Coconuts Playlist – Polka Wars’ heady experimental rock vanquishes all comers and wins the band a trip to record in NYC

COCONUTS PLAYLIST — Polka Wars is a Jakarta-based band whose output has not been easy to keep up with. Though they have yet to release any official recordings, the foursome’s live repertoire and demos has shown their musical progression from neo-folk tunes drenched in harmonies, to morose post-punk, to experimental rock with electronic flourishes. 

The band members describe their songs as sounding like everything from “dusky” to “gloomy.” If thinks this ultra-restlessness would make it difficult for the band to secure a fanbase or attain some kind of indie “success,” you might be surprised to learn that Polka Wars will be traveling to Brooklyn, New York for an all-expenses paid professional recording sessions at the well-known Rubber Tracks studio. They are doing so courtesy of Converse Rubber Tracks’ music competition, from which Polka Wars emerged the winners of (the trip is currently pending due to visa issues).

The band of high-school friends – consisting of vocalist and guitarist Karaeng Raja Adjie, guitar player Billy Aulia Saleh, bassist Xandega Tahajuansya, and drummer Giovanni Rahmadeva – formed in 2010 and immediately made waves with their tight live shows. They gigged around the South Jakarta “Studiorama” and “Rossi Musik” venue scene. Their single, “Coraline,” was released as a 7” through Bandung’s Orange Cliff Records and gained them enough momentum to keep gigging around town, eventually earning them the right to open for popular US band Yeah Yeah Yeahs during their concert in Jakarta a few years ago.

Karaeng, who writes most of the band’s songs, says Polka War’s earlier material had “the arrogance of youth,” but suggests a growth, both lyrically and musically, within their newer material.

Polka Wars is currently preparing the release of their as-yet-untitled debut, which drummer Giovanni says will feature 10 songs. “We are up to track number 4 now, and the sounds of the songs include everything from organic sounding to very modern and even electronic.” The album will be mixed by Dimas Martokoesoemo and is being recorded at ALS studio.

For more info on Polka Wars and their upcoming gigs, you can check out their Facebook and Twitter pages.

You can also listen to some of their tracks for free on Soundcloud 



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