At the age of 18, Brisbane-based artist Chakra Efendi had already attracted considerable interest on his SoundCloud page for his series of self-produced homegrown demos. These demos clearly indicated a talent for low-fi, enigmatic and deeply personal songs as well as a bright future ahead for Efendi. ‘Waste of Space’ represents his first official release and it perfectly captures Efendi’s laid back and cool demeanour along with an unpretentious, unadorned melodic tune and expressive lyrics.
Efendi explains “I wrote ‘Waste of Space’ during a part of my life that I was experiencing dissociation for the first time. I was completely oblivious and uneducated as to what it was that I was feeling…a very confusing time where my world was a constant blur of artificial people and scenarios that seemed as if they had been written as the plot for a bad sitcom.”
It’s a fantastic song that captures the yearning and broodiness of youth and has shades of Sonic Youth and The Lemonheads in its intensity and honesty. You can stream or download the song here.
You can catch Efendi in Brisbane supporting another Backseat Mafia favourite, Flowertruck, and with a reputation for an entettaining live set from Efendi, this will be one to see:
SAT 14 APR | THE FOUNDRY, BRISBANE
Flowertruck Mostly Sunny Album Launch
w/ Sleepclub
Efendi will be playing with his band consisting of Marli Smales (bass), Thomas Hobbs (guitar) and Fin Marx (drums). I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from him in the future.
Photograph: Thomas Hobbs.
