After gaining recognition during their series of gigs in Indonesia’s premiere festival, Java Rockingland, Risky Summerbee & The Honeytheif has managed to underline their multigenre compositions ranging from pop, blues, folk, experimental and also modern music. Founded back in 2007 as a psychedelic music project, they have breached their comfort zone by chaining with a few creative projects in their early years What’s great about these quintet from Yogyakarta is they’re not just musicians but they’re art performers as well. Acknowledged as RSTH among their fans, this band has made their way across the globe to Japan and Singapore.
Risky Summerbee & The Honeythief will be releasing their new album soon in May, titled “Pillow Talk”. This album is said to be a bit different, slower, more relaxed, and presents more issues relatable to its album title. A highlight of their single in this album would be “Subterfuge”, a song that portrays corruption in Indonesia and how vulnerable their leaders are. This single can also be found in a 2013 released compilation album that exposes corruption activities in Indonesia – “Frekuensi Perangkap Tikus” (you should try to listen to this too).
Taken from their previous album “Preamble”, the single “Flight to Amsterdam” was about an Indonesian Human Rights Activist who was murdered during a flight to Amsterdam. It’s pure how they sorted words and putting life into music. RSTH is in the scene not only because of music, but it’s also because of the reason for art itself. Apart from getting listeners chillin’ to good melodies, these songs also provides a perpetual message that they could adapt to.
It’s good how they sound contemporary but still so sleek and relaxing. Also you should give attention to the insert of raw 90s pop elements in some of their songs. In their 2010 single release titled “Days Elapsed”, front-man Risky made alliance with Frau for piano and vocals. They both run under a mutual label, Yes No Wave.
by Farah Azahar
Photo via RSTH
