All posts filed under: MUSIC

Explore Local Musicians and their Music

A Conversation With Iram, a Progressive Rock Band Based in Bangalore

Iram is a band formed by 5 talented musicians, and is based out of Bangalore. This progressive rock band released their first album Azal, which was loved by critics and music lovers alike. ‘We hope our music brings attention to the growing hostility and angst in the world. We want to create music that inspires people to build a world without hate’, says Neil, the founder and lead of the band.  A truly humble group, these 5 boys are as charming to chat as they are on stage! We spoke to them about how they came together, their journey so far and plans for the future. Introduce us to your members! Meet Neil Simon Abel “I’m Neil. I was born and raised in the Middle East. My family moved to Bangalore and I completed my graduation from here. We are originally from Gulbarga, which is in the northern part of Karnataka, but have been in Bangalore for close to 16 years now. So it’s safe to say that Bangalore is home. I am a qualified …

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Meet 23-Year-Old DJ Inavito From Nagaland aka ‘Jamie Shikhu’

As the saying goes by George Herbert, “Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right’. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” Indeed! Today we have Inavito Achumi Shikhu, better known as, Jamie Shikhu, a young Music Producer & Disc Jockey from Nagaland, who is truly a testimony to the above statement!  Roots & Leisure had a chat with the 23-year-old DJ & music producer, Inavito Achumi Shikhu, from Nagaland  The young DJ started making music at the young age of 14. The journey began when he was presented with an iPad on his birthday on which he downloaded GarageBand (Apple’s Music Application). Like many already accomplished names in this business, this promising music icon-to-be had his humble beginnings. He started making Electro House music and the first thing he thought was that the music he was making ‘didn’t sound too bad at all’. Next thing, he downloaded FL Studio mobile version to make sure he …

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Artist Imkong Imchen From Nagaland Talks About His Recent Single ‘2:00 AM AGAIN’

It is often said that our struggles shape us. Everything that happens has an ultimate role to play in writing the story of one’s life. Unlike most,  some take it as a source to move forward. With every new artist, there is a new lesson to learn. Today is no exception. Imchen from Longjang village is here to teach us that no matter what painful sorrows and hardship one faces, it all comes down to how well they use that event to his advantage. An exceptional guy with much talent, he paints, writes but, most importantly, he has released a new single ‘2:00 am again’. An honest chat with Imkong Imchen, artist from Nagaland to talk about his inspiration, hobbies and his recently song release! Hello Imkong, why don’t we get started by getting to know something more about you? Hi, my name is Imkong Imchen but people call me Pipo and I’m still trying to find the reason why. I represent the Ao community from Longjang village, Nagaland. I’m a 3rd year student, aspiring …

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In Conversation With Meyinungsang Longkumer, A Singer-Songwriter From Nagaland

The music scene in Nagaland has totally gone up a notch to deliver a tough competition to the rest of the world. Talk about raw talents, trained professionals, creative as well as hardworking musicians – we’ve got it all. Today, we have one such talented musician, Meyinungsang Longkumer from Nagaland, who is as great a singer as he is a song-writer. Read on to know more! In depth chat with Meyinungsang Longkumer to talk about his journey with music, his new song release, future plans and more! Hello there, please give us a little introduction about you. Hello, I am Meyinungsang Longkumer, I prefer to go by Meyu, which is also my stage name. But don’t be mistaken I love my real name; it means ‘Thousand Praises’. I am from Mokokchung, Nagaland and I currently live in New Delhi. Tell us what got you into music? Like most musicians from Nagaland, my first tryst with any kind of music was in the church. I think it is a good platform to start for any budding …

Introducing a Rising Singer, Temsukala Lemtur from Nagaland

They say, ‘a dream is a wish your heart makes’. And indeed, our dreams are often the voices of our hearts. Today, we have a really inspiring young lady, Temsukala, who followed the voices in her head to create music. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that her music truly comes from her heart! Temsukala Lemtur, with her new single “Confessions of a bipolar mind”, is here with us today. Scroll down to know more about this enigmatic woman!  We had a chat with Temsukala Lemtur, artist from Nagaland. She sings, writes songs and shares details about her recent release, “Confessions of a Bipolar Mind” Hello there Temsu, please give us a little introduction of yourself! My name is Temsukala Lemtur from Nagaland. I usually introduce myself to people as Temsu. Unless they are like “Hey Clover!” Then I am like “Hey what’s up?”. That’s a reference to my IG handle, @clovertemsu. I recently graduated with a degree in agriculture from Dehradun and I plan to study further while focusing on my music as well. …

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Chat with Zaza, One of Nagaland’s Hottest Singer-Songwriters

A singer-songwriter from Dimapur, Nagaland, Zaza’s voice is nothing short of a gift. She grew up performing in churches and weddings and kept practicing to hone her music skills. Zaza’s musical journey began when she started sharing cover songs on social media, which later inspired her to write her own music. Read on to know more about Zaza and her music.  Chat with Zaza – singer-songwriter from Nagaland R&L: Hello! Introduce a little about yourself. Zaza: Hi, I’m Zaza. I’m a singer and songwriter from Kohima, Nagaland but I’m currently residing in Dimapur. R&L: What initially sparked your interest in singing and making music? Zaza: The time I released my first original “A Lil’ Taste” in 2015, I decided to take music as a career. R&L: How has your upbringing influenced your music and your working style – in general? Zaza: When I was younger, I would listen to my dad sing and play the guitar, and listen to Loggins and Messina (my family jam 😊). I use to sing in churches, weddings, etc. Maybe …

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In Conversation with June Neelu, a Software Engineer and a Passionate Musician from Manipur

A marketing executive residing in Bangalore, June Neelu from Manipur began singing when she was young. Her musical career began (on a serious note) after she started uploading covers on YouTube. Today she has written and composed many originals in Manipuri. She may be a full-time tech professional, but she continues to perform in gigs and events – making a name for herself and gathering a great fan-following. Read our full interview with June Neelu to know about her music journey and more. We had a chat with June Neelu, a software engineer by profession and musician at heart. She talks about her passion to sing since her young age, her inspiration, her upcoming project, and more. Hello June, good to have you here! Please tell us a little about yourself. Hello! I’m June Neelu from Imphal, Manipur. By profession, I’m a software engineer turned marketing executive but singing has always been my passion and I have been singing ever since I was young. I’m the youngest and the only daughter of three siblings. I …

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“Music Defines Who I Am Today”, Asenle Kepen, Pianist From Nagaland

Music has the power to trigger a range of emotions. For some, music in itself is healing and for others, it brings them closer to become a better person in life. We have a Pianist – Asenle Kepen from Nagaland – with us today.  She started at the age of 15 when her parents bought her first piano! She finished her 8th grade in piano in the year 2014. And presently, works as a full time Piano tutor in Hope centre for excellence, Dimapur and Musika- Alobo Naga School of music, Dimapur. Read on to know more about her! We had a chat with Asenle Kepen, pianist from Nagaland. She talks when she began playing the piano, her inspiration and much mre. Hello Asenle! Please tell us a little about yourself. Hi! My name is Asenle kepen from Dimapur Nagaland. I’m a pianist by profession, teaching music, and also still learning and pursuing further training. I also help my church as a part-time church pianist, help the youth and Sunday school choir. Music has always …

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“I Write Songs to Teach, Talk, Remind And Reprimand Myself” – A Chat With Chijanbemo Richard, Aspiring Singer-Songwriter From Nagaland

Among the many reasons that the North-east region is famous for, music certainly tops the list. In a place where music is integrated into people’s everyday lives, it doesn’t come as a surprise that most artists here pick up music early on in their childhood – for some, it blossoms into a passion or even a profession. One such fantastic musician is Chijanbemo Richard – an aspiring singer-songwriter from Nagaland, who was introduced to music by the likes of Bob Dylan and the Beatles. Today, he makes music about love, joy and the beauty of life. “My entire week is mostly occupied with reading books and making music“, says Chijanbemo, as he tells us about his ambitions of becoming a singer-songwriter and a civil servant. Read on to know more.  We had a chat with Chijanbemo Richard, an aspiring singer-songwriter from Nagaland. He talks about music, his inspiration, and his latest original song. Tell us a little about yourself, Richard. Hello! My name is Chijanbemo Richard from Senjum Village, Dimapur Nagaland. I’m a 27 years-old …

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“Classical Music Has Taught Me To Be Patient, Disciplined, Humble, Gentle” – A Chat With Ungrumso Raman, Western Classical Guitarist From Manipur

Today, we have a special guest with us, Ungrumso Raman – a Grade 8 Western Classical Guitarist from Manipur. He is the winner of the Delhi International Classical Guitar Competition of 2015 and represented India in the 6th Sri Lanka Guitar Festival, 2016. Gifted as he was, he was also lucky to have been born and raised in a family who showed immense support for his musical passion, and has helped him to get to where he is today. In his early 20’s, Ungrumso also started teaching classical and acoustic guitar – a great achievement at a very young age. He has taught at Delhi School of Music, New Delhi and Institute of Music Dynamics, Gurgaon.  We had a chat with the talented Ungrumso Raman to know more about classical music and his journey with it thus far. He also shares how music was a huge part of his family through generations, his sources of inspirations, and more. Hello! Please tell us a little about yourself. My name is Ungrumso Raman (27) from Mapao Zingtun, …