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XLive is happening in Genting Highland’s Outdoor Themepark tomorrow. Are you guys geared up, yet?

The Meteorology Department of Malaysia forecasted tomorrow’s weather to be just fine - fair weather expected from morning till night, with a minimum of 17 to max of 24 degree celcius. So while it is ok to be dressed in tees, bring your hoodies or a light jacket.

Drive up early as previous experiences has proved that it is impossible to get parking after 7pm and some had taken up to 3 hours to enter the highlands. Car pool is advised, better yet, take the express shuttles available.

With that out of the way…

Missy Elliott and crew has arrived in KL!!! Yoji is only arriving tomorrow.. But many more are expected to arrive today.

We are really thrilled we got to talk to Maliq & D’Essentials before tomorrow’s festival. The nu jazz and soul pop band from Jakarta will be sharing the stage with Missy Elliott, so please show your support and be at the festival grounds by 7pm.

Maliq & D’Essentials got their break at the Jakarta Jazz Festival back in 2005. Currently comprising of seven members - Angga (vocals), Indah (vocals), Widi (beat), Amar (horn), Ifa (keyboard), Javafinger (bass), Lale (strings) - the group has caused quite a stir with their soulful nu jazz with a funk edge rhythm.

If you don’t know who they are, listen to their songs on their MySpace and get acquainted with them right now, here on STRPPN FRIDAYZ, our weekly exclusive interview segment.

HS: Firstly, is Maliq a person’s name? What does it stand for?
Maliq: MALIQ stands for “Music And Live Instrument Quality”

HS: For the festival goers in Malaysia who may not be familiar with your music, can you introduce your band and share with us a little history on how it started?
Maliq: We were established in 15th May, 2002. Part of the team members of Maliq were schoolmates and brothers (Widi & Angga).

HS: Will it be your first time performing here?
Maliq: No, this is the second time we’re playing in Malaysia..

HS: That’s cool.. What’s your favourite place here?
Maliq: Sevenatenine.. cool place ;)

HS: Who are your biggest musical influences currently?
Maliq: Currently we are listening to tunes from Herbert and Tiger City.

HS: Are you excited to be sharing the stage with Missy Elliott? Do you enjoy hip hop?
Maliq: Of course! And hip hop is also one of our influences.. you can hear it in our second album, in the tune called “Funk Flow”.

HS: Tell us about your second album. Is it out yet? What’s the story behind it?
Maliq: Yes it’s out already and it’s called “Free Your Mind” but currently we only sell it in Indonesia.. We made the album in our studio so we had more time to explore how the album would be. We also added a few new influences, such as funk electronics and hip hop.

HS: Who writes the lyrics mostly?
Maliq: Widi and Angga.

HS: Do you ever get writer’s block? What’s your best remedy for it?
Widi: Yeah, I often get it, and usually I’ll just overcome it by taking time out to go for a vacation, or just listen to some new influences.

HS: What’s the coolest concert you’ve ever performed at, and what was so memorable about it?
Maliq: It has to be the first Java Jazz Festival. It was the first international event that we had ever played and it became our tipping point to become known in our country.
HS: Do you guys have other passions or hobbies besides music?
Maliq: Yeah well, like Ifa, currently he’s on a post-graduate program pursuing his masters degree. And Amar is an employee in an automotive company. And currently we are establishing our record label, called “Organics Label” and the first group we’re working on are called “The 21st Night”, which we expect to release around the second half of 2008.

HS: Name one song that will keep you sane if you were stranded on an island with a bunch of loud and conceited strangers..
Maliq: Redemption song from the legendary Bob Marley :)

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Massive thanks to Maliq & D’Essentials for their time in answering our questions.

STRPPN FRIDAYZ is a weekly feature on Halfway Street with artists of sorts (fashion, music, arts, etc). If you would like your favourite band or artist to be interviewed on STRPPN FRIDAYZ, just hitme@halfwaystreet.com

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