Malaysian rock band Sedsuna strikes with a stunning debut

When a band confidently describes its sound as similar to Sigur Ros, anyone is bound to be sceptical … and with good reason, too. But it also displays a self-assuredness that is often lacking among Malaysian indie bands.

Fortunately for Sedsuna, the band from Klang Valley has the goods to back up that claim. The quintet’s recently released debut, V, a cornucopia of melodic guitars, sinewy rhythms and thundering drums, is clearly the handiwork of a band that’s tanked up on the post-rock of Mogwai and Explosions In The Sky’s ilk.

Sedsuna – comprising Aaron James Leong on bass and percussion, Charles Boey and Victor Low on guitars, Mark Lee on keyboards and synths, and Ravi Shankar on drums and percussion – drew inspiration for its music from a rather unlikely source, famous German composer Hans Zimmer.

Almost every musical idea generated is distilled through the hands and musical psyche of the band, with ideas starting out as one thing, and ending up as something entirely different, making Sedsuna a completely organic ensemble.

While instrumental music is very much left to the listener’s interpretation, given the lack of words, V is predominantly rooted in the concept of “journey”. Sedsuna doesn’t require endorsement for its music, but winning second place at a low-key band competition certainly affirmed its legitimacy in the indie scene.

1. Does Sedsuna mean anything in particular, or merely for the sake of a cool name?

It was a suggestion from a friend, but recently, we met a Japanese photographer, and according to him, Sedsuna has something to do with the word “moment” and I think that captures us perfectly.

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Sedsuna’s album, V, is a sterling post rock debut. Photo: Sedsuna

sedsuna

Sedsuna’s debut bristles with the kind of post rock instrumentals that represents the sounds of today.

2. What kind of audience would be crazy enough to get into this kind of strange music?

Contrary to popular belief, instrumental bands are up and coming these days, and it’s interesting to see the different sub-genres emerging. With that said, there is a growing demand for instrumental music. Aaron’s sister is not into the rock scene at all, but when she watched us at our album launch, she said that she connected with our music and I think that says a lot about the type of demographic that we can reach out to.

3. How difficult is it to get a gig for a band like yours and how have you worked around that?

Like other bands who play original material, getting a gig is easy, but getting the right gig is another thing altogether. We’re still finding our way around getting to play the bigger stages locally and internationally.

4. Ultimately, what do you want to achieve and where do you realistically see it going?

We would like to provide people with a range of emotions when listening to our music. We want them to be able to visualise and paint their own story with our music as the soundtrack to their minds. The wider objective is to be able to tour internationally and spread our music across continents while also perhaps dabbling in music compositions for screenplays.

5. Who would you most like to share a concert billing with … and why this artiste?

It would be an honour to one day share the stage with artistes that have influenced us and that we’re big fans of such as Dream Theater, Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky, Mutesite, Nao and many more.

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