MALAYSIA'S latest husband-and-wife team has a unique name: Satwo, which combines the Malay word for one (satu) and two.
Comprising Kuantan-born Rafiz Mohamed Zakaria, 43, and Tuan Mazlinna Tuan Abdul Malek or Maz, 30, Satwo is easily recognised by their all-black outfits and black straw hats.
SEVEN YEARS
Rafiz and Maz both sing, write and compose their own music, and have been a band for seven years now.
Satwo has come up with three singles, namely Untok Kita which was released last August , Gelap which followed in January and Betapa Indah on Feb 27.
Betapa Indah was launched simultaneously with their debut album Di Persembunyian at Muzium Negara, and the nine-track album was produced by Luncai Emas with the support of the Malaysian Museums Department and Music Museum of Muzium Negara.
HAUNTING ROCK
Rafiz, who is the lead vocalist and guitarist, said: "Satwo's music is haunting and melodious folk rock, and for our first album we got an old friend Ilham Mohd Nasir of Pitahati as our producer."
Maz, who plays the keyboard, said: "We have known Ilham for seven years, and his fellow Pitahati members, bassist Masri and guitarists Hidayat and Zahar, and drummer Aidil Azali of Iqbal M have teamed up with us on this album."
Rafiz said Di Persembunyian was completed in four years, even though most of its songs were penned by Satwo within two weeks.
"Our second single, Gelap, has an interesting music video directed by Ameer Syafiq. It is surreal and was filmed in Cameron Highlands and Taman Melawati in Hulu Klang, Selangor late last year."
Maz said: "Gelap may talk about darkness, but it actually means breaking free from one's past and moving towards something better."
UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
Rafiz described Di Persembunyian as an "eccentric" album with love as its theme.
"Our songs are hidden love messages and all of them form an unexpected journey," he said.
Maz described Di Persembunyian as a "rollercoaster" of emotions.
"Each song has its own mood and nuance. Some are pretty upbeat while others are rather gloomy."
SURREAL VIDEOS
Ilham, whose father is acclaimed singer, songwriter and composer Datuk M. Nasir, described Satwo as a unique team with an original identity.
"Rafiz and Maz have been hailed by music lovers for their harmonious duets and surreal music videos.
"They are perfectionists who pour their hearts and souls out into every song they compose and write," he said, adding that Di Persembunyian was his first full album.
Ilham described Di Persembunyian as a beautiful album worthy of being called his first "baby".
"Listening to their powerful, haunting and harmonious vocals is simply out of this world. I am confident Satwo will have a positive impact on the local music scene."
HOTEL BANDS
Rafiz and Maz have been married for a decade and have always loved music.
"We started off playing in hotel bands around Kuantan. This is where we got to know each other, and bonded because of our love of The Beatles, especially John Lennon," said Rafiz.
Maz said: "We are self-taught musicians, Rafiz in the guitar and myself in the piano. We have also been writing and composing music since our school days."
Rafiz added that he and Maz came from families that were musically-inclined, and ending up together was a match made in heaven.
"We have been soul mates and best friends for the longest time," he said.
OBSERVATIONS
Rafiz writes based on observations around them.
"My lyrics are both straightforward and cryptic, depending on the situation," he said.
He added that Maz was good at writing in English, while he excels in Malay music.
While Lennon and Yoko Ono are their favourite husband-and-wife team, they also admire Tan Sri P. Ramlee and Puan Sri Saloma.
VOCAL HARMONY
Luncai Emas managing director Datuk M. Nasir said that Ilham persuaded him to work with Satwo.
"Their work ethic, original sound and creativity have impressed me. Their vocal harmony is great, likewise their deep and meaningful lyrics."
The other songs in Di Persembunyian are Langit Jingga, Sayap Aku Mahu, Akhirnya, Serahan Jiwa, Cahaya Malam and Sungai Peristiwa.
The album's launch was attended by National Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, Museums Department director-general Datuk Kamarul Bahrin Kasim and Music Museum director Maisarah Marman.