HMGNC (a disemvoweling of their former name, Homogenic) is an Indonesian electronic and synth-pop band from Bandung, West Java. Named after Icelandic singer Björk’s 1997 album Homogenic,[1] the band was formed in 2002 and changed the original band name to its present name in 2015. Original members are Risa Saraswati (vocals; replaced by Amandia Syachridar in 2009), Dina Dellyana (keyboards, synth, programming) and Grahadea Kusuf (synth, programming).[2] HMGNC perform songs in both Indonesian and English and have produced four studio albums: Epic Symphony (2004), Echoes of the Universe (2006), Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom (2010), HMGNC (2017) and one EP: Let's Talk (2012).
HMGNC | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Homogenic (2002–2015) |
| Origin | Bandung, West Java, Indonesia |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2002-present |
| Labels | FFWD Records, UNKL347, Papermoon Records, demajors |
| Members | Dina Dellyana Grahadea Kusuf Amandia Syachridar |
| Past members | Risa Saraswati |
| Website | hmgnc.net (archived) |
| Logo | |
 | |
Career
editThe band formed in 2002 in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, with initial members consisting of Risa Saraswati on lead vocals, Dina Dellyana on keyboards, and Grahadea Kusuf on synth and programming. The band name was derived from Icelandic pop singer Björk's 1997 album of the same title. Although they admired Björk in high school, they avoided trying to resemble her music. Homogenic signed with Indonesian indie label FFWD Records and later released their debut album, Epic Symphony in March 2004. The album mixed trip hop and downbeat electronic music with angelic vocals during the rise of electronic dance music (EDM) scene in Indonesia. Two singles released from the album: "Kekal" and "Taste of Harmony".[3]
On April 2, 2006, the band released their second album, Echoes of the Universe, which marks the beginning of electronic and indie-pop influence in their musical style. "Utopia", "Untukmu, Duniaku" and "Unfolding Sympathy" were released as singles. Their songs were featured on the original soundtrack of the Indonesian indie film Cin(T)a, which was the first collaboration between the band and writer/director Sammaria Simanjuntak, which would continue to other projects and enable the band to perform in London, Birmingham, Newcastle and Manchester.[4] It went on to become their last album with Saraswati. In October 2009, Saraswati announced her resignation as the lead singer to pursue her solo career and formed her own band, Sarasvati.[5]
Homogenic released their third studio album, Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom, on April 17, 2010. This became the band's first studio album without Saraswati as well as their first album with new lead vocalist, Amandia Syachridar. The album also saw the band focus more on English songs rather than their native Indonesian. Two singles were released from this album: "Seringan Awan" and "Happy Without You".[6] Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom would be the last studio album Homogenic released under FFWD.
In 2012, the band signed a contract with UNKL347 and released their first EP, Let's Talk containing five tracks.[7] Homogenic reunited with Sammaria Simanjutak to produce the soundtrack for the film Demi Ucok for which they contributed its music score; "Get Up and Go" was the first single on the EP and was also featured on the Organic Records compilation Radio Killed the TV Star. It was followed by a second single, "Takkan Berhenti Disini", which gained rave responses from Indonesian junglist and drum bass scenes. Despite its Indonesian lyrics, the song swept three main awards at the Voice Independent Music Awards (VIMA) 2013, landing the Best Electronic Dance Song, Best Electro Dance Act and Thank You for Existing Awards.
In 2015, the band changed their original name from Homogenic to HMGNC by removing the letters O, E and I. They later signed with Papermoon Records and released two new singles, "Today and Forever", released in April 2015 and "Memories That Last a Dream", released in September 2015. HMGNC later released their third single, "This Too Shall Pass" featuring Agung, lead guitarist of Burgerkill. In October 2017, the band released their fourth studio album, which is self-titled and the first to adopt their present name since the band changes their original name two years earlier.[8] The album saw the band reunite with Saraswati.[9]
In September 2018, HMGNC headlined a tour in Japan from 6 to 14 September.[10][11] The band released their new single, "When Love Awaits" on 15 November 2019.[12]
Band members
edit- Risa Saraswati - vocals (2002–2009)
- Dina Dellyana - keyboards, vocoder, programming (2002–2021)
- Grahadea Kusuf - synth, programming (2002–2021)
- Amanda Syachridar - vocals (2009–2021)
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Epic Symphony |
|
Credited as Homogenic |
| Echoes of the Universe |
| |
| Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom |
| |
| HMGNC |
|
Credited as HMGNC |
EP
edit| Title | Album details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Let's Talk |
|
Credited as Homogenic Soundtrack album for Demi Ucok |
Singles
edit| Title | Featuring artist(s) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| "Today and Forever" | 2015 | |
| "Memories That Last a Dream" | ||
| "This Too Shall Pass" | Agung Burgerkill | 2016 |
| "When Love Awaits" | 2019 | |
| "You Are Not Alone" | 2020 | |
| "Lost in You" | Greybox |
Filmography
editTV commercials
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Djarum Coklat | with Che Cupumanik |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award(s) | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Voice Independent Music Awards 2013 | Best Electronic Dance Song | "Takkan Berhenti Di Sini" | Won | [13][14] |
| Best Electro Dance Act | Homogenic | Won | |||
| Thank You for Existing Awards | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Tentang Homogenic", Kapan Lagi, Retrieved in 2002.
- ^ Formasi baru Homogenic lahirkan album baru The Dadangs Melodics (August 15, 2010). Retrieved on October 7, 2018.
- ^ "Homogenic Review: Epic Symphony", Deathrockstar, Retrieved on 27 April 2004.
- ^ "Cin(T)a: The Beauty of Pluralism", Jakarta Post, Retrieved in 30 August 2009.
- ^ Risa Saraswati bukan vokalis Homogenic lagi Eka Berkicau (16 March 2010). Retrieved on October 4, 2017.
- ^ Tentang Let a Thousand Flower Bloom nya Homogenic Kompasiana (29 July 2010). Retrieved on October 4, 2017.
- ^ Full highlights for Homogenic, Let’s Talk EP launching event at Vanilla Bandung Neighbourlist (19 July 2012). Retrieved on October 4, 2017.
- ^ Tantra Ahmad (11 October 2017). HMGNC rilis album kelima self titled HMGNC Infobdg. Retrieved on October 4, 2018.
- ^ Dyah Paramitha Saraswati (6 November 2017). Rilis album kelima, HMGNC reuni dengan Risa Saraswati Hot Detik. Retrieved on November 12, 2017.
- ^ Andi Muttya Keteng Pangerang (5 September 2018) Kali Pertama, HMGNC akan Gelar Tur ke Jepang Kompas. Retrieved on 9 October 2018.
- ^ Madava Nanda (3 September 2018). HMGNC Gelar Tur Jepang Perdana di Bulan September 2018 Provoke Online. Retrieved on 9 October 2018.
- ^ Windy Eka Pramudya (22 November 2019). HMGNC Rilis Single When Love Awaits Pikiran Rakyat. Retrieved on 20 March 2020.
- ^ 2013 VIMA winners Hype Malaysia (February 28, 2013). Retrieved on February 17, 2014.
- ^ Fajar Adithyo (February 26, 2013). Homogenic berpesta di penghargaan ASEAN VIMA 2013 Kapanlagi.com. Retrieved on February 17, 2014.