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Insomniacks

{{Short description|Malaysian pop band}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| background = group_or_band

| name = Insomniacks

| image =

| image_size =

| landscape = yes

| caption = Insomniacks in 2018
From top to bottom: Gavin, Danial, Iskandar and Iqie

| alias =

| origin = Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

| genre = {{hlist|Pop rock|Punk rock|Pop}}

| years_active = 2015–present

| label = {{plainlist|

}}

| associated_acts = Distorted Material

| website =

| current_members = {{plainlist|

  • Syed Mir Iqbal (Iqie)
  • Wan Arif Iskandar (Iskandar)
  • Danial Lee Hashim (Danial)

}}

| past_members = Gavin Wong (Gavin)

}}

Insomniacks is a Malaysian pop band from Kuala Lumpur.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-02 |title=Watch Insomniacks' tale of love gone wrong in 'Sempurna' music video |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/watch-insomniacks-tale-of-love-gone-wrong-in-sempurna-music-video-3163542 |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=NME |language=en}} They rose to prominence with the release of their second single, "Pulang", in 2018, which charted on the Malaysian RIM streaming charts for 146 consecutive weeks, and a total of 185 weeks as of July 2022.{{Cite web |last=YUSUP |first=NOR ERYANI |date=2021-10-19 |title=Insomniacks lunaskan agenda tertangguh |url=https://www.kosmo.com.my/2021/10/19/insomniacks-lunaskan-agenda-tertangguh/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Kosmo Digital |language=ms-MY}}

The group have cited 5 Seconds of Summer, Fall Out Boy, Day6, Mayday Parade and Paramore as influences.{{Cite web |last=Ayol |first=Ayul |title=Insomniacks Papar kisah hidup remaja |url=https://mybuletinmalaysia.blogspot.com/2017/12/insomniacks-papar-kisah-hidup-remaja.html |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Buletin Malaysia|date=11 December 2017 }}{{Citation |title=#insominutes 001 - Intro to Insomniacks |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnFxRieCDAQ |language=en |access-date=2022-04-19}}

Career

= History and formation =

The band began as Dan's Band with Danial and Iqbal who were classmates at SMK St. John. Gavin joined as the drummer after being recommended to the duo by Iskandar (a schoolmate of Gavin's at Sekolah Sri KDU, and childhood friend of Iqbal's). Iskandar would later go on to join the band as their bassist.{{Citation |title=Kenapa Band Insomniacks tak nampak macam melayu? {{!}} MeleTOP {{!}} Nabil & Neelofa |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjlECKg7Kjk |language=en |access-date=2022-04-19}}

Insomniacks formed in 2015. In November of that year, the quartet would begin posting videos of themselves performing covers of popular songs on their YouTube channel.{{Citation |title=Animal - Neon Trees (Insomniacks Cover) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0NOsq-WwbI |language=en |access-date=2022-04-18}}

= 2017–2024: Debut and mainstream success with "Pulang" =

In 2017, they released their debut single, "Selalu", which was featured as part of the soundtrack of the Astro Ria drama, My Coffee Prince.

In 2018, the group released their second single, "Pulang". The group released the four-episode Pulang WEBisode webseries on their YouTube channel as part of their single promotions. "Pulang" achieved the record for most consecutive weeks on the RIM streaming charts.{{Cite web |last=Fatin Farhana Ariffin |date=2022-03-05 |title=Insomniacks tolak gimik takut tersungkur |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/hiburan/selebriti/2022/03/930424/insomniacks-tolak-gimik-takut-tersungkur |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Berita Harian}} "Pulang" has been on the RIM Malay singles chart for 185 weeks, as of July 2022.{{Cite web |title=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia - TOP 10 Most Streamed Malay Singles In Malaysia Week 14 (01/04/2022-07/04/2022). #rimchart #recordingindustryassociationofmalaysia #moststreamedmalaysinglesinmalaysia #rim #erafm {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/RecordingIndustryMalaysia/photos/a.809977782362927/5627481917279132/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}

In 2019, Iqbal co-founded the Klang Valley-based music collective, Distorted (alias Distorted Material), alongside Jessel Phuah (Sino), Ariff Jazmi, Helloluqman of Block J (Jonah), and Nik Qayrel Aiman (Eneyeqay) of the duo Niqie. Iqbal goes by the alias Balo as part of Distorted.{{Cite web |last=Ahmadi |first=Zim |date=2020-11-17 |title=Distorted's 'MEDUSA' will stop you in your tracks [NEW SINGLE] |url=https://www.awfultrackrecord.com/post/distorted-s-medusa-will-stop-you-in-your-tracks-new-single |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Awful Track Record |language=en}}

Insomniacks were the fifth most streamed Malaysian artist on Spotify, in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Aref Omar |date=2019-12-04 |title=#Showbiz: K-Clique beats Siti as Spotify's most streamed Malaysian artiste of the year |url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2019/12/544755/showbiz-k-clique-beats-siti-spotifys-most-streamed-malaysian-artiste |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=New Straits Times}}

In 2020, Insomniacks released their third single, "Kepala Batu" ahead of the release of their debut EP of the same name. "Kepala Batu" was composed in collaboration with prolific Malaysian singer-songwriter, Faizal Tahir. The lead single from the EP, "Reminisensi", was the first song Insomniacks wrote as a band.{{Cite web |last= |title=INSOMNIACKS |url=https://hitz.com.my/special/hitz-behind-the-music/I/INSOMNIACKS |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=hitz.com.my|date=4 March 2020 }}

After four years signed with Sony Music Malaysia, their contract expired in 2020. They consequently signed with Universal Music Malaysia in March 2021.{{Cite web |last=Sudirman Mohd Tahir |date=2021-09-21 |title=Peluang Berharga Insomniacks |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/rap/2021/09/757747/peluang-berharga-insomniacks |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Harian Metro}} On 14 February 2022, Insomniacks released, "Sempurna". The single peaked at number 1 on the RIM Malay singles streaming chart{{Cite web |title=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia - Top 10 Domestic Week 8 (18/02/2022- 24/02/2022) #rimchart #recordingindustryassociationofmalaysia #localmusicmalaysia #rim {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/RecordingIndustryMalaysia/photos/a.809977782362927/5510112499016075/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}} and number 5 on Billboard's Malaysia Songs chart.{{Cite magazine |last=Cusson |first=Michael |date=2022-02-15 |title=Malaysia Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/malaysia-songs-hotw/2022-03-19/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

Since March 2022, Gavin has not been participating in "Sempurna" promotions with the band. On 12 June 2022, it was announced in a statement on his and the band's social media that he would be taking an extended hiatus from the band and will not be part of any upcoming projects.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-12 |title=@InsomnicaksMY: band statement. |url=https://twitter.com/insomniacksmy/status/1535913488060936192 |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Twitter |language=en}}

The band released their first single as a trio, "Igauan Malam", on 4 November 2022.

In 2024, Insomniacks released their latest EP titled Teman, featuring eight tracks: Sayang/Cinta, Teman, Cerita Kita (a collaboration with Nabila Razali), Igauan Malam, Belum Mulai (featuring Nabila Taqiyyah), Temani Hati, Dimana, and Sempurna.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-20 |title=Insomniacks ingin ‘Teman’kan peminat masa kesepian|url=https://www.beritaharian.sg/gaya-hidup/insomniacks-ingin-temankan-peminat-masa-kesepian |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Google |language=en}}

= 2025–Present: English EP and First Major Achievements =

In 2025, Insomniacks released their first English-language EP titled Awake & Dreaming, which included five songs: Anti-Hero (Welcome To My Nightmare), Awake and Dreaming, Overdrive (featuring Killa Driz), Some Days Are Just Better, and Why Don’t U Cry?. The track Awake and Dreaming holds special significance as it was the very first song the band wrote together ten years earlier, during the formation of the group. The EP focuses on themes of mental health, an issue the band considers highly important in today’s society. {{Cite web |date=2025-04-19 |title=Insomniacks Lancar EP Bahasa Inggeris Pertama ‘Awake & Dreaming’|url=https://www.budiey.com/insomniacks-lancar-ep-bahasa-inggeris-pertama-bertajuk-awake-dreaming/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Google |language=en}}

In the same year, after a decade in the music industry, Insomniacks won their first major award at the Gempak Most Wanted Awards. Their collaboration with Nabila Taqiyyah, Belum Mulai, earned them the award for Best Music Video (Anugerah Muzik Video Tergempak). To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the band also announced their first-ever solo concert, scheduled to take place on 12 July 2025. {{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=GMWA2024: Pertama Kali Menang Anugerah, Insomniacks Nak Hantar Trofi Ke Indonesia - "Kami Sendiri Yang Akan ..."|url=https://gempak.com/berita-terkini/gmwa2024-pertama-kali-menang-anugerah-insomniacks-nak-hantar-trofi-ke-indonesia-kami-sendiri-yang-akan-96323 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Google |language=en}} {{Cite web |date=2025-02-25 |title=SAH Entertainment, Universal Music Malaysia Umum Senarai Konsert 2025! Bermula Dengan Ernie Zakrie, DOLLA & Insomniacks!|url=https://gempak.com/berita-terkini/sah-entertainment-universal-music-malaysia-umum-senarai-konsert-2025-bermula-dengan-ernie-zakrie-dolla-insomniacks-96293?amp=1|access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Google |language=en}}

Members

Adapted from Hitz:

= Active =

  • Iqie (Syed Mir Iqbal; born 3 June 1997 in Kuala Lumpur) – lead vocals, guitar
  • Iskandar (Wan Arif Iskandar; born 9 September 1997 in Westminster, London{{Citation |title=#Insominutes 004 - How Well Do You Know Your Band Members |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUL71WCXmNY |language=en |access-date=2022-04-19}}) – bass, vocals
  • Danial (Danial Lee Hashim; born 25 February 1997 in Kuala Lumpur) – rhythm guitar, vocals

= Former =

  • Gavin (Gavin Wong; born 27 December 1997 in Kuala Lumpur) – drums, cajon, guitar

Discography

= Extended plays =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

! rowspan="1" scope="col" |Title

! rowspan="1" scope="col" |EP details

! rowspan="1" scope="col" |Track list

scope="row" |Kepala Batu EP

| scope="row1" |

  • Released: 24 July 2020
  • Label: Sony Music Malaysia
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

| scope="row1" |

  1. "Here Again"
  2. "Reminisensi"
  3. "Langgar"
  4. "Kepala Batu"
  5. "Selalu"
scope="row" |Teman EP

| scope="row1" |

  • Released: 8 August 2024
  • Label: Universal Music Malaysia
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD

| scope="row1" |

  1. "Sayang/Cinta
  2. "Teman"
  3. "Cerita Kita"
  4. "Igauan Malam"
  5. "Belum Mulai"
  6. "Temani Hati"
  7. "Dimana"
  8. "Sempurna"
scope="row" |Awake & Dreaming EP

| scope="row1" |

  • Released: 31 January 2025
  • Label: Universal Music Malaysia
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

| scope="row1" |

  1. "Anti-Hero (Welcome To My Nightmare)”
  2. "Awake & Dreaming”
  3. "Overdrive"
  4. "Some Days Are Just Better"
  5. "Why Don’t U cry?"

= Singles =

== As lead artist ==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name

! rowspan="3" |Title

! rowspan="3" |Year

! colspan="2" |Peak chart positions

! rowspan="3" |Album

colspan="2" |MYS
scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | RIM
Peak chart positions on RIM's Top 10 most streamed Malay songs in Malaysia:

  • "Pulang": {{cite web |title=Top 10 Most Streamed Domestic Singles In Malaysia |url=http://www.rim.org.my/main/images/stories/RIM/Chart%202019/01_dm.pdf |work=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia |language=English |accessdate=10 January 2019}}
  • "Reminisensi": {{Cite web |date=2022-06-04 |title=Top 10 Most Streamed Malay Singles In Malaysia Week 21 (20/05/2022-26/05/2022) |url=https://www.facebook.com/RecordingIndustryMalaysia/photos/a.809977782362927/5770338249660164/ |access-date=2022-06-06 |work=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia}}
  • "Sempurna": {{cite web |date=2022-03-04 |title=Top 10 Most Streamed Domestic Singles In Malaysia Week 8 (18/02/2022- 24/02/2022) |url=https://www.facebook.com/RecordingIndustryMalaysia/photos/a.809977782362927/5510112499016075 |work=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia |accessdate=5 March 2022}}
  • "Igauan Malam": {{Cite web |date=2022-06-04 |title=Top 10 Most Streamed Malay Singles In Malaysia Week 45 (04/11/2022-10/11/2022) |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=558929672905486&set=a.493032326161888 |access-date=2022-12-12 |work=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia}}{{efn|name=rim|The Top 10 Domestic Singles chart was reconfigured into a Malay songs charts, starting the week ending 24 March 2022.}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | Song
Peak chart positions on Billboard{{'}}s Malaysia Songs:

  • "Sempurna": {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/malaysia-songs-hotw/2022-03-19/|title=Billboard Malaysia Songs – Week of March 19, 2022|magazine=Billboard|date=March 13–19, 2022|access-date=2022-05-27}}
  • "Reminisensi" {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/malaysia-songs-hotw/2024-10-19/|title=Billboard Malaysia Songs – Week of October 19, 2024|magazine=Billboard|date=March 13–19, 2022|access-date=2025-05-05}}{{efn|name=bbhotw|The Billboard{{'}}s Hits of the World charts launched and were first issued on the date February 19, 2022.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/billboard-hits-of-the-world-weekly-chart-announcement-1235031189/|title=Billboard Expands International Footprint With 'Hits of the World' Charts|magazine=Billboard|date=February 14, 2022|access-date=February 22, 2022}}}}
scope="row" |"Selalu"

|2017

|–

| rowspan="3" {{N/A}}

|Kepala Batu EP

scope="row" |"Pulang"

|2018

|1

|{{N/A|Non-album single}}

scope="row" |"Kepala Batu"

| rowspan="2" |2020

|–

| rowspan="2" |Kepala Batu EP

scope="row" |"Reminisensi"

| 3

| 3

scope="row" |"Pulang"
(Reimagined)

| rowspan="2" |2021

|–

|–

| rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album singles}}

scope="row" |"Reminisensi"
(Reimagined)

|–

|–{{efn|Original version of "Reminisensi" peaked at #3 on the Malaysia Songs Billboard Chart}}

scope="row" |"Sempurna"

| rowspan="2" |2022

|1

|5

| rowspan="2" | Teman EP

scope="row" |"Igauan Malam"

|6

|–

scope="row" |"Lagu Raya"

| rowspan="2" |2023

|

|

|{{N/A|Non-album single}}

scope="row" |"Cerita Kita"
(with Nabila Razali)

|

|

| rowspan="3" | Teman EP

scope="row" |"Teman"

| rowspan="3" |2024

|

|

scope="row" |"Belum Mulai"
(with Nabila Taqqiyah)

|

|

scope="row" |"Some Days Are Just Better"

|

|

| rowspan="2" |Awake & Dreaming EP

scope="row" |"overdrive"
(with Killa Driz)

|2025

|

|

colspan="5" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== As featured artist ==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" border="1" style="text-align:center;"

|+List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name

! scope="col"|Title

! scope="col"|Year

! scope="col"|Album

scope="row" |"Go There If You Miss Me"
(Night Skies & Visions feat. Iqie of Insomniacks)

| 2020

| {{N/a|Non-album single}}

= Music videos =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

!Title

!Year

!Director(s)

scope="row" |"Selalu"

|2017

|Thaqif Saadon{{N/a|Unknown}}

scope="row" |"Pulang"

|2018

|Thaqif Saadon

scope="row" |"Pulang" (Piano Version)

|2019

|{{N/a|Thaqif Saadon}}

scope="row" |"Kepala Batu"

| rowspan="2" |2020

|Thaqif Saadon

scope="row" |"Reminisensi"
Lyric video

|{{N/a|Unknown}}

scope="row" |"Sempurna"

| rowspan="2" |2022

|Thaqif Saadon

scope="row" |"Igauan Malam"

|Thaqif Saadon

scope="row" |"Lagu Raya"

| rowspan="2" |2023

|Suhana Osman

scope="row" |"Cerita Kita"

|Lily Samsuddin

scope="row" |"Teman"

| rowspan="4" |2024

|Dick Wai

scope="row" |"Belum Mulai"

|Idho Aruan

scope="row" |"Temani Hati"

|Idho Aruan

scope="row" |"Some Days Are Just Better"

|Jasmine Wong

scope="row" |"Overdrive"

|2025

|Jinq Rui

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Organisation

!Category

!Nominee/nominated work

!Result

!Ref.

2018

|Anugerah Planet Muzik

|Best Band

| rowspan="4" |Insomniacks

|{{Nom}}

|{{Cite web |last=Khotimah |first=Nur |date=2018-09-27 |title=Isyana Sarasvati Masuk 5 Kategori, Ini Daftar Nominasi Anugerah Planet Muzik 2018 Singapura |url=https://www.wowkeren.com/berita/tampil/00225771.html |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=WowKeren.com}}

2019

|32nd Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian

|Most Popular Group

|{{Nom}}

|{{Cite web |date=2019-09-23 |title=ABPBH32: BTS Wins 1st K-Pop Artist Award + Complete List Of Winners |url=https://hype.my/2019/173019/abpbh32-bts-wins-1st-k-pop-artist-award-complete-list-of-winners/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Hype Malaysia |language=en-US}}

2020

|{{interlanguage link|Anugerah MeleTOP Era 2020|ms}}

|MeleTOP New Artist

|{{Nom}}

2025

|Gempak Most Wanted Awards

|Muzik Video Tergempak

|{{Won}}

|{{Cite web |last=Roslam |first=Asyrag |date=2025-02-26 |title=GMWA2024: Pertama Kali Menang Anugerah, Insomniacks Nak Hantar Trofi Ke Indonesia - "Kami Sendiri Yang Akan ..."|url=https://gempak.com/berita-terkini/gmwa2024-pertama-kali-menang-anugerah-insomniacks-nak-hantar-trofi-ke-indonesia-kami-sendiri-yang-akan-96323 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=WowKeren.com}}

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Insomniacks}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Musical groups established in 2015

Category:2015 establishments in Malaysia

Category:Malaysian boy bands

Category:Malaysian pop rock music groups