73page

73 ‘our Goal is to make people happy, to make people dance, to relieve stress... the lyrics are very optimistic and positive.’ june bae ‘when people buy music, they buy it to listen to it in the car or on the subway. but when you come out, the way we’re tryinG to perForm is to say, “that’s ok, you can sit down, but why would you want to sit down?”’ ben akers The group maintains the balmy camaraderie shown on stage as we continue to discuss the cultivation of Pentason- ic’s sound and open creative process on their self-titled debut album. Their album, released in 2013, is a true representation of the band — professional, energetic and woven together with groove-inducing rhythms. “Actually, our goal is to make peo- ple happy, to make people dance, to relieve stress. That’s our goal. You can listen to our songs. The lyrics are very optimistic and positive,” explains June. While the album is well suited to enhance a bleary Monday morning commute, a digital substi- tute can’t do their live performances justice. Pentasonic’s strength lies in its presence, something Alex, Ben, Jiho and June are more than happy to hear. “That’s a huge compliment,” Ben comments. “When people buy mu- sic, they buy it to listen to it in the car or on the subway. But when you come out, the way we’re trying to perform is to say, ‘That’s okay, you can sit down, but why would you want to sit down?’” “The modus operandi is to shake asses,” Alex clarifies. The importance of giving memorable experiences in an era of digitally consumed music is not lost on these musicians. Since finishing their first album, they are looking forward to new venues and new ventures. Aside from the mainstays of the indie scene around Hongdae and Itaewon, Pentasonic also has its eyes set on Korean summer festivals like Jisan and Pentaport, but its ambition does not end there. “While it’s a long way away, the idea of playing international festivals, perhaps not main stage, is actually a livable dream,” Ben says. The optimism and honesty in their lyrics seems to encom- pass every facet of Pentasonic’s dynamics. Despite being a semi-foreign band in a notoriously homogenous culture, Pen- tasonic has managed to win over a Korean audience and ex- pand that support into regular performances and a radio show on KBS, which Ben hosts. Musically, their sound may not be what you expect to find yourself dancing to. Yet the sincerity formed from elements of funk, disco, blues, jazz and pop has an undeniable effect on even the most skeptical of audience members. The ability to elicit such a tangible response from a crowd when commercial pop, rap and electronic music dominate Seoul’s nightlife is telling of Pentasonic’s talent. “You can have the humdrum, stereotypical (act) everyone is following ... but if we take fans to a level of sincerity, they come back because you don’t get that often,” Alex says. MORE INfO j Website: fb.com/pentasonicband