The beginning of “Di Hotel Mallibu,” the title track of Thee Marloes’ latest project, begins with soft drums before sinking into the warmth of some guitar. The song hints at a vintage soul aesthetic, but as the drums pick up, we hear soft, breathy vocals sung in Bahasa (Indonesian).
Their latest album, Di Hotel Malibu, is a harbinger of their sound—a worldly mix of vintage soul, funk, jazz and pop with Southeast Asian touches. These citizens of the world are currently touring in support of their second project and will be stopping by San Jose this Sunday as part of the Levitt Pavilion’s diverse summer concert series.
From Surabaya, Indonesia, Thee Marloes weave an eclectic, international sound that feels both familiar and new. Natassya Sianturi’s vocals and keys, Sinatrya “Raka” Dharaka’s weighty guitar and production work, and Tommy Satwick’s steady drums make for a sound they’ve committed to calling “Soulrabaya”—an organic blend of their influences with touches of Indonesian elements, sung in English and Bahasa.
Sianturi recalls their beginning, which was bolstered by the pandemic: “We were all spending a lot of time at home, so we suddenly had the space to work on music,” she recalls. “Raka already had some song drafts, and we started arranging and developing them together. It all happened pretty naturally. We were just enjoying the process of making music and seeing where the songs could go.”
Their chemistry was pronounced on “Perak,” a 2024 debut steeped in warmth and references to American artists, both past and present, as well as titans of Indonesian music. Sinatrya “Raka” Dharaka traces the band’s roots: “For ‘Perak,’ we were heavily inspired by records we discovered through Soul Jazz Records and Numero Group compilations. Indonesian artists like Chrisye, Black Brothers and Chaseiro were also a big influence on us, alongside producers such as Adrian Younge and Madlib.”
Their new album Di Hotel Malibu, has pangs of the debut but is more polished than its predecessor. And while it has tangible connections to other musical forms, the band chose to look inward. A careful self-awareness that shines on their latest.
“With Di Hotel Malibu, though, we weren’t really thinking much about references,” Raka says of their growth. “Instead of looking outward, we tried to focus on whatever was happening in our heads and lives at that moment. We simply followed our instincts and let the songs take shape naturally.”
Surely the chemistry has tightened, considering this was their second project with Leon Michels, Grammy-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for producing Norah Jones’ 2024 album, Visions.
Sianturi still marvels at the leap from DIY pandemic sessions to global stages under Michels’ Big Crown’s banner. “The most surprising thing has been seeing people connect with our music even when they don’t understand Indonesian. Watching audiences sing along, dance or feel something through the songs despite the language barrier has been really special,” she said warmly, adding, “Working with Leon has been great. He’s someone who genuinely loves music and understands how to bring out the best in artists while still letting them sound like themselves.”
Two years of touring and shared miles have deepened their bond. Raka spoke on the band’s quick ascent and progression: “The biggest difference is that we’ve experienced a lot in the two years since our debut album. We’ve toured, met new people, played in different places and grown both individually and as a band. Many of the songs on Di Hotel Malibu came out of those experiences. In many ways, this album feels like a snapshot of where we are right now; not only as musicians, but also as friends who have grown together throughout this journey.”
Satwick reflects on the band’s current moment and how they’ve captured the zeitgeist of international soul fans and beyond. “Bringing Surabaya Soul to American audiences is both an honor and something we’re very proud of. Surabaya has shaped who we are today. Not just musically, but also in the way we see the world and connect with other people. We’re excited to share songs from Di Hotel Malibu and introduce a little piece of where we come from. We hope every song carries some of the warmth, spirit and energy of our city wherever the music travels.”
** Thee Marloes will play in St. James Park on June 14th (alongside Thee Heart Tones) as part of Levitt Pavilion’s Free Concert Summer Series.
