1) The Upstairs - indo… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) The Upstairs - indonesian new-wave band
http://www.myspace.com/theupstairs1
https://twitter.com/#!/theupstairs3
http://www.facebook.com/theupstairs
2) The Upstairs - ukrainian pop-rock band
www.upstairs.com.ua
http://vkontakte.ru/club2051163
1) The lead singer and driving force behind The Upstairs Jimi Multhazam is a charismatic cat. Hes been captivating audiences with his on-stage theatrics and electric energy, mimicking 70s punk rock legend Iggy Pop as he prances around the stage wearing white sunglasses and extra-tight black & white striped pants sporting a Mick Jagger hairdo.
Seeing the band kitted out in their chinos, spangly shirts and, pop art prints and white sneakers, you could hardly miss their retro credentials. Says Jimi, when the group was formed back in October 2001 we were heavily influenced by overseas bands like A Flock of Seagulls, Joy Division, and Depeche Mode, but we like to complement the synthesizers with heavy guitar lines.
The Upstairs beginnings were DIY in the truest sense. They produced and distributed their first EP, Antahberantah, in 2002 by themselves and simply through word of mouth and audiencde reaction it, sold like hot cakes. Known for their free form style of lyricism, eschewing rhyming, the band members include Kubil Idris (guitar), Beni (drums), Alfi Chaniago (bass & keyboard), Elta (keyboard & synths) and Dian (backing vocals).
On Valentines Day in 2004 the band released their CD debut Matraman (also their second studio recording). At the launch party at the famous BBs Club Jakarta, 100 CDs sold out in just two hours. Their moment of glory finally came on the 19th September 2005 when they sealed a contract with Warner Music Indonesia and gave birth to their first major label album Energy with the lethal Disko Darurat (Emergency Disco) on its track list. Theres a certain symmetry to such a pioneering band supporting one of the men who made dance music what it is today.
2) The idea of creating a pop rock band belongs to Olga Chernova. Olga (vocals, guitar) wrote a couple of songs and became obsessed with a dream of arranging and playing them with like-minded musicians. Being determined and devoted to music she started searching for musicians in February 2007. By April Oleg Rudnev (rhythm and solo guitar), Vladimir Ponikarovskiy (drummer) and Kirill Prosandeyev (bass player) joined Olga.
Since June 2007 The Upstairs have played a dozen of concerts in Kharkiv clubs (Churchill’s music pub, Agata, Fort). A song with an ethnic touch “Heart dance” was performed along with a tribal-fussion dancer on the concert dedicated to the band’s birthday. In July 2008 they took part in Ukrainian music festival “Pyat ozyor” along with such outstanding Ukrainian bands as Lyuk and Chayka. They received a great review in a local newspaper “Noviy den”.
In August 2008 bass player Kirill was replaced by Ivan Selyodkin and drummer Vladimir was replaced by Andrey Panasyuk. After those replacements rhythm section became more professional.
The Upstairs are being told their music reminds people of Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos and The Cardigans, some songs remind of Avril Lavigne, others – of Portishead.
The Upstairs have just recorded an EP album named “Give it a Go” which includes 8 tracks. Since October 2008 songs “Sorry” and “Just looking back” have got into radio rotation of “Novaya Volna” and M fm (Kharkiv radio stations).
The Upstairs are planning a tour to present their first album in April-May 2009.
Matraman
The Upstairs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ku bersimpuh
Demi celurit mistar dan batu terbang pelajar
Ku ungkapkan
Atas nama orang-orang
Berdatangan ke utara
Kau kan ku jelang
Aku di matraman kau di kota kembang
Demi jembatan layang meluncur ke pramuka
Ku sandarkan
Demi polisi di kantornya di seberang
Pengetikan
Orang-orang mulai lengang
Perempuan malam berdatangan
Dan ku bertahan
Kembali ke Reff
The song "Matraman" by The Upstairs depicts the struggles of living in Jakarta, Indonesia. The first verse talks about the sidewalks and debris that are scattered around, which the singer kneels on. It then reflects on the violence and chaos that often happens in Jakarta, as the singer mentions a machete, ruler, and flying rocks. The chorus talks about offering a rose to someone who is in another part of the city, emphasizing the distance and disconnect between people in Jakarta.
The second verse mentions a bridge that leads to a place called Pramuka, where the singer seeks refuge. However, even there, they mention the police in the opposite office building and the influx of sex workers. The singer then perseveres and stays grounded, despite the turmoil around them. Overall, the song paints a vivid picture of the gritty reality of life in a bustling city like Jakarta.
Line by Line Meaning
Demi trotoar dan debu yang berterbangan
Amidst the dusty, bustling sidewalks
Ku bersimpuh
I kneel down in reverence
Demi celurit mistar dan batu terbang pelajar
With a sickle, ruler, flying rocks of students
Ku ungkapkan
I reveal
Atas nama orang-orang
In the name of the people
Berdatangan ke utara
Flocking towards the north
Kau kan ku jelang
I will welcome you
Kan ku persembahkan sekuntum mawar
I will offer you a single rose
Aku di matraman kau di kota kembang
I am in Matraman, you are in the Flower City
Demi jembatan layang meluncur ke pramuka
Over the flyover bridge sliding towards Pramuka
Ku sandarkan
I lean on
Demi polisi di kantornya di seberang
Amidst the police in their opposite office
Pengetikan
Typing away
Orang-orang mulai lengang
People start to leave
Perempuan malam berdatangan
Nighttime women arrive
Dan ku bertahan
And I persevere
Kembali ke Reff
Back to the chorus
Contributed by Thomas I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.