Bossanova from Bandung

Felix Dass | Sun, 07/04/2010 2:39 PM | Entertainment

It took five years for them to finally release their own album. But, everything happens for a
reason, right?

The Bandung-based band Hollywood Nobody, of course, is not known in Hollywood. In the
local music scene, however, the outfit is a band to watch. The story began when it won an
award in the first music festival for independent bands organized by a high-profile cigarette
company. The prizes were appealing – a serious amount of cash and chance to tour.

Despite the band members’ achievement, they have missed something – a chance to record a
full album. Five years was long enough for them to wait. Their debut album, Everything
Happens for a Reason is finally hit the shelves, a proof that their music is something worth
checking out.

“Well, it’s a dream come true for us. We’re so proud that we can finally leave our mark in the
music industry, though it took us five years to make this album. In many ways, this is just the
start,” said Dian Safitri Irawan, the band’s frontwoman who is also songwriter of the band.

Are you a stranger to this Nobody? Expect some bossanovas blanketed by the warm twee pop
sound. This is a rare combination in Indonesia.“We mix these elements under one roof. But
actually we don’t completely know the idea behind bossanova itself,” jokes Dian.

Founded in Bandung, West Java, members of the band were in fact born and grew up in
Makassar, South Sulawesi. They started their journey as music fans. The obsession grew
wilder and even beyond their imagination when the band formed. “We just wanted to be on
stage. But when we realize the dream, we start to have the obsession of having our own
album,” Dian says.

Dian says she has gone through a lot in life, and that she has put in songs. “I only can write
when anger, sadness and emotion bear down on me. Stories in the songs are actually my
story. We’d be happy if our songs can help people walk bravely through hard times. Well,
misery loves company, right.”

Everything Happens for a Reason is released under FFWD Records. Hollywood Nobody said
that the album is for the first time the label work with non-Bandung performers.

You can follow the band at twitter.com/hollynobody and see them while they’re around.