Born and raised in Penang, Malaysia, NRTHBND is a pop punk band built on energy, honesty, friendship, and a genuine love for music. The four-piece consists of Paan on vocals and rhythm guitar, Ilms on lead guitar, Jaz on bass, and Jakey on drums.
Formed in 2023 as a side project, NRTHBND quickly grew into a full-fledged band, releasing their debut album, No Way but Up, in 2024 and touring across Malaysia. While rooted in pop punk, their sound draws from influences ranging from Blink-182 and Neck Deep to hardcore, shoegaze, alternative rock, R&B, and experimental music.
Their music explores real experiences, personal struggles, relationships, family, and loss, blending emotional storytelling with energetic performances. Now, with their latest double single, “too scared to go / a different color,” serving as the first glimpse of their upcoming second album, NRTHBND is ready for its next chapter.
In this City Stories interview, the band talks about their journey, creative process, friendships, Malaysia’s pop punk scene, and their dreams of bringing their music to audiences around the world.
There’s no way but up.
Please introduce yourselves to our readers and tell us how NRTHBND was formed.
NRTHBND consists of Paan on vocals and rhythm guitar, Ilms on lead guitar, Jaz on bass, and Jakey on drums.
The band officially came together in 2023 as a side project, as most of us were already playing in different bands at the time. It all started when I (Paan) reached out to Jaz with the idea of starting a pop punk band. He immediately loved the idea and brought Jakey into the mix. We started hanging out, writing demos, and seeing where the music would take us.
A few months later, we released our debut single, “Sit Down,” which received an amazing response from the local pop punk community. We followed it up with “Impartially Unstable,” and that song quickly became a fan favorite. Even today, it’s still one of the songs people sing the loudest at our shows.
As more people discovered the band and kept asking for new music, we spent the next several months writing and recording what eventually became our debut album, No Way but Up, which featured eleven tracks. We released it in 2024 alongside a free album launch show before hitting the road to tour across Malaysia.
Around that time, we played a show in Kuala Lumpur where Ilms, who was actually one of Paan’s college friends, came to watch us perform. He connected with the music and our live energy, so we invited him to jam with us. The chemistry was immediate, and we realized having a lead guitarist would take our live performances to another level. From that day on, Ilms officially became part of the band, completing the lineup we have today.
What is the meaning behind the name NRTHBND, and why did you choose it?
The honest answer? We just thought it sounded cool. 🤣🤣🤣
Originally, we wanted to call ourselves Northbound, but we soon discovered there were already several bands using that name across streaming platforms and social media. We decided to shorten it to NRTHBND, which gave us a more unique identity. Funny enough, people still sometimes read it as “North Band,” but we’re okay with that as long as they’re listening to the music.
The name also represents where we come from. Every member of the band was born and raised in Penang, in the northern region of Malaysia, so it felt natural to carry that identity with us.
There’s a deeper meaning behind it too. Before NRTHBND, I noticed that many great bands from Penang and the northern scene weren’t receiving the recognition they deserved simply because so much attention was focused on Kuala Lumpur. We wanted NRTHBND to represent not just ourselves, but the entire northern music community. Hopefully, our journey encourages more people to discover the incredible talent that exists outside the capital.
How would you describe your music to someone discovering your band for the first time?
Our music is built on energy and honesty.
If you’ve never heard NRTHBND before, expect songs that make you want to jump, mosh, sing at the top of your lungs, and forget about everything else for a while. Pop punk is an outlet to express emotions we couldn’t always put into words, and that’s exactly what we hope our music does for other people.
Lyrically, we write about real experiences such as relationships, family, personal struggles, growing up, and everything in between. We want every song to feel genuine because the best music is the kind that makes someone say, “I’ve felt exactly like this before.” If our songs can become part of someone’s life story, then we’ve achieved what we set out to do.
Who are your biggest musical influences, both as a band and as individual members?
We’re often compared to Neck Deep, which is a huge compliment because they’ve definitely been one of the bands that inspired us. But our influences go far beyond pop punk, and that’s what gives NRTHBND its own identity.
For me (Paan), Blink-182 has always been one of my biggest songwriting influences. Their ability to balance catchy melodies with emotional storytelling has shaped the way I approach writing. Jaz comes from a much heavier background, listening to hardcore, shoegaze, and aggressive alternative music. Jakey has a really diverse taste, ranging from John Mayer and R&B to metal, while Ilms grew up listening to bands like Muse, The Strokes, and other alternative and experimental artists.
Because everyone’s influences are so different, each member naturally brings something unique into the songwriting process. That’s why our music doesn’t sound like traditional pop punk; it blends elements from multiple genres while still staying true to pop punk.
How would you describe the chemistry between the members, both on and off stage?
Honestly, we’re closer than we’ve ever been.
When I first started this band, I wasn’t just looking for talented musicians; I wanted to build something with people I’d genuinely consider family. That’s exactly what NRTHBND has become. We probably spend just as much time hanging out over coffee, going on random adventures, or talking about life as we do rehearsing. Those moments away from the practice room are what make the connection stronger when we’re on stage together.
Of course, nobody plays a perfect show every night. Sometimes one of us misses a note or makes a mistake, but instead of getting frustrated, we laugh about it and keep going. At the end of the day, we’re just four friends playing music we love. Playing shows has never felt like work. It feels like a family gathering where we get to share our songs with people who have become part of that family too.
What is your songwriting process like? Does everyone contribute to creating your music?
Most songs begin with me bringing a rough demo to the band. It could be a vocal melody, a lyric idea, a guitar riff, or sometimes almost an entire song structure.
From there, everyone starts adding their own ideas. Jaz develops the basslines, Jakey builds the drum arrangements, and Ilms creates the lead guitar melodies and textures. Once everyone has contributed their parts, we continue refining the songs together until they feel complete.
No one’s role is limited to just one instrument either. If Jakey hears a vocal melody that could be stronger, he’ll suggest changes. If Ilms has an idea for a bassline, he’ll mention it. Sometimes I’ll ask Jakey to approach the drums differently, or Jaz might suggest changing a guitar section altogether. There’s never any ego involved. The goal isn’t for one person to have the best idea, but for the song to become the best version of itself. We trust each other’s creativity, and that’s one of the biggest reasons our songwriting works so well.
What inspires your lyrics and the stories you tell through your songs?
Most songs begin with me bringing a rough demo to the band. It could be a vocal melody, a lyric idea, a guitar riff, or sometimes almost an entire song structure.
From there, everyone starts adding their own ideas. Jaz develops the basslines, Jakey builds the drum arrangements, and Ilms creates the lead guitar melodies and textures. Once everyone has contributed their parts, we continue refining the songs together until they feel complete.
No one’s role is limited to just one instrument either. If Jakey hears a vocal melody that could be stronger, he’ll suggest changes. If Ilms has an idea for a bassline, he’ll mention it. Sometimes I’ll ask Jakey to approach the drums differently, or Jaz might suggest changing a guitar section altogether. There’s never any ego involved. The goal isn’t for one person to have the best idea, but for the song to become the best version of itself. We trust each other’s creativity, and that’s one of the biggest reasons our songwriting works so well.
Is there a song you’ve released that best represents who NRTHBND is? What makes it special?
If we had to choose just one, it would probably be “Impartially Unstable.”
It’s been one of our most requested songs since the day it came out and has naturally become our go-to opening song whenever we play live. Every time we perform it, the crowd immediately responds, which makes it even more special to us.
Musically, it captures the energetic, melodic side of NRTHBND that people have come to know. Lyrically, it’s a breakup song, but not in the typical sense. We wanted to approach the subject from a different perspective and tell the story in a way that felt fresh instead of predictable.
Looking back, it’s the song that introduced a lot of people to who we are, and it still represents the band’s identity really well..
What message or emotions do you hope listeners take away after hearing your music?
The biggest compliment we’ve ever received is when someone tells us, “Your song helped me through something.”
We’ve had people come up to us after shows or message us online saying they connected with a lyric, related to a story, or simply found comfort in our music during a difficult time. Hearing that means more than any streaming number ever could.
We’ve also met listeners who tell us they miss hearing this kind of music, which is pop punk. At the end of the day, we just hope people enjoy our music as much as we enjoyed creating it. If even one song helps someone feel a little less alone, then we’ve done our job.
What has been your most memorable live performance so far, and why?
We’ve been fortunate enough to organize our own album launch show and perform at festivals, but one show stands above the rest.
We played at Petai Belalang in Kuala Lumpur, a venue that’s become something of a home for Malaysia’s pop punk community. It was built by members of Pasca Sini, a band we look up to and consider our big brothers in the scene.
That night felt different. Friends, supporters, and people we’d never met before were screaming every word back at us. There was this incredible sense of community where everyone was there for the same reason: to celebrate music together.
As musicians, those are the moments you dream about.
How do you prepare for a live show, and what can audiences expect from a NRTHBND performance?
We try not to overcomplicate things.
Usually, we’ll have a rehearsal beforehand just to shake off the rust, tighten up the set, and make sure everyone’s feeling comfortable. Once we’re on stage, though, it’s all about enjoying the moment.
One thing people might notice is that some of our songs sound different live than they do on the record. That’s completely intentional.
We never wanted our live performances to feel like someone simply pressed play on Spotify. We enjoy changing arrangements, extending sections, adding new guitar parts, or even giving songs a completely different energy on stage.
Jakey always says, “If we’re just going to play everything exactly like the record, we might as well let the speakers do it.” We couldn’t agree more.
People come to a show for an experience, and we want every performance to feel unique.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an independent band, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges has definitely been exposure.
Pop punk has always occupied a strange space in Malaysia. To mainstream audiences, it’s often considered too heavy. At the same time, some underground listeners think it’s too melodic or too pop. It sometimes feels like we’re caught between two worlds.
Instead of seeing that as a disadvantage, we decided to embrace it.
Our music blends the catchy melodies and emotional songwriting of pop music with the energy and aggression of punk and hardcore. Across our songs, you’ll find songs that are softer and more accessible alongside tracks that are much heavier.
We never wanted to make music for just one type of listener. If someone comes from a pop background, there’s something they’ll connect with. If they’re into heavier music, there’s something there for them too.
As an independent band, you learn that there’s no shortcut. Everything from writing songs and recording to booking tours and promoting releases takes time, patience, and a lot of belief in what you’re doing.
Fortunately, we’ve been surrounded by an incredible community that continues to support us, and that’s what keeps us moving forward.
How has your sound evolved since the band first started?
We’ve never wanted to limit ourselves to what people expect the genre to sound like.
As we’ve grown as musicians and songwriters, our influences have expanded too. Lately, we’ve been experimenting with more modern production, electronic textures, hyperpop elements, and bigger, more dynamic arrangements, all while keeping ourselves rooted in pop punk.
Our latest double single, “too scared to go / a different color,” is the best representation of where we’re headed. Those songs serve as the bridge between our debut album and what’s coming next.
We don’t want every record to sound the same. We want every release to reflect where we are creatively at that point in our lives. Our goal is to keep pushing ourselves while still making music that feels like NRTHBND.
Are there any artists or bands you would love to collaborate with in the future?
There are so many.
Locally, we’d love to work with Noh Salleh. He’s one of Malaysia’s best songwriters, and we’d love to hear how his style would blend with pop punk. We’d also love to collaborate with Yuna and explore how her melodic pop influence could create something completely unexpected with our sound.
Beyond that, we’re open to collaborating with artists from almost any genre, actually. Hardcore, shoegaze, hip-hop, indie, pop—we genuinely enjoy seeing different musical worlds collide. Some of our favorite songs come from artists who weren’t afraid to experiment, and we’d love to do the same.
Internationally, collaborating with members of Blink-182, Neck Deep, or The Story So Far would be a dream come true. Those bands played a huge role in shaping our sound.
From a production standpoint, we’d also love the opportunity to work with people like Andrew Wade, Sam Pura, Jon Markson, Rick Rubin, or Benny Blanco. They’ve each created incredible records in their own way, and we’d love to learn from their creative process.
How do you stay creative and motivated, especially during difficult times?
Music has always been our biggest source of inspiration, but it’s not the only one.
We spend a lot of time together outside the band listening to music, going on road trips, and simply talking about life. Those conversations often become the starting point for new songs.
Sometimes someone shares a personal story, and it sparks an idea. Other times, we’ll discover a new artist or hear a production technique that inspires us to try something different. Inspiration can come from anywhere.
Outside of music, what hobbies or interests help shape your creativity?
We’re honestly pretty simple people.
We love being outdoors, whether exploring somewhere new, going on spontaneous road trips, or finding a good café to sit down, drink coffee, and talk for hours.
Some of our best ideas have come from those moments when we’re not even trying to write music. We’ll end up discussing life, relationships, family, or whatever’s been on our minds, and before we know it, someone has the idea for a new song.
More than anything, we just enjoy spending time together. That’s probably the biggest reason the band feels the way it does. We genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and that friendship influences everything we create.
How do you connect with your fans, and what does their support mean to you?
We’ve never liked the idea of creating a wall between the band and the people who listen to our music.
Whenever we play shows, you’ll usually find us hanging around before or after our set, talking to people, taking photos, or just catching up. A lot of us follow each other on social media too, so it’s nice being able to see what everyone’s up to outside of gigs.
To be honest, calling them “fans” has always felt a little cringey.
We prefer to think of them as friends; as our bros and sisters. Without them, there wouldn’t be a NRTHBND. They’re the reason we’re able to keep making music, release records, tour, and continue chasing this dream.
Their support means more to us than they’ll probably ever realize.
What goals do you hope to achieve with NRTHBND over the next few years?
Touring has always been our biggest dream.
We’ve been lucky enough to travel around Malaysia with our music, and now we’d love to take that even further. Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Europe, and hopefully one day the US—those are places we’d love to play and connect with new audiences.
Beyond touring, we simply want to keep creating music that excites us. We never want to make songs just because they’re expected. Every release should challenge us creatively while still feeling honest to who we are.
If people continue connecting with what we create, we’ll keep pushing forward.
Are there any upcoming releases, performances, or projects that fans should look forward to?
We recently released our double single, “too scared to go / a different color,” which serves as the first glimpse into our upcoming second album.
Right now, we’re in the middle of recording and putting the finishing touches on the remaining songs, and we’re incredibly excited about where the record is heading. We genuinely believe it’s a huge step forward for the band.
At the same time, we’re also preparing for another run of shows across Malaysia, with plans to perform internationally as soon as the opportunity comes.
There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to share everything with everyone. to share everything with everyone.
Finally, do you have a message for your international fans and the readers of City Stories?
First of all, thank you so much to everyone who’s taken the time to discover our music, whether you’ve been listening since the beginning or you’ve only just found us through this interview.
Knowing that our songs have reached people beyond our hometown means everything to us. We hope our music brings you the same comfort, excitement, and sense of belonging that it has given us over the years.
We’re currently working hard on our second album, but in the meantime, we hope you’ll check out our previous releases, share them with your friends, and become part of this journey with us.
To everyone reading this, we truly hope we’ll get the chance to meet you in person someday, wherever you are in the world.
A huge thank you to City Stories for having us and giving us the opportunity to share our story.
Until then, remember…
There’s No Way but Up.
We’ll see you soon.
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