So to calm my raging soul, I've brought another band from back in my days of struggles and boggles. They are 10cm.
10cm, is an indie band from Korea, comprising of two guys, Kwon Jung Yeol on main vocal and percussion and Yoon Cheol Jong on vocal, guitar, and when the need arises, tambourine. The name of the band derives from the fact that they have a 10cm height difference between them.
Officially they debuted in 2010, but in fact they were around for a bit longer, in the time when they were aspiring musicians from the wild jungle of the Korean underground music scene. I remember when they were just a couple guys with guitar and djembe in hands, shooting videos on the streets of their songs. There are quite a few of them. This was the first one I ever saw. It's called, Tonight I'm afraid of the dark.
Also, this other one is the famed Americano.
Although they did record studio versions after their major label debut, I love this version much better. It's full of that raw spirit one can only call, music. It's unprocessed, uncut, and most of all, fresh. Well it's been a long time since then, and 10cm's presence has now pervaded the Korean music industry, along with various television programs as well. Now I'm not going to gripe about 10cm getting some credibility and spreading its name out. However, artists do have that tendency most of the time, to lose sight of their original frame of mind when recognition and popularity suddenly swamp them. Luckily, it seems that 10cm is going strong with their musical heart beating steadfast and strong. Check this song out, Love Starts at a Milky Way Cafe.
And this one, I'm Dying.
It's not that he's actually dying. It's an expression for saying that one's being driven crazily annoyed by something.
Anyways, overall, I really like these guys. In the short time between their major debut and present time, they've truly become something out of the ordinary. Not only have they spread their sweet chocolate mousse of musical goodness like wildfire, but they have generated tremendous interest in the indie music scene, making 10cm the oasis of musical ingenuity in the great desert of big money music industry that has been dominated by k-pop, which in most of the time, is equally arid of any sort of finesse or creativity.
Their sounds, their lyrics contain that musical innocence, shaped by adventurism and innovation that used to be the gold standard during the early 90s and the 80s. The vocal's voice, unspoiled by any modern studio trickery, raw and heartfelt, adds to the young spirited brilliance of pure artistry.
I love listening to these guys, and moreover, covering these guys, because when I strum their melody, I feel that it's different, that it's unique. When that rare chord, often not found in today's Korean music industry, rings through my hand, my ears, my body, I feel joy. I feel comfort, because I become aware of what sort of gem I've found for myself, that it's truly one of a kind.
I'll leave some more for your own perusal, but keep an eye on these guys. They are bound to make history, and their songs, will be remembered for many years after.
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