Following a ten-year hiatus, Jakarta-based collective Strange Fruit has broken their silence with Drips EP, a nine-track release on Gentle Tuesday Recordings. Produced by Bernardus Fritz and the band, the EP is a cinematic collision of moods, blending shoegazing atmospheres with slow-tempo electronica. The record label boss, Benedict Pardede has a close attachment with The Beat being involved a couple of times at The Beat Rock Fest at Fez, Kemang in the early 10’s with both this band, Strange Fruit and his own outfit, Negative Lovers.
The EP features four originals that traverse a wide sonic spectrum—from the Krautrock-inspired acid house of “Pouvoi Moteur” and the shoegaze haze of the title track, to the chuggy groove of “Monopolar.” Complementing these are five remixes from heavyweights Jonathan Kusuma, Sean Johnston, and Tom Furse.
Artwork & photo by Mellow Splice
I asked Benedict, “There seems to be a lot of electronic music influence on these new tracks, is that a change in direction, what’s the influence?
“I think yeeep, there’s a bit of change in direction although it’s really natural since they love electronic music as well, Baldi Calvianca, the vocalist is also a DJ and MD for this bar called Slits, in Jakarta. And as for influences, Chapterhouse, MBV, Aphex Twin, Broadcast, Sabres of Paradise”
Formed in 2012, the five-piece band (Baldi Calvianca, Irza Aryadiaz, John Tampubolon, Nabil Favian, and Dino Kristianto) previously made waves with their 2015 debut Dolphin Leap. Drips EP marks a lush, hypnotic and more sophisticated chapter in their creative evolution.
The EP Drips will be released in March 2026. More info here.