In case you've already gone through the interview links posted Thursday here are some additional suggestions for weekend reading:

First up another interview with EE. It's from before Coachella, but I didn't know of it until the link was posted on EE's official Facebook: EE Interview + The Creators Project @ Coachella 2011.

Another interview from Daejeon Access that I missed making that interview roundup the other day: Korean Punk's Newest Hopes...Whatever That Means


Yet another interview, this one with Yozoh on Arirang's Pops in Seoul. Instead of watching it above you may want to click through to be able to read the English subtitles better: Yozoh (요조) [Pops in Seoul]


Lovely indie film Pleasant People, starring Jiyoung Lee of Oh My Melodies and I Love JH fame (of course also featuring some of her music), will get its first screening in home town Atlanta today. Here is a review of one of the movie's trailers, and here is a very nice review of the movie itself detailing some of the plot: PLEASANT PEOPLE - Bluntness, Burgers, and Southern Discomfort.

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Today The Creator's Project offered a new video interview with total art duo EE with plenty of clips from this year's Coachella: Take A Ride On The Coachella Ferris Wheel With EE

Yesterday 10Asia published a two part interview with lovely indie pop duo Autumn Vacation:
- [INTERVIEW] Indie band Autumn Vacation - Part 1
- [INTERVIEW] Indie band Autumn Vacation - Part 2

A couple of days ago Crossroads Music zine shared the result from a brief interview with Apollo 18: Interview - Apollo 18

The same day Daejeon Access revealed an interview with "one of the biggest ‘buzzes’ around Seoul" comparing the current buzz factor of Wagwak with that of A18 before: They're Not Gay...They're WAGWAK!

One of the girls from Banana Milk has been talking to DJ Unjin, that has an astonishing track record behind him with both Yellow Kitchen and Bihaengsun as well as the lesser known Ftone Sound: INTERVIEW: Unjin Yo – EAST COLLECTIVE

An episode of Korean Homesick Blues from last week features an interview with Sunkyeol's Kyoungmo Kim, where he among other things explain the difference in sound between Sunkyeol live and Sunkyeol on record: Korean Homesick Blues 41. What particularly excited me from that interview was when he reveals that new recordings are in the making - for more details concerning that tune in to Indie Afternoon this Sunday where I'll be talking about Sunkyeol for this week's Indieful ROK Spot.

Some random news picked up during the week:

It looks like Delispice is about to make a comeback with a new drummer: Delispice will resume activities with a new company after three years. Although as usual when it comes to allkpop one shouldn't take too much note of the details as "project band" Yellow Monsters has been the main focus for former Delispice drummer Choi Jae Hyuk for around a year already.

Violet Sweets offers some Happy Robot related news concerning new releases from No Reply and The Koxx as well as the label signing indie rock band Soran and indie pop duo Lala Sweet: The KOXX, No Reply and 2 new artists at Happy Robot's

Via Postino's Twitter I found out not only that his music has been used for Chinese documentary Living Without Men, but also that the movie won the "People's Choice" category at the The 13th International Women's Film Festival in Seoul trailer.

Somewhat older award related news also found via Twitter concerns jazz songstress Youn Sun Nah that was dubbed "Best International Female Singer" for Same Girl in Echo Jazz 2011: Nah Youn-sun Named Best Singer in German Jazz Awards

After a long wait the first full length album, between the tygh, from singer/songwriter Dringe Augh is finally ready. Scheduled for a release in May the date has now been set to May 11. Two of the songs, tygh and flair, have been uploaded to the Electric Muse SoundCloud and as could be expected both showcase Dringe Augh's British folk influences and vivid guitar play with the latter getting some extra boost by a piano.

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Another week without any indie music in the TOP100 of Gaon's digital chart, but save for 10cm the indie artists to be found in the top 200 are all newcomers:

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - April 23, 2011
130. Sentimental Scenery - Brand New Life (feat. Taru) [MV]
144. Daybreak - Mr. Rolling Stone [trailer]
151. The Black Skirts - I Like Watching You Go
156. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서
157. 10cm - 아메리카노
163. 10cm - 그게 아니고
181. Ibadi - 두근두근 [MV]

Five years after the first digital single electronica guy Sentimental Scenery has finally released his first full length album. It's title is Soundscape and it has been out since April 21. In addition to an original version of Ashes of Love first featured on the This Is Not A Love Song compilation and the Bling Bling recording featuring Taru it offers ten all new songs. Two of them, Spring Breeze and Moonlight, sees Mizuno Mari of Japan's Paris Match featured and another two features recent Pastel Music artists: Hee Young (Tune of Stars) and Shim Kyu Sun (Heavenly Sky).

This day has offered a remarkably high amount of notifications about concerts from Korean bands outside of Korea:

- Singer/songwriter Hee Young announced via Facebook that she'll be playing Bar4 in Brooklyn, New York, on May 5.

- DFSB Kollective sent out a press release revealing that legendary punk band Crying Nut will partake in this year's Music Matters Live that takes place late May in Singapore. In honor of the event a special Crying Nut 2K11 Music Matters Live iMix has been created.

- LoveRock Company announced that Galaxy Express will be one of participating in the second edition of Seoul-Tokyo Sound Bridge alongside blues rock band Lowdown 30 and two Japanese bands. The Tokyo date is June 12 and will take place at Shibuya Milkyway.


And though news of a world tour from The Rock Tigers are old, it wasn't till I read this Daejeon Access article today that I realized the details are out: The Rock Tigers Take On the World.

Taking off with a couple of Korea dates, the band will bring its kimchibilly to Japan for gigs every day between May 2-8. Late May they'll be joining long running Japanese garage rock band Guitar Wolf for a few dates on their North America tour. Three US dates have been announced so far:
- May 28: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
- May 29: Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
- May 30: Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Café

The special English EP mentioned in the article is called Electric Travel and has a Korean release date set to May 6.

Last week didn't offer nearly as many newcomers on the indie chart over at Bugs as the week before that, but did provide a bit of a surprise to me (even though YouTube tells me it shouldn't have). Anyone that can help explain why a five year old song from bossa nova songstress Sorri has been climbing the chart into the top 10 is more than welcome to give it a try.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - April 23, 2011
1. Nunco - 네가 없다 [MV]
2. 10cm - 그게 아니고 [M root]
3. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [Music Travel Lalala]
4. Taru - Mr. Destiny
5. 10cm - 아메리카노 [recandplay.net]
6. Ibadi - 두근두근 [MV]
7. DOT - 별빛의 노래
8. Monni - 망설이지 마요 [Sketchbook]
9. 10cm - 죽겠네 (Album ver.) [Sketchbook]
10. Sorri - Blue

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
37. Band Jun - 27살 [MV]
39. Nunco - 알리바이
46. Nunco - 당신 발 밑 [@ Cafe-T]

See the full top 100 list here.

For some reason I had expected to psych/garage pop/rock band Nunco to have disbanded when former drummer Chang Kiha began pursuing his solo career, but then third full length album Murder's High showed up. It was released online on April 20 and the CD release followed on April 25.

Acoustic duo Band Jun released an EP called 찌질한 27살은 꿈을 꾸네 on April 21. It includes all songs from last year's mini album debut 기분이 좋아 as well as three new tracks of which early versions can be sampled through YouTube. The recorded version of 꿈을 꾸네 features multi-instrumentalist Hareem.

Sorry about the recent lack of updates! Although bearing some very sad news, the recent Easter holiday at large was a thoroughly enjoyable one for me from which I intend to share a story next week. Caught a bad cold while having fun in Berlin and have been trying to make it go away by sleeping, but cannot let that keep me from blogging any longer. Here's the latest unique artist chart from Indieful ROK's last.fm listener group:

Indieful ROK TOP10 - week 16, 2011

1. Han Hee Jung (+1) [러브레터 TV live]
2. 10cm (-1) [Good Night live]
3. Misty Blue (re) [Daisy YT audio]
4. Clazziquai (-1) [핑 MV]
5. Nell (+1) [Tokyo DVD live]
6. Humming Urban Stereo (+1) [Goldie YT audio]
7. Donawhale (re) [눈 내리는 소리 live]
8. Winterplay (new) [Touché Mon Amour MV]
9. Loveholic (-4) [Rainy Day YT audio]
10. Fanny Fink (-6) [처음이자 마지막에 관하여 live]

Don't feel like the chart reflects your taste in music well enough? Join Indieful ROK's last.fm group and maybe next week it'll look a little better!

I met Yoojin Lim about a year ago and took an immediate liking to her. She mentioned that she was working on a solo project to hopefully be released in the fall, and I began eagerly awaiting it. Now it's finally here, and although uncomfortable with interviews as well as English writing she was so sweet as to answer a few questions about Neon Bunny anyway:

Could you please start by introducing Neon Bunny?
Neon Bunny is a one man band. It doesn't really have any meaning, it was just named by my friend.

Although with an electro base your sound is quite varied. What are your main influences and sources of inspiration?
I'm influenced by Ladyhawke and Phoenix. My main inspiration is people, films, books, new locations and cities.

You've previously played a bit of keyboard on stage with the very popular The Black Skirts. How different was that to fronting your own act now?
I've just finished my first album release show case and I was really surprised that I could actually see everyone who came to my show. I didn't really care about that when I was playing the keyboard in the band.

What can you share about Seoulight?
Well it's all up to you

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If that wasn't enough for you, 10Asia has a lengthier interview well worth a read that to me felt like meeting her again:
- [INTERVIEW] Neon Bunny - Part 1
- [INTERVIEW] Neon Bunny - Part 2

If you have yet to check her lovely music out, the music video for 조금씩 다가와줘 was launched earlier this week. And don't forget that Neon Bunny's own favorite track, Long-D, is this month's South Korean MAP song, available as a free download!

About a month ago my Twitter feed started filling with links to an experimental take on BoA's ID; Peace B created by Dydsu. A few days later it was time again, and then there was more, and more - all made in tribute to Boa. Having a history as a BoA fan myself I found it all quite intriguing and after procrastinating for a while, I made contact via Twitter after which Mimyo soon agreed to answer a few questions of mine:

Who are the people behind the Model B project?
Well, somebody had to do the chores, like organising the calendar, making contacts, blog and tweet, and that was me, Mimyo. Byul.org (모임 별) willingly did the design for the artist images. All the participants, Curly Sol (my label) and PDH have helped a lot in making decisions, which might be difficult when you have many people joining in. Apart that, music was done by respective artists and it was a work for all of us.

What is the story behind this BoA tribute?
I was just joking on Twitter, saying "it would be fun to see a tribute album to BoA." People told me it really would be fun and that they're willing to do that together. This was how we got together in the first place.

You tribute an album to somebody largely influential and respected, like John Lennon or some figure, and we recently hear about a Deulgukhwa (들국화) tribute album. But BoA is considered as an idol, a commercial singer or something, and she's only 24 years old while having 11 years of career behind. I think she really is very significant and symbolic in today's Korean pop music in various ways. Thus this tribute could be ironic, funny, refreshing on the ideas of "what makes a real artist and what not", "how an idol is being consumed" or whatever comes into your head. And, of course, we were serious about making a real tribute to our beloved diva.

How did you pick the participating artists?
Basically we're all friends or friends of friends' etc. First members have joined from that tweeter conversation, and we took contact for more by recommendations from participants. Some said no and some couldn't finally do the job, to my regrets. But I personally think that these 11 teams make a fine combination.

What is the next step, when all songs have been released?
We're now mastering the album, for the least continuity as an "album." So it will soon be available on free download from our site. Except that, we don't know much about the future. We were to try to let BoA know about the project(a tribute should be tributed), which seemed not easy, but magically she retweeted about us and that means that now she knows. Maybe she doesn't quite hate it. :) So I think we have come to a certain point now. We'll just watch what the right-holders would do to us because we don't want to get sued! :)

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Let's all hope they won't be! Yesterday the full album was finally posted on the official Tumblr: A Tribute To BoA. Go download!

As it happens my own favorite tributes coincides with some of my favorite BoA songs, namely Byul.org's take on No.1 and mookou's version of Meri Kuri but those songs are all worth a listen. Which ones are your favorites? And which BoA song do you think is missing?

Pika is spending spring in Berlin and via Facebook she announced today that she will hold her first concert there this Sunday, April 23: Pika Concert.

Supporting her that evening will be VJ Z1, with whom she has a new "animation-film-graphic and music collaboration" going as White Rabbit. The first video from the duo was posted on YouTube a few hours ago: White Rabbit: Song of a Cyclical Psycho.

It seems the somewhat confusing Hyang Music chart for the last week of Mars was not intended that way and has since gotten an update. Following that Hyang Music has also published its first sales chart to cover a bit of April.

Hyang Chart - 1st week of April, 2011
1. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
2. Neon Bunny - Seoulight
3. 10cm - 1.0
4. Look & Listen/The Freaks - Wake Up/꿈이냐
5. Mimi Sisters - 미안하지만... 이건 전설이 될 거야
6. Savina & Drones - Gayo
7. Green Day - Awesome As F**k
8. Strokes - Angles
9. Baik Hyunjhin - Basis of Planck Time
10. Lucite Tokki - Self

The new k-indie oriented additions to the TOP100 list were the following:
53. Rots - Turn Around
59. Maypop - 봄
65. Monni - This Monent
81. Various Artists - 2011 Gwangju Indie Music Compilation

See the full top 100 list here.

It's been quiet from Rots for a few years, with not even a digital single since 거미줄 came out late 2008, but on March 22 the melodic hard rock band returned with a new EP called Turn Around. It includes a re-recorded version of 거미줄, now also gifted with a music video. The digital version of the album has been out since April 5.

No more Korean indie music in the TOP100 of Gaon and several previous entries left the TOP200. At least there was one newcomer, and 10cm did a bit of climbing.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - April 16, 2011
118. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서
136. 10cm - 아메리카노
142. Jaurim - Something Good
144. No Brain - Radio Radio [MV]
156. Taru - Mr. Destiny
166. 10cm - 오늘밤은 어둠이 무서워요 [MV]
169. Soyumo Acacia Band - Dream Is Over [trailer]

The members of Apollo 18 have been back in Korea already for a couple of weeks now, but memories from the band's first US tour are still fresh. Kamala-Chan followed up her pre-tour interview with the band with another interview: K-RoK Interview: Apollo 18 - SXSW Follow-Up. Chris Park too followed up his pre-SXSW interview with a post-SXSW interview where the band got to share some of their rock star moments: Apollo 18 (아폴로 18) Post-SXSW Interview. Highly recommended!


As you may recall, Chris Park had a competition going over at wakesidevision with Apollo 18's tour album as price. There were three lucky winners and all wrote well about their favorite A18 song: Apollo 18 (아폴로 18) Signed CD Contest Winners

Also, Apollo 18 was recently named band of the week on music blog Voilà!: Band of the Week: Apollo 18 (아폴로18).

Via the official Clazziquai Twitter account news of a best of album was announced today. This compilation is exclusively available via Okestra, an application for iPhone, iPad and iPod: The Best Clazziquai Okestra. As part of the package come lyrics and the possibility to record yourself singing as well as feeds from YouTube and Twitter. Many other artists have already released regular albums through Okestra.

It seems The Best Clazziquai has been out since Mars 28, but it is now available for free during a two week promotion time that started April 18 and closes May 1. Tracklist and other details here.

A day late, here is the latest indie music chart from Bugs! Lots of people eagerly anticipating Greenplugged, it seems.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - April 16, 2011
1. Taru - Mr. Destiny
2. DOT - 별빛의 노래
3. Monni - 망설이지 마요 [Sketchbook]
4. 10cm - 그게 아니고 [M root]
5. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [Music Travel Lalala]
6. 10cm - 아메리카노 [recandplay.net]
7. Aile - Emotion [MV]
8. Autumn Vacation - 오래된 커플
9. 10cm - 죽겠네 (Album ver.) [Sketchbook]
10. Sogyumo Acacia Band - Dream Is Over [teaser]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
12. SwingChair - 그대투성이
13. Ibadi - 두근두근 [MV]
14. Earip - 색깔로 치면 핑크 [@ Soundholic]
15. Eniac - 소년은 달린다 [MV]
17. Sorri - Blue
23. 숨의 숲 - 숨
31. Sogyumo Acacia Band - Ladybird
35. Sogyumo Acacia Band - Ciaosmos
38. The Crack - 전력질주 [MV]
40. Eniac - 어느 봄 너에게 (feat. 시라)
41. Jaurim - Blue Marble
43. Monni - 초록 물고기 (feat. YeSLow)
51. Super Kidd - 북극곰
58. Kangto & Lee Han Choul - 흐르는 강물처럼
61. Eniac - 좋았어 (feat. 신아연)
65. Lee Jang Hyuk - 나무
66. The Finnn - 물방울 속에 갇힌 바다
67. Zingo - 인셉션
69. Galaxy Express - 나의 지구를 지켜줘
85. SwingChair - 마지막 로맨스
99. Eloise - Anti

See the full top 100 list here.

"Trendy acoustic pop band" SwingChair released a two-track single called 그대투성이 on April 13. Following the band's single debut in 2009, it seems the female fronted trio also got around to releasing a full length album in July last year.

April 16 a special "hug concert" was held at Soundholic in which Earip, Ibadi, DOT, and Lucite Tokki participated. Prior to the event, on April 11 a one-track digital single called Hug Vol.1 was released featuring Earip singing a new song.

숨의 숲 translates to something along the lines of "forest of breath". The indie pop duo debuted with a digital single called 숨 on April 11, and it appears to be the first offering from Willow Music Lable.

Tacopy did it a couple of weeks ago, and a few days later the alleged pretty boys (꽃미남) in four member band The Crack released a digital single celebrating the 30th anniversary of pro baseball in Korea. The single from The Crack is part of the official celebration from SBS ESPN, a channel the band worked with also for last year's world cup in soccer when they debuted with the single Korea Oh Korea. In February this year the band released its first EP, 너뿐야.

After spending more time than I'd expected focusing on some stuff I should've cleared years ago I finally have some time for blogging again - starting with the latest unique artist chart from Indieful ROK's last.fm listener group since it's Wednesday and all. The sample songs for each artist is the respective track with the highest play count in our group, this week with an unusually high amount of tracks left unpromoted.

Indieful ROK TOP10 - week 15, 2011

1. 10cm (+2) [Talk YT audio]
2. Han Hee Jung (+4) [오늘만 YT audio]
3. Clazziquai (-2) [Spinning The World YT audio]
4. Fanny Fink (re) [Sweet YT audio]
5. Loveholic (-) [One Love MV]
6. Nell (-4) [Separation Anxiety TV live]
7. Humming Urban Stereo (+3) [Abuse Girl YT audio]
8. Ra.D (new) [떠난 내 님은 YT audio]
9. Loptimist (re) [Sunshine YT audio]
10. Oh Ji Eun (re) [겨울아침 YT audio]

Don't feel like the chart reflects your taste in music well enough? Join Indieful ROK's last.fm group and maybe next week it'll look a little better!

Today, April 16, is Record Store Day. While it may not yet have caught on in Korea, I've had a post related to buying Korean indie music saved in draft state since long so I figured this would be a good day to finish it. In honor of the day, first up a couple of record stores that you can actually visit:


Whether you live in Seoul or not, if you've found your way to this blog you probably already have some idea that Hyang Music is the main destination if you want to go beyond the indie selection already available through just any CD outlet. refresh_daemon visited during his latest Korea trip: Places: Hyangmusic.com in Seoul.


Once back in LA, refresh_daemon visited Korea Town: Places: Music Plaza in Los Angeles.

If it happens to be so that you are in LA then you may actually get a bit of Record Store Day action related to Korean music as Light In The Attic Records offers the latest LITA Zine with Shin Joong Hyun on the cover in select stores.


Even as an avid (ancient) fan of physical distribution forms of music, with Korea's heavy focus on digital releases there are times I wish I could just buy mp3s from somewhere instead. Rumor has had it Mnet has been open to foreigners, but it never seemed particularly user friendly to me. Then of course there's iTunes, where most of the aritsts managed by DFSB Kollective have some presence, but there's still so much missing. Since a couple of months ago the solution is Soribada - now available in English with something of a subscription service. Kamala-Chan wrote about it after trying it out: Music Tip: Soribada

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A new weekend has come, and while some may be looking for activities other may be looking to catch up on a bit of reading. Let's start with some things taking place tomorrow, April 16:


For starters: if you're in the vicinity of Chicago don't forget that you'll have a chance to check out charming indie flick Pleasant People at Chicago International Movies and Music Festival.


Primarily of interest if you happen to actually be in Seoul this weekend, but I really like the idea of bringing musicians together across borders - one country at a time - behind this event: Seoul! Pop Planet - April 16-17! Korea Gig Guide promoted the event here: A Korean and Japanese Pop Planet. And for something that took place already today, there's a small piece of rock history in this other Korea Gig Guide post that you may want to pick up: The Devil You Don’t Know — Korean Classics This Friday


This year's edition of Coachella started today, and tomorrow time has come for intriguing total art performance act EE to show their worth in the Gobi Tent from 11:50 am to 12:35 pm. If the prospect of seeing EE in action alone isn't enough The Creators Project throws in an extra goody: Coachella 2011: Intel and Aldebaran Robotics' Nao Robots Dance To EE [Video]. Turns out that Lumpens - the artist behind some of EE's fantastic music videos - too will have some of his work showcased at Coachella: Projection, Piano, And Breakdancing: The Latest From Lumpens.

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Long at last the 15th of April is here and that means a brand new selection of songs from the Music Alliance Pact. This month all 36 participating blogs submitted songs from their regions, and it seems April is the perfect month to indulge some music listening on the electronic side.

Following last month's rabbits, representing South Korea this month is none other than Neon Bunny - whose sound is in line with the many other electronica oriented acts picked this month. Long-D is the lovely laidback opening track from her debut album.

To download all 36 songs in one file click here

SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Neon Bunny - Long-D
Yoojin Lim is the sole member of Neon Bunny, who debuted with an album called Seoulight in late March. Having been a session keyboardist for successful power-pop act The Black Skirts - the very first South Korean MAP contribution - her own sound is on the electro side, influenced by Ladyhawke and Phoenix. Long-D is a semi-catchy track with something of a retro sound.

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A week goes by so quickly! Here's an excerpt from the latest digital chart from Gaon.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - April 9, 2011
94. Taru - Mr. Destiny
98. Yozoh with Soyumo Acacia Band - 그런지 카
102. No Brain - Radio Radio [MV]
109. Jaurim - Something Good
130. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서
143. Romantic Couch - Like A Virgin [MV]
146. 10cm - 그게 아니고
147. 10cm - 아메리카노
175. 10cm - 오늘밤은 어둠이 무서워요 [MV]
191. Monni - 망설이지 마요

Plenty of changes in the top of Hyang Music's album sales chart end of March as it was almost completely overtaken by new releases - though why exactly one of them made it there twice I have yet to figure out.

Hyang Chart - 4th week of Mars, 2011
1. Mimi Sisters - 미안하지만... 이건 전설이 될 거야
2. 10cm - 1.0
3. Look & Listen/The Freaks - Wake Up/꿈이냐
4. Green Day - Awesome As F**k
5. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 별일 없이 산다 (LP)
6. Look & Listen/The Freaks - Wake Up/꿈이냐
7. Strokes - Angles
8. Savina & Drones - Gayo
9. Hyunjhin Baik - Basis of Planck Time
10. Whitesnake - Forevermore

The new k-indie oriented additions to the TOP100 list were the following:
28. Paryumchiakdan - 와인의 밤
50. Ryu, Hwa - Think Lightly!
77. Wings of the I Sang - 상실의 시대

See the full top 100 list here.

Ryu Hwa had her first EP, Think Lightly!, released on January 23, but it was not until end of March that it was stocked by Hyang Music. Her music is marketed as psychedelic rock, British indie rock, and C-86 style. Check out the music video for EP track 지탱해 here.

Named after legendary poet Yi Sang and his famous short story The Wings, Wings of the I Sang debuted with the release of EP 상실의 시대 - named after a Yi Sang poem - in March. The digital edition has been out since March 17 whereas the CD release came a week later on March 24. I think they go for some kind of sentimental pop/rock sound.

Another week went by without any new unique artist chart being generated for Indieful ROK's last.fm listener group, but here's the latest one with chart movements in relation to the one for week 12. Thank you for continuously making the group grow, improving the chart presented below with your music listening!

Indieful ROK TOP10 - week 14, 2011

1. Clazziquai (+4) [Sweety MV]
2. Nell (-) [Separation Anxiety TV live]
3. 10cm (-) [그게아니고 TV live]
4. Casker (+5) [인형 TV live]
5. Loveholic (re) [Butterfly MV]
6. Han Hee Jung (-5) [솜사탕 손에 핀 아이 TV live]
7. My Aunt Mary (re) [148km YT audio]
8. Taru (re) [Mr. Destiny YT audio]
9. Epik High (re) [Fan MV]
10. Humming Urban Stereo (-4) [Mulder Does Know YT audio]

Don't feel like the chart reflects your taste in music well enough? Join Indieful ROK's last.fm group and maybe next week it'll look a little better!

The other week when I first came across the music of Paryumchiakdan I heard the sound of something great. I listened to 와인의 밤 plenty of times on ReverbNation and then proceeded to ask the band's leader and drummer Akhee Ahn for an interview. He swiftly agreed and made sure his band members answered my questions as well:

How would you like to introduce Paryumchiakdan?
Ji-Hyun Hong : Punk with oriental taste. But it's hard to describe. The best way to introduce us is, come out and see our show.

Hyun-woo Kang : Some people could think we're just a retro band, we are the band who always want and try to find new things.

Kong Jin : I also think it's hard to say in a simple words... so I love to be here. Just come to the show and feel it.

Akhee Ahn : Well, originally I wanted to make a band that playing music of 'based on 70's punk rock, sound like East Asian pop, and playing like a 60's garage band'. But now it's pretty much different I thought, so it's really hard to describe. Even sometimes I can't explain what we play. Sometimes I used to describe us as "garage punk pop band", but it cannot be an answer exactly. 

   [read more ...]

Continuing from yesterday with upcoming releases and musical efforts to help Japan, here are a few releases expected to show up some time around May.

Chinese label Handshake Records is planning to release a compilation called Light For Japan in May. According to Electric Muse a new version of Vidulgi OoyoO's 너의 눈으로 나를 본다 will be included.

According to Beatball a remastered version of Seoul Electric Band's second full length album, Life is Strange, with three bonus tracks as well as a solo EP from Seoul Electric Band's Shin Yun Cheol will both be out on May 17.


Also via Beatball, also planned for May is a new EP from twee pop act Pigibit5 with the title Cherryboy Revolution. The songs from the self-titled debut EP are all there and via the official YouTube account some songs are available for sampling in live versions:
1. Beauty Tamura theme part 1 : part 2
4. Nancy
7. YONHA!
9. Speedoguy #1
10. Theme of Yoroshiku Kamen (from Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san)

And though I have no proof to back my claim I think Country Girl may be second EP track Country song.

Plenty of new music entered the indie music chart over at Bugs last week, but in the top there's mostly just some moving around among tracks already there.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - April 9, 2011
1. Taru - Mr. Destiny
2. Monni - 망설이지 마요 [Sketchbook]
3. DOT - 별빛의 노래
4. Autumn Vacation - 오래된 커플
5. 10cm - 그게 아니고 [M root]
6. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [Music Travel Lalala]
7. 10cm - 아메리카노 [recandplay.net]
8. 10cm - 죽겠네 (Album ver.) [Sketchbook]
9. Lucite Tokki - Go [trailer]
10. 10cm - 오늘밤은 어둠이 무서워요 [MV]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
12. Hush Creek - Someday
13. Aile - Emotion [MV]
14. Soran - 몰라 [@ SangSang Madang]
26. 10cm - Healing [@ Veloso]
34. Eloise - 진심을 너에게 [MV]
37. Glen Check - Metro (Acoustic)
49. Bye Bye Sea - 비타민 소녀
54. Soran - 기다려 [@ Club Auteur]
62. Homeless - 웰컴투헬 (Original ver.) [MV]
76. Aile - 그러니까 헤어져
79. Hush Creek - Stay In My Heart
83. Aile - 구해줘

See the full top 100 list here.

All male indie rock band Soran released a two track single called Wait on April 7. Janet included them in a videophile post already a year ago and it seems the trio proceeded to release first EP 그때는 왜 몰랐을까 in August last year, featuring Monni's Kong Tae Woo on a track called 타임머신 and 10cm's Kwon Jung Yeol and Serengeti's Jung Su Wan both on a track called 너에게.

Acoustic indie pop duo Homeless released debut single 웰컴투헬 on April 8. In addition to the title track it holds a France version (that at least from the lyrics does not seem to contain any French) of the same as well as a track called Cheer Up.

Today, April 11, a number of Scottish musicians released a compilation called Love Letter To Japan, with all funds from the release donated to The Japanese Relief Effort. It is available via Bandcamp and among other fine songs includes Standing Still - a song recorded by Scottish twee pop legends BMX Bandits, the lovely Yeongene, and Japan's psychedelic avant-pop act Tenniscoats in 2008. The song was originally planned to be released on a 7" vinyl single two years ago, though what happened to that one I have yet to find out.

Female fronted pop/rock band Aile released first full length album Emotion online on April 8 and have the CD release coming up April 12. It includes Comeback 2 Me from the band's 2009 debut EP Aile The Special as well as Cyon Arena ad song Magic Candle, originally released as a digital single in June 2010, and both songs from December single 사실은 울고 싶었어. Check out the title track music video here. allkpop wrote a bit about the release last Friday: Indie band ‘Aile’ releases first album, “Motion”.

The new EP from electroacoustic act Eniac mentioned previously too will be released on April 12. Eniac may still be best known for his contributions to the Soulmate drama soundtrack some years ago, but at least from Twitter it seems as though he's had some success with his more dance oriented moniker StardonE.

Another April 12 release that may be of interest to some is the second album from Mentles - the gentlemen singing Beatles songs. The first Tribute To The Beatles was released in 2008, and now it is time for NowHere Mentles - Tributes To The Beatles Vol.2.

After becoming smitten by Pika, Chris Park began exploring Loro's - the band where she, among other things, play the cello:
- 로로스 (Loro’s) – Dream(s) Review
- 로로스 (Loro’s) – Pax (팍스) Review


Other recent reviews from Chris Park over at wakesidevision include the following:
- Deepgray – I’m Already Born Before Review
- 카프카 (Kafka) – Nothingness Review
- 피터팬 컴플렉스 (Peterpan Complex) – Love Review


As usual, refresh_daemon too offered a few reviews last week including this one on the most recent full length album from Jaurim's vocalist: Inbox: 김윤아 - 315360


And should you wish to exercise your Spanish reading skills - here's a lengthy review of Okkyung Lee's latest album: Okkyung Lee: Noisy Love Songs (For George Dyer)