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20-year-old Malaysian band Estranged still rocks on

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Founded in 2001, the local alternative rock outfit is steadfast in bringing joy to underprivileged Sabahans.

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Free Malaysia Today
Sabahan alternative rock band Estranged’s current line-up consists of Din Hormatov (far left), Rich Gimbang (centre) and Nor Hanafi Nor Hadi (right). (Cecilia Cletus @ FMT Lifestyle)

KUALA LUMPUR:
When local alternative rock band Estranged first formed in 2001, they were embracing their passion for music.

Little did they know that they would be a force for good down the road.

The Sabahan band’s current line-up consists of Rich Gimbang, Nor Hanafi Nor Hadi and Din Hormatov, all three of whom are East Malaysians.

Given the trying time for most bands in the country, Covid-19 lockdowns have made concert tours and live performances an impossibility.

Despite this, the band has not been idling, and has instead used its voice to aid humanitarian projects back in Sabah.

Through charity concerts and proceeds from merchandise sales, Estranged has helped improve the lives of people all around Sabah.

This desire to help the less fortunate has manifested in the establishment of youth programmes and children’s aid.

In fact, villages deep in the interior now enjoy electricity at night, courtesy of Estranged’s work in bringing hydroelectric power water pipes.

Even internet access, which was once little more than a fantastical dream, has become a reality for the people of Kampung Barambang, thanks to Estranged.

With so much on its plate, it was by pure chance that FMT managed to meet the band while it was visiting Kuala Lumpur recently.

As chief songwriter, Rich explained that inspiration for Estranged’s songs comes from all sorts of places, especially when he’s simply sitting in chaotic mamak restaurants or a peaceful kampung.

In particular, folk singers crooning away in quiet kampungs serve as a major source of inspiration for the band as of late.

“Nowadays, Rich is in the season for ideas,” said Din. “He will mostly start songs off before showing them to us and we will then chip in with our own ideas.”

Free Malaysia Today
The band has largely busied itself lately with CSR projects improving the lives of people living deep in the interior of Sabah. (Cecilia Cletus @ FMT Lifestyle)

The band recently released its latest English single, Endless Dreams, which makes extensive use of Indian musical instruments in its melody.

In previous songs, Estranged has featured traditional musical instruments from Borneo, including the sapeh and the gong.

Explaining the use of these instruments, Din said, “We realised that we are blessed to have a lot of cultures and history in our region, so why not make full use of it?”

The release of Endless Dreams is much welcomed, seeing as their last English single came in 2013’s album Anugerah Hidup. Since then, fans have been incessantly asking for more.

The band capitalised on their spare time during the pandemic to complete recording and released Endless Dreams earlier this year.

With another album launching at the end of June, called Sepenuhnya Vol 2., Estranged is hopeful for promising days ahead.

“Hopefully, this year will be a good year,” said Din before he revealed how the band hopes to have a bus tour in the northern states of West Malaysia soon.

Estranged is also looking to shore up its CSR endeavours by creating awareness and gathering donations from loyal fans.

In all of this, Estranged’s twenty-year history is admirable and the secret to their longevity is communication.

Din suggested, “A band should be able to talk like they are one big family.”

Hanafi concurred, emphasising that communication and trust matter most, and said, “We have to make sure that we share the same goals, and that we can trust each other.”

As to what it takes to get to where they are, Din was pragmatic on the matter, saying that it is important to have a long-term plan, as the life of a musician in Malaysia is far from as easy.

“But if you are in love with what you’re doing, keep at it and follow your heart. You will get there.”

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