It is been a long time since my last post on Indieful ROK. So, here I am coming back to continue my post on Indonesia Indie Lessons. I hope you enjoyed the 1^st journey with Mocca with its pop swing-jazz mocca-ish sound. Yet, the journey has yet to come to an end. Now, let me bring you another excitement from another sweet band, Annemarie. Another band coming from the same hometown as Mocca, Bandung, Annemarie brings their bubblegum-ish style on the table.

Annemarie was born in late 2004. Were junior high schoolmates, Eko and Iqbal started the idea of making a band. Later, Iqbal asked his friends Banyu and Dian, while Eko brought Tating to join the band. Tantri, joined the band when they met in the university. Since each member has brought different taste of their musical influence, Annemarie has a lot of things to blend to their own music. Eko who loves velvet underground and iqbal who got tweepop and the smiths had to blend with Banyu with his Blur influence, Dian with the Manchester style, Tating who loves Cocteau Twins and Joy Divison and Tantri with her ethereal pop influence. However, they came up with a style that all of the members fall in love with, indie pop, which becomes the beginning of their musical journey.

A unique thing about this group is that they actually got their first debut, The Living Model EP, released by Swedish indiepop label, Music is My Girlfriend in 2005.

One of the songs from the EP is ‘The Living Model’ Here you will get the 1^st glimpse of their sound which was definitely becomes their signature in their music which attracted Music is My Girlfriend.

After the release of the EP, Annemarie has to lose their original members, Dian and Bayu due to their study. Later, Eko the founding father and Tating had to leave as well. New members were welcomed during the recording session for their debut album. Inu and Jojon joined and became the full member of Annemarie. Although Dian had withdrawn himself from the band, he still contributed to the preparation of the album. Then, in 2007, they released their 1^st debut album, ABC on TV.

Track list:

01. Apple (Suicide on your Stereo Set)
02. The Living Model
03. Love in the Morning
04. Bubblegum I See
05. Won’t Be Nice
06. Wonderboy
07. ABC on TV
08. Lazy Sunny Day
09. Seems Like Yesterday
10. Strawberry Fields Forever

Consisting of 10 lovely songs with 2 songs, The Living Model and Wonderboy, taken from their EP, Annemarie tried to elaborate their music and deliver their charming and tuneful summer afternoon tunes. This album was released with the collaboration of Music Is My Girlfriend (Sweden) and Plastilina Records (Peru).

The album began with ‘Apple (Suicide on your Stereo Set)’ A sing-a-long starter song that unveils the bubblegum-ish style of the band.

The title track, ‘ABC on TV’ is also another nice song which enhanced with the tweepop sound, thanks to the lovely piano and nice guitar tunes.

My personal favorites are ‘Bubblegum I see’ and the interlude ‘Lazy Sunny Day’. I love to hear their carefree male and female vocals and also the cheerful summery feeling in the songs. I absolutely love the guitar and piano tunes in the background as well.

With 70s and 80s visualization, ‘Wonderboy’ is also a nice track to sing along with. Feels like I want to dance every time I listen to it.

After some in and out, Annemarie now consists of Mohamad Iqbal-Iqbal (vocal/guitar), Rimauli Diandani-Rima (vocal), Anugrah Aso Nurewa-Asso (bass), Arief Fahmie (guitar), Bayu Genia Krishbie-Bayu (drum), and Annisa Nadiyah Rahmani-Icha (keyboard). Currently, they are preparing for their second album. In the mean time, do enjoy their song 'Blue Sky On Holiday' which is another perfect play for this summer season.

They are currently preparing for their 2nd album. For the new album, they might go for an experiment to come out with jazz and lation fusion, which will be an excited thing to wait for. Soon, they are also planning to make videos for their songs ‘Blue Sky on Holiday’ and ‘We Do’ with Kitsch concept.

Besides those projects, they are going to be featured in another international compilation in September that will be released Southern Europe. Yet, no exact date has been released yet. This will be following the previous compilation projects, such as Peachy Little Secrets Compilation (2006) which was released in Singapore, Pick ‘n’ Mix Compilation (2009) in UK, and Has My Heart Gone to Sleep (2009) in Peru.

An Analysis

Annemarie might have not been as successful as Mocca as an Indonesian Indie band. Yet, Annemarie with its unique bubblegum music concept leads the way for the genre in its home country. Being able to get signed by an overseas label to produce their debut mini album, Annemarie is also another good example of how music has crossed boundaries.

I have to say that in my opinion, Annemarie’s musical style with their charming and tuneful indiepop will bring them further to reach more listeners. As they have claimed to be influenced a lot by Acid House Kings, their sound is definitely more broad thanks to the mix of indie pop with twee and some shoe gaze guitar playing in their tunes. They described their musical style as music for a summer picnic. Yes, I have to agree with that statement. Listening to their 1^st album left me quite a good impression about them. Their easy to listening tune is enriched by the mix of guitar melody and electric piano tune to make it more fun and upbeat.

They took the same pathway as Mocca did when they choose English for their lyrics. Not only to say that English lyrics will broaden their listeners, but it also fits their concept so far. Through their songs like in Bubblegum I See and ABC on TV, they want to share a sing-a-long story line to the listeners.

Another artist that is worth to try out related to this genre is White Shoes & The Couples Company. Combining their preference to preserve 70s/80s style to both their music and stage style, they are actually a very nice example of how Indonesian indie band do not always use English in the lyrics yet their style is style somehow catchy to listen to.

Since Annemarie just only had released an EP and an album so far, Annemarie still has a long way to go in exploring their music style. They will definitely be worth to wait, especially for their new release in the future. We might see whether they will break their current style. As they have already gave it a try in their last track ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ with a more electronic elements and soft rock sound which creates a dreamy feeling and peaceful ambience that will probably reminds Korean indie music listeners to Donawhale’s ‘Echo’.

Categorizing music is not something that I really like. Yet, somehow I have to do it at the end of the day. Being able to find some artists influenced by tweepop in Koreaby giving a clear-cut is not easy. So, when I have to relate this genre with some Korean indie musicians, there are several artists that I can think of. First, I think about Peppertones. Yes, they are not similar, yet they somehow have some points of giving that kind of feeling. Peppertones’ style might not have all that tweepop but their interpretation of pop through its cheerful guitar and electric piano sound gave a breeze every time I listen to their song.

I also found that Donawhale’s ‘Do Re Mi’ might have given the same feeling as well.

As recommended by Indieful ROK before, Linus' blanket might also another artist which might have the element of cuteness in their sound which sounds tweepop-ish too.

Some other artists with the tweepop sounds from Korea that have been introduced in Indieful ROK before can also be found here.

A recent addition might have to go to Broccoli, you too. They have a more subtle feeling throughout their songs.

This post might not be able to cover all about those very nice music and talented musicians. However, for now I should say that none of the artists is easy to categorize. Annemarie itself, which I have been constantly mentioned influenced a lot by twee-pop, has actually had their own music style which becomes their strength. There is still a long way to go for Annemarie to let their music style grow as time goes by.

More on Annemarie:
MySpace 
Facebook
Last.fm
Twitter
YouTube - Music Is My Girlfriend

New Electric Muse act Army had its debut EP, Dora, released on June 10. The people over at music blog Milk Milk Lemonade have had a listen and also offer an mp3 of the EP's first track, Wild Horses: Army: Dora EP.

Although Army's western blues-rock, as MML classified it, is not really my kind of music I must admit that the EP's final track, Minefield, has grown on me considerably since I first heard it (a much appreciated token for Christmas, handed to me by Electric Music). There are brief samples of that one as well as every other song on the release over at Hyang, or you can listen to it via last.fm where Girl In My Pocket is available as a free download.

In further Electric Muse related news, the label has plenty of interesting releases planned for this year. Personally I'm extremely happy that Kim Mingyu convinced Sunkyeol to release something through Electric Muse. Light and Noise as well as another new Electric Muse act, Bihang Girl (that if I'm not mistaken is reviving some Korean 70s music), too are scheduled to make their debut releases. Atombook on the other hand will return with a second album whereas singer/songwriter Dringe Augh - that has done the recordings at home this time - will release his second EP. Atombook won't just have a new album out - the first album should be released in Japan this October!

Also, Chinese fans of shoegazers Vidulgi OoyoO have reason to rejoice as the fantastic live band will stop by six Chinese cities for a total of seven shows in August.

Yoon Sung Hoon, guitarist of Indieful ROK favorite Donawhale, posted an interesting demo track on his blog a couple of days ago: demo15. The instrumental track doesn't sound much like Donawhale and likely won't turn into one of their songs. Instead, he says, it might be used for a new project he's planning. Very exciting!

K.O.A. Zine shared a very, very interesting piece of Korean indie music history today as Joseph Kim has interviewed Seunghoon Choi. He talks about the Korean punk music scene in the mid 90s; the fantastic Yellow Kitchen and other bands he's been part of such as Orgeltanz and Starry-Eyed; and he reveals that he can be heard in one of Nell's music videos. I highly recommend reading through the entire thing.

When the complete lineup for Lotus Carnival earlier this spring was announced, I spotted several names unknown to me. One of them was
잠비나이 (JAMBINAI), a recent signee of Estella Records, and after what I could make out of their bio at SSamnet I was really curious to hear them. A month later Estella's Kyono kindly bestowed a couple of live mp3s upon me and I found them well worth the wait - the next few days I would put them on repeat before going to bed, in spite of work the next day listening until my laptop ran out of batteries at 4AM or so. I never did make it to Lotus Carnival to check their live performance out for myself, but even so I got the opportunity to ask them a few questions over email with translations from Kyono:

Who are the members of Jambinai?
EERU : I am EERU (이일우) and play piri, guitars and more.
Bomi : I am Bomi Kim (김보미) and play haegeum and more.
EunYong : I am EunYong Shim (심은용) and play geomungo. I am also a music director at a drama company called 달과 아이 (Moon And Child). I have been trying to find our own music by experiencing collaborations in many diverse genres : modern dancers, choregraphers and others.

What kind of backgrounds do you have in traditional music?
EERU : I have been playing traditional Korean music since I entered Junior high school. Now I've got a few semesters left before graduating from graduate school.
Bomi : I am attending graduate school too, and I began playing traditional Korean music in Junior high school just like EERU did.
EunYong : All three of us attended the same special Junior high school for traditional Korean music and we've been playing traditional music thus far.
We'd like to speak a contemporary JAMBINAI language while mixing the emotions found in traditional Korean music stemming from its pure and unique instrument sounds.

How would you describe the sound that you have created?
EERU : This can't be traditional music, but for this music we have to use traditional musical instruments.
Bomi : We are trying to get a fresh and natural sound from traditional musical instruments through our emotions. The reason why we are co-writing music for JAMBINAI is that each of us know the texture of each sound from our instruments and when it's better not interfere with it.
EunYong : I think JAMBINAI's music has the power to make a space – call it natural space or inner space or a space of reality – I hope listeners feel the same way we do.

What can we expect from you in the future?
EERU : I am not sure what things are going to pop up. Now we are doing music in the post-rock genre, but we might be playing grindcore later on.
Bomi : I don't think JAMBINAI's music fit within the boundaries of either traditional music or western music. It could mean that we are in the middle of creating a new kind of genre. We are going to perform some more musical experiments and personally I hope to later on be able to includes ome environmental message in the music.
EunYong : We will release our debut EP album in late July so you guys can sample what we have to offer. JAMBINAI has a solo performance scheduled for the 21st of August during the Seoul Fringe Festival. We'll try to have many more shows after the album is out. Please do have great expectations on us, JAMBINAI ^^

---

Can't wait to hear more from them!

The stunning Miro was my selection for the June edition of MAP, but I'm also very fond of the ambient, drone pop-ish Hand To Hand. When I first listened to Hand To Hand I did like it a lot, but couldn't really understand why they'd be under Estella. While listening to Miro, the strength of it made it all obvious and I can only congratulate Estella on tying such an interesting and special band to its name.

Here's a chance to download the songs in question, recorded at SangSang Madang during 잠비나이's first live show:
- Hand To Hand
- Miro

When people without a knowledge of Korean music find out that that's what I usually listen to, they will always ask me why - what makes it so special? My response is usually something lame about how it's not all that different from music available in other parts of the world before I briefly explain why that's all I listen to anyway. With 잠비나이 I can finally give an example of something that is uniquely Korean and so far everybody I've played their music to have given a positive response.

Hey Everybody!
Hopefully you can find something to your liking here as there were quite a number of new releases from a lot of K-Indie favorites!
Hit play to start the playlist. You can navigate back and forth using the arrows on the sides of the box.


In order of appearance:

Lee Seung Hwan -반의 반 [MV]
This song is on his 10th album, Dreamizer.

Delight - Delight Quest [MV]
With English subs, courtesy of wassereis. This song is on their first album Hedgehog's Dilemma.

Theater 8 - Stalingrad Rock Party Party [live perf]
Another lively and eccentric performance by Theater 8. This song will be on their new EP to be released on June 22, entitled Uncharted Waters (대항해시대).

Electroboyz feat. Horan - Incoming Call [MV]
This song is released as a single. English subs available here as well! :]

Look and Listen - Wake Up [live perf]
It sounds a little like one of those bands playing in the background of a bad teen movie, but still I'm hoping for an official MV or at least some release info in the future.

Ilac feat. Mazik Flow - Tears Bursting [studio MV]
Among my favorite R&B singers out there. This song was released as a single, 눈물이 왈칵.
The video is mostly just boys being adorable.

Achime - 맞은편 미래 [MV]
Gotta love 'em. This song is on their 1st album, Hunch which was released on the 3rd of this month.

Sorri -강 강수월래 [live perf]
This song is on her lovely 2nd album, Mingle.

My Little Band - Hello Yesterday [MV]
A somewhat epileptic but still cute music video. Their 4-track album, Hello Yesterday was released on June 8th.

Heureun -산책 [live perf]
As a devoted fan of Heureun I was so happy to see a recent live performance of hers. This song is on her 1st album, Flowing(흐른). It's one of my favorite albums. Many acoustic artists seem to have a song titled "산책" (san-jaek)which means "walk".

Stay - Your Name Is Love [MV]
This video was directed by long-time singer and Korean TV personality HaHa(하하). His real name is Shim Tae Yoon, hence calling himself Stay. This song was released as a single.

Nine9 - 끝의 시작 [MV]
Recognize that voice? It's the lead singer of Dear Cloud! This song is on the soundtrack for the book Humming and Drawing. Don't get too excited though, the album only has one other song on it. :p

Hapoom - 어디로갈까 [live perf]
Metioned them last month, here they are again~The title of this song means something like "Where do you go".

Monni - 나를 떠나가던 [MV]
After a long hiatus, Monni is back with their 2nd album, This Moment. If it adds incentive for anyone, the video is mostly touching, hugging and etc.

Zitten - TV Show [MV]
Such a nice song~ This one is on their Wonderland EP which will be released on June 17.

Burning Hepburn - Life Goes On [MV]
Yes, they're back! Punk and dance rock fans should know them.
Could not find album info.

Siberian Husky - Don Fantasy [MV]
This jazzy number is on their 2nd album.

Flower - Remember...I love you [MV]
This rock ballad band has been around for quite a while, though most overseas fans don't know about them. This song is on their 5th album, Flower Tunes, released on June 3rd. All their albums available for purchase on itunes. ^^

Misty Blue - Summer Place [MV]
This song was on the Cracker OST. Since this band announced that they will no longer be Misty Blue, I decided to include one of their videos as both a thank you and a farewell.♥

* Not included on the playlist but worth mentioning is Morrie, a new K-Indie artist, with a mix of acoustic and pop reminiscent of Taru and Yozoh. Her first album can be sampled here. I'm keeping my eyes open, hoping for a video sometime in the future.

Most timely, an Internet connection I can actually use at home for more than the occasional email is again within reach! Today is the 15th of June and that means that music bloggers from all over the world share some of the best music from the region they usually cover with music lovers all over through what is known as the Music Alliance Pact. Only 28 tunes this time around, but even so that's quite a collection I'd say.

While I'm always a fan of the music I select for Korea, this month's choice is a bit extra-ordinary and it's a band I've wanted to introduce to readers of this blog since I first their music: 잠비나이 (JAMBINAI). They offer stunning instrumentals performed primarily on traditional Korean instruments/an acoustic guitar. The live recording of Miro offered below is so beautiful that in spite of it's nearly 17.5 minutes I can keep constant focus not wanting to miss a single sound. At the same time, with its serene and calming features it's become one of my favorite songs to fall asleep to. Check back tomorrow to learn more on 잠비나이 through a recent interview and to sample another song of theirs.

ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
Springlizard - Docks Of The Okinoh
Two guys with acoustic guitars, ancestral melodies and lyrics, and Dreams Of The Wolf, a record with a limited edition of just 297 hand-made copies (you can get a digital version for free, just check their MySpace). Oh, and to Blogpartei readers: Springlizard will be touring Germany next August, so you better check them out!

AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
World's End Press - Golden Child
Not the easiest band name to roll off the tongue, but World’s End Press have done very well with their disco jams meets the Stone Roses sound. The live show is a full-on party set, selling out parties in their hometown, Melbourne. Also check out their previous track, Only The Brave, on their myspace. Their debut album is being produced by fellow Melbournian electronic whiz Qua.

BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Superguidis - Nao Fosse O Bom Humor
Nao Fosse O Bom Humor is the main song of the 3rd album of southern Brazilian band Superguidis, released a few months ago. Its heavy riff and melodic lines remembers some of the best times of Foo Fighters, impression that, live, gets even stronger.

CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Ghostkeeper - Don't Come Knocking
If The Libertines had grown up somewhere in the Canadian Prairies, Ghostkeeper is probably how they would've sounded. The band's self-titled debut is one of the most creative and exciting things to come out so far this year, and this song has ample evidence of why that is.

CHILE: Super 45
El Sueno De La Casa Propia - Voluntad De Oro
Sample-based artist El Sueno De La Casa Propia (ESDLCP) started his music career molding his own electronic version from Chilean folk music. But in his new album - Historial De Caidas, available July 15th by Chilean net label Pueblo Nuevo - Jose Manuel Cerda (ESDLCP's real name) takes a giant leap by adding elements from r&b and rock music that converge on a dynamic pop album. An essential and long awaited album, introducing a stronger organic sound; a clear improvement from previous works.

DENMARK: All Scandinavian
Kellermensch - Black Dress (Live)
Kellermensch (who incidentally were also this blog's very first MAP contribution) released their awesome debut album last year, which - apart from much praise - earned them invitations to do both an XFM and a BBC Radio 1 Live Session. End July, a revamped version of the debut including four brand new songs will be released in the UK. First - and great - single, Army Ants, is out now, but here’s a live version of Black Dress, recorded November 21, 2009, to give you a sweet taste of the band’s supreme performances.

ESTONIA: Popop
Junk Riot - Black Widow
Junk Riot is a four-piece garage/indie/experimental band from Tallinn, Estonia. Their sound is built on high-pitched vocals and heavy usage of pitch-shifting/delay effects on guitar. Formed in late 2006, it took about a year to gain reputation as an exciting live band, a fresh breath of air in smoky clubs. By now, Junk Riot is among one of the first Russian-speaking Estonian bands to be fully accepted by the Estonian indie scene.

FINLAND: Glue
Kim Curly Band - Passerby
With the alias of Kim Curly, singer Kimmo Numminen delivers a sharp songwriting that combines intimate moments with full band Americana. Passerby, included in the Kim Curly Band debut album, is an uplifting rocker that reminds us of the most traditional Ryan Adams.

GERMANY: Blogpartei
Sickcity - Julia
To name a constant insider's tip, SICKCITY is a good choice. This four-piece from Munich does manifold music, from danceable indietronics to waltzrock. Although Julia has some time under its belt, it's still one of my favourite songs. A tripping waltz accompanied by the intense voice of Daniel Shah, reminding of Marilyn Manson.

GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
My Wet Calvin - Laps
My Wet Calvin is an experimental act with a DIY aesthetic that offers unconventional live performances and delivers a blend of shoegaze, pop, noise and intense drumming with shimmering guitars, synths, electronics and fragile vocals. All Great Events convincingly balances the scales of different sounds and textures, without sacrificing anything in terms of musical ideas or melody. Each song sounds like a distinct ray of light and although it's packed into something both surprisingly subversive and cohesive, it's the strength of each of them that makes the whole album stand out. Laps is a thrilling evidence of compelling thoughtful craftsmanship. Just close your eyes and enjoy it. It's even more satisfying.

ICELAND: I Love Icelandic Music
Feldberg - Dreamin
Feldberg was formed in January 2009 by Einar Tonsberg, better known as Eberg, and Rosa Birgitta Isfeld, the singer of the band Sometime. The duo decided to meet every Tuesday night for a couple of months and write some songs together. One of their songs, Don’t Be A Stranger, was used in an ad and later on released as a single. Debut album Don’t Be A Stranger was released by Icelandic label Cod Music last year. The song Dreamin was Song Of The Year at the Icelandic Music Awards 2009.

INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
Mocca - Lucky Me
One may say that this band is the biggest name in the Indonesian Indie-pop scene.
And probably the sweetest voice you could ever hear.

IRELAND: Nialler9
Sunken Foal - Sailing Architrades
Signed to influential electronic label Planet Mu, Dunk aka Sunken Foal's music is a compound of stringed instruments, analogue synthesizers and ambience, matched with a healthy dose of innovative beats. This once off tune hasn't found a home on a release yet, but if you like what you hear, check out his 2008 debut, Fallen Arches.

ISRAEL: Metal Israel
Spawn Of Evil - Screamager (Therapy Cover)
Spawn of Evil is a rambunctious death/thrash Zionist metal band with straight up metal influences mixed with Middle Eastern groove and a sense of humor. This is a cover of Therapy?'s hit Screamager, approved by Therapy? themselves.

ITALY: Polaroid
Les Mange-Tout - Weak Week
If you are invited for tea, just bring this album by Les Mange-Tout with you. One girl from Genova, one from Le Havre: they sure know how to rock the hell out of a tea party. Folk twee pop with a magnificent attitude for weaved melodies, lovely choruses and nursery rhymes. Just add some glockenspiel and melodica, a double bass and a driver lent from the band The Calorifer Is Very Hot, too many super cute vintage dresses and you're done!

JAPAN: JPOP Lover
Kafuka - Tracer
Check the unreleased track from the underground Electronica, Hyogo, Japan. Kafuka – just like 20th century's famous bohemian novelist - is an indie bedroom musician with ambient taste, playing lo-fi Guitar. Deeply weird, but satisfying post-rock with synthwave jams.

MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa
Torreblanca - Parece Navidad
Juan Manuel Torreblanca is a multi-instrumentalist (and illustrator) from Mexico City. His talents on the piano and accordion have been recruited by quite a few in the Mexican scene. His own compositions however are the real deal, as he fronts a full ensemble. Torreblanca counts on a quintet armed with a strong rhythm section and wind instruments. He and his fellow musicians recently released a debut titled Defensa, an astonishing first EP with just four songs composed by great arrangements and confrontative, existentialist lyrics. Parece Navidad is the second and the most complex cut from this promising EP, after the homonymous first single.

NEW ZEALAND: Counting The Beat
Thieves - Seizure
The first wave of iconic NZ label Flying Nun was the jangly indie pop that became known around the world: bands like The Clean and The Chills. The second wave came in the 90s - the music was noisier and darker - and it was some of my favourite music of all time. It's this second wave of Flying Nun that Thieves invoke on their excellent self titled EP. Thieves brooding alternative guitar rock is showcased on the EP's centrepiece, Seizure. They have two EPs available to download from http://thievesss.bandcamp.com

NORWAY: Eardrums
Suspicious For The Winter - Empty Streets
Suspicious For The Winter is a project formed from two of Oslo’s freshest indie bands, Casa Murilo and Like Spinning. The two bands joined as Suspicious For The Winter on EardrumsPop's free compilation, Between Two Waves, where all songs are made as collaborations between bands. You can download the full 40 songs compilation on eardrumspop.com or listen on http://soundcloud.com/eardrumspop. Check out the two bands’ music on http://www.myspace.com/casamurilo and http://www.myspace.com/like_spinning

PERU: SoTB
Electro-Z - En Ficcion
Electro-Z was one of those strange flashes that sometimes happen in music. His self-titled album turned 10 years, and is remembered as the glow of innovation that ended with the war of styles in the Peruvian music scene of the last decade. Electro-Z made his sound from the link created between the distortion of rock and the coolness of pop, and found his key in the unification of these genres. En Ficcion is a good example of all these. Although the style seemed unclassifiable at that time, it would be later known as indie.

PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
Pop Dell Arte - Ritual Transdisco
We are proud to bring here one of the most important Portuguese alternative bands, celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Led by Joao Peste, they have been exploring and composing lyrics and sounds that you never heard anywhere. Ritual Transdisco is their first single from the just released new album, Contra Mundum.

ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Butterflies In My Stomach - Another You
Butterflies In My Stomach started as a project in the spring of 2005. They are one of the few bands in the acid jazz/nu-jazz/trip-hop area in Romania. The name comes from the wonderful sensation that takes you by surprise and leaves its traces for a long time.

SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
Kid Canaveral - Good Morning
Kid Canaveral offer a free return ticket to the mainstream indie-pop sound of the 90s, favouring the irrepressible joy of melody ahead of racking up cool points. The frantic chug of Good Morning takes in some typically Scottish themes - drinking and going out - to give a welcome indication of what to expect from KC's forthcoming debut album Shouting At Wildlife, which is released on July 5.

SINGAPORE: I'm Waking Up To...
Elsa X - Baby Steps
On paper, Elsa X is a one-person experimental outfit that combines elements of post rock and electronica, under a pseudonym for a girl who suffers from mental disorders. Actually, it's a project meant to raise awareness on mental illness. The music however was released as a 2 sides EP written by one principal songwriter, Wang Wei Yang, who has deftly combined various emotional undertones based on research by his project mates. The air of bipolar emotions constantly flits through the soundscapes, hopeful and hopeless all at the same time. Elsa X is not real, and the music may not have been conceived from an artist's vision, but in this schizophrenic world, who can truly say what is what?

SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Jambinai - Miro
All trained in traditional Korean music, the three members of Jambinai play piri, geomungo and haegeum, respectively. Currently performing musical experiments in the realm of post-rock, they are working their instruments to create a fresh and natural sound and hope to make their first official release later this summer. Starting out slowly before proceeding into a fascinating display of prowess, Miro is a sonic delicacy not to be missed.

SWEDEN: Swedesplease
De Montevert - High On You
De Montevert's style is all over the place from indie pop to indie folk to experimental electronica and everything in between. I chose the song High On You because it has the most accessible sound and that indescribable indie pop naivety and purity.
I could honestly go on and on. But I’ll just ask to do yourself a favor and check out her MySpace page, listen to DKT, All Happy Endings, Both Human and/or Galpal.

SWITZERLAND: 78s
Solange la Frange - Wakawak
To capture the special energy of a live-show on a record is a complicated undertaking. For the Swiss trio Solange La Frange, it was a piece of cake. The band got famous for their dynamic and powerful live performances and managed to put that atmosphere on a proper record. The special blend of electro and rock would make CSS and Karen O envious, if they knew about Solange La Frange from Vevey, Switzerland.

UNITED STATES: I Guess I'm Floating
Oberhofer - I Could Go
Oberhofer started as the solo, lo-fi bedroom project of Brad Oberhofer in Tacoma, Washington, only to develop into a full band once he moved to eastward to Brooklyn, New York. I Could Go is a great song with catchy percussion, climatic melodies, and wonderful whistling.

To download all 28 songs in one file click here

I'm beginning to feel like apologies for the recent lack of updates on my part are long overdue. Two thirds into May I lost the broadband connection in my then apartment, and upon moving to my new home I found that the cable allegedly serving me Internet is just that - a cut off cable sticking out of the wall I cannot use for anything. Nobody has yet been willing to say when this problem will be fixed, which means it can be anything from a few days till the beginning of July until I can even make an attempt to get up to speed with blog updates and most other things related to the online world again. I'm sorry.

To play the playlist, simply hit the play button and navigate to and from videos using the arrows on the sides of the box. So many good songs~


In order of appearance:

Moonshiners - 열대야 [live perf]
From their first album, 모험광백서.

Keysholic - Love Me [MV]
From the debut album One Day Journey. A lovely instrumental.

Vanilla Lucy - French Love [live perf]
Fresh and lively! From their first album Vanilla Shake.

Daybreak - Popcorn [live perf.]
Wish the speakers were a little clearer, such a nice song. This song is on the Mint Paper Compilation - Life.

Galaxy Express - I really want you [live MV]
From their second album, Wild Days.

Neons -첫눈에 반한다는 그런 말을 나는 믿어 [MV]
I believe the title translates to something like "I say I believe in love at first sight". Really cute song/video!
Apparently it will be on their first album, a-809.

Guckkasten and Bryan Cho (of The Black Skirts) - The Drugs Don't Work [live perf]
The Verve cover, wonderful rendition!

Kim Yoon Ah - Tokyo Blues [MV]
From her 3rd album, 315360. I really didn't like this at all, found it to be kind of hollow and repulsive.

Fanny Fink - Hear Song [MV]
Painting a ceramic Hello Kitty. This song is on their second album, 7 Moments.

Storyseller - Ole [football propaganda]
From their mini-album Super Girls.

Hapoom - 어디로갈까 [live perf]
Some of you may recognize this group as being mentioned by Anna a little while back. This song made it to #26 on the Bug's Indie Music Chart.

The Breeze -뭐 라할까  [MV]
Wow, The Breeze is finally gaining some well-deserved recognition. This song was also spotted on the BIMC.

Huckleberry Finn - 밤이걸어 간다 [live perf]
Sorry about the audio, but I will use any excuse to post Huckleberry Finn. :]
From their 4th album,  환상...나의 환멸.

Maroo - 첫키스하던날 [7th version? MV]
From their 3rd album, Remember.

Verandah Project - Bike Riding [yt audio]
I bet you never thought you would see Kim Dong Ryul's name on this list, eh? But he is part of the duo (along with Lee Sang Soon) that make up Verandah Project. This is from their first effort together, Days Off.

Ribbon Society - Dancing [MV]
From their first mini-album Dancing. The new Clazziquai?

Xepy Feat. Vasco, Maslo and Kjun - G.O. [yt audio]
Ack, I forgot what the program used in the video is called. Anyway, doesn't it just make you wanna dance? Woo! Very pretty melody. From the album, Pandora Music.

JB - The Same Day [MV]
From her second single, Emotion.

Maplestory DS [PV]
I somehow imagined the characters would look cuter than that.
Still, pretty cool that there will be a DS version. Online version can be played free here.

Soulic - My Heart [MV]
Well, it's another ballad. From his first album, My Heart.