The Young Liars

Jakarta-based independent label Leeds Records takes great pride in trying to achieve as much as its namesake inspiration '€” the English soccer club. But aside from the name, nothing the label does can be construed as being at all sporty.

Releasing limited-edition records from local underground bands, Leeds Records is all about rock'€™n'€™roll, with a deep love for noisy, undiscovered bands.

Still in his early 20s, label founder Zaka Sandra Novian sports a thin mustache and constant grin.

Having infused himself into the scene by holding concerts, co-managing bands and contributing articles to local magazines and music websites, Zaka wanted to set himself up with another challenge '€” that of a record label head.

He began releasing records late last year, by bands he was fond of, under his newly established label.

'€œLeeds came out of a simple idea, which was to try and do something that I have never done before within the musical scene. I'€™ve written and managed, but I had yet to taste the feeling of being a label boss!'€ he half-jokes.

According to Zaka, the label that most inspired Leeds was Iranian independent label Barax Records, which has released records by some of the country'€™s edgiest musical acts.

After hunting down releases by the obscure label and acquiring some of its records, Zaka knew that this was the label he had to look up to, in terms of aesthetic and artistic approach.

He said that he wanted listeners to feel the way he did when he picked up Barax Records'€™ releases.

His penchant for the Leeds soccer club meant that Zaka '€œbasked in the glory days of the club in the early 2000s; something I hope Leeds will also experience as it grows'€.

There is no particular formula on how Zaka decides which acts he would like to work with. But his large network '€” the result of ample show-going and event holding '€” means that there is never a shortage of talents to pick from.

What Zaka finds important, however, is that he feels a personal connection with the artists he chooses to release. This is his only '€œfiltering process'€, he says.

Leeds'€™ first release was by Jakarta-based post punk band The Young Liars, whose sound is reminiscent of early 2000 post punk-revival acts from Britain. The band'€™s debut release was Rue Massena, which had an energetic sound that garnered both the label and band a good amount of positive press.

The label followed that record with a release from hard-rock band Sirati Dharma, which furthered the Leeds brand into the music masses'€™ minds.

The goal with the limited releases and his picks of edgy acts is to drive music listeners back into actually purchasing physical products. Thus far, the label has released albums on both cassette and vinyl formats.

'€œAs long as we are able to get people to buy real records instead of downloading illegally, we are on the right track,'€ proclaims Zaka.

The bands on his label certainly agree.

Imam Buana from The Apollo considers the label '€œeasy to work with and open to giving bands a chance to shine'€, while Panji Dharma from Sirati Dharma said the label seemed to have a bright future.

Baldi Calvianca from Strange Fruit, which released The Dolphin Leap EP a few months ago with the label, says that Leeds'€™ goal of promoting physical releases makes every band working with them proud and excited for the future.

'€” Photos courtesy of Leeds Records

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