat itu lagi musim2nya britpop hampir semua teman saya berambut poni, baju ketat, dan celana cutbray hehehe mirip brett anderson lah :p itu awal saya menyukai musik2 dari inggris khususnya pop. kami lebih nyaman disebut band pop saja deh biar orang2 yg mendengar saja yg memutuskan kami itu band seperti apa :)
Shiny Happy: Setelah EP ini keluar, tentunya semakin banyak yg mengenal Taman kota dari public local maupun internasional karena kan kalian juga direlease label inggris. Lalu apa lagi yg ingin kalian lakukan bersama Taman kota setelah ini?
Taman Kota: Sebelumnya kami sangat berterimakasih sama eko dan orang2 yang telah banyak membantu tamankota hingga akhirnya EP kami dapat rilis juga :) . mungkin setelah ini kami akan manggung2 kecil karena jujur saja kami tidak punya target yang besar di tamankota.kami hanya ingin sekedar bercerita tentang apa yang kami rasakan, karena bagi kami tamankota adalah sebuah media..sebuah ruang sebuah rumah dimana segala sesuatu yg ingin kami suarakan ya kami tuang dalam bentuk musik tentunya tergantung mood juga sih kayanya hahahaha kami tidak ambisius :)
Shiny Happy : Menurut Taman Kota Kesuksesan sebuah band diukur dari apa sih?
Taman Kota: Sukses buat kami adalah saat orang2 yg mendengarkan tamankota bisa terlibat langsung secara emosional mengenai apa yg telah kami sampaikan dalam lirik dan musik tersebut, jadi ukurannya adalah kepuasan lahir batin :)
Shiny Happy : Apakah kalian tertarik untuk bergabung dengan major label or stay DIY?
Taman Kota: Kami tidak terlalu suka dengan segala bentuk intervensi, we free what we are :) musik berawal dari senang2 just for fun jadi kami lebih memilih DIY karena kebebasan adalah nilai mutlak setiap insan MERDEKA!! hahahaha
Shiny Happy: Band – band Indiepop local yg banyak di kenal di luar seperti Anne Marie, Astrolab, Briliant at breakfast, sunny summerday, sharespring mereka menulis lyric dalam bahasa inggris. kembali ke Taman kota hampir semua lyric lagu Taman Kota dalam bahasa Indonesia, apakah ini konsep kalian untuk mengangkat bahasa Indonesia atau gimana? Ada nggak kemungkinan kedepanya kalian akan menulis seluruh lyric dalam bahasa inggris agar bisa dimengerti pendengar dari luar Indonesia?
Taman Kota: Nah kami jadi ingat perkataan alberto callegari saat mendengarkan track "takkan hilang" dia bilang: bahasa indonesia itu unik, alangkah bahagianya kami semakin banyak orang yg tertarik semakin banyak yg ingin belajar bahasa indonesia kali ya hahaha :D kami sudah mulai membuat lirik dalam bahasa inggris jadi ada kemugkinan lagu2 selanjutnya
Shiny Happy: Scene indiepop bandung cukup di kenal di luar sana. Ketika orang luar membicarakan Indiepop Indonesia mereka pasti menyebutkan kata Bandung. Kita sama sama tau disana ada Mocca, Astrolab, sunny summerday, twisterella, the Saturday guy, leach me lemonade. Bisa ga kalian ceritakan tentang scene indiepop bandung! Apa yg membuat indiepop sangat berkembang disana dan seperti tidak pernah habis melahirkan band – band indiepop yg bagus?
Taman Kota: Jujur, kami tidak terlalu mengikuti scene indiepop di bandung.kami hanya sekedar tahu saja ada band2 hebat seperti mereka :)
Shiny Happy: aktivitas kalian sehari hari apa sih?
Taman Kota: hanya jamil yg masih berkutat dengan kuliah, sisanya orang2 kerja :D
Shiny Happy: Buat sang guitaris, kenapa kamu punya 2 account di FB james dan jamil? Apakah ada motif tertentu? hehhehe
Taman Kota: supaya bisa jadi playboyz mas ekz hahahaha
Shiny Happy: Buat Ebbie, gimana rasanya menjadi vokalis band yg managernya sekaligus pacar?
Taman Kota: sangat senang sekali kemana2 bisa sama2 hehehehe perhatiannya dobel lah :D
Shiny Happy: Ada pesan untuk pecinta indiepop ditanah air atau untuk siapapun sebelum interview ini diakhiri?
Taman Kota: dengarkan apa yg ingin kalian dengarkan
lakukan apa yg ingin kalian lakukan. buat karya dari rasa buat harmoni dari imajinasi lakukan dengan cinta :)
terimakasih banyak bang eko sebanyak bintang di langit malam ini hehehe buat shiny happy records juga, dufflecoat, alberto callegari, ray kimura, nisha saraswati dan semua hal yg telah banyak menginspirasi kami :) LOVE... -TAMANKOTA-
Shiny Happy: Terima kasih atas intervienya Taman Kota, sukses selalu !
Shiny happy : bisa diceritakan gimana awal terbentuknya Taman kota?
Taman Kota: awalnya dari pertemanan adik saya (rega) drumer tamankota sama jamil yang sering main kerumah dan suka musik yang sama dengan saya akhirnya entah bagaimana mulanya tiba2 terbentuklah tamankota mungkin dari seringnya kita jaming
Shiny happy : itu tahun berapa?
Taman Kota: 2007
Shiny Happy: sudah berapa kali ganti personil hingga sekarang?
Taman Kota: mmhh sejauh ini tamankota belum pernah ganti personil paling pake additional player (bass) karena handi pernah hengkang dari tamankota karena kesibukannya dan akhirnya bergabung lagi sampe sekarang
Shiny Happy: Bicara soal nama band, apa yang melatar belakangi kalian menamakan band ini TAMAN KOTA? Apakah ada pesan dibalik nama ini?
Taman Kota: sebenernya ga ada arti khusus di balik nama tamankota ini tiba2 nama itu akhirnya terpilih tanpa fikir panjang kenapa saya memilih nama itu mungkin biar lebih gampang di ingat aja sih heheh
Shiny Happy: Bicara tentang Rainbow EP. Berapa lama kalian mempersiapkan EP ini hingga akhirnya direlease?
Taman Kota: kurang lebih 8 bulan dari mempersiapkan materi yg mau di garap sampe dirilis februari kemarin, cukup lama juga karena seperti biasa selalu ada kendala di setiap proses
Shiny Happy: Dimana kalian merekam materi lagu? Di studio tau di kamar?
Taman Kota: kebetulan kami mengerjakannya di rumah jamil di daerah jatinangor kamar jamil bisa disebut ruang kreatif buat saya, banyak ide2 lahir disana
Shiny Happy: secara keseluruhan apakah kalian puas dengan hasil recording dari EP ini? dalam arti inilah karakter sound yg diinginkan Taman Kota atau masih ada yg belum tereksplore?
Taman kota: sejauh ini sih sudah cukup mewakili apa yg kami inginkan (dari segi sound) bicara tentang masih ada yg belum tereksplore, pasti masih ada dan kami masih akan tetap berencana karena buat kami main musik itu seperti melukis tiap hari moodnya berubah2
Shiny Happy: lyrics lagu taman kota di album ini seperti ingin memberikan semangat dalam menjalani hidup..apakah ini memang bagian dari konsep EP ini dan kaitanya dengan Rainbow?
Taman Kota: Jamil: sebenernya sih konsep dari ep kami sendiri hanya sebatas untuk berbagi pengalaman dan semangat kami kepada kawan2 di seantero nusantara hahahah
tapi alangkah bahagianya kami apabila semangatkami bisa menghidupkan semangat kawan2 semua heheheheh. Ebbie: dan rainbow ini merupakan representasi dari lagu2 di ep tersebut
Shiny Happy: band band apa aja sih yg banyak memberikan influence buat Taman Kota?
Taman Kota: Ebbie: jujur saya banyak di pengaruhi oleh sarah records terutama blueboy dan madchester scene dan spirit DIY lokal tentunya
Jamil: menurut saya sih influence band dari kami tidak cenderung sama mas eko.. setiap personilnya punya influence masing2.. tapi kebetulan influence dari kami masih dalam satu irama. kalo buat saya sih yang paling berpengaruh buat saya blur, stone roses & blueboy yang paling melekat dihati dan jiwa ahahaha
Shiny Happy : Saya sering mendengar orang yg selalu menyebutkan “brit pop” , seperti: “gw anak brit pop, gw suka music brit pop and so on and so on”. Nah Kalo taman kota salah satu band yg menyebutkan kalo taman kota adalah band brit pop atau Taman kota adalah Indiepop? Perbedaanya dimana sih menurut taman kota brit pop dan indiepop itu sendiri?
Taman kota: HAHAHAHAHA saya jadi teringat cerita jaman saya (ebbie) masih smu yg dimana saat itu lagi musim2nya britpop hampir semua teman saya berambut poni, baju ketat, dan celana cutbray hehehe mirip brett anderson lah :p itu awal saya menyukai musik2 dari inggris khususnya pop. kami lebih nyaman disebut band pop saja deh biar orang2 yg mendengar saja yg memutuskan kami itu band seperti apa :)
Shiny Happy: Setelah EP ini keluar, tentunya semakin banyak yg mengenal Taman kota dari public local maupun internasional karena kan kalian juga direlease label inggris. Lalu apa lagi yg ingin kalian lakukan bersama Taman kota setelah ini?
Taman Kota: Sebelumnya kami sangat berterimakasih sama eko dan orang2 yang telah banyak membantu tamankota hingga akhirnya EP kami dapat rilis juga :) . mungkin setelah ini kami akan manggung2 kecil karena jujur saja kami tidak punya target yang besar di tamankota.kami hanya ingin sekedar bercerita tentang apa yang kami rasakan, karena bagi kami tamankota adalah sebuah media..sebuah ruang sebuah rumah dimana segala sesuatu yg ingin kami suarakan ya kami tuang dalam bentuk musik tentunya tergantung mood juga sih kayanya hahahaha kami tidak ambisius :)
Shiny Happy : Menurut Taman Kota Kesuksesan sebuah band diukur dari apa sih?
Taman Kota: Sukses buat kami adalah saat orang2 yg mendengarkan tamankota bisa terlibat langsung secara emosional mengenai apa yg telah kami sampaikan dalam lirik dan musik tersebut, jadi ukurannya adalah kepuasan lahir batin :)
Shiny Happy : Apakah kalian tertarik untuk bergabung dengan major label or stay DIY?
Taman Kota: Kami tidak terlalu suka dengan segala bentuk intervensi, we free what we are :) musik berawal dari senang2 just for fun jadi kami lebih memilih DIY karena kebebasan adalah nilai mutlak setiap insan MERDEKA!! hahahaha
Shiny Happy: Band – band Indiepop local yg banyak di kenal di luar seperti Anne Marie, Astrolab, Briliant at breakfast, sunny summerday, sharespring mereka menulis lyric dalam bahasa inggris. kembali ke Taman kota hampir semua lyric lagu Taman Kota dalam bahasa Indonesia, apakah ini konsep kalian untuk mengangkat bahasa Indonesia atau gimana? Ada nggak kemungkinan kedepanya kalian akan menulis seluruh lyric dalam bahasa inggris agar bisa dimengerti pendengar dari luar Indonesia?
Taman Kota: Nah kami jadi ingat perkataan alberto callegari saat mendengarkan track "takkan hilang" dia bilang: bahasa indonesia itu unik, alangkah bahagianya kami semakin banyak orang yg tertarik semakin banyak yg ingin belajar bahasa indonesia kali ya hahaha :D kami sudah mulai membuat lirik dalam bahasa inggris jadi ada kemugkinan lagu2 selanjutnya
Shiny Happy: Scene indiepop bandung cukup di kenal di luar sana. Ketika orang luar membicarakan Indiepop Indonesia mereka pasti menyebutkan kata Bandung. Kita sama sama tau disana ada Mocca, Astrolab, sunny summerday, twisterella, the Saturday guy, leach me lemonade. Bisa ga kalian ceritakan tentang scene indiepop bandung! Apa yg membuat indiepop sangat berkembang disana dan seperti tidak pernah habis melahirkan band – band indiepop yg bagus?
Taman Kota: Jujur, kami tidak terlalu mengikuti scene indiepop di bandung.kami hanya sekedar tahu saja ada band2 hebat seperti mereka :)
Shiny Happy: aktivitas kalian sehari hari apa sih?
Taman Kota: hanya jamil yg masih berkutat dengan kuliah, sisanya orang2 kerja :D
Shiny Happy: Buat sang guitaris, kenapa kamu punya 2 account di FB james dan jamil? Apakah ada motif tertentu? hehhehe
Taman Kota: supaya bisa jadi playboyz mas ekz hahahaha
Shiny Happy: Buat Ebbie, gimana rasanya menjadi vokalis band yg managernya sekaligus pacar?
Taman Kota: sangat senang sekali kemana2 bisa sama2 hehehehe perhatiannya dobel lah :D
Shiny Happy: Ada pesan untuk pecinta indiepop ditanah air atau untuk siapapun sebelum interview ini diakhiri?
Taman Kota: dengarkan apa yg ingin kalian dengarkan
lakukan apa yg ingin kalian lakukan. buat karya dari rasa buat harmoni dari imajinasi lakukan dengan cinta :)
terimakasih banyak bang eko sebanyak bintang di langit malam ini hehehe buat shiny happy records juga, dufflecoat, alberto callegari, ray kimura, nisha saraswati dan semua hal yg telah banyak menginspirasi kami :) LOVE... -TAMANKOTA-
Shiny Happy: Terima kasih atas intervienya Taman Kota, sukses selalu !
RAINBOW EP review by Aldo Ersan Sirait (Taken from Primitif Zine)
Pernahkah kalian memutuskan untuk bersantai di taman kota saat hujan deras sedang berlaku? Kebanyakan orang pasti menjawab tidak. Sebaliknya, kebanyakan setuju saat mentari sedang cerah tapi tak pula begitu menyengat , taman kota pasti akan menjadi tempat yang nyaman untuk bersantai di kala penat. Mendengarkan ep manis unit musik indie-pop asal Bandung “Taman Kota” bertajuk “Rainbow” memojokkan saya untuk menampik persepsi umum bahwa bersantai di taman kota hanya syahdu di kala hari sedang cerah karena pelangi tidakkan muncul sebelum hujan mengguyur. Petikan gitar melodius tak berkesudahan yang dikumandangkan di sepanjang empat lagu dalam ep itu pastinya mengingatkan kita akan indahnya sinar mentari, sebaliknya atmosfir dan suasana lagu-lagu yang mengemuka justru sendu, sesendu guyuran hujan di sore hari. Bisa dibilang ada hibrida antara tekstur halus dream pop mengawang, riff-riff jangly british indie-pop 90’an, serta beat-beat uptempo khas punggawa madchester ,The Stone Roses, yang diproporsikan secara tepat guna. Ditambah lagi, saya jadi sadar bahwa ternyata Last.Fm tidak salah menempatkan Galaxie 500 dan The Field Mice dalam tingkat kesamaan yang cukup tinggi. Seperti pada lagu pembuka sekaligus yang paling menarik dalam album ini “Sometimes“ yang lembut pula reflektif dan juga “Shine”, sebuah nomor yang mampu mengejutkan karena menyuguhkan harmonisasi vokal yang catcy dalam musik yang terpengaruh secara kental oleh shoegaze.
Melalui ep ini Taman Kota menyampaikan pesan-pesan positif dalam lirik penuh motivasi yang terasa dekat dengan keseharian yang sepertinya sudah terlampau sering disampaikan baik dalan nasehat orang tua bahkan obrolan dengan kolega di kampus maupun tempat kerja. Di satu sisi tema bernafas humaniroa semacam itu memang sudah terlalu sering ditampilkan namun di sisi lain, Taman Kota seperti mengajak perasaan terpuruk pendengarnya untuk dimanjakan oleh seruan bangkit kembali. Seperti saat Febri Hardiansyah (vokalis) membisikkan sepenggalan lirik dalam track “Takkan Hilang” : tak lagi berwarna / kerap tanpa makna / tak mampu bersuara / hanya terdiam dan tak berkata. Dalam menyikapi lirik itu banyak reaksi yang kiranya bisa terlintas. Namun, buah makna dalam refrain track penutup ep ini, “Siklus”, sudah cukup matang untuk dipetik dan diseduh dalam hati : hidup begitu indah / warna-warninya dewasakan diriku / hidup begitu indah / maka jangan pernah disesali. Lewat “Rainbow”, “Taman Kota” layak untuk diperhitungkan sebagai unit indie-pop lokal yang potensial, terutama dalam memaksimalkan penanganan rasa-rasa melankolis para “indie-kids”.
Melalui ep ini Taman Kota menyampaikan pesan-pesan positif dalam lirik penuh motivasi yang terasa dekat dengan keseharian yang sepertinya sudah terlampau sering disampaikan baik dalan nasehat orang tua bahkan obrolan dengan kolega di kampus maupun tempat kerja. Di satu sisi tema bernafas humaniroa semacam itu memang sudah terlalu sering ditampilkan namun di sisi lain, Taman Kota seperti mengajak perasaan terpuruk pendengarnya untuk dimanjakan oleh seruan bangkit kembali. Seperti saat Febri Hardiansyah (vokalis) membisikkan sepenggalan lirik dalam track “Takkan Hilang” : tak lagi berwarna / kerap tanpa makna / tak mampu bersuara / hanya terdiam dan tak berkata. Dalam menyikapi lirik itu banyak reaksi yang kiranya bisa terlintas. Namun, buah makna dalam refrain track penutup ep ini, “Siklus”, sudah cukup matang untuk dipetik dan diseduh dalam hati : hidup begitu indah / warna-warninya dewasakan diriku / hidup begitu indah / maka jangan pernah disesali. Lewat “Rainbow”, “Taman Kota” layak untuk diperhitungkan sebagai unit indie-pop lokal yang potensial, terutama dalam memaksimalkan penanganan rasa-rasa melankolis para “indie-kids”.
SAD STORY'S ENDING review by Ananda Augusta Caesaria
Japanese Version:
前は、日本のインディーズ・シーンの中に、まだFlannelというバンドを聴いていなかった。日本では、シューゲイザー・バンドがたくさんあってFlannelはその唯一のシューゲイザー・バンド。「sad story’s ending」というアルバムは始めての聴いたアルバム。このアルバムはカッコイイだと思っている。Flannelでメンバーは一人しかいない。トモヒロワカイである。トモヒロさんがすべてを一人でやっていた。本当にDIY的なバンドでしょうね。このアルバムを聴くとThe Radio Deptみたいなサウンドが流れている。トモヒロさんがThe Radio Deptを感心して、サウンドがちょっと影響したわけだ。それで、Rideみたいなサウンドも流れている。Rideがたくさん日本のシューゲイザー・バンドを影響した。Flannelも影響された。私にとって、このアルバムの中に、ドリミーなところがたくさんあった。日々を逆らう悲しさと意気感情もある。その感情は10曲で伝えた。「sunny」は最初の曲として、穏やかで流れている。この曲にもドリミーなところもある。この曲はオプニングとして結構合っている。聴者にFlannelの世界を紹介する。このアルバムの中に、一番好きな曲は「wall」。こんな調子が好きです。最高です。「crossfader」一番ドリミーな曲だと思っている。こんな曲は真昼に聴いたら眠くなるそう(笑)トモヒロさんが上手にドリミーな曲を作ることができると思う。面白いのは「things day carries」はThe Pains Of Being Pure At Heartらしいだと思っている。そして、「lens」で悲しさから外出して、野原に遊ぶようなイメージがある。ギターもキラキラです。楽しい曲です。「handfull of ashes」はちょっと速いリズムで、曲の意味について考えていた。「sad story’s ending」は立ち上がる日本のために提示する。3月に東北地方で大きな地震と津波があって、たくさんの人が亡くなったり行方不明になって、今も大変な生活を続ける人がいる。この曲のタイトルを見て、ずっと意味を考えている。このアルバムは「eyes & hands」で終わる。この曲も穏やかで流れている。でもこの曲は「なんでもずっと行く」というイメージがある。「eyes & hands」は良過ぎて終わる。関係がないけど、なんとなくこの曲にLuna Seaを思い出す。本当に関係がないよ(笑)シューゲイザー・ファンはflannelを聴かなければならないと思っている。また一つのいい日本のシューゲイザー・バンドだと思っている。一人でやっていたが、このアルバムは結構完璧な作品。
Indonesia Version:
Saya sebelumnya belum pernah mendengar nama Flannel dalam jajaran musisi indie di Jepang. Ada banyak sekali band Jepang yang beraliran shoegaze, nampaknya Flannel adalah salah satu dari banyaknya band beraliran shoegaze yang saya lewatkan. Album mereka yang berjudul Sad Story’s Ending adalah album pertama mereka yang saya dengar. Sad Story’s Ending merupakan album yang cukup keren, apalagi ternyata Flannel hanya digawangi satu orang saja yaitu Tomohiro Wakai. Tomohiro Wakai mengakui dia mengerjakan semuanya sendirian. Hmm… DIY sekali bukan?Jika kalian mendengarkan album ini, sound-sound seperti The Radio Dept akan kalian dapatkan. Maklum saja, Tomohiro mengagumi band dari Swedia ini. Selain sound yang menyerupai The Radio Dept, Flannel juga menghadirkan sound seperti Ride. Ride banyak memberikan influence pada musisi Jepang, termasuk Flannel.Menurut saya, hampir semua lagu di album Sad Story’s Ending bernuansa dreamy. Namun demikian, dalam album ini terdapat perasaan sedih dan bersemangat. Perasaan seperti itu disampaikan melalui sepuluh track. Dimulai dari track Sunny yang membuka album ini dengan santai dan cukup dreamy. Lagu ini memang cocok sebagai pembuka yang memperkenalkan music Flannel perlahan-lahan kepada pendengar. Dalam album ini yang paling saya suka adalah Wall, yang menjadi lagu berikutnya setelah Sunny. Saya menyukai irama seperti ini. Keren sekali.Crossfader merupakan track yang paling dreamy menurut saya. Lagu seperti ini bisa bikin ngantuk kalo didengar di siang bolong, hehe. Menurut saya Tomohiro ahli membuat musik-musik yang dreamy. Menariknya, track Things Day Carries menurut saya sangat The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Kemudian, ada lagu Lens yang seolah mengajak keluar dari kesedihan dan bermain-main di padang rumput. Petikan gitar di lagu ini ceria sekali. Lagu yang menyenangkan.Handfull Of Ashes dengan irama yang sedikit lebih cepat membuat saya bertanya-tanya apa maksud dari lagu ini. Album Sad Story’s Ending dipersembahkan untuk Jepang yang sedang mencoba bangkit. Pada bulan Maret lalu, bagian Jepang timur mengalami gempa besar dan tsunami yang mengakibatkan banyak orang meninggal dunia, sampai sekarang orang-orang yang hidup dalam kekacauanpun masih ada. Dengan melihat judul lagu ini, saya terus mengira-ngira apa makna yang terdapat di dalamnya.Album ini ditutup oleh Eyes & Hands yang juga mengalun santai. Akan tetapi, dari lagu ini saya menangkap image untuk terus maju dalam kondisi seperti apapun. Eyes & Hands mengakhiri album ini dengan bagus sekali. Mungkin tidak ada hubungannya, tapi lagu ini entah kenapa membuat saya jadi teringat kepada Luna Sea. Yah, ini bener-bener nggak ada hubungannya :PFans shoegazer harus mendengar Flannel. Ini dia satu lagi musisi shoegaze Jepang yang patut diperhitungkan. Meskipun dia mengerjakannya sendiri, album ini cukup sempurna menurut saya.
contact Ananda:
http://ameblo.jp/sunnysundaesmile90/
http://encorevoice.blogspot.com/
http://facebook.com/yukaritelepath
前は、日本のインディーズ・シーンの中に、まだFlannelというバンドを聴いていなかった。日本では、シューゲイザー・バンドがたくさんあってFlannelはその唯一のシューゲイザー・バンド。「sad story’s ending」というアルバムは始めての聴いたアルバム。このアルバムはカッコイイだと思っている。Flannelでメンバーは一人しかいない。トモヒロワカイである。トモヒロさんがすべてを一人でやっていた。本当にDIY的なバンドでしょうね。このアルバムを聴くとThe Radio Deptみたいなサウンドが流れている。トモヒロさんがThe Radio Deptを感心して、サウンドがちょっと影響したわけだ。それで、Rideみたいなサウンドも流れている。Rideがたくさん日本のシューゲイザー・バンドを影響した。Flannelも影響された。私にとって、このアルバムの中に、ドリミーなところがたくさんあった。日々を逆らう悲しさと意気感情もある。その感情は10曲で伝えた。「sunny」は最初の曲として、穏やかで流れている。この曲にもドリミーなところもある。この曲はオプニングとして結構合っている。聴者にFlannelの世界を紹介する。このアルバムの中に、一番好きな曲は「wall」。こんな調子が好きです。最高です。「crossfader」一番ドリミーな曲だと思っている。こんな曲は真昼に聴いたら眠くなるそう(笑)トモヒロさんが上手にドリミーな曲を作ることができると思う。面白いのは「things day carries」はThe Pains Of Being Pure At Heartらしいだと思っている。そして、「lens」で悲しさから外出して、野原に遊ぶようなイメージがある。ギターもキラキラです。楽しい曲です。「handfull of ashes」はちょっと速いリズムで、曲の意味について考えていた。「sad story’s ending」は立ち上がる日本のために提示する。3月に東北地方で大きな地震と津波があって、たくさんの人が亡くなったり行方不明になって、今も大変な生活を続ける人がいる。この曲のタイトルを見て、ずっと意味を考えている。このアルバムは「eyes & hands」で終わる。この曲も穏やかで流れている。でもこの曲は「なんでもずっと行く」というイメージがある。「eyes & hands」は良過ぎて終わる。関係がないけど、なんとなくこの曲にLuna Seaを思い出す。本当に関係がないよ(笑)シューゲイザー・ファンはflannelを聴かなければならないと思っている。また一つのいい日本のシューゲイザー・バンドだと思っている。一人でやっていたが、このアルバムは結構完璧な作品。
Indonesia Version:
Saya sebelumnya belum pernah mendengar nama Flannel dalam jajaran musisi indie di Jepang. Ada banyak sekali band Jepang yang beraliran shoegaze, nampaknya Flannel adalah salah satu dari banyaknya band beraliran shoegaze yang saya lewatkan. Album mereka yang berjudul Sad Story’s Ending adalah album pertama mereka yang saya dengar. Sad Story’s Ending merupakan album yang cukup keren, apalagi ternyata Flannel hanya digawangi satu orang saja yaitu Tomohiro Wakai. Tomohiro Wakai mengakui dia mengerjakan semuanya sendirian. Hmm… DIY sekali bukan?Jika kalian mendengarkan album ini, sound-sound seperti The Radio Dept akan kalian dapatkan. Maklum saja, Tomohiro mengagumi band dari Swedia ini. Selain sound yang menyerupai The Radio Dept, Flannel juga menghadirkan sound seperti Ride. Ride banyak memberikan influence pada musisi Jepang, termasuk Flannel.Menurut saya, hampir semua lagu di album Sad Story’s Ending bernuansa dreamy. Namun demikian, dalam album ini terdapat perasaan sedih dan bersemangat. Perasaan seperti itu disampaikan melalui sepuluh track. Dimulai dari track Sunny yang membuka album ini dengan santai dan cukup dreamy. Lagu ini memang cocok sebagai pembuka yang memperkenalkan music Flannel perlahan-lahan kepada pendengar. Dalam album ini yang paling saya suka adalah Wall, yang menjadi lagu berikutnya setelah Sunny. Saya menyukai irama seperti ini. Keren sekali.Crossfader merupakan track yang paling dreamy menurut saya. Lagu seperti ini bisa bikin ngantuk kalo didengar di siang bolong, hehe. Menurut saya Tomohiro ahli membuat musik-musik yang dreamy. Menariknya, track Things Day Carries menurut saya sangat The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Kemudian, ada lagu Lens yang seolah mengajak keluar dari kesedihan dan bermain-main di padang rumput. Petikan gitar di lagu ini ceria sekali. Lagu yang menyenangkan.Handfull Of Ashes dengan irama yang sedikit lebih cepat membuat saya bertanya-tanya apa maksud dari lagu ini. Album Sad Story’s Ending dipersembahkan untuk Jepang yang sedang mencoba bangkit. Pada bulan Maret lalu, bagian Jepang timur mengalami gempa besar dan tsunami yang mengakibatkan banyak orang meninggal dunia, sampai sekarang orang-orang yang hidup dalam kekacauanpun masih ada. Dengan melihat judul lagu ini, saya terus mengira-ngira apa makna yang terdapat di dalamnya.Album ini ditutup oleh Eyes & Hands yang juga mengalun santai. Akan tetapi, dari lagu ini saya menangkap image untuk terus maju dalam kondisi seperti apapun. Eyes & Hands mengakhiri album ini dengan bagus sekali. Mungkin tidak ada hubungannya, tapi lagu ini entah kenapa membuat saya jadi teringat kepada Luna Sea. Yah, ini bener-bener nggak ada hubungannya :PFans shoegazer harus mendengar Flannel. Ini dia satu lagi musisi shoegaze Jepang yang patut diperhitungkan. Meskipun dia mengerjakannya sendiri, album ini cukup sempurna menurut saya.
contact Ananda:
http://ameblo.jp/sunnysundaesmile90/
http://encorevoice.blogspot.com/
http://facebook.com/yukaritelepath
Flannel - a Japanese Indiepop/shoegazer band
This time around I’m going to introduce you a finest DIY pop band from Nagoya, Japan.There isonly one person in a band, he is Tomohiro Wakai and he named the band as FLANNEL. It’s really a fun thing to do that Shiny Happy could release their LP Sad Story’s Ending .I’m quite sure that FLANNEL will be listed down as your fav pop band. Here is the interview with Tomohiro , check this out:
Shiny Happy: Hi Tomohiro, I’m glad that finally I could release Sad Story’s Ending in Indonesia.:) What are u busy at right now? I heard you’ve been preparing for the release with peru indiepop label. What label? Could you tell us!
Flannel: Hi Eko, I’m so glad too! I’m so happy to work with you, and thank you for introducing me to indiepop fans of Indonesia.Yes I’ll release next single from susy recs in Peru. Do you know this label? This single includes 3 new tracks that aren’t inclucec in the album and format is 3” CD. I’ve finished recording , so now I’m just waiting for release day. It will be released sometime this year.
Shiny Happy: Lets go back to the moment when you started with Flannel. When and how you started the idea in making this project?
Flannel: I started Flannel in 2004. Before then, I was making songs from about 14 years old, though I didn’t try to have someone listen to my songs for a long time, because i was so shy and wasn’t confident of my songs. But one song that I made changed my mind and started to upload my songs on some free streaming sites like myspace. That was the beginning.
Shiny Happy: was there a single moment that made you want to be a musician?
Flannel: one day I thought that I was saved by a lot of songs, and if I could save or help someone by my songs even it’s just a little influence, it will be so wonderful, And then I’ll be able to reply the kindness music that saved me as a result. Maybe it was a moment.
Shiny Happy: Why do you decide to have a concept as “one person” band which is only 1 person in the band?
Flannel:one reason is that I am laying weight in making the recordings more than do gigs. Other reason is I want to control song details all by myself.However, because it is limited that I can do alone, I think whether acting with someone is also good for me.
Shinny Happy: With only 1 person in the band how do you usually perform on stage? Do you have additional musicians or you just simply using Laptop or anything else?
Flannel:when I’m on stage , I usually sing with playing bass guitar, and have additional musicians, two guitars and drums. My live recording is now on sound loud, so please check this: http://soundcloud.com/flannel-1
Shiny Happy: Dreamy, Shoegazery and Spacey Do you thing those 3 words represent your music? please describe more about your music!
Flannel:I guess these are the important factor of my songs, but not all. I’ve been influenced from the music of various genres. Well...I can’t describe exactly with words.
Shiny Happy: What’s your lyrics deal with?
Flannel: More about conflict of my mind I felt or feel now. And rest are about love.
Shiny happy: to me Your first Lp Dear Something, Dear Someone is one of great LP , could you tell us about that release!
Flannel: Thank you for your kind words! I recorded these songs among 2007-2008. Chris from series two records offered me to put out the album, so I completed the album by making a new tune, and choosing from the tune that had already been recorded. I think this album is very suitable for listening with headphones and watch sun goes down on the hill.
Shiny Happy: How many releases do you have so far? What are they?
Flannel: So far I released 1 album “dear something, dear someone” (series two recs) and 3 singles: “drops”(cloudberry recs),” close”(Edition 59), “thinking about you”(series two/egnog recs) and now I will be released 2nd album from your label, and 4th single will be released. I also participated in some compilations.
Shiny Happy: The title of this album is Sad strory’s ending, any story to share regarding this album title?
Flannel: You know Japan encountered big earthquakes and tsunami. Moreover, there is a radiation poisoning too and it exists in the total mess. So the life seems to be tragic for many people. But I think that sad story’s ending is not necessarily to be sad. It could be happy one if all we believe in. I included such a desire to this title.
Shiny Happy: How do you record all the songs from this LP? Do you record those songs in your room or other place? Tell us more!
Flannel: I recorded all tracks in my room. I don’t use any studios for recording ever. Neither, I don’t use laptop except do mastering. I usually record songs with digital MTR and sequencer, Fender guitar and bass and the other stuffs. I love DIY ways.
Shiny Happy: Do u gig a lot?
Flannel:I do gig rarely. I’ll do next gig in November this year in Japan. More details are coming soon. So stay tunes! I hope I could do gig in Indonesia someday.
Shiny happy: Which gig has really stayed in your mind, the show you can’t forget! Why?
Flannel:the starlet japan tour 2008 is! In Nagoya (my hometown), I played as a front act of them. Before gig, we talked many with them while drinking coffee in the cafe. They were so kindly and friendly. It was a wonderful time that I can’t forget.
Shiny happy: It’s just my opinion, so far you’re the best pop band that Japan has . How do people in Japan give respond to your music? Do you have a lot of fans there?
Flannel: thanks! I’m so happy to hear that! But I’m known only to small number of people in Japan. I don’t release any CDs from japanese label except a few compilations and do gig rarely. These are the reason, I guess. Of course I’m full of the gratitude and think there is a meaning that makes the song even if it’s a little number.
Shiny Happy: Please tell us about Japanese indiepop scene!
Flannel: There are so many good indie band and label in Japan, also a lot of indie band come to japan to do gig all around the world. So I think the scene is active in the lucky circumstane.
Shiny Happy: what other japanese bands I should hear !Flannel: you must listen “Bertoia”, “ Caucus”,”Sloppy Joe” Or you already know them? And you must check these labels: “High Fader recs” & “TKO”
Shiny Happy: what’s your biggest ambition for Flannel?
Flannel: I don’t have any ambition at least so called ambition. All I want is to keep singing until my dying day.
Shiny Happy: Tomohiro, please list down your top 5 favorite bands!
Flannel: Nowadays top 5 are: 1. Under Electric Light 2. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart 3. Letting Up Despite Great Faults 4. The Radio Dept 5. BertoiaAnd all time top 5 are: 1. RocketshipVenus Peter 3.Ride 4. Teenage Fanclub 5. My Bloody Valentine
Shiny Happy:what other activities do you do beside playing music?
Flannel:I made hand made printed T-SHIRT before but now I mostly play with my daughter. She’s so cute.
Shiny Happy: What do you know about Indonesian Indiepop scene?
Flannel:I know some cool artists like Astrolab, Brilliant at Breakfast, Anne Marrie, Mocca, Twisterella, Funny Little Dreams, etc. I guess an Indiepop scene in Indonesia is wonderful as well as that Japan, US and Sweden.
Shiny Happy:do u have any message to people in Indonesia?
Flannel:I hope you can enjoy my album. And If I can give pop fans in Indonesia a chance to become interested in indiepop scene in Japan it would be greatly appreciated
Shiny happy: thank u for the interview Tomohiro
Flannel: Thanks for everything, Eko! I hope we’ll meet someday in Indonesia or Japan 2.
Shiny Happy: Hi Tomohiro, I’m glad that finally I could release Sad Story’s Ending in Indonesia.:) What are u busy at right now? I heard you’ve been preparing for the release with peru indiepop label. What label? Could you tell us!
Flannel: Hi Eko, I’m so glad too! I’m so happy to work with you, and thank you for introducing me to indiepop fans of Indonesia.Yes I’ll release next single from susy recs in Peru. Do you know this label? This single includes 3 new tracks that aren’t inclucec in the album and format is 3” CD. I’ve finished recording , so now I’m just waiting for release day. It will be released sometime this year.
Shiny Happy: Lets go back to the moment when you started with Flannel. When and how you started the idea in making this project?
Flannel: I started Flannel in 2004. Before then, I was making songs from about 14 years old, though I didn’t try to have someone listen to my songs for a long time, because i was so shy and wasn’t confident of my songs. But one song that I made changed my mind and started to upload my songs on some free streaming sites like myspace. That was the beginning.
Shiny Happy: was there a single moment that made you want to be a musician?
Flannel: one day I thought that I was saved by a lot of songs, and if I could save or help someone by my songs even it’s just a little influence, it will be so wonderful, And then I’ll be able to reply the kindness music that saved me as a result. Maybe it was a moment.
Shiny Happy: Why do you decide to have a concept as “one person” band which is only 1 person in the band?
Flannel:one reason is that I am laying weight in making the recordings more than do gigs. Other reason is I want to control song details all by myself.However, because it is limited that I can do alone, I think whether acting with someone is also good for me.
Shinny Happy: With only 1 person in the band how do you usually perform on stage? Do you have additional musicians or you just simply using Laptop or anything else?
Flannel:when I’m on stage , I usually sing with playing bass guitar, and have additional musicians, two guitars and drums. My live recording is now on sound loud, so please check this: http://soundcloud.com/flannel-1
Shiny Happy: Dreamy, Shoegazery and Spacey Do you thing those 3 words represent your music? please describe more about your music!
Flannel:I guess these are the important factor of my songs, but not all. I’ve been influenced from the music of various genres. Well...I can’t describe exactly with words.
Shiny Happy: What’s your lyrics deal with?
Flannel: More about conflict of my mind I felt or feel now. And rest are about love.
Shiny happy: to me Your first Lp Dear Something, Dear Someone is one of great LP , could you tell us about that release!
Flannel: Thank you for your kind words! I recorded these songs among 2007-2008. Chris from series two records offered me to put out the album, so I completed the album by making a new tune, and choosing from the tune that had already been recorded. I think this album is very suitable for listening with headphones and watch sun goes down on the hill.
Shiny Happy: How many releases do you have so far? What are they?
Flannel: So far I released 1 album “dear something, dear someone” (series two recs) and 3 singles: “drops”(cloudberry recs),” close”(Edition 59), “thinking about you”(series two/egnog recs) and now I will be released 2nd album from your label, and 4th single will be released. I also participated in some compilations.
Shiny Happy: The title of this album is Sad strory’s ending, any story to share regarding this album title?
Flannel: You know Japan encountered big earthquakes and tsunami. Moreover, there is a radiation poisoning too and it exists in the total mess. So the life seems to be tragic for many people. But I think that sad story’s ending is not necessarily to be sad. It could be happy one if all we believe in. I included such a desire to this title.
Shiny Happy: How do you record all the songs from this LP? Do you record those songs in your room or other place? Tell us more!
Flannel: I recorded all tracks in my room. I don’t use any studios for recording ever. Neither, I don’t use laptop except do mastering. I usually record songs with digital MTR and sequencer, Fender guitar and bass and the other stuffs. I love DIY ways.
Shiny Happy: Do u gig a lot?
Flannel:I do gig rarely. I’ll do next gig in November this year in Japan. More details are coming soon. So stay tunes! I hope I could do gig in Indonesia someday.
Shiny happy: Which gig has really stayed in your mind, the show you can’t forget! Why?
Flannel:the starlet japan tour 2008 is! In Nagoya (my hometown), I played as a front act of them. Before gig, we talked many with them while drinking coffee in the cafe. They were so kindly and friendly. It was a wonderful time that I can’t forget.
Shiny happy: It’s just my opinion, so far you’re the best pop band that Japan has . How do people in Japan give respond to your music? Do you have a lot of fans there?
Flannel: thanks! I’m so happy to hear that! But I’m known only to small number of people in Japan. I don’t release any CDs from japanese label except a few compilations and do gig rarely. These are the reason, I guess. Of course I’m full of the gratitude and think there is a meaning that makes the song even if it’s a little number.
Shiny Happy: Please tell us about Japanese indiepop scene!
Flannel: There are so many good indie band and label in Japan, also a lot of indie band come to japan to do gig all around the world. So I think the scene is active in the lucky circumstane.
Shiny Happy: what other japanese bands I should hear !Flannel: you must listen “Bertoia”, “ Caucus”,”Sloppy Joe” Or you already know them? And you must check these labels: “High Fader recs” & “TKO”
Shiny Happy: what’s your biggest ambition for Flannel?
Flannel: I don’t have any ambition at least so called ambition. All I want is to keep singing until my dying day.
Shiny Happy: Tomohiro, please list down your top 5 favorite bands!
Flannel: Nowadays top 5 are: 1. Under Electric Light 2. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart 3. Letting Up Despite Great Faults 4. The Radio Dept 5. BertoiaAnd all time top 5 are: 1. RocketshipVenus Peter 3.Ride 4. Teenage Fanclub 5. My Bloody Valentine
Shiny Happy:what other activities do you do beside playing music?
Flannel:I made hand made printed T-SHIRT before but now I mostly play with my daughter. She’s so cute.
Shiny Happy: What do you know about Indonesian Indiepop scene?
Flannel:I know some cool artists like Astrolab, Brilliant at Breakfast, Anne Marrie, Mocca, Twisterella, Funny Little Dreams, etc. I guess an Indiepop scene in Indonesia is wonderful as well as that Japan, US and Sweden.
Shiny Happy:do u have any message to people in Indonesia?
Flannel:I hope you can enjoy my album. And If I can give pop fans in Indonesia a chance to become interested in indiepop scene in Japan it would be greatly appreciated
Shiny happy: thank u for the interview Tomohiro
Flannel: Thanks for everything, Eko! I hope we’ll meet someday in Indonesia or Japan 2.
Skittle Alley - Bed room pop from France
Skittle Alley is a one person named Fanou. His music is simply beautiful. As a musician he got much influence from sarah bands especially Another Sunnyday and Brighter. Shiny happy had a chance to release his EP called "My Good Star". For you who don't know much about this bedroom pop from france, I interviewed him, Enjoy!
Shiny Happy: Fanou, How did you start liking and playing Indie Pop Music?
Fanou: Everything started when I've seen my first indiepop concert. It was a Sarah Records' festival in Toulouse. There, I was totally seduced by this kind of music. With some friends, we then decided to start a pop band with the few chords we only knew.
Shiny Happy: Do you still remember the fisrt pop song you made? What ‘s the title of the song and when did you make it?
Fanou: I can't remember quite well the first pop song I've ever written. I can be very "productive" and very often I can't remember the titles and the chords. It's because I write all my songs instinctively. So I can't answer your question exactly.
Shiny Happy: what’s your activity beside playing music?
Fanou: I listen a lot of music. I also watch TV series. I like to travel and to be with my friends sharing a good meal and a good glass of wine.
Shiny Happy: now about Skittle Alley, It would be cool if first you introduce to us who are people behind Skittle Alley and how you guys got started!
Fanou: Skittle Alley is my solo project since 2004. As I said before, I've been playing in many different bands (Caitlin, Blooming Park...). Now, Guillaume from the band Doggy also plays with me when doing concerts. He does the backing vocals and keyboards.
Shiny Happy : Lets Talk about My Good Star EP, how long did you take to finish this recording ?
Fanou: I'm a very dreamy person and I like to watch the stars in the summer sky. Everyone has a good star shining for himself or herself, some kind of good luck. I've spent only a few times to record this song, as all the other ones. When I'm recording a song, I do everything continuously. The composing ideas just come one after one. So, when I write a song I need two or three hours, including the recording and mixing.
Shiny Happy: How did you record the songs? Could you tell us more about the recording process of this EP!
Fanou: As I told you before, the song is written continuously. I record with "garageband". I start with the rythms, then the bass, the guitars, the vocals and everything else after.
Shiny Happy: what’s the story behind the lyric ”my good star”?
Fanou: There's no particular story. It's just the belief that everyone has a star shining in the sky and protecting him or her.
Shiny Happy: Tell me about the lyrics! What are your lyrics deal with?
Fanou: The lyrics... Well, I can't really explain how they come into my mind. My english is very limited and I'm conscious that sometimes my turns of phrases are not correct. But, for me, lyrics are not so important. I know I shouldn't think like that... But I believe I use my voice more as an instrument so that the song is tuneful.
Shiny Happy : What’s your favorite song in this EP and why?
Fanou: I like a lot "My dear friends" as it a very personal song about my friends who are living in the south of France. As I'm from this part of the country, these are my roots talking. But I can say that, in fact, I love all the songs featuring on this EP.
Shiny Happy: When I listen to your songs, it’s quite remind me of Brighter or even Trembling Blue star , in this EP i could feel the echo of brighter especially in the song “if only word would be easy”. How deep is brighter give you influence in making your
music?
Fanou: Brighter is my favorite band. I'm really touched by this musical melancholy and I can confess that it's the only band that can make me cry when I listen to it. So, to me, it's a very strong feeling. But I also like a lot Trembling Blue Stars too. Bobby and Beth have fantastic voices.
Shiny Happy: I remember First time I knew Skittle Alley when you had a release on Series Two records, how did you sign up with series two? could you tell us about that release !
Fanou: The "meeting" with Chris from Series Two Records was a total stroke of luck, through Myspace. He's been listening to my songs and he really enjoyed my music. First of all, he asked me to be part of one of the numerous compilations he's been releasing. Then, I sent a demo featuring several songs to him. He offered me to release these songs because he thought it was a pity no one could listen to them and that they were worth appearing on a record. This CD was a good beginning for me and it gave me the opportunity to release other records.
Shiny Happy: Again about the releases, I found that Skittle Alley Has so many releases with different label from different country, as I know you have released some stuff with labels like Series two, anorak, hey ho, bubble tone club 7, dufflecoat and now with shiny
happy. I assume that you have been so active in indiepop scene how do you get involve with indiepop scene?
Fanou: The indie pop scene is actually as fertile as it was during the Sarah Records' years. There are more and more interesting bands appearing all over the wolrd. And I think it's really great that we can discover exciting new bands.
Shiny Happy: If Skittle Alley active during 90’s and you guys got offer from two different labels they are Sarah Recs and Slumberland recs, which label would you prefer to choose and why?
Fanou: Of course, Sarah Records. All the bands that made me want to do indie pop were Sarah bands. I most particularly think to Brighter, The Field Mice, Another Sunny Day and many mores.
Shiny Happy: what’s your goal with skitlle alley in 2011?
Fanou: Just to do some other records and so that many more people can listen to my music.
Shiny Happy: Now about the gig. Do u gig a lot?
Fanou: I don't play often live because of my work. I work on saturdays and it's the day that people often offer to me the possibility to play. But I try to do more and more gigs to gain more self-assurance on stage.
Shiny Happy: Which gig is really stuck in your mind? Meaning to say, the gig that really can’t you forget. Why?
Fanou: The first indiepop concert I've ever seen. It was a Sarah festival with Blueboy, The Orchids, Northern Picture Library and Harvey Williams. I was really impressed !
Shiny Happy: to Fanou, please list down your top 5 favorite indiepop bands!
Fanou: Brighter, The Field Mice, Trembling Blue Stars, Harper Lee and Blueboy.
Shiny Happy: lets talk about indiepop scene and It will be a coolness if you tell us more about France Indiepop scene, I just know some bands from france like Watoo watoo, young michelin, I think you have more story to tell and I guess people are more
curious than I !
Fanou: The french indie pop scene is not so fertile nowadays except some bands you're talking about and some more as Doggy, The Wendy Darlings, Anne Bacheley and My Raining Star.
Shiny Happy: What do you know about Indonesia Indiepop ?
Fanou: I'm an huge fan of the Indonesian pop scene. It's a kind of Sarah Records' revival with some great bands as Annemarie, Sharesprings, Leach Me Lemonade, Astrolab... They really write very beautiful songs and they perfectly correspond to what I appreciate.
Shiny Happy : Do you have any message to indie pop lovers in Indonesia?
Fanou: I hope you'll enjoy my music and I really hope to go to Indonesia and play live there one day or another.
Shiny Happy: Thank you fanou for the interview :)
Fanou: It's my turn to thank you too ! :-)
Robert Church & The Holy Community - a lo fi pop from sweden
RC&HC is a lo fi pop from Sweden with sweet voice. check my interview with them:
Shinyhappy: Firstly, could you introduce yourselves!
RC&THC: RC&THC are Rickard and Joel and we started playing and make music in 2006. We live in Stockholm, Sweden. All our music is produced in our studio in Hornstull. We play pop music.
Shiny Happy: When I first listen to RC&THC the first thing I would like to know is how did you guys come up with the name Robert Church and the Holy Community? I was thinking you guys are singing church songs but when I read the lyrics it’s not so religious ?
RC&THC: We came up with the name one night back in 2006 when we had a little too much to drink, and made up this super-religous guy named Robert Church. Then we just liked the sound of Robert Church and the Holy Community. And NO, we do not sing religious folk songs.
Shiny Happy: How many releases you have so far, what are they?
RC&THC: We have released a quite a few records/tapes/singles on different labels since 2006. The latest was Los Tres De Canarias on tape on Fox Pop Recordings co. You can check out our site for more info about our releases. www.robertchurch.se
Shiny Happy: You guys are playing lo-fi pop music, Who gives Robert church and the holy community strong musical influence?
RC&THC: We like the Ramones, Firehose, Devin The Dude and stuff like that.
Shiny Happy: This album title is Los tres de canarias which is a rerelease with different packaging.This album consists some bonus songs from your previous EP Wizard On Fire and 2 songs from the singles. What’s different between the album Los tres the canarias and the EP Wizard on Fire?
RC&THC: The biggest difference is that Los Tres… is recorded on 8-track cassette recorder and the Wizart EP is recorded in a studio. So the songs are maybe a bit more lo-fi sounding on Los Tres. We first released Los Tres De Canarias on Fox Pop. It contains 8 tracks. Now its the same tracks plus four tracks from the Wizard Ep and some more extra tracks coming out on Shiny Happy Records.
Shiny Happy: What does Los tres de Canarias mean? Any story to share?
RC&THC: In 2008 we went to the Canary Islands for two months. And almost every night we listened to this band, three old spanish men wearing sombreros and playing guitar. Thats where the title comes from. The three men from the Island.
Shiny Happy: Now about the recording, how do u guys record your songs? How do you make your songs as lo-fi as you have in the album?
RC&THC: Los Tres De Canarias is recorded on Joels old 8-track cassette recorder so it sounds really lo-fi to begin with. The rest of the songs is recorded on a computer in our studio with the same instruments and stuff. So it sounds pretty lo-fi whatever we record on.
Shiny Happy:What other Swedish bands are making lo-fi pop similar to you?
RC&THC: Don´t know that many bands that make similar music to us, maybe Peace In Our Time, Hari & Aino.
Shiny Happy: You guys are from stockholm, tell me about indiepop scene there! Any other good bands I should know?
RC&THC: A lot of good indiepop bands come to play here so there is a good indiepop scene here. Shout Out Louds, Hari & Aino are good, think they are from Stockholm.
Shiny Happy: most of great indiepop bands are coming from sweden. could you share to us how the things happen there regarding to Indie pop Scene!
RC&THC: A lot of good bands come from here and they play here too so the indiepop scene here is very good. You can always watch good bands. But we have not been playing live for some time now so we have not been a part of it. We spend most our time recording and making music instead.
Shiny Happy: now about the gig, do u gig a lot? Which gig is really memorable for you and why?
RC&THC: We have not played live for a while, hopefully we will start this fall. Just the two of us with a drum-machine and some gigs as a four piece too, drums, bass and two guitars. Most memorable gig have to be when we played the Indietracks Festival in the UK back in 2008. That was really fun. Lots of good bands playing too.
Shiny Happy: What’s your plans in 2011?
RC&THC: Start playing live and we have another tape comming out on Fox Pop Recording co this summer.
Shiny Happy: What do u know about Indonesia indiepop scene? Do you know that the radio dept are playing in Jakarta? When will it be your turn to play in Indonesia?
RC&THC: Don´t know that much about the Indonesian indiepop scene. We have heard Annemarie, on Plastilina Records, they sound good. Didn´t know Radio Dept are playing in Jakarta, we would love to come to Indonesia and play. Any Festivals coming up??
Shiny Happy: Do you have any message to people In Indonesia?
RC&THC: Please buy the new RC&THC release over at Shiny Happy Records!!!
Shiny happy: Thank you for the Interview Jb Any last words?
RC&THC: Thank you, hope to see you in Indonesia.
Warm Morning - Italian Pop
Warm Morning is one of great Italian Pop. Check out my interview with Simon from warm morning:
Shiny happy recs: First things first.Can you introduce yourselves and tell me how you guys got started?
Warm Morning : warm morning is basically a duo composed of myself, Simone and my brother Andrea. We’ve been playing together since 2002. We compose and play music based mainly on acoustic sounds, inspired by the folk and pop music of the 60's and the 70's. Before 2002 we played in different rock bands, but it wasn’t our natural musical dimension so we both felt the need to return to a minimal sound, with acoustic guitars, ukulele and banjo, that perfectly fit into our way of writing music.
Shiny happy recs: What’s the story behind the name of this band?
Warm morning: We took the name from an old German stove we had in our first rehearsal studio, called Warm Morning 212.
Shiny happy recs: How would you guys describe your music?
Warm Morning : Our music could be defined as a big soft pillow when you're really tired of the chaos of this noisy world.
Shiny happy recs: What do your lyrics deal with?
Warm Morning: Usually we write about personal experiences and sensations. Our songs are short everyday stories in which people can simply identify themselves.
Shiny Happy recs: I am really curious about how you recorded the songs in the album “Too far from the Stars”; can you tell us something about your recording process? How long did it take you to finish the recording?
Warm Morning: We compose our songs in the small studio in our house called "redroom", we then record them doing the first arrangements on vocal harmonies, guitars and sometimes with strings. Then we go to the "Elfo Studio", a fantastic place in the countryside near the town we live in, and we develop our ideas trying to get inspiration from the calm of the Nature that surrounds the studio. Even though we are a duo, when we record new material sometimes we play with a band composed of drums, piano, bass and a string quartet, because it helps us concretize what we have in minds. "Too far from the stars" has been really hard work, because we really meditate on the song arrangements, recording many versions of each song to get the right combination of instruments and sounds, but I admit we had a wonderful time during our year of recordings.
Shiny happy recs: I also want to know something about the story behind the title “Too far from the stars”. Why did you choose that as the album title?
Warm Morning: This is our personal tribute to the marvelous '70's pop music. It is a collage of everyday short stories, stories about characters who share a continuing search for something specific, or for someone who is always far from them. They are characters trying to shake off the weight of their everyday problems, aiming to reach, one day, to the stars; who are presenting their passions and their dreams, even though they always seem so far. We were inspired by the title of a Ray Bradbury book, "Too soon from the cave, too far from the stars".
Shiny Happy Recs: One of my favorite songs in the album is "Catch the Thrill", the music and lyrics blend together in a great harmony. Is the song based on a true experience? Every time I hear it I feel as though the music takes me right into the real depths of the song.
Warm morning: We're glad to hear that you like "Catch the thrill" because it’s one of our favorite songs in the album. Like many of the other songs, it's based on a personal experience of mine. Even though the idea of the song is a little sad, talking about a guy who is still in love with a girl who’s heart and mind are now far away from him, the message I'd like to get across has a positive side to the melancholy, I mean, if it feels ok to go this way, right or wrong as it might be, just do it!
Shiny Happy Recs: Can you talk to us about the Italian Pop scene?
Warm Morning: Well, I think that in Italy there are many good indie pop bands, but we are missing a real pop scene. It would be better if there was more collaboration between the bands and more interest from the clubs about the indie pop scene. It's quite hard finding gigs and getting people to really listen to our music.
Shiny Happy Recs: I don’t know much about Italian pop bands but “Le man avec les lunettes” is another good one besides Warm Morning. Can you name any other worthy Italian Pop bands that people in Indonesia should tune into?
Warm Morning: I really love music by “Le man avec les lunettes” and I'm glad to have them as label mates! Another great band is the paisley underground "Temponauts", that I've been playing with for many years now. Some other worthwhile bands include "Coffee Orchestral", a trio playing dreamy folk tunes, “The calorifer is very hot”, “Tiger Tiger!”, “Kobenavn Store”, “My awesome mixtape” and many many others...the list is too long to include them all here! :)
Shiny Happy recs: Can you tell us which concert has really stayed in your mind, the shows that you can’t forget! And why?
Warm Morning: I have a great memory of when we played an opening act for the Irish band "Delorentos", they play a wonderful guitar pop and we really enjoyed their gig, and after the concert we had a lot of fun beer drinking!!:) Another good one is surely the gig we played with the Swedish pop band "A smile and a ribbon" and the neo-vintage pop chanteuse "Uni and her ukulele" from San Francisco. It was a hot summer night and we cooled ourselves off with good indie pop music! The wonderful voice of Uni made the night unforgettable.
Shiny Happy Recs: If you had a chance to tour around Europe and Asia and to choosebands to go with you, which would they be?
Warm Morning: “Temponauts”, “Coffee Orchestral” and “Uni and her ukulele”.
Shiny Happy Recs:What’s been the biggest success for you guys and what are your future plans?
Warm Morning: We've been really proud of having a release for the legendary indie pop label Shelflife Records, because it helped us a lot to get our name known in the indie pop scene. Our main aim for the future is to keep on writing and playing our own music, to collaborate with good indie labels like Shiny Happy Records, to spread our musical message as far as we can.
Shiny Happy Recs: What do you know about the Indonesian Indie pop scene ?
Warm Morning: still don't know much about the Indonesian indie pop scene, but I know a couple of bands I really like very much: "the ballads of the clische", and “Chasing Monday”. But I look forward to learning a lot more about the scene!
Shiny Happy Recs: Do you have a message to send to the people of Indonesia?
Warm Morning: Keep on being interested in indie pop! Long live Shiny Happy Records!
Shiny Happy Recs: Last one, it was an honor for Shiny Happy Records to be able to release such a great band like Warm Morning, do you have a note, a suggestion or anything to say to Shiny Happy Records?
Warm Morning: We are so glad to collaborate with a label like Shiny Happy, it really helps spread our music in Indonesia. They put strength and passion in their work, it means a lot for us. So keep up the good work!
THE SATURDAY GUY adalah 3 pemuda dari bandung yang memainkan musik Indie Folk. EP mereka yg bertitel "Everlating doesn't last forever" baru baru ini direlease di England oleh label indiepop bernama Dufflecoat recs. Di Indonesia EP ini direlease oleh Shiny Happy Recs. Untuk tahu lebih dalam tentang THE SATURDAY GUY, Shiny Happy Recs menginterview Yossy lewat Yahoo Messenger. berikut perbincangan seru Eko dan Yossy, silahkan di simak:
shinyhappyrecords: Yos, awal terbentuknya the saturday guy gimana sih? Trus siapa aja orang-orangnya
yossy saturday guy: awal nya saya sendirian lalu ajak temen2 yg bs bass, drums, keyboard. setelah thn 2009, saya mulai mendapat jati diri musik saya yg ternyata jiwa musik nya ada di gitar pure akustik skrg ini jiwa2 utk main musik the saturday guy udah ada di Thonny Adrian (gitar/rythm backing vocal) dan adik saya ago(drums/percussions)
shinyhappyrecords: Jadi tsg hanya berdua?
yossy saturday guy: ber tiga sama saya
saya (gitar akustik, vocalis)
shinyhappyrecords: Tolong koreksi kalo saya salah, musik kalian folk/pop yang kental terpengaruh king of convenience? Gmn kalian mendeskrepsikan musik tsg?
yossy saturday guy: tenang saja eko, saya sgt menghargai utk masalah penilaian org terhadap genre (terutama genre di musik saya) kalo saya (jujur secara pribadi) mendeskripsikan musik saya dgn genre Indie Folk (krn sound kami akustik, dgn drum yg lembut/soft & bbrp perkusi, harmonika) dan dream pop (akustik gitar dgn full delay dgn melodi mendayu2) sebenarnya bkn kings of convenience yg mempengaruhi kami tapi band2 dari sisi indie folk nya bisa disebut seperti Owen (U.S) , Angus & Julia Stone (Australia) , Kim janssen (Netherland), Neil Halstead (Mojave 3) dsb . dgn gitar akustik ber delay, saya kental memainkan pola note/pattern pop dgn ketukan down beat seperti The Sundays, Cocteau Twins, Math & physics club dsb, jadi saya bisa bilang itu adalah perpaduan antara indie folk dan dream pop.
shinyhappyrecords: Trus sudah ada berapa releasan sejauh ini?
yossy saturday guy: ini EP pertama yg sukses krn kami TSG sendiri puas secara pribadi releasean the saturday guy yg lain ada di kompilasi "sacred music" saya cover lagu as long as she's needed nya Trembling Blue Stars, ada di track 19, track terakhir di album sacred music, tp saya krg tahu. album itu sudah dirilis oleh gary sansom atau belum
shinyhappyrecords: Deskripsi yg menarik, saya penasaran ada apa dibalik nama the saturday guy?
yossy saturday guy: hmm lumayan rumit ini saya jawabnya, smoga bisa dimengerti 1. saya tdk tahu apakah ini ambisi atau impian. tapi saya ingin jika setelah mati saya akan memiliki dunia saya sendiri, dan saya menjadi planet yg (mirip) saturn (saturnus). itu adalah planet terindah. kesimpulan pertama, saturday dari kata saturnus 2. mitologi yunani, God of Saturday adalah Planet Saturnus (Dewa hari Sabtu) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_%28mythology%29 Saturn is the namesake of both Saturn, the planet, and Saturday (dies Saturni).
shinyhappyrecords: Wah saya sama sekali ga kepikiran ke situ yos soal filosopi nama band kalian..sangat dalam
yossy saturday guy: blm selesai ini juga mas eko, msh ada arti lain nya
shinyhappyrecords: Ok maaf dipotong... Silahkan dilanjutkan hehehe
yossy saturday guy: krn harap maklum, saya belajar filsafat , pecinta mitologi yunani dan astronomi, hihihi
shinyhappyrecords: Silahkan yos...dilanjutkan
yossy saturday guy: duh maaf, arti ke 3. the sad true day *ini plesetan yg paling pas sepertinya (plesetan dr beberapa teman yg mengenal saya, mereka berasumsi bahwa sebenarnya saya berniat menyelipkan (dgn misterius) didalam kata saturday itu ada kata sad ditengah2 nya)
shinyhappyrecords: Ehmm... Got the message
yossy saturday guy: kesimpulan 3 : hari sabtu yang sungguh sedih
shinyhappyrecords: Kenapa sad?
yossy saturday guy: silahkan bisa dilihat di lirik2 lagu the saturday guy nya hehe
semua pertanyaan2 krn kegelisahan dan keresahan dlm hidup pertanyaan2 yg tdk pernah terjawab bisa dimengerti tapi tidak bisa direalisasikan sebuah jalan yg "stuck" .. dan ujung2 nya hrs mengalami kebencian terhadap "sesuatu yang tak terbatas di luar kemampuan manusia" dan saya hanya bisa menulis lirik (berfilosofi) dgn metafora metaforatentang complicated lifekalo saya berpikiran seperti org mayoritas maka saya mungkin bisa berasumsi "dlm hidup ini ada takdir atau nasib yg mengatur hidup atau apapun itu namanya"dan jika hal itu ada. maka hal itu lah yg paling saya benci dari smua hal di dunia ini yg menimbulkan keresahan, kegekisahan dan beribu pertanyaan2
Shinyhappyrecords: Jadi intinya kebencian akan taktir ?
yossy saturday guy: ya benar, tapi sayangnya, disini saya tidak percaya takdir atau nasib.. hehe saya hanya bertanya2 dlm hidup, kenapa begini, knp begitu? apakah saya tidak dapat merubahnya? seperti apa yg saya mau? nah gitu intinya mas eko
shinyhappyrecords: Balik lagi ke ep "everything doesn't last forever", apa sih cerita dibalik title ini?yossy saturday guy: *ini juga rumit . harap maklum sekali.
shinyhappyrecords: Silahkan dijabarkan
yossy saturday guy: 1. Everlasting Doesn't Last Forever , saya selalu berpikir
bahwa apapun didunia ini tidak ada yg abadi bahkan sesuatu yg org2 bilang itu bisa abadi (pst anda sering melihat kompilasi yg bernama Everlasting Love, Immortality dsb)
shinyhappyrecords: Hehehe everlasting love.
yossy saturday guy: hehe nangkep yah mksd saya
shinyhappyrecords: Iya.. Lanjutkan
yossy saturday guy: 2. Saya kaitkan kalimat di tittle ini dgn analogi bhiksu yg merokok dan bermain gitar bhiksu sperti yg kita smua tahu. org suci, menjaga kesucian dlm menuruti perintah kitab suci, jalan hidup yg sgt sgt manusiawi, tp dibalik itu dia punya hati yg "idealis" . dia menemukan sesuatu seperti rokok dan kesegaran jiwa dgn bermusik
intinya : "tidak selamanya bhiksu adalah BHIKSU" tdk selamanya bhiksu itu kaku, taat aturan, taat tuhan nya, dia pun bisa menuruti kata hati utk mencari kebahagiaan dan cara dia menikmati hidup nya. "tanpa keluar dr batas manusiawi n sama sekali" 3. memberi pesan pada semua orang, bahwa inilah kenyataan yg ada dalam hidup. kehilangan sesuatu apapun, maka haruslah diterima. kembali kepada "sesuatu yg tak terbatas diluar kemampuan manusia"
shinyhappyrecords: Bicara tentang proses rekaman nih yos, kalian ngerekam materi lagu ini dimana sih?
yossy saturday guy: di bogor
shinyhappyrecords: Jadi sebenernya kalian band bandung apa bogor nih?
yossy saturday guy: bandung
yossy saturday guy: di bogor hanya tempat kita rekaman saja
ditempat adik saya ago
shinyhappyrecords: Itu di studio atau kamar? Gmn proses rekamanya yos?
yossy saturday guy: ah cuma di kamar pake soundcard dan PC saja, kita hanya band amatiran pas pasan hehe yg paling ribet adalah drums n percussions yg dimainkan ago
alat2 dia banyak seperti chimes, (dia pinjem diem diem dr gereja) dibawa kekamar spy bs ditodong mic, krn ga mgkn bawa PC nya ke gereja bass pun pinjem
shinyhappyrecords: Iy ga apa2 yos asal jangan uang kolekte gereja juga di pinjem hehehe
yossy saturday guy: hehe
yossy saturday guy: ga lah
shinyhappyrecords: Just kidd
yossy saturday guy: kebetulan adik saya guru drum disitu, jd aman2 saja
*untungnyashinyhappyrecords: Yos, cerita donk tentang etchnic version dari you don't need a fool like me!
yossy saturday guy: itu saya rekaman jam2 pagi di studio temen jam 2 pagi
saya kolaborasi sama seniman dari sumedang, sahabat karib di seniman bangun pagi (komunitas pemusik jalanan)namanya kang Ato. Dia main suling bambu sunda
di awal lagu dan saya rubah tune gitar di senar2 tertentu, skr saya uda lupa itu tune settingan nya gmn. kok bisa sama sama sulingyossy saturday guy: *ajaib
shinyhappyrecords: lalu disitu ada latar suara sungai atau air terjun?
yossy saturday guy: oh itu , itu akuarium . jaraknya 4 meter dr pintu studio temen
saya todong pake mic
shinyhappyrecords: Sadis...
yossy saturday guy: sblm saya rekaman sama kang Ato, saya punya konsep di otak "ini lagu harus terdengar seperti sedang di pegunungan tibet bersalju (alias tempat bhiksu2 ) "
dan intro ini sengaja seperti lagu pengiring meditasi atau yoga, berbau dataran tinggi tibet
maka hrs ada suarau natural seperti air utk menyatu dgn alam
yossy saturday guy: *suara
shinyhappyrecords: Edan, benar benar terkonsep
yossy saturday guy: Terimakasih untungnya, kang ato bisa memainkan note seperti itu dgn suling bambu (krn biasanya suling bambu dimainkan dgn nada yg sunda bgt)
shinyhappyrecords: Makanya saya awalnya agak bingung.. Ini etchnic sunda atau apa ya kok terdengar seperti lagu dataran china..seperti film kungfu
yossy saturday guy: tepat ,itu lah konsep nya (pegunungan tibet tempat para bhiksu dilahirkan)itu ethnic tibet. Sebenernya saya dapet inspirasi itu waktu meditasi di kuil di daerah lembang
shinyhappyrecords: Gimana ceritanya tuh bisa sampe meditasi disana?
Yossy saturday guy: menenangkan diri: saya suka pergi ke gunung bawa gitar
kadang saya duduk di bawah pohon di lembah, atau di kebon sayur yg ga mgkn ada orang disekitar situ (kcuali petani2) klo uda malem saya pindah ke atap/balkon atas rumah.ditempat2 itulah inspirasi ku datang
shinyhappyrecords: Bagaimana jika pohon2 itu lembah2 itu nantinya berubah jadi gedung2 pencakar langit? apa kamu akan berhenti main musik?
yossy saturday guy: ah tidak..aku pst menemukan landscape2 baru lg..: selalu ada gunung2 di dataran bandung ini yg blm terjamah manusia kok
shinyhappyrecords: Ceritain donk yos gmn ep ini bisa nyasar sampe ke England
dan Gmn perkenalan kamu sama Gary!
yossy saturday guy: ya ampun. mgkn itu "miracle"awalnya hanya teman biasa saja.. saya bahkan ga pnh berpikiran dia itu akan membuat sebuah records sejak saya kenal Gary, byk "impian" dlm list hidup saya yg ter finishkan, saya beruntung sekali kenal Gary, lebih beruntung lg. dia suka lagu2 saya dan dia mau merilisnya dengan senang hati
shinyhappyrecords: Pasti banyak fans dari luar sana setelah ep ini direlease ya ? Gimana respon mereka?
yossy saturday guy: saya malah ga tau fans saya siapa aja sebagian besar bukan temen saya dan saya ga kenal mereka
shinyhappyrecords: Ya itu dia yg dinamakan fans hehehe
yossy saturday guy: sejauh ini respon (yg deket2 atw dr teman2 saya sendiri)
mereka suka lagu2 nya, oh ya mungkin begitu. itu fans namanya yah? hehe
saya lebih suka mereka disebut "listener"
shinyhappyrecords: Lanjut yos
yossy saturday guy: please
shinyhappyrecords: Gig gmn yos, kalian sering manggung manggung ga? Ada cerita menarik sekitar manggung kalian?
yossy saturday guy: manggung. haha
shinyhappyrecords: Hahah iya begitulah bahasa kondangnya gig
yossy saturday guy: kita cuma maen di gig2 kecil sperti garrage sale atau di car free day dago pas hari minggu atau di acara kampus unpar (krn temen2 thony *gitaris ku jg ada yg suka lagu2ku) tapi kita hanya maen di gig kalo ada undangan aja
shinyhappyrecords: Itu yg bawain lagu koc aku liat di youtube itu gig dimana?
yossy saturday guy: itu di garrgae sale nya temen2ku dr unpar *garrage
gig kecil2 an aja utk menghibur yg belanja hehe
shinyhappyrecords: Yg nonton dibelakang kamu cewek geulis euy hahahha
yossy saturday guy: haha itu pacarnya temen ku kita kolaborasi utk lagu the sundays
dia singer n guitarist nya, suaranya pas utk lagu the sundays
shinyhappyrecords: Pantesan deket sekali ya di Video itu kirain dia diehard fansnya tsg heheh
yossy saturday guy: diehard? bruce willis itu film favorit dr saya kecil Hahaha
namanya alfa, kita juga upload di youtube pas cover lagu the sundays
shinyhappyrecords: Kalo saya suka karate kid yg lama hehehe
yossy saturday guy: haha tapi saya paling suka MacGyver
dan Back to the future*marty Mcfly
shinyhappyrecords: Saya lebih suka my secret identity atau the greatest american hero hehehe
yossy saturday guy: jd sharing childhood movies
shinyhappyrecords: Hahahaha
shinyhappyrecords: Lanjut yos pertanyaan yg ga ada hubunganya sm musik
yossy saturday guy: silahkan, saya takut ditanya tentang cinta..
jangan yah
shinyhappyrecords: Hahaha, Karena kamu bilang gt, ya ud bisa diceritakan gmn kisah percintaan kamu yos
yossy saturday guy: ah tuh kan bener, ga mau jawab mas eko
maaf, makanan kesukaan saya saja yah
shinyhappyrecords: Apa itu dituangkan dalam lagu even If I gaze?
Hehhe
yossy saturday guy: -_-" ampun mas ga bisa jawab saya
saya mau nanya dulu. apakah di lagu even if i gaze . artinya sungguh mudah dimengerti yah?
shinyhappyrecords: Mungkin kalo orang langsung mengartikan lyric itu dengan hanya sekali mendengar lagu itu bisa dibilang iya
Tapi saya yakin itu ada makna lain
yossy saturday guy: tepat dugaanku hmmm...apakah saya HARUS menjawab nya ?
atau saya boleh memilih utk tidak menjawab?
shinyhappyrecords: Iya donk... Jawab jawab jawab..
shinyhappyrecords: Kegiatan sehari hari apa aja yos selain main musik?
yossy saturday guy: cari nafkah hehe
shinyhappyrecords: Apa rencana kedepan yos buat tsg ? Terobsesi utk jadi band besar ga?
yossy saturday guy: ga ada, bln Agustus pertengahan ni saya mau ke bogor recording album berikutnya title albumnya "Snow Sighing on Winter" album dgn tema musim dingin , utk mendinginkan pikiran sampai akhir tahun
shinyhappyrecords: Bakal direlease dufflecoat lagi?
yossy saturday guy: iyah
yossy saturday guy: eko pun boleh merilisnya kalo berminat
shinyhappyrecords: Minat sekali yos
yossy saturday guy: terimakasih sekali , saya menghargainya
shinyhappyrecords: Ya sudah yos...kayaknya sudah semua saya tanyakan... sudah jam 2 pagi jg..thanks ya atas waktunya.
yossy saturday guy: sama sama eko, saya terimakasih juga