I like to find new compilations by different labels. It is a good way to get to learn some new artists that you didn't knew about before, and that you may like after you got to listen to them. Here are 5 of my favourite compilations made by Asian indie labels:
1) guitar pop crazy! - by bluebadge label (Japan)
This is the 3rd compilation by bluebadge label. It includes 17 songs coming from Japan, but also one song by Hong Kong favourite The Pancakes (Dejay). On the cd you will get to hear lots of cute pop songs that will make everyone smile - at least that's what they did to me. When I first heard the samples on blubadge label's website, I wasn't in doubt that I just got to have this compilation. It includes many of my already favourite Japanese bands such as Spaghetti Vabune!, The Caraway, cyclon86, melting holidays, margarets hope*, sloppy joe and also choco wich is a solo project of singer chee of Spaghetti Vabune! Besides all theese bands, I also got to learn about other great artists. I especially enjoyed the song Hello by showcase (track 2), wich is a really rare song that I believe can only be found here. This is also the compilation wich I have named my blog after. Overall this is a really great cd that I will reccomend to everyone.
2) Grassland Music - by Silent Agreement (Taiwan)
I really like this compilation. It includes some of the finest indie pop bands of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Among the bands that are included in the cd are My Little Airport, The Marshmallow Kisses, Dolly's Pillbox, 1976 and Nylas. I was pleasent surprised to hear the song Funny Trip by 旋轉木妮 (track 2), wich was a really cute and fast pop song with a melody and sweet voice that is hard to forget once you've already listened to it. The song has a lot of power and you can't help, but move your feet to the good rythm. I also enjoyed 朋友之歌 by 雀斑 (track 4) very much. It is a slow song, but still with an esence of happaniness in it. For me it made me feel very relaxed and left me with a big smile on my face. I believe this is one of the best introductions to Taiwan and Hong Kong indie you can get.
3) Peachy little secrets - by Fruit Records (Singapore)
This is the first compilation from Fruit Records and includes 20 songs from 11 different places on earth - Austrailia, Brazil, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and USA. With so many different artist on one cd, it really shows that there can be made good pop music all around the world. Track 2 on the cd is a song made by one of the most well known artists in Indonesia called Mocca and is a combination with the Swedish pop duo Club 8, who comes from Labrador Records, one of Swedens finest pop labels. This song is also included in Mocca's second album Friends and the two voices of Arina and Karolina blends really good together. You will also get to hear lots of different languages in the cd, like the Spanish group La Casa Azul's song Prefiero Bailar or Brazilian Luisa Mandou Um Beijo's - Amarelinha. This is pop at it's best!
4)
SMALLROOM 002 : SONGS FROM THE AUDIENCE - by Smallroom (Thailand)
This is the second compilation from the leading Bangkok indie pop label. This cd includes all the best Thai artists with lots of sweet pop songs along with some electro pop, wich makes this wonderful combination. You will get to hear lots of great instruments and singing, nice melodies and overall 14 brilliant pop songs from some of Thailands finest pop bands. One of my personal favourite Thai bands are Penguin Villa, wich also has the track A song for us (track 8) included in this compilation. I can also reccomend you to hear the other compilations from Smallroom, wich all are good intruductions to the best music of Thailand!
5) Story Of Dogs - by Mnet Media (South Korea)
This is a compilation series that came in two - Story Of Dogs and Story Of Cats. Both albums includes some og Korea's best artists who is singing about theese two animals that most people love. It's hard to choose one of the cd's from the other, but I have just chosen this one although I would say that they are equaly good. The first thing that hit me when I saw that this album was going to come out, was that it included a song by one of my favourite Korean bands Linus' Blanket, who also has the wonderful singer Yeongene who last year released her first solo album wich was made with the guys from Glasgow band BMX Bandits. The song they made for this cd is called Don'T Call It Puppy Love, and includes some good lyrics and a wonderful pop melody as Linus' Blanket is also known for. Besides of Linus' Blanket this compilation also includes other great bands and artists such as Elena, Peppertones and Windy City who are known for their relaxing reggae style and the song 와다다(Wadada) 친구 (track 11) wich is including is this album is no exception.
In September 2007 White Shoes & The Couples Company's first album was relased in USA, Mexico, Canada, Australia and Japan on Minty Fresh Records. As far as I know White Shoes & The Couples Company are the first Indonesian group to be signed at the Amercian indie pop label. The group is well known to be one of the best indie pop bands of Indonesia, and was also mentioned in the world famous Rolling Stones magazine, as one of the top 25 best bands on MySpace. White Shoes & The Couples Company has also just released the new EP (in Indonesia only) named Skenario Masa Muda. It was also release in a very limited edition that was sold out in only two weeks. If you haven't already listened to this brilliant band it is about time you put your white shoes on and take a listen!
