A

new musical journey sees Indie pop outfit Astrolab release new EP.

In our local Indie pop scene, there are layers of artists; those who seek popularity and want the whole world, those who live only for today and those who do what they like. Astrolab from Bandung fits perfectly into the latter category.

When it comes to do-it-yourself (DIY) work, Astrolab has been doing a series of fantastic jobs to keep the band’s name circulating on international Indie pop circuit by contacting dozens of names on the scene and securing deals to have their records released. It seems that fate lies in their own hands. It’s the main reason why Poor Trendy Boys, their latest EP, has finally been released after years of waiting.

The latest effort does not follow in the footsteps of the band’s magnificent debut album, The Blue Thread Saga, which was released quickly. Many people on the scene thought that the band had disappeared, but they’re still here.

“We were busy,” says Dany Badra, the band’s lead vocalist short.

There have been quite a few changes to the band; Dany Badra is no longer at the helm of the guitars and now fully plays out his role as singer while his other half Rangga Kuntara on guitar delivers a rougher sound.

The most important parts of the band, both Badra and Kuntara are really onto something new. “We mix lots of references nowadays,” tells Kuntara. It makes Astrolab’s music not your ordinary Sarahesque flavor, which they were associated with in the early days. Sarahesque is the lovely nickname bands receive when they become devoted to the Sarah Records era, which was revolutionary back in the 1990s in the UK.

“You have to admit that the references now are very wide, you can easily spot one you like. It makes the scene much better. We’re proud with what we have now,” continues Badra.

Otherwise, the band is still keeping up its tradition of releasing their work internationally. Poor Trendy Boys was also released in the UK via Dufflecoat Records.

“We still have the same spirit,” tells Badra. “It should always be like that.”

That spirit is certainly manifested on Poor Trendy Boys, where Astrolab manage to sneak a little intro into their future. “We’re working on the second album,” they say.

If you want to know more about their Sarahesque influenced sound, head to mySpace.com/Astrolab8 or twitter.com/AstrolabPop. They’d be happy to have you visit.

 —Felix Dass