KUALA LUMPUR: After a two-year hiatus dedicated to strengthening their artistic foundation, Malaysian indie band Lokarya makes a confident return to the mainstream music landscape with the reintroduction of their single “Deruan”.
Originally recorded three years ago, the track now resurfaces at a moment where it can finally breathe, evolve, and fully represent the band’s matured identity.
Comprising five musicians, Shaheth Nair (vocals/guitar), Khairi Hamidi (guitar), Rafael Ahmad (bass), Taka (keys), and Amirul Zailan (drums), Lokarya has cultivated a distinctive sound that blends modern city pop with soulful undertones and stylish alternative elements.
Formed in 2019, Lokarya derives its name from “lokakarya”, a term that refers to collaborative sessions where ideas are exchanged, problems are discussed, and new solutions are shaped through shared creative processes.
Frontman Shaheth Nair reflects, “Lokarya is our creative laboratory. Every song begins as a conversation about life, relationships, confusion, or whatever lingers in our minds. Inside the studio, these thoughts are shaped collectively. The name reminds us that music is not born from one person but from the shared journey that binds us.”
For Lokarya, music is not merely a product; it is a process, a dialogue, and a reflection.
Lokarya describes their sound as a contemporary take on city pop, enriched with grooves, atmospheric textures and evocative lyricism. Their music merges the warmth of 1980s Japanese-inspired nostalgia with modern aesthetics and emotionally intimate storytelling.
Guitarist Khairi Hamidi elaborates, “We love music that feels like a city — full of lights, movement, and hidden quiet spaces in between. We want listeners to feel as though our songs are speaking directly to them.”
The song was recorded nearly three years ago, during a time when Lokarya was still finding its footing in the industry and unsure of how best to present its work. Now, after years of artistic evolution, the song returns as a clearer, more confident representation of who they have become.
Bassist Rafael Ahmad shares, “Deruan has always held a special place for us, but we knew the timing wasn’t right back then. Now, with a more defined identity, the song feels like it has finally found its home. It reflects the true DNA of Lokarya.”
Lokarya’s recent performance at RIUH x ASEAN proved to be a milestone moment. The warm reception and strong positive feedback became a catalyst for the band’s renewed momentum and visibility.
Keyboardist Taka reflects, “When so many people connected with our performance, it made us realise that Lokarya truly has a place in the mainstream landscape. It motivated us to perform more often, to be braver, and to return with more consistency.”
Lokarya is also now in the final stages of completing their highly anticipated debut album, a body of work that encapsulates their journey from 2019 to 2025.
The album features a notable collaboration with celebrated Malaysian musician Noh Salleh, who penned one of the key tracks. Drummer Amirul Zailan shares, “We grew up admiring Noh Salleh’s artistry. When he agreed to contribute to our album, it felt like a validation, a sign that we are
moving in the right direction.”
In a competitive industry, Lokarya is not interested in trends. Instead, they are committed to shaping a space that is distinctly theirs.
Frontman Shaheth Nair expresses the band’s long-term vision: “We want our music to outlast seasons. If one day, someone looks back on their life and our song becomes part of that memory, that alone means the world to us.”
With “Deruan” leading the way, Lokarya steps confidently into a new chapter, marked by a refined musical direction, a stronger visual presence, and the narrative journey they have built since their formation.
