I did not know what I was getting myself into when I was offered the role of lead vocalist for The OtherSide Orchestra. At the time (around October 2007), the band was already fast becoming the crowd’s favourite at various local independent music events.
I was worried, nervous…scared, even, to accept the offer. Why? I’ve seen them play live before and I know for a fact that this band is favoured by many for their energetic, animated and excellent musicianship on and off stage. They make the crowd go crazy. In other words, ‘they always bring the house down’.
They even have their own lighting technician to create a signature mood everytime they perform a show! They’ve been going on strong without a lead vocalist, (though Wan, currently on lead guitar, did sing a few songs sometimes) so I wondered whether their fans would accept my presence in the band.
I gave it a shot anyway and after 2 jamming sessions, I finally felt the magic this band produce when they make music together. I was ecstatic.
So we had our first gig as the ‘complete’ The OtherSide Orchestra at Laundry Bar, The Curve on November 5, 2007. The show went very well and I could totally let myself go on stage. Performing with the band that night was stellar. We had more shows that week and I realized later that in this band, everyone automatically makes each other feel like a star on stage. It is the positive energy and the one thing that we strive to do each time we perform - to really have a good time.
We recently launched our album, ‘Electromancetacy’ at The Annexe, Central Market on December 2, 2007. The turnout was so overwhelming (maybe about 500 people or more in total) that we had to limit the number of people to 200 going into the hall at one time.
The launch was supported by Junk Magazine and we even had an independent fashion boutique, ‘Previous’ to sponsor us clothes that night. Independently produced, the album has sold more than 700 copies to date. It is available not only in Kuala Lumpur but also in other states in Malaysia as well as Singapore.
There was a couple of changes in the band’s line-up since its formation in early 2007, but we managed to pull through and now we’re standing stronger than ever. With positive feedbacks from fans (more than 38,000 hits on myspace and still counting), friends and especially the media, the band strives to become one of the dominant names in the music scene, both local and hopefully, international.
I believe I speak for my band when I say we enjoy making music and we are consistently writing new materials to challenge our musical abilities. We experiment and never limit ourselves to any particular sound, all in all what you get is an experimentation of danceable rock & roll, infused with a lot of soul (from all 7 of us!).
I am not writing this to boast about my own band, but I am writing as a person who used to admire this band’s musicality long before I became a part of them. They made me want to sing. They made me want to lose myself with their brand of music. And that is exactly what The OtherSide Orchestra will do to you too. So hop on and enjoy the ride.
DHIYA IZWIN @ THE OTHERSIDE ORCHESTRA
WORDS FROM THE MEDIA :
One of the hot bands in the Malaysian independent music scene at the moment, they write super-danceable rift-driven rock music. I was hooked on this track for awhile so it wasn't hard choosing a track from their newly released album. The drums are distinctive and are my favorite part of their music. They're also probably the only band in this part of town that have disco and strobe lights as a permanent fixture in their live sets.
:. JUNK MAGAZINE See Us In Junkonline
The band’s already been tipped to be one of 2008’s breakout bands and the guys themselves are determined to make this their year. “We’d like to play more gigs and expose ourselves and our music to a bigger audience, even to those outside Malaysia. And of course we’ll be writing more songs. And losing more weight!
:. SARAH,JUNK MAGAZINE
It's not easy being different. The easiest way to go is certainly with the flow. Miraculously though, up-and-coming genre-bending outfit The Otherside Orchestra has managed to straddle this great divide and serve up its brand of groovy vibes to a ravenous audience
:. THE STAR,Friday 11th January 2008
All in, a hugely satisfying album for those who appreciate bands who innovate instead of recreate. One rare finely-produced, top quality Malaysian indie release. If you are in for some well-crafted atmospheric jazzy rock with groovy curves this would end your year up with much relish.
:. JOE KIDD,CARBURETOR DUNG(www.ricecooker.kerbau.com)
So Radiohead and The Cure are among their influences.But who cares, really. They've got synthesizers and they know how to work it. They opened with an instrumental electro-rock piece and got the place to a heated state. You'll really like them, even if you're not into their brand of music. The vibe on stage immediately catches on and the rest of the floor looks insanely happy.
:. JACQ,HALFWAYSTREET
Enter the “strobe rockers”. As the nation’s dynamic answer to New York dance punks The Rapture and !!! (Chik Chik Chik), the Otherside Orchestra’s adventurous approach sees them incorporating taut rock guitar riffs with imaginative keyboards arrangements, cheeky dancefloor samples and high energy drumming. This 10-tracker has it all – anthemic choruses, punk melodies and infectious grooves. On this evidence, The Otherside Orchestra has the charisma as well as the musical chops to rise to the top.
:. THE STAR reviewed our album - 'ELECTROMANCETACY'
INTRODUCING: THE OTHERSIDE ORCHESTRA :
The band on everyone’s lips these days is a little ensemble called The OtherSide Orchestra. Actually, “little” is an understatement. Consisting of members Wan, Izwin, Haizal, Rasheed, Angah, Azan, Shah and honorary members Rifal, Batak, Faiz and Izzat, there’s definitely strength in numbers as far as OtherSide is concerned.
With such a large group, one is inclined to think their live performances would be impossible to watch. But therein lies the band’s appeal. While Wan, Izwin, Haizal, Rasheed, Angah, Azan and Shah work it on stage, Rifal provides special lighting effects to complement their music. Batak, Faiz and Izzat are in charge of sound, creating and controlling vocal effects. Suffice to say, watching this band live is unlike any other in the scene. “There are many of us in the band, and we have all kinds of sounds – sort of like an orchestra,” explains Izwin about their band dynamics. “But we’re a different kind of orchestra, the ‘other’ kind. So the [band’s] name just made sense.”
With an album entitled Electromancetacy out, the band has been gigging non-stop and getting a lot of attention along the way. For a band that has only been at it for a year, being touted as an “It” band is definitely flattering. Izwin says, “We didn’t expect it because it happened so fast. But the scene is growing and people are curious to check out new bands. Besides it helps that we sound different and have so many people on stage.” Check out www.myspace.com/theothersideorchestra for a list of places where their debut album is available.
:.SARAH CHAN, SHERMEN MUKHTAR KLUE MAGAZINE,Published in Issue 114
WHERE TO GET OUR CD??? :
SHAH ALAM
:. Music Land at Plaza Alam Central(2nd floor) : rm17
:. Lab Rat Jam Studios : RM18
KUALA LUMPUR
:. Ricecooker at The Annexe,Central Market : rm20
:. Previous Clothing at BB Plaza(2nd floor) : rm18
:. Acoustic Music Station atPertama Complex : rm19.90
:. Kedai Auntie at Campbell Music : rm19.90
:. Perfect Music Centre at Campbell Complex : rm19.90
:. Dolls Store at BB : rm 19.90
:. Dhabooka Studio at Setiawangsa : rm15
JOHOR
:. Inspire Records : rm18
PERAK
:. Bodysurf Music : rm20
PULAU PINANG
:. Japanese Used Clothing
14-L Tingkat 1,
Jalan Rumbia 11900 Bayan Lepas,
Pulau Pinang
(in front of Bukit Jambul Complex)
TEL / FAX:04-6424328
OTHER
:. Come To Our Shows : RM15
:. Tower Records : RM25.90
:. Rock Corner: RM25.90
:. Speedy Video : RM25.90
:. Buy On Line at http://store.laguna-records.com/
..Our song "You" will be featured in Cigs&Love ShortMovie! Yay! Support Local Band! We're not hardcore but we make beautiful musics! Malaysia boleh! You can listen to our music at our page! TQ.
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kiter da tue t.. peW jD ngan Muzik kita ?? laU ccu cicit k0wunk tanyer
psal banD oR lagU yg pErnak Kowunk haSilkan... Per k0wunk naK jwB
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