Stars On The Horizon

Who is Estrella? If you’ve been following the local indie music scene and have been doing your gig rounds, their name will not be alien to you. Formed in 2006, this mellow band has come a long way since their beginnings in SS12, Subang Jaya.

Initially an acoustic band with just Liyana and Yob, Estrella has grown to accommodate three more members – Jeffrey Little on drums, Shamsul Idzwan on percussion and Ariff on bass, allowing the band to play in both acoustic and full-band formats. It’s a change that has allowed their music to sound fuller, according to Liyana.

Their self-titled debut was released in late December showcasing a seemingly effortless blend of pop, jazz, folk and bossa nova. If early buzz was any indicator of an album’s potential success, Estrella will do well just based on the amount of requests the band gets from people who want to buy the album.

But don’t take our word for it. Check out their two singles “Ternyata” and “Stay" on their MySpace. The former’s a favourite of Liyana’s. “It’s the first song we wrote and it has really evolved from being an acoustic track to a full band number. I love how the bossa bassline opens the song.” It’s music that’s just perfect for lazy, happy days. And if you were wondering, estrella means starlight in Spanish.

Text Sarah Chan Photo Laguna Music

Estrella’s album can be purchased at Tower Records, Rock Corner and Speedy Video. You can also get it online via www.myspace.com/estrellaband or www.estrella.laguna-records.com. It retails for RM29.90.

Published in Issue #112