Who? Vocalist Aprilia Apsari and boyfriend/guitarist Yusmario Farabi met while teaching at the Art Institute of Cikini in Jakarta, Indonesia and formed a Burt Bacharach/'70s film soundtrack-inspired pop trio White Shoes & the Couples Company with colleague Saleh (guitar) in 2002. Three more employees from the college -- Ricky Sury Virgana (bass/cello), Aprimela Prawidyanti Virgana (piano/viola), and John Navid (percussion) -- joined on in 2004 and the band's self-titled album followed in 2005. It hits America this week via Chicago-based indie imprint, Minty Fresh.

What's the Deal? The band's American label home makes sense, given Minty Fresh's pure pop pedigree and a roster that's included similarly minded retro pop bands like the Cardigans and Tahiti 80. White Shoes' take on the form is a refined, spicier one, with Apsari's vocals trilling in English and her home tongue and classical music instruments and phrasings (the eight-minute "Nothing to Fear") standing out alongside groovy, bouncy nuggets like "Top Star" and "Brother John." That blend has landed the band on nearly a half-dozen film soundtracks in its home country.

Fun Fact: White Shoes & the Couples Company really do live up to their name; Aprilia dates Yusmario while Aprimela and Ricky are married. 

Now Hear This:
White Shoes & the Couples Company - "Tentang Cita" WINDOWS MEDIA | QUICKTIME | REAL

On the Web:
White Shoes & the Couples Company at MySpace

Talk: Do White Shoes & the Couples Company speak your language?

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