SORE: The Indonesian Indie Band Blending Vintage Sounds with Modern Sensibilities

SORE, also known as Sore Ze Band, is an acclaimed Indonesian indie band hailing from Jakarta. Formed in 2001 by childhood friends Ade Paloh, Mondo Gascaro, and Awan Garnida, the band later expanded to include Bembi Gusti and Reza Dwiputranto. Their name, "Sore," which translates to "late afternoon" in Indonesian, reflects the band's evocative and often melancholic sound.

Early Days and Centralismo:

SORE gained early recognition by contributing songs to compilation albums like "JKRT: SKRG" and the "Janji Joni" soundtrack. Their debut album, Centralismo (2005), was a tribute to their Central Jakarta roots and showcased the band's diverse musical influences. With each member contributing to songwriting and lead vocals, the album features a rich tapestry of sounds and styles.

SORE's music is characterized by its vintage instrumentation, incorporating elements like vibraphones, mellotron, and horn sections, reminiscent of popular music from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. This nostalgic sound, combined with their introspective lyrics, creates a unique and captivating atmosphere.

Centralismo garnered critical acclaim, with Time Magazine Asia naming it "One of Five Asian Albums Worth Buying." Rolling Stone Indonesia ranked it 40th in their "150 Greatest Indonesian Albums of All Time" list, and their single "No Fruits for Today" was also recognized as one of the "150 Greatest Indonesian Songs of All Time."

Soundtracks and Ports of Lima:

Between albums, SORE contributed to several film soundtracks, including "Berbagi Suami," "Kala," "Quickie Express," and "Perempuan Punya Cerita." Their reworking of the Indonesian classic "Pergi Tanpa Pesan" for the "Perempuan Punya Cerita" soundtrack became a hit single.

In 2008, SORE released their highly anticipated second album, Ports of Lima. This album further solidified their reputation for crafting intricate and engaging music, blending elements of pop, jazz, and Indonesian traditional music. Rolling Stone Indonesia even named Ports of Lima the Best Album of 2008.

A Unique Musical Blend:

SORE's music defies easy categorization. Imagine a world where The Beatles grew up in the Pacific, immersed in the sounds of Steely Dan, Morrissey, Interpol, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and obscure Indonesian music from the 1970s. This eclectic mix of influences informs SORE's distinctive sound.

Their music seamlessly blends traditional pop songwriting with atmospheric explorations, ranging from delicate whispers to grand orchestral arrangements. SORE's ability to create music that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking has earned them a devoted following in Indonesia and beyond.

 

Discography

Studio Albums:
2005: Centralismo
2008: Ports of Lima
TBA : Los Skut Leboys

EPs:
2010: Sombreros Kiddos

Singles:
2004: "Cermin" - from album JKT:SKRG (compilation)
2005: "Funk The Hole" - Janji Joni (soundtrack)
2006: "Pergi Tanpa Pesan" - Berbagi Suami (soundtrack)
2006: "No Fruits For Today" - Berbagi Suami (soundtrack)
2007: "Hidup Itu Indah" - Mesin Waktu: Teman-Teman Menyanyikan Lagu Naif (tribute)
2007: "Ada Musik Di Dalam" - Kala (soundtrack)
2007: "Ernestito" - Quickie Express (soundtrack)
2009: "The Hitman" - from album Synchronize Session One (compilation)
2009: "Nancy Bird" - Pintu Terlarang (soundtrack)
2009: "Lullaby Blues" - Pintu Terlarang (soundtrack)

Personnel:
Ade Firza Paloh - Guitar, Vocals
Awan Garnida - Bass, Vocals
Ramondo Gascaro - Keyboard, Vocals, Composer
Reza Dwi Putranto - Guitar, Vocals
Bemby Gusti Pramudya - Drums, Vocals
Dono Firman - Synthesizer, Keyboard, Guitars