SMOL

SMOL stands for Salary Man/Office Lady which basically describes the band's alternate life style. By day lead singer Chaka is a salary man and bass player Olga is an office lady, by night they play emotional indie rock in the style of Kevin Shields. Drummer Changmao is the owner of the studio space APA and the adjoining music venue Lounge 808, which I guess places him in the salary man category as well.

(Olga (Photo: Eatbrain))

While the kids from Chasing Sparrow kept telling me that SMOL was worth seeing, I didn’t make it to any of their shows until early 2005. The first one I remember was a benefit concert for the December 26th Tsunami at The Wall and the second was a night of indie bands at Lounge 808 featuring Orange Grass, Green!Eyes and We Will Love Each Other Forever. I was happy to hear some indie that was slow and fuzzy, yet edgy at times and all held together by tight, intricate drumming.

(Changmao (Photo: Eatbrain))

I spoke with Chaka several times after their shows and I learned that he was actually Japanese. He met Olga when they were study abroad students at a university in Massachusetts and stayed in touch afterwards. In Taiwan in 2002, they formed SMOL with another Japanese salary man Saco. At the time Saco was lead vocals and guitar and Chaka played drums. After Saco left for Amsterdam, Chaka stepped up to sing, play guitar and write new songs and Changmao took to the sticks. They still keep in touch with Saco who occasionally helps them with new songs over the internet.

(Saco (Photo: Eatbrain))

Before I left Taiwan, I had the chance to get to know Chaka a little bit. I had to think twice when he told me I should stay in Taiwan and form a band, but in the end I had to leave.

In early 2005, SMOL had released their first L.P. Yawaraka Flou on Gamaa Records which is also distributed by 7 Inch Vinyl. Around this time, I also had the good fortune of seeing them reunite with Saco for a show at The Underworld. Their website is in English and has a good supply of mp3's, so I recommend checking it out.

SMOL - Yawaraka Flou,
now available at PACIFICTION RECORDS