Malaysia’s independent music scene continues to flourish with artists who aren’t afraid to tell honest stories through their music, and Diskusi is one of the bands helping shape that growing landscape. With a passion for creating meaningful songs and connecting with listeners through authentic expression, the band has been steadily building its identity while leaving a lasting impression on fans.
As they prepare for the release of their upcoming single, Diskusi enters an exciting new chapter in their musical journey. In this exclusive City Stories interview, the band opens up about their beginnings, creative process, musical influences, the experiences that have shaped their sound, and what listeners can expect from their newest release.
Join us as we get to know the people behind the music and discover the story of Diskusi—one conversation at a time.
To begin, could you introduce yourselves to our readers and share the story behind how Diskusi was formed?
Diskusi is an experimental band based in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia, officially formed in early 2023.
Drawing inspiration from alternative rock, noise rock, and shoegaze, the band crafts a distinctive sound that blends atmospheric textures, raw energy, and immersive sonic landscapes.
Through a spirit of experimentation and artistic exploration, Diskusi aims to create music that resonates emotionally while pushing beyond conventional genre boundaries.
Why did you choose the name “Diskusi,” and what does it represent for the band?
The name Diskusi was born from the way we work as a band. We’re the kind of people who make decisions at the very last minute.
Every rehearsal is filled with discussions, debates, and constant experimentation. We rarely stick to a fixed plan. Instead, we let every song evolve naturally through jamming sessions until it feels right.
That spontaneous process became part of our identity. Because of the endless discussions and last-minute decisions that shaped our music, the name Diskusi came to life.
How would you describe your musical style to someone listening to your music for the first time? Diskusi is an experimental band that blends multiple genres, including alternative rock, noise rock, and shoegaze.
Rather than limiting ourselves to a single sound, we create music based on what genuinely inspires us. Every song is driven by our own taste, curiosity, and creative freedom.
For us, making music isn’t about following trends or fitting into one genre—it’s about expressing ourselves and finding satisfaction in every piece we create.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both from Malaysia and internationally?
As a Malaysian band, our biggest local influences come from Sweetass, Hujan, Butterfingers, and Seru—bands that have shaped the way we approach songwriting and sound.
Internationally, our strongest influence is Deftones. Their ability to blend heaviness, atmosphere, and emotion continues to inspire our music, while we strive to develop a sound that reflects our own identity.
What is your songwriting process like? Does each member contribute differently during the creative process?
Most of our songwriting happens spontaneously. We don’t usually start with a detailed plan.
Instead, each member brings ideas naturally during our jam sessions, and we build the songs together from there. Many of our arrangements are created in the moment. We experiment, react to each other’s ideas, and let the music evolve organically until it feels complete.
That spontaneous process has become a defining part of how Diskusi creates music.
Looking back on your journey so far, what has been one of the most memorable moments as a band?
The memories we cherish the most are the moments we spend creating music together—the songwriting process, the endless discussions, and the exchange of ideas that shape every song.
Those moments define us as a band and strengthen our connection with one another.
As for live performances, we’re currently returning with a new lineup, so we’re excited for what’s ahead. We can’t wait to get back on stage, play as many shows as possible, and share this new chapter of Diskusi with everyone.
What challenges have you faced as an independent band in Malaysia, and how have those experiences shaped your growth? One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced as a local Malaysian band is simply staying together and staying strong.
Being part of the music scene isn’t always easy. There are different personalities, outside criticism, people who underestimate what we do, and many other obstacles along the way.
Instead of letting those things define us, we’ve chosen to ignore the negativity and keep moving forward. Our focus has always been on creating music that we genuinely love and believe in.
At the end of the day, staying true to ourselves is more important than trying to meet everyone else’s expectations.
Your music carries its own unique identity. How has your sound evolved since your earliest releases?
Our upcoming single is a reflection of who we are as individuals and as a band.
It represents our personal expressions, emotions, and creative freedom, allowing each member to contribute their own identity to the music.
More than anything, this release captures the sound we’ve always wanted to create—honest, experimental, and true to ourselves..
You have an upcoming song on the way. What can fans expect from this new release without giving too much away?
Our new single is unlike anything we’ve released before.
With our new lineup, we’ve embraced a different approach—one that’s more personal, honest, and true to who we are today. This time, we poured our own emotions, influences, and musical tastes into the songwriting without holding back.
It’s a fresh chapter for Diskusi, reflecting not only a new lineup but also a new creative direction while staying true to our identity.
What inspired the upcoming single, and what message or emotions do you hope listeners will take from it?
Looking ahead, the songs we write will explore themes that are deeply connected to real life.
We’ll be writing about life itself, hardship, friendship, the human mind, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. Our music will continue to reflect honest emotions and personal experiences.
We want every song to connect with people who have struggled, grown, and found the courage to keep living despite life’s challenges.
In what ways does this new song differ from your previous work?
Compared to our earlier releases, our music has grown in many ways.
We’ve become more aware, more intentional, and more mature in how we write and produce our songs. Every decision—from the songwriting and arrangements to the overall sound—is made with greater purpose.
We’ve learned from our past, evolved as musicians, and found a stronger sense of identity. This new chapter reflects not only our growth as a band, but also our growth as individuals.
Was there a particular moment during the recording or production of the upcoming track that stood out to you?
So far, we haven’t faced any major challenges during the recording process. Everything in the studio has been running smoothly.
Our progress can be a little slow at times because each of us has our own career and personal commitments outside the band. Even so, our passion has never faded.
We stay connected, constantly discuss new ideas outside the studio, and keep moving forward together. No matter how long the process takes, we’re committed to creating music that we’re truly proud of.
If you had to describe the new song in just three words, what would they be?
Three words: Evolved. Honest. Fearless.
This new release represents a different side of Diskusi. We’re not the same band we used to be.
With a new lineup and a new mindset, we’ve grown creatively and personally. Our latest music is more honest, more experimental, and a true reflection of who we are today.
What do you hope fans feel the first time they hear your upcoming release?
To everyone who has supported Diskusi, thank you for staying with us through the years.
We hope you’ll continue to stand behind us, just as you always have, as we begin this new chapter together. We also hope that when you listen to our new music, you’ll feel the emotions, honesty, and personal expression we’ve poured into every song.
Thank you for believing in us—we can’t wait to share what’s coming next.
How do you balance staying true to your artistic vision while continuing to experiment and grow as musicians?
One thing that has always kept Diskusi moving forward is the promises we make to each other.
We believe that words should carry meaning, so whenever we commit to something, we stand by it. Every goal we set and every dream we share becomes a promise between us.
We constantly remind one another why we started this journey, and that mutual commitment has become the foundation of our motivation.
No matter what challenges come our way, we keep pushing forward together, driven by trust, passion, and the belief that we’ll achieve what we’ve set out to do.
Are there any dream artists or bands you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
Our biggest dream is actually quite simple—to experience the satisfaction of standing on stage together, performing the songs we’ve created with our own hands.
That’s what truly means the most to us.
If we had one special dream, it would be to share the stage with the Malaysian bands that inspired us from the very beginning. Performing alongside the artists we grew up listening to would be a huge honour and a milestone we’d never forget.
What goals or milestones are you hoping to achieve over the next few years as Diskusi?
Looking ahead, our hope is simple.
We want everyone who listens to our music to remember Diskusi and to grow with us throughout our journey. We hope our songs become part of people’s lives—something they can return to in different moments, whether in happiness, hardship, or reflection.
As long as our music continues to connect with people, we’ll keep creating and moving forward together.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just beginning their journey?
To every musician out there, keep believing in yourself and never lose the passion to create.
Stay strong, stay committed, and keep making the music that truly represents who you are. You’ve already done something brave by taking the first step and sharing your art with the world.
Don’t let criticism or people who underestimate you stop you from moving forward. Keep creating, keep learning, and keep growing.
The most important thing is to stay true to yourself, because that’s where the best music comes from.
Is there anything else fans can look forward to after the release of your upcoming song, such as live performances, music videos, or future projects?
You can listen to Diskusi on all major digital streaming platforms.
We’ll continue to share every step of our journey—from new music and upcoming shows to everything happening behind the scenes. Follow us on social media to stay updated and be part of this new chapter.
Thank you for your support, and we’ll see you soon.
Finally, do you have a message for your supporters in Malaysia and to new listeners around the world who are discovering Diskusi through City Writer?
Hi, we’re Diskusi!
To everyone who has been with us since the beginning, thank you for standing by our side through every chapter of our journey. And to those who have only recently discovered us, welcome—and thank you for following our journey in the Malaysian local music scene.
Your support means more to us than you know. We truly appreciate every listen, every message, and every moment you’ve shared with us.
If you ever see us at a show or anywhere else, don’t be shy—come say hi! We’d love to meet you, have a chat, and thank you in person for being part of the Diskusi family.
Show Some Love to Diskusi!
Be sure to follow Diskusi on their social media to stay updated on their latest music, behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming performances, and the release of their brand-new single.
Your support helps independent artists continue creating the music they love. Give them a follow and join them on their journey!
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