COCONUTS PLAYLIST – A weekly column in which we highlight Jakarta’s most awesome up-and-coming bands. This week, Marcel Thee writes about Efek Rumah Kaca sideproject turned indie music powerhouse Pandai Besi.
Pandai Besi (Indonesian for “blacksmith”) is a young band with a long history. Initially established 3 years ago as an alter-ego for members of the highly-successful indie band Efek Rumah Kaca, the band has since outgrown their side-project status to become its own entity.
Having recently lost its frontman and lead songwriter, Cholil Mahmud – who also plays the same role in Efek Rumah Kaca – as well as his wife and co-vocalist Irma, the other members of the band reformatted themselves and continue to thrive as a live group. These seven musicians were formerly plucked from a variety of well-known local acts to provide a different flavor to Mahmud’s new interpretations of Efek Rumah Kaca songs, but they have developed into an integral part of Pandai Besi’s overall sound.
“We were an entity that blossomed into a different entity with a unique identity,” explains keyboard player Muhammad Asranur. “Now Monica Hapsari (also from Voyagers of Icarie) sings lead and she has a very particular voice which takes us to new places.”
The band is rounded out by co-vocalist Nasthasa Abigail, Akbar Bagus Sudibyo (also an original member of Efek Rumah Kaca) on drums, Popie Airil on bass, Dika on trumpet, and guitarists Dito and David.
Pandai Besi made waves with its original line up with the release of last year’s “Daur, Baur,” a baroque rock album made up of alternative renditions of Efek Rumah Kaca songs. Enhancing the minimalist power-trio style of the original compositions with a trio of females vocalists, piano and string swells, and far more energetic beats, the band was met with immediate praise and critical acclaim. “Daur, Baru” made more than few end-of-the-year lists with Rolling Stone Indonesia and Tempo magazine putting them into their #1 spots.
That same year, Pandai Besi released “Siar Daur Baur”, a documentary which chronicles their journey so far and features some live performances.
Next year, the band plans on releasing a single with the new lineup and hopefully record a new album with original material. Their lineup may or may not stay the same.
“We will always remain a fluid collective, where the door is always open for new instruments, new members, and old ones to come and go,” Asranur says.
To hear more from Pandai Besi, you can visit their Reverbnation, Bandcamp, and Twitter pages.
