Kuala Lumpur, 21 August 2015 – GUINNESS®, Malaysia’s favourite black brew, hosted the second show in its Amplify: Curates series this evening at Laundry Bar, The Curve. The show saw local indie pop trio Jumero launch their debut album, ‘Stepping Stones’, in the presence of more than 400 Malaysian music fans who packed out the venue to support their local scene.
Sharing the stage with Jumero on the evening were female electro-acoustic quartet Crinkle Cut and singer-songwriter Natallie Ng. First up was Natallie, who entranced the crowd with her distinctive dulcet tones set to upbeat indie-pop music. Introducing her to the crowd, Jumero frontman Jared explained why she was such an apt choice to join them at their album launch – Jumero’s first big break came when they came joint first in an open mic competition; the other winner was none other than Natallie.
Next up was all-female four-piece Crinkle Cut, who played a set featuring their unique acoustic/electronic interpretations of classic songs interspersed with their own original music. It was Crinkle Cut’s love of playing their original songs that first caught the attention of Jumero when they played at a festival together some years ago. Since then, the boys from Jumero have followed their progress and knew instantly that they wanted Crinkle Cut to support them at their album launch.
There was a current of anticipation in the air as the headline act prepared to take the stage. Having performed together as Jumero for a little under three years, brothers Jared and Michael Lim, along with neighbour and friend Ryan David Gomes, had spent almost two of those years working hard on the album that was to become ‘Stepping Stones’. It was no easy task for the boys, juggling their studies with gigging, recording, and writing new material. With launch day finally upon them, Jumero’s fans were excited by the prospect of hearing tracks from the new record performed for the very first time.
Jared, Michael, and Ryan stepped on stage to rapturous applause from their assembled fans, and played a set which delighted the crowd. Beginning with Blind Love, one of the tracks from the album, Jumero took the crowd through the new record in its entirety, and even threw in some previously-unheard new material for good measure. Fans raised their glasses in the air as they swayed along to the chilled beachpop sounds from the boys.
Jumero has a considerable history with GUINNESS® Amplify – the band was a featured act in the inaugural Amplify campaign in 2014 and also supported Sabahan songstress Froya with her own album launch at the first Amplify: Curates show earlier this year. When Jumero revealed that they would also be releasing their debut album this year, GUINNESS® was quick to offer its support.
“GUINNESS® Amplify is all about supporting our homegrown musicians,” said Julie Kuan, Brand Manager for GUINNESS®, “We’ve got a lot of incredibly hardworking, original, and talented artists here in Malaysia, and they deserve the chance to shine. Jumero are a great example of this – three guys who just want to make their own music and share it with the world. When we heard they were releasing their debut album, there was no question that we’d stand behind them and help out however we could.”
GUINNESS® Amplify: Music Made of More is GUINNESS®’ flagship music platform, featuring talented Malaysian and international musicians. Amplify: Curates is a series of satellite shows supporting local acts throughout the year.
For more information on GUINNESS® Amplify, log on to www.amplify.com.my. For more information on Jumero, check them out on Facebook and Instagram: Jumeromusic. Their new album, Stepping Stones, is available now, priced RM30.
