AWARD-winning local alt-rock band Estranged has just released a brand new single, Tujuan, on its own Youtube channel, Bornaya Records.
With lyrics by band member Richael Gimbang (Rich), the new song is one about finding purpose even when you’re going through the lowest points of life.
“Many people are going through some really tough times. With the Covid-19 pandemic, people have lost their incomes, families have been separated from each other for many months and uncertainties and anxiety seem to be everywhere. Tujuan tells you that when you are on the brink of wanting to give up, just hold on for a little longer. It’s in these difficult, desperate times that you will somehow recognise your true potential and purpose,” the band’s vocalist says.
“I've heard so many stories of my friends and family going through depression, so I wanted to do something positive about it. I felt that people everywhere need some kind of encouragement and empowerment. We can all actually get through this.”
Guitarist Nor Hanafi Noor Hadi (Hanafi), who co-wrote the song with Rich, adds a more personal admission: “I want to help those in need, and if the song can inspire in any way I’ll be glad. Life will always have its ups and down and I’ve learnt to accept that. I have fallen down many times – back when I was a teenager, and more recently during my divorce – but I’m back up again. Now it’s just me and my son and though we don’t know what lies ahead, we have learnt to love and value ourselves so that we, in turn, can help others.”
How exactly did the song come about? In early 2019, Estranged had huge plans for a road tour across Sabah, Sarawak and Indonesia and had even purchased a tour bus for that purpose but almost overnight the pandemic came and killed that dream. The boys were devastated and lacked the motivation to move on at that stage. But then they found a new purpose when they saw the amount of suffering around them, and felt that their music had the capacity to spread kindness at this terrible time in history, and inspire those who were facing rock bottom.
Band members Rich, Hanafi and Din Hormatov decided that then that this was the moment for the band to fully commit as a social enterprise for causes in their home, Borneo.
This vision gave the band a jumpstart and on Aug 29+30, 2020, Estranged performed a double concert to raise funds for an Internet hub in Kampung Bomboi, Keningau. 20% of the proceeds from Tujuan merchandise (including T-shirts, CD, Pen Drive with a song, Umbrella, Scarf, guitar picks and many more) will go towards CSR projects in Borneo.
The band has also set up a community centre in Tambunan and plans to have the first 'Farmers Festival' in Sabah when movement is not restricted anymore and Covid-19 is under control next year. The Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan road tour has also been postponed, not shelved, and is slated to take place in 2023.
For now, however, they will be working on new songs; the target is one song a month, and focusing on how to improve the quality of everything they do.
Estranged has also committed to collaborating with other artists from Borneo, which is why you’ll notice Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Francisca Luhong James, who hails from Sarawak, in the Tujuan video.
Session musicians Jayasamry Jaissen Buntang and Othneil Luke Suinggi, from Sabah, as well as popular Sarawakian Sape artist Alena Murang are also featured on the song.
With its new mission and vision, Estranged is arguably the first Malaysian rock band to operate as a social enterprise, using its music to spread kindness to marginalised communities and be an advocate for change.
Even In the past, Estranged had already been making its presence this way by:
- collaborating with Lightup Borneo to bring micro hydrolight to villages
- building Internet hubs for schools in the region
- working actively to promote the sights and sounds of Sabah and Sarawak
For Estranged, the privilege of being able to do good with their music continues to uplift the band every day.
The band, which started out in 2001, has released four studio albums – 'In Hating Memory' (2004), 'Remain Unknown' (2008), 'Anugerah Hidup' (2013) and 'Sepenuhnya Vol. 1' (2016) – and over 25 singles.
Estranged has also picked up several accolades on its journey including ‘Best Song’ award at the prestigious 22nd Anugerah Juara Lagu, and ‘Most Popular Group’ and ‘Most Popular Song’ awards at Anugerah Planet Muzik in 2008. It also bagged the coveted ‘Best Album’ award at the 22nd Anugerah Industri Muzik in 2016 and the ‘Most Requested Karaoke Song’ award at K-20 Awards in 2017. – The Vibes, March 7, 2021
