DIYANA ALAN RIDES MEMORY LANE WITH WHITE SHOES AND THE COUPLES COMPANY

Jakarta’s art students have given birth to many talents. Among them, the sextet inspired by Indonesia’s nostalgic tunes from the 1930s to 1970s, White Shoes and the Couples Company.

The old school popmeisters include Sari (vocals), Rio (acoustic guitar), Saleh (electric guitar), Ricky (bass, cello), Mela (piano, keyboard, viola) and John (drums, percussion, vibraphone). Influences range from jazz legend Jack Lesmana, Hawaiian collective Tropical Sound Group, and Indonesian composer and musician Ismail Marzuki, whose song ‘Sabda Alam’ is often covered live.

Formed in 2002, the band was named after a school trend for wearing white footwear on campus, plus the fact there’s two married couples in the group.

White Shoes released its debut self-titled album in 2005, later re-released internationally under Chicago indie label, Minty Fresh. Their 2007 mini album, A Scene of Young Times was ranked number 84 in Rolling Stone magazine’s ‘Best 150 Indonesian Albums of all Time’.

The ensemble has turned heads with its ironically ‘fresh-dated’ persona, with clothing recalling 1950s American suburbia, and catchy, toe-tapping tunes. While the band seems headed for more retro gold with their third album, due mid-2009, Rio says the band’s motto remains pelan tapi pasti (slow but sure).

“We just want to make music we like. We hold on to the principle of living a moderate life – and working with all our heart.”