So you want to be a tastemaker when it comes to exciting new music?
Then you should be talking and telling your friends about this really exciting new band from Malaysia called Da Vagabonds.
Why?
Reason #1 – They’re Offers a Lethal Mix That Was Previously Unheard Of
Without a doubt Da Vagabonds is the first band from South East Asia who have successfully marries unadulterated rock and roll that is spontaneous, immediate, intuitive and most importantly, fun, with songcraft wizardry, twangy British psychedelia licks and guitar tones mastery, groovy beats and bopping basslines.
Pitchforkmedia and Consequence of Sounds would conveniently describe their music as indie rock. Almost, but not quite. Da Vagabonds’ music under the microscope is actually a bastard son from the marriage of British Invasion, punk rock, 60s sunshine pop and Pop Yeh Yeh.
Reason #2 – The story behind the band is often the subject of rock critic’s wet dream.
The band is led by Noh Salleh, who also fronts Malaysian premier indie rock band, Hujan. For the uninitiated, the band one of the trailblazers that were at the forefront of Malaysian indie music invasion a few years back. When he felt his band was getting a bit too serious in the things that they do, he decided to disconnect himself from the structured environment and start something that is more organic. A rockstar ditching his status in the name of making unadulterated rock music? If that’s not rock and roll enough, you need to ring Jack Black and enroll into his School Of Rock.
Reason #3 – They Are As A Matter Of Fact A Supergroup
Completing this organic equation seeked by frontman Noh is guitarist Herri Hamid, who fronts Bittersweet, one of the few, if not the only flag bearer of neo- psychedelia music in the Malaysia. Drummer, Irfan, is a well-travelled skinbasher whose resumes include drumming for bands like ACAB (Oi!), The Times (Britpop) and Relay (Indie Rock). Bassist Alia despite her credential being only playing guitar for a female rock band called Velvet, weights up with her never say never attitude and of course a style to boot for.
Reason #4 – For An Unknown Band, They Announced Their Arrival In Such A Grand Entrance
After hours of having fun in the studio, writing songs, bonding with each other, discreetly (you don’t want to hurt the feelings of your current band members don’t you), Da Vagabonds announced its arrival on June 29 in such a grand entrance – at one of the biggest sporting events in Malaysia, The FA Cup finals. Later that night, five songs, ‘In Love With You’, ‘Disudut Bibirmu’, ‘Cinta Gagak Hitam’, ‘Galaksi’ and ‘Disko’ were uploaded to the band’s Soundcloud page.
Reason #5 – They Do Things On Their Logical and Humble Terms
Despite Da Vagabonds now at full force and with its supergroup status, commercial success seems like a footstep away. Frontman, Noh’s plans however were rather grounded.
“I just want to travel, perform and share Da Vagabonds’ music. I also want to keep the music immediate and freely accessible simply because I’m really not keen with the idea of rushing into officially releasing our music. In doing so, the songs needs to be rerecorded, which means everything needs to be done properly in the studio and stuff. That process more often than not will strip the life and soul away from the music, and that is something we do not want to do.”
Now repeat after me.
“Da Vagabonds is my new favourite band”
Repeat that as many times possible and we promise you, you’ll be the hippest music tastemaker in town.
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