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View all search resultsAt a Glimpse: The next chapter of a high-school story
These high-school buddies captured their adventures on an album years after they first met
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T
hese high-school buddies captured their adventures on an album years after they first met.
Before we get too far, Dried Cassava, the subject of this article, wrote this in the band’s press release:
“Music, like a pack of sardines, a pair of shoes, a blow of the wind, a human being, is not as simple as an object. Music can be a medium that tells stories. Most of the time, it is the story itself.”
The Jakarta-based quartet had described themselves well. The music on Mind Thieves, their debut album, is actually a blend of many elements – Jazz, Pop, Rock, Funk and even Blues. It makes the album appear like a pack of sardines as the band seemingly searches for a suitable vessel on which to bravely enter the industry’s harshness.
Courtesy of Dried Cassava
Dried Cassava is the story of four high-school mates who have been living side by side playing the music they love for more than five years.
“We have visions as a band but there is still room for individual influence in this band,” says Baskoro Adhi Juwono, a vocalist and one of the guitarists. On the sidelines stand other members of the band: Nandie Daniel Febryan on lead guitar, Bana Drestanta on bass and Kago Mahardono on drums.
Five years is how long they needed to complete Mind Thieves, which actually addresses the daily lives of the four young men.
“It’s about life but when it comes to personal space, we have our own interpretation of this album,” says Nandie.
“We’re trying to deliver freedom of expression in each song on the album. Also, people play with their own interpretations.”
The album took only one year to produce, but the processes of collecting the songs took five years.
Another good point about this band is that all of the members have walked their own path, even though the music industry has failed to accept their existence as a band that tries hard to be heard.
Throughout their journey, the band has been able to rely on the full support of their spiritual home; their high school and hometown, which have developed a keen respect for homegrown music. Their roots have also significantly contributed to the band.
“We have had support since day one from our own neighborhood, and therefore we have had the courage to go beyond the school scene,” notes Baskoro.
Bassist Bana adds, “The togetherness and tolerance we have had since day one has been good for us.”
You can catch a sneak peak of Mind Thives by visiting the band on twitter.com/driedcassava, or watch videos of their performances on their blog at http://driedcassava.tumblr.com/.
— Felix Dass
*) At a Glimpse is all about the local music scene. Give us a shout at sundayglimpse@gmail.com. Also, become our friend at www.facebook.com/sundayglimpse and follow us at twitter.com/sundayglimpse
