All posts filed under: MUSIC

Explore Local Musicians and their Music

Rootsandleisure_Ambush-Assam

“We Dream of a Society Free from Political Dominance by Dishonest Politicians.” – Rap Metal Band ‘AMBUSH’ from Assam

Our guests today are members of the rap metal band ‘AMBUSH’ from Karbi Anglong, Assam. We chat about their recently released track ‘Corruption Choke’ and the message they want to send out through their music. The band members Risim Rongpi (Vocal), Amarjit Bey (Guitar), Jitu Tokbi (Bass), and Deowinson Bey (Drums) have been performing together for 7 years – and counting,  and hope to keep raising powerful voices against corruption through their music. “Corruption erodes trust, weakens democracy, hampers economic development, and further exacerbates inequality, poverty, social division, and the environmental crisis. We have long been witnesses to social suffering as a result of political violence and domination. The invisible wounds of our people and the traumatized survivors of many terrors and conflicts keep us going. We dream of a society – and life in general, that is free from political dominance by dishonest politicians. Only then, can we improve the quality of our life.That’s what we want to convey through our music.” ~ AMBUSH, Karbi Anglong R&L: Hello! Excited to be having this chat. …

Rootsandleisure_Tune-up-channel-nagaland

‘Tune Up Channel’ from Nagaland is Back With Their New Single ‘A Letter’

“I am a HUGE Mesut Ozil fan, and the match between Germany and Northern Ireland was about to begin at 9:30 PM and I was dying to see Mesut back on the pitch. But then, my favorite band ‘Tune Up Channel’ was set to take the stage only at serial no. 13. It was already 7:00 PM and the show still hasn’t started!” ~ A fan account of the hottest band from Mokokching – ‘Tune Up Channel’  in 2016. Full article here. Fast forward to 2022. ‘Tune Up Channel’ is back with a new single ‘A Letter’ looking dapper and oh-so grown up! Don’t we all live to witness this kind of transformation of our talented friends? 🤩 The band members chat with R&L about their latest single, making the video, their journey in the last 6 years – and some fun facts about each band member. Members of the band ‘Tune Up Channel’ from Mokokchung, Nagaland R&L: Hi! Super excited to be having this chat with y’all. The last time we heard about you …

Rootsandleisure_singer_Kekhrieringa8

“This is Me at My Best With All My Flaws.” – Kekhrie Ringa from Nagaland on Her Latest Music Video ‘Made for You’

The bold, the beautiful, and the very talented singer from Nagaland – Kekhrie Ringa, is busy working on her upcoming album “Bohème” – and she just released a new video! The song is called ‘Made For You.‘ We had a quick late-night chat to get some deets behind the song and the video, and her upcoming projects. If you want to know more about Kekhrie Ringa – the person, and her beginnings, check out her interview with R&L – way back in 2017. <HERE> “I want to be 100 % honest and authentic especially when I put my music out. Every single song is a reflection of the person that I am. I don’t want to simply look like the idea of what people have about me nor the idea of the overrated perfection. As the songs and videos come in one by one, you’ll get to know me better…You may choose to embrace it or walk away …and that’s ok. And even if you, someday, end up hating me…Be kind, for Art cannot please …

RootsandLeisure_Musician_Imrongtuden

Imrongtuden aka IMXRNG from Nagaland Talks About Creating Lo-fi Music and His Bold Musical Ambitions

One of our greatest gifts that is solely ours is our ability to dream; while some toil to make their dreams come true, some blend into the shadows of fear and frustration. So it is encouraging to see some brave hearts go against adversaries in pursuit of their dreams – however odd or bold they may seem. A friend of mine is one such courageous soul, who has made the bold decision to take the path of resistance to follow his passion for music. I’d like to introduce you to Imrongtuden from Dimapur, who is an aspiring musician/Producer/DJ. Apart from his musical talent, he is also known among his circle for his creativity, hard work, and curiosity. He plays the piano pretty proficiently as well, and makes great Anime art. Let’s find out more about him, his music and more. Session Musician and Lo-fi producer Imrongtuden from Nagaland Supong: We can only ever start something by truly knowing the person, to start it off would you like to tell us a little about yourself. Imrongtuden: …

Rootsandleisure_North east India musicians

A Song for Every Mood – Music and Musicians from North East India

  Over the weekend, we had a fun leisure chat with our readers, where we shared our current moods – in exchange for a song. By the end of the session, we had compiled a pretty good playlist of songs performed/written/composed by talented musicians from North East India. Scroll below to check out the list.  p.s: We have our weekly community chats on Instagram. Do visit for some fun. Also, remember to regularly check in on your friends – and ask how they are doing. “Very bad mood due to cramps” ~ @journalofhisdaughter Dedicating this song “Warrior’s Call” by Colored Keys Nagaland. Composed in two Naga dialects (Chakhesang and Angami) with a blend of tribal folk and contemporary western melody, this song is guaranteed to help you relax, and meditate. Breathe.    “Hopeful” ~ @ruchielal Play ‘Korou’ (meaning ‘Sunlight’ in Manipuri) by June Neelu Ft B.Maisnam from Manipur. A song about the beauty of nature… the sunrise, dews, birds, wind, and the mountains, this has been our go-to video for afternoon daydreaming and endless optimism. …

Rootsandleisure_Koloma_Chapmanliya recording session 2

Indie Folk Band Koloma from Tripura Releases their New EP ‘Chapmanliya’ – a Refreshing Mix of New Love and Nostalgia Wrapped in Folk Melodies

KOLOMA  from Tripura is back with some new music! Their EP titled “CHAPMANLIYA” Releasing today consists of 5 Songs and assures the listener some refreshing numbers with flavors across Indie and modern music Genres. Folk tunes remain the primary element throughout the whole EP. All the songs originals have composed and written in their native language “KOKBOROK”.  All songs from their latest EP are available for streaming on Spotify and iTunes. (details below) We had a quick chat with the band members about the release of their latest EP ‘Chapmanliya’ Congratulations on the release of your latest EP! What does ‘Chapmanliya’ mean? The word  ‘Chapmanliya’ translates to ‘confusion’/‘confused state of mind’ How long have you guys been working on this EP? Probably around Six (6) months. Yes, it is our pandemic baby 🙂 Recordin of ‘Chapmanliya’ in progress |Koloma, Tripura Koloma band | Chapmanliya recording session What were the theme, stories, influences that constantly kept the band inspired and motivated in creating this EP? Keeping to the band’s mission, our constant motivation remains the same …

Rootsandleisure_VILO

Music Producer / Mix Engineer VI-LO from Nagaland Chats about his First Single “Remember When”

Today we chat with Vizo Solo aka VI-LO from Nagaland as he gets candid about his journey as a band member (drummer) to becoming his own person as a music producer /Mix engineer. He is super excited about the launch of his first single as a music producer. Stay on for the full conversation below… Music producer and mix engineer Vilo Solo from Nagaland (producer name VI-LO) talks about his newly released single. R&L: Hi Vizo, congrats on releasing your first solo production! We’ve been checking out your work, and we are super interested to know more about you. So please introduce yourself to the R&L fam Vizo: Hi, I am Vizovolie Solo, and I go by my producer name – VI-LO. I come from Kohima village (Nagaland) but I grew up in Medziphema. I am currently based out of Bangalore where I dabble with music production; I am also a mix engineer. I came to Bangalore in 2018, after completing my business studies in Pune. I wanted to build a full-time career out of my …

Rootsandleisure_Liden

DJ Lil’ Bomb Talks About What Got Him Started as a DJ

Liden Longchari, famously known as DJ Lil’ Bomb, is an EDM DJ and Producer from Kohima, and was awarded as the Best Producer Nagaland Music Awards 2018. He has been performing in and around the northeast since 2015 in places such as the Hornbill Festival, NAJ Cosfest, WAF Music Festical MKG, AH1 Music Festival. Amidst his busy schedule, he took out time for a quick chat with R&L. We talk about how he got into music and what inspires him. Read below for all the scoops. Hi Liden. Please tell us something about yourself. Hello! My name is Liden Longchari, people call me Little Bomb. I am from Kohima but I’m currently staying in Dimapur, as a DJ/Producer under Infinity Inc. Label. I’ve been bouncing around doing gigs/shows and also producing music. Introduce us to your work. What got you started? I’m an EDM DJ and I also produce electronic music. I’ve always been  into electronic music. Back in 2014, when I came to know about a music festival known as Tomorrowland, the show/festival itself made a huge …

Rootsandleisure_IndusCreed_Nagaland

Catching up with Uday Benegal of Indus Creed During The Band’s Visit to Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival 2019

“The times you lived through, the people you shared those times with — nothing brings it all to life like an old mixtape. It does a better job of storing up memories than actual brain tissue can do. Every mix tape tells a story. Put them together, and they can add up to the story of a life.”~ Rob Sheffield We all have unique relationships with our music – as creators, and as listeners. For folks in Nagaland, music is a huge part of growing up, with almost every activity that has shaped the individual involving some form of music – from singing in the choir to waking up to country music playing across the hall, to jamming to rock music to bonding with family over a bonfire and a guitar, music runs in the life and blood of the Nagas. That being said, music performances are a huge part of the most prominent festival in Nagaland – the Hornbill Festival, which happens every year from Dec 1 to 10, with a host of music …

Rootsandleisure_Hornbill Nagaland 2019

Hello December. Hornbill Festival 2019 is Happening in Nagaland!

  December is here, and Christmas is right around the corner! The air is crisp and cold with the temperature dropping steadily to welcome the season . . . and what better way to start the celebrations than with the pomp and grandeur of the much-awaited Hornbill Festival! This annual festival that happens every year in Nagaland from December 1 to 10, is something that you should not miss if you are looking to experience the Naga culture in all of 1 week! The festival formula is essentially the same with a heady mix of traditional customs and modern pop culture coming together in one big celebration – but what sets it apart every year is the eclectic mix of performers and festival goers that gets even more colorful each year! Hornbill Festival has something for everyone – for the young, the old, the local, the tourist, the artist, the performer, and the audience… So come one and come all, and be a part of the most happening festival in the North East region to …