Digging the sounds of rhythmic guitars, fully-effected riffs, groovy chimes and heavyweight beats, we got hold of the opportunity to see Kuala Lumpur-based instrumental rock band
Deepset live onstage a couple of times while we were cruising around town in search of some fresh pints to down with.
We're talking about the explosive momentum from the likes of Mono, the vibrant finishing of Explosions In The Sky and the raucous rage of This Will Destroy You, despite it all, the boys from Deepset packs their own glittering characteristic styles.
Deepset comprise of Lothfi and Hafiza on guitars, Asshad on bass and Azman on drums, and currently signed to
KittyWu Records.
Recently, we are golden having reached one of the members among busy bees, Asshad to share his thoughts.
untyteld (ut): Hello Asshad. Can you tell us more about Deepset?
Asshad (A): We are a quartet from Kuala Lumpur.We started in 2002,we met each other in university except Azman and I, we’ve known each other since secondary school.We gathered for quite sometime, our interests seem to take place and then we started playing music together.
ut: There's another American rock band using the same name. Would that be alright with you? Any plans to alter the band's name in the future?
A: Well,we started of as The Deepset Joy, after awhile we decided to slash it short, seeing that everyone keeps calling us Deepset instead of The Deepset Joy and yet,we realized that Deepset magnetism attracted us.Yeah, we have no problem with that.There are loads of band that called their name Stereo, Stereo this, Stereo that,and I guess they feel alright.
ut: The sounds coming from the amplifiers during onstage performance somewhat been attracting a lot of your fans going extremely wild. Mind telling us what gears do you guys equip?
A: The two guitarists, Hafiza and Lothfi, they equip themselves with overdrive,reverb/delay, distortions and fuzz pedals and I just use overdrive and reverb/delay pedals and Azman with his simple pieces, snare and cymbals.We are Fender junkie.
ut: Post rock is huge in places like Montreal, Texas, among others...Can you tell us what's the post rock scene like in Malaysia, specifically in Kuala Lumpur?
A: Music goes well with current adaptation,time to time, it has what it takes, we aren’t resourceful enough to break the classification.We have loads of good band here, and our scene is pretty much alive.
ut: As far we know, Deepset is an instrumental-based band. Out of curiosity, anyone of you in the band can actually hit a few notes on vocals? Any plans to include vocals on your upcoming new materials?
A: None of us really, but we would consider Lothfi has the right pitch among the rest.Yeah who knows, when it happens we ran out of ideas, we might fuse in some vocal lines.The idea can be varied.
ut: So we heard, your collaboration gig with Butoh dancers Nyoba Kan at Urbanscapes 2009 was highly praised. How did the collaboration came about? Mind telling us how you felt after the show.A: Klue invited us and they told us, our set would be different, that time around, they would match us with another performer and they proposed Nyoba Kan to collaborate with us. We met a few times before the show, and we were much anticipated. The deal was, we color the background music and Nyoba Kan do his unique pirouette. Honestly, that was a lovely experience, totally a flair, we felt grateful.
ut: Among the gigs you have performed, which was the best, and why?
A: Indie Indeed,Esplanade was a knockout experience, that was the first time we played outside the country, the sound was splendid. Klue Urbanscape should take credits, lovely audience and engaging set.
ut: Given the chance to collaborate with a renowned icon of your choice, who would it be and why.
A: We’d love to have Michel Gondry on stage with us. He’s a good film maker,we make believe,his distinctiveness can fully outfit the stage outlook.
ut: 2008's The Lights We Shed Shall Burn Your Eyes, how was the response? We realize that the album is available to download for free on several websites. Was it made free, or done illegally? What are your comments on this?
A: It’s been pretty great so far, this debut release been a great journey for us. We got critics,compliments and attentions. I hardly say it’s free,probably,it could be leaks. That’s just a non-stop drift, you can’t control people sharing music on the net. We just put a thought, let them listen, ethically wrong or not, let them think. If they love us, they would spend some for us.
ut: What are you guys up to lately? Any new album coming right up?
A: We just finished with few local shows and there’s a few upcoming, as for now we are in a songwriting schedule, spend our times writing new songs, everything beats in and out, we take more time than usual to stroke it up. We plan to come out with a new album this 2010 (matter of time), we don’t have specific target yet.
ut: Can you name us few songs you're listening to lately.
A: I love this Brooklyn-based band, Dirty Projectors, I can’t stop listening to them, they are inspiring, and yes, Grizzly Bear are totally dreaded. Here comes my list, Dirty Projectors - Two Doves, Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks, Radical Face - Welcome Home and The Antlers - Two. I’m not sure about the rest, but I’m quite sure, they listen to classical more than I do.
ut: Can you name us three Malaysian bands/musician/singer-songwriter that you salute?
A: All time favorite would be our late songwriter and a singer P Ramlee, I never stop liking his music,extra-ordinary I must tell. Another two would be Sheila Majid, she’s a goddess and Maharajalela, they are intense almost about everything(unfortunately, they remain unreleased due to unknown reasons).
ut: We're pretty fond of shoes. Any particular shoes you must wear while on stage? Perhaps, anything you must bring along with you on stage?
A: Nothing discrete, we just wear whatever gives us comfort. Lothfi loves to wear his low-cut Dr Martens and Converse, so does Hafiza and Azman,they are Converse lover,as for me, I love to wear Vans Authentic and my green Adidas(Boston Super).
ut: Any last words, perhaps, an advice for kids who want to start a post rock band?
A: We’d like to thank Phil (untyteld) for giving us a chance to speak out some words.Thanks to all for your continual support. Take your hearts with your fanciful notion, do whatever suits you best.
ut: Aaaahh, you're most welcome...
For more information on Deepset, you can visit their Myspace page at www.myspace.com/deepbeep.
