It doesn’t happen often that Indonesian bands come to the attention of western bloggers. Cultural differences are to blame, I suppose. Yet there are bands that effortlessly bridge the gap.

Take Yogyakarta-based Grrrl Gang for instance, a trio consisting of Angeeta Sentana, Edo Alventa and Akbar Rumandung. They bring bands like Veronica Falls and Alvvays to mind. And listening to their new single, I immediately thought of Judy Staring At The Sun by Catherine Wheel. Honey, Baby – Grrrl Gang’s first for London-based label Damnably – is definitely their most mature sounding track to date. It’s a self-written and produced indie-pop/rock track.

The band was scheduled to play showcase festival SXSW last year, until a certain pandemic got in the way. The music video to Honey, Baby imagines what would have been if the band had been able to tour the United States in 2020. It includes dreamed up scenarios including meeting a fan at the airport, roaming through idyllic ‘Texan’ landscapes, and performing at their scheduled gig at South By Southwest in a dive bar.

Late last month it was announced that Grrrl Gang will perform at the SXSW virtual festival in March.

Follow Grrrl Gang on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.