17 June 2011 @ KLPac, Kuala Lumpur

Nineteen years is a long time indeed for a human, what more a band. But that is how long have Envy been around. From a humble beginning as a high school band, Envy has made many records, embarked on countless tours to Europe and the US and played big festivals and headliners all over the world. And now here they are, for the second time in Kuala Lumpur organized again by Soundscapes. What gives them such longevity? I made the trek to KLPac to find out the answer for myself.

Killeur Calculateur kicked off the night with their brand of angular post punk music. Just think of a cross between Fugazi and My Disco but with all the guitarist changing vocal duties one after another inside each song. This effortless act of singing is one of the major reasons why they are a unique and compelling musical unit. Killeur played a long (by their standards) 35 minute set with most of them culled from their ‘Valley of the Dead’ EP. However they took the opportunity here to treat the audience with two new tracks. One of them which is probably titled ‘Terra Metric’ got me foaming at the mouth because its breaks new ground for them in terms of composition, with a really good sing-along part. It’s a precursor for good things to come; their new split release with Orbit Cinta Benjamin is due for release late this year.

And then Envy came onstage. They started with ‘Worn Heels and the Hands We Hold’, a track from their newest album ‘Recitation’. This opener set the pace for their whole show, a pattern of patient buildup and slow release, allowing the songs to slowly work themselves into a crescendo and eventually a big ending. Undoubtedly this might sound a tad repetitive, but the sheer energy and power of their live sound kills any notion of a dull moment. There were moments of calmness, where the focus is on enjoying the finer points of the music like ‘Light and Solitude’. This is where their inspiration lies right now. You would be hard pressed to believe that this is the same unit that has produced abrasive screamo music in their early days.

Vocalist Tetsuya Fukagawa was in fine form tonight. Confidently marshalling the band, his powerful voice displays raw power and emotion. Despite the language barrier, you can’t help but feel moved by his display of catharsis. This made the crowd responding him with utmost vigor, singing along and generally having a release of their own. The dual guitar attack of long-haired Masahiro Tobita and Nobukata Kawai are the main engines that made this possible. Looking and sounding really proficient on their guitars, it’s hard to believe that the huge sounds and driving guitar riffs comes from the diminutive frame of these two guys.

For just over an hour Envy played a 13 song set, culminating their show with a track from Imsomniac Doze titled ‘A Warm Room’. What was to me an underwhelming song in the forgettable album suddenly made much sense and meaning when witnessed live. And in that instant a connection is made between the audience and the performer. This is the reason why Envy would probably still be making music for another nineteen years. And i had found the answer I was looking for.

by Amir Shazlan

The Actors Studio brings to you 3 consecutive nights of singer songwriter-dom with their Live @ The Actors Studio series, and what’s even better is that it’s a free event! Featuring both familiar and unfamiliar names like Azmyl Yunor, Rashdan Harith, Ariff Akhir, Ian Chow, Wani Ardy, Markiza & Peter Hassan and more, each night features 2 sets of different performers as you can see from the flyer below, so take your pick and make sure you drop by to check it out.

Show starts at 8.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (26th, 27th and 28th May 2011) at Pentas 2, KL Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.

Music enthusiasts and ice cream lovers alike take note! Kreme Kart presents Sundae Sunday, a party in the park where music is literally fueled by ice cream. For the unenlightened, Kreme Kart is the brainchild of four friends who all share an innate love for all things yummy. This event will feature an acoustic set from the likes of Narmi, Diandra Arjunaidi and Melinda Wong just to name a few.

The event runs from 1pm to 4pm at the garden area of KLPAC.

Click here for more info



Now here’s something that should be interesting, Ipoh Britpop heroes Bittersweet and fellow Britpop admirers Pesawat will be doing acoustic sets at KLPAC as part of the Acoustic Nights programme going on this week. We wonder how they’ll treat their usually fast paced songs, and maybe even a collaboration will be in store as well?

Show starts at 8.30pm on Tuesday, 4th January 2011 at Pentas 1, KL Performing Arts Center, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. Entry is free! Just email azharman08@gmail.com or call Azhar at 019-2081732 to get your free seats, and hurry too because seats are limited!

Check out the event’s Facebook page for more info.

Soundscape Records will be presenting Russian Circles,  a three piece instrumental rock/metal band from Chicago. Similar to fellow Chicago residents Pelican, Russian Circles play epic, sprawling music which runs the gamut of heavy discordant metal, to soft delicate passages.

They are also known for their energetic live shows, which include tours with Boris, Red Sparowes, Minus the Bear, Chin Up Chin Up, Mono, and Pelican as well as an appearance at the 2006 SXSW. They were also the opening band for Tool while playing in the United Kingdom for their 2007 tour.

Starts at 8pm, the show will be held at KLPAC (Pentas 1), and tickets (RM78, RM98) are available through KLPac’s Box Office, The Actors Studio and Axcess Outlets. Click here to purchase the tickets online.

http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles

We’ve been asked by the good guys at Freeform to curate a small part in their all day arts festival. So do drop by Pentas 2 between 2pm – 4pm and catch the likes of Parttime Lovers, Pusher, and I/Am/Rain (They Will Kill Us All canceled).

We’re also giving away 2 free passes to Urbanscapes 2010 through our FB page in the next couple of days. Till then!

Satu Hari – An Audio Visual Timeline Expedition is a video art documentary by Efozy. The documentary is based on Malaysian urban lifestyle that merges with a traditional one, capturing activities that highlights Malaysian culture, history, art and people.

Accompanying the documentary will be live Visuals by Efozy himself, with music supplied by the likes of Monoloque, KLPHQ and Sforzando.

Satu Hari Promo from Fauzi Yusoff on Vimeo.

Indicine, KLPAC, Sentul
Time: 8pm onwards
Date: 26th Februari 2010, Jumaat
Tikcets: Free

More info on Satu Hari here

At every turn, Furniture attempts to strike that elusive balance between bold invention and comforting familiarity in its music. Venturing into spaces described as post-rock, shoegaze and avant-pop, the band never strays far from being artful, honest, sweeping and emotional.

Two years in the making, Furniture released its debut album Twilight Chases the Sun to unanimous critical acclaim by the press and fans alike, some proclaiming it the local independent release of 2005.

Furniture is currently in the studio recording their sophmore album. This session, was recorded live at Urbanscapes 2009.

From the coastal city of Klang, comes this 4 piece post emo band consisting of members from several active hardcore bands. Though not as active as their hardcore counterparts, they consider The Dearly Missed to be their main band (not a side project) and are preparing to release some new material by the end of 2009.

The Dearly Missed braved the hot tropical sun of KLPAC during Urbanscapes 2009 to record this session.