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.
Percakapan
The Upstairs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kemarau putuskanku sedikit terbuka
Di bahu jalan kita berbagi mi instan
Diterpa lampu jalan, ciamik nian
Percakapan kian mengikis malam
Tenggelam kita dalam wacana
Percakapan kian mengikis malam
Kita angkat tema tentang kesempatan
Tekanan orang-orang membuat geram
Juntai semua mimpi serta dirangkumkan
Atau masa depan yang kian menggelikan
Berandai hujan turun menerpa gelap
Kan kau lindungi aku di lengan kanan
Bayangkan ku yang ada di billboard jalan
Tentu kita telah lelap di selimut tebal
The lyrics of "Percakapan" by The Upstairs describe an intimate conversation between two people, where they share their thoughts and feelings about various topics. The first verse paints a beautiful picture of the setting, where the person addressed is described as wearing a beautiful red outfit, while the singer mentions that the heat is making them feel a bit exposed. The two of them are walking down the street, sharing some instant noodles, surrounded by the glow of streetlights.
As the conversation continues, the night deepens, and they become more immersed in their discussion. The chorus repeats the phrase "Percakapan kian mengikis malam," which translates to "the conversation slowly erodes the night." They discuss a range of topics, but the verse focuses on the pressure society puts on individuals and how that can lead to frustration and anger. They discuss the idea of collecting all their dreams and hoping for a better future, but the tone is somewhat cynical.
The final verse is a beautiful moment of gentleness and intimate desire. The singer imagines rain falling heavily as they walk together, protected by their companion's comforting touch. They playfully imagine themselves as billboards, and the conversation ends with the sense that they will soon be wrapped up in a thick blanket, asleep and warm.
Overall, "Percakapan" is a beautiful and intimate song about the power of conversation to unite and connect people, even in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Dikau berkostum merah sumpah menawan
You are wearing a stunning red outfit
Kemarau putuskanku sedikit terbuka
My broken drought is slightly open
Di bahu jalan kita berbagi mi instan
We share instant noodles on the side of the road
Diterpa lampu jalan, ciamik nian
We are hit by the streetlights, it's so cool
Percakapan kian mengikis malam
Our conversation is eroding the night
Tenggelam kita dalam wacana
We drown in conversation
Percakapan kian mengikis malam
Our conversation is eroding the night
Kita angkat tema tentang kesempatan
We raise the topic of opportunity
Tekanan orang-orang membuat geram
Pressure from others makes us angry
Juntai semua mimpi serta dirangkumkan
All of our dreams are combined and bundled together
Atau masa depan yang kian menggelikan
Or a future that is increasingly ridiculous
Berandai hujan turun menerpa gelap
Imagining rain falling in the dark
Kan kau lindungi aku di lengan kanan
You will protect me on your right arm
Bayangkan ku yang ada di billboard jalan
Imagine me on a street billboard
Tentu kita telah lelap di selimut tebal
Of course, we are already asleep under thick blankets
Contributed by Mackenzie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.