In 2001, when Joseph Saryuf returned home to Jakarta after studying in Hamburg, Germany, he decided to become a full-time musician and starting to compose songs for his own music project. Not long after that, Joseph met Anindita, a fashion editor and freelance illustrator, and they formed a duo based on their similar taste in music and their love for analog sounds.
Established in 2003, Santamonica is the brainchild of duo Joseph Saryuf and Anindita. Described their sound as the musical version of a trip down to Alice In Wonderland adventures, it is an eclectic mixture of pop, bossanova, electronic, and classic waltz which drawing influences from Astrud Gilbeto, Antonio Jobim, My Bloody Valentine to classic Disney soundtracks.
Their music is distinguished by its multi-layered sound, Joseph's surreal guitar works and Anindita's unique voice and whimsical lyrics. These dynamic duo is also actively gracing various gigs and stages, gaining more followers with the bands unique sound and stage antics.
In September 2005, Santamonica released their first EP titled '189' to stamp their name in the local music scene and as a warm up prior to the release of the bands full-length album. The EP includes three songs, ”Please Say Yes”, “Sought and Found”, and “Serenade of Yellow Park” which drew strong influences from bossa nova greats such as Astrud Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Other than the release of '189' EP, they have played in many respectable gigs around Jakarta and Bandung, such as PL Fair, La Voila, and Indonesia's biggest music festival Soundrenaline. From their inceptions, they have gathered fans both locally and overseas, thanks to their unique sound, dynamic live performance and exposures from their Myspace site.
They also took part in two compilation albums, Pop Shower (2003, Quince Records Japan) and Todays Of Yesterday (2005, Bad Sectors Records). After two years of grueling process, Santamonica's full-length debut 'Curiouser and Curiouser' finally released in November 2007, under Sinjitos Records. In this album, Santamonica had shifted their musical direction from bossa nova to an eclectic mixture of electro-pop, modern jazz. They described their new sound as the musical version of a trip down to Alice in Wonderland, when listeners can expect a roller coaster of musical journey accompanied with the band's trademark whimsical lyrics. One month after the release, “Curiouser and Curiouser” received many positive reviews in local music magazines and websites, cited as one of “Best Album in 2007” from Trax Magazine (and Trax editors’ favorite albums in 2007), including a nomination as “Best Album in 2007” from Free! Magazine and a nomination at AMI Awards 2007 Indonesia as “Best Alternative Recordings 2006 -2007”. Rolling Stone Indonesia awarded Santamonica as “Best Breakthrough Artist in 2007” and “Curiouser and Curiouser” also received “Best Album for 2008”, and “The Best Album Packaging for 2008” from the same magazine.
After the release of the album, Santamonica played in several high-profile shows such of Electro Syncronizer with Telefon Tel Aviv, Java Jazz 2008, PL Fair 2008, and Beatfest 2008 with The Whitest Boy Alive and DJ Steve Aoki. Santamonica also headlined with Fugu in Melody of Life Festival 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Recently, Santamonica just got signed by JVC-Victor Japan. They will release “Curiouser and Curiouser” album in Japan in 2009.
For people who live outside of Indonesia and interested in getting our songs, now you can get them at iTunes
SANTAMONICA are Anindita & Joseph Saryuf
santamonicaband@yahoo.co.uk
Booking contact : Leo +62 8111907903
http://www.myspace.com/santamonica
