Those who’ve caught the latest edition of Philthy Radio (now streaming), my monthly radio show for Y-Not Radio, heard “Lapdog,” a brand-new track courtesy of Indonesian trio Grrrl Gang, whose sounds are exactly what their name suggests in the best possible way. The song is the final track of maxi-single Online 24/7, which dropped last month via Green Island Music, the follow up to debut LP, Spunky!, which was released in 2023 on Kill Rock Stars. However, the group – comprised of vocalist/guitarist Angee, guitarist Edo, and bassist Akbar – have actually been at it for a decade now, with their two-song debut single Stop This Madness dropping in 2017.
The three songs of Online 24/7 have Grrrl Gang exploring humanity in an age dominated by digital spaces, including narratives of femicide, a casual brand of Stockholm Syndrome, and newly accessible forms of rebellion. The band are currently preparing to take their brashest release yet on a U.S. headlining tour that they’ve dubbed “Clocking In at the End of the World,” which includes a March 18th stop at Silk City, which, during a recent chat, they tell me they’re very excited about. They also tell me about the energy and creativity of Indonesia’s indie music scene, their dreams of America, and the evolution of Grrrl Gang.
Izzy: You recently released Online 24/7, your commentary on being trapped in the digital world and the follow-up to Spunky! How do you feel like this collection compares to previous releases, in terms of writing and recording and just what it might signify about your current state as a band? You’ve been releasing music for about a decade now.
Akbar: It definitely feels like a different chapter for us. With Online 24/7, we’re exploring more in terms of production and songwriting. The themes are more serious and reflective compared to what we’ve done before. We’re talking about things that feel heavier and more immediate to our lives right now. As a band, we’re also in a different situation — we’re constantly balancing our day jobs with being in Grrrl Gang. That tension naturally seeps into the music. This maxi-single feels like a new form of Grrrl Gang. It’s still us, but it’s evolved. And it’s just the beginning of what’s coming next — there’s definitely more in the future.
Edo: It’s also special because Online 24/7 is self-produced. The last time Grrrl Gang self-produced a release was our EP Not Sad Not Fulfilled, so returning to this DIY approach feels like a full-circle moment for us. This release not only showcases our evolution in sound but also highlights our development in collaboration. We allowed ourselves the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. The result is a collection that is both intentional and natural.
Izzy: I totally love “Lapdog,” which I played on the February edition of Philthy Radio, my show for Y-Not Radio. You’ve said, “[the] song is about the choices we make every day, when we click ‘agree’ to something that actually hurts us.” How did that track first come about?
Angee: Thank you! The track came from a place of anger and dissatisfaction towards the dog-eat-dog world that we live in. It seems that by choosing to take certain actions at the expense of other people, you could go far in life, for example garnering/hoarding more wealth and having a higher social standing. I used that anger in a sort of humorous, but dark, way through the scene that I set and the vocal delivery in the song–it’s as if “the system” itself is seducing you to become a lapdog and then taunts you in the end.
Izzy: You made a bunch of super cool videos for Spunky! tracks with Bathroom Girls, Dhiwangkara Seta, and Risabella Miranda. Any chance of some music videos for your latest tracks in the relatively near future? Are music videos something you enjoy making?
Akbar: We honestly love making music videos. For us, it strengthens the narration of the music. Sometimes we see videos as another form of our art that needs just as much thought and intention as the songs themselves. It’s not just promotional material — it’s an extension of the world we’re building. So yes, probably there will be new videos in the future. We just want to make sure that when we do them, they’re carefully thought out and meaningful.
Izzy: I have to admit, I know little to nothing about what’s going on with indie music in Indonesia at the moment, so I’m curious what it’s like for bands like you over there right now? Is there a relatively big or supportive scene where you’re based?
Akbar: We were born and raised in the scene here. It’s very supportive, and every city has its own movement and character. There are shows almost every weekend, and new bands pop up constantly. It feels alive and very community-driven. People really show up for each other. I’d say the kids are alright — actually, they’re even better than alright. There’s a lot of energy and creativity happening right now.
Izzy: This is a huge question but, as we were saying, Grrrl Gang has been doing this for about a decade now… What have been some of the personal highlights of the band for you?
Akbar: One of the biggest highlights has been seeing how we’ve developed as a band. We really grew from being kind of bad at playing to becoming much tighter and more confident musicians. Watching Edo grow as a producer and Angee grow as a songwriter has been incredible. On top of that, we’ve managed to travel around the world to play music, all while juggling our daily jobs. The fact that we’ve been able to sustain this for a decade, grow positively together, and process everything as a band — that feels magnificent. That’s something we’re really proud of.
Angee: 100% agree on what Akbar said. Watching all of us grow individually and collectively has been a really great privilege to witness. Traveling to so many cities and countries has also been the best highlight–especially when we get to spend a day as if it’s an anime filler episode during these tours. Another one I can think of is being on the cover of NME in 2023. I literally went down to my knees and started sobbing with so much joy, because I never thought that it was possible for us.
Edo: A significant highlight has been meeting fans who express how our music has been a source of comfort during challenging periods — such as coping with heartbreak, facing burnout, or navigating uncertainty. These interactions remind us why we started making music in the first place.
Izzy: Next month you kick off the “Clocking In at the End of the World” U.S. tour. Are there any cities you’re especially excited to play, or even just things you’re especially excited to see or check out while you’re in America?
Angee: I’m really looking forward to going to San Francisco, and it’s been a longtime dream of mine ever since I watched Princess Diaries. I’m also excited to go to as many bookstores as I can!
Akbar: New York City! It’s been our longtime dream to play there. We’ve imagined it for years, so finally getting to do it feels surreal. There’s so much music history there, and we’re just excited to experience the energy of the city firsthand.
Izzy: What can be expected of the Grrrl Gang live show?
Akbar: We’re truly a live band. If you really want to understand Grrrl Gang, you have to watch us perform. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, it’s raw — and at the same time, it’s cunty and full of attitude. We give everything on stage. The energy is the main thing. We want people to feel something physical when they watch us, not just hear the songs.
Izzy: Do you have particular types of venues that you most enjoy playing these days, or that you think best fit your style of performing? I really love Silk City, which is the barroom of a diner that was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (I’m not sure if you know that that is…) like 20 years ago. It’s also where Neutral Milk Hotel used to play in the ‘90s.
Akbar: We’re so excited to play Silk City. To us, it feels like one of the most “American” things we could possibly do. Our image of America mostly comes from movies, the internet, books — and diners 😀 So playing in a diner bar just feels iconic. We’ve also heard the food is really, really good, which makes it even better. We can’t wait to experience that whole vibe.
Angee: After a decade of performing at different venues and festivals of different sizes and capacities, I think we would always prefer playing in small venues, because it’s a lot easier to have a back-and-forth conversation with the audience, which makes it way more intimate, compared to festivals or bigger venues.
Izzy: What are some of your biggest collective musical influences, or just musical loves? I definitely get the sense that you’re big fans of a lot of what was going on in the early-mid ‘90s, but I could be wrong…
Angee: Yes, we’re heavily influenced by ‘90s bands and musicians. I also love The Beatles, ‘60s girl groups like The Ronettes and Martha & The Vandellas. Doo-wop chords or lyricism were quite prominent in our earlier works.
Akbar: You’re totally right about the early-to-mid ‘90s influence. Me and Angee bonded early on over talking about The Stone Roses. Around the time of Spunky!, we were really digging into bands like The Breeders, Hole, Bratmobile, Dinosaur Jr., etc., etc… That era definitely shaped us. The fuzz, the attitude, the melodies. Those bands have that balance of sweetness and grit that we love.
Izzy: Finally, what’s next for you after these U.S. dates wrap? How are you hoping and planning to spend 2026?
Akbar: After the U.S. dates, we’re hoping to slow down a little bit and recharge — maybe spend some time chilling in Bali or Bangkok, just to reset creatively and mentally. But we don’t plan to stop. We’re looking at continuing to tour around Asia and Southeast Asia, building stronger connections in the region. 2026 will probably be about balancing rest and expansion — writing new material, playing more shows, and continuing to grow into this new version of Grrrl Gang.
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