All posts filed under: MUSIC

Explore Local Musicians and their Music

Roots & Leisure Team Tours Wokha District in Nagaland to Cover “Tokhü Emong” Festival and Welcome The Famous Migratory Birds Amur Falcons

Published by Shanmi

“Tokhü Emong” is a post-harvest festival which is celebrated by the Lotha tribes in Nagaland. This year, the founders of Roots and Leisure will be traveling to Wokha district (home of the Lotha tribes) in Nagaland. We will be experiencing the festival first-hand and will take all our readers along for the ride – Tune in for LIVE video coverage from the tour and the festival on our Instagram page. This year, the festival starts from the 5th of November and goes on till the 7th of November at Wokha, Nagaland. It will host various local indigenous fun games like fire making, traditional karting, yodelling and more – with local Naga bands like De Band, Tune Up Channel from Mokokchung and more performing at the evening function. Banner set up for Tokhü Emong Festival in Wokha, Nagaland. | Photo by wethenagas Tune Up Channel, rock band from Mokokchung will be playing at Tokhü Emong Festival | Photo taken from Indihut Another exciting thing about this tour is the “Amur Falcon Festival” which will be happening this week from …

R&L Folks Share Their Excitement for the Upcoming Music Festival – NH7 Weekender Meghalaya 2018

Published by Roots & Leisure

It’s that time of the year again when music lovers from across the country will be headed to Shillong to attend the Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2018. This is the fourth season for the Meghalaya edition – and is going from strength to strength each year. In the words of Vijay Nair, CEO of Only Much Louder – the force behind Bacardi NH7 Weekender, “Nh7 Shillong sold more tickets than Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata combined. North East is the biggest untapped market for live entertainment. The Shillong edition is officially the fastest growing edition of Bacardi Nh7 Weekender and we can’t wait to see where it takes us.” (quoted from his interview with businessworld, 2016). Not really a surprise given the fact that music is ingrained in the souls of the local folks of Meghalaya and the neighbouring North Eastern region! So let’s find out what’s in store from this year’s festival. So without wasting much time, here’s all the deets you need to get to the festival – which starts tomorrow (2-3 Nov 2018). We also have our R&L folks sharing their personal …

Born To Be A Music Maker | Meet Soulful and Cheerful Singer-Songwriter and Vocal Coach, Maker Kashung from Manipur

Published by Shanmi

Music is, without a doubt, a huge part of our lives. It teaches, motivates, inspires and instills us with great joy. Maker Kashung from Manipur is someone that comes with a whole bunch passion for music and an unmissable talent for it. A very down to earth person and a spiritual man, read on to know more about this special soul. Today we have the talented musician, Maker Kashung from Manipur sharing all about his musical journey with us. He leaves us with important and inspirational advice on how to grow and work towards achieving even our craziest dreams. Hello Maker, tell us a little about yourself. My name is Maker Kashung and I am from Manipur. I am a singer-songwriter and a vocal coach based in Delhi. I am the frontman of an alternative rock band called Footwings. I’m also presently, the Choir Director of Tangkhul Church in Delhi. Maker Kashung conducting the choir of Tangkhul Church, New Delhi. My life revolves around music – I teach, practice with the church choir and conduct …

This 18-Year-Old Student is Enthralling the World With Her Pop Covers – Meet Keneisenuo Sorhie from Nagaland

Published by Meg Dsouza

To be young and carefree is truly a wonderful state to be in. And when you add a passion that brings you joy and entertains your friends, your youthful days become even more fulfilling. Today, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Keneisenuo Sorhie, an 18-year-old aspiring singer from Nagaland. She captured our attention through her delightful Instagram feed filled with beautiful song covers, complemented by her charming personality that resonates with her singing. Join us for a lighthearted conversation with Keneisenuo as we get to know her better. Fun chat with 18-year-old Keneisenuo Sorhie from Kohima – a talented singer enthralling her fans with her beautiful voice. R&L: Hello Keneisenuo, please introduce yourself. Keneisenuo: Hi, I’m Keneisenuo Sorhie from Nagaland, I am 18 years old, and currently a higher secondary student. I was born and brought up in Kohima. I love to sing and it’s one of my favorite thing to do during my leisure time. I work with Table 3 Nagaland, who manages my shows and performances. I’m also a keen animal …

“Architects, Planners, Designers, Artists and Everyone Can Do Our Bit to Protect Our Environment” – Meet Ditty – Singer Songwriter and Architect from Delhi

Published by Meg Dsouza

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything” ~Plato. Today we have a soulful musician – Aditi Veena aka DITTY from Delhi who is doing her bit to bring attention to the impermanence of nature and the importance to conserve our mother earth – through her gift of music. She is also a professional architect, who tries to stay true to her concerns for the environment through various environmental conservation projects. She was also at Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh recently to perform at the Ziro music festival. We caught up with her to know more her music and more. Talented musician and singer-songwriter Aditi Veena, aka, DITTY from New Delhi chats with R&L team about her music, what drives her art, her recent trip to Ziro Music Festival, her upcoming album ‘Poetry Ceylon’ and more. Hi Ditty! Thanks for speaking with us. Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and what’s been keeping you busy. Hi! …

Ziro Festival Of Music Special | Meet Augustine Shimray of Featherheads – A Multi Talented Musician and Artist Who Is Deeply Rooted and Proud of His Naga Culture

Published by Nara Longkumer

From music to modeling to designing artifacts, the multi-talented Augustine Shimray is one creative talent you’ve got to know! Brought up in Dimapur, Nagaland, Augustine is very proud of his North-Eastern roots and incorporates his culture into everything he does. For the moment, he is excited to perform at this year’s edition of Ziro Festival of Music with his band, Featherheads. “Today everything that I do, the way I look, whatever I represent… like my tattoos incorporate modern designs with my ancestors’ headhunter tattoos, the earlobe piercings, the costumes that I wear, the songs that I sing… I walk my roots everywhere I go.” We are happy to feature the multi-talented Augustine Shimray from North East India, as he lets us into his creative mind space and tells us about his inspirations and how his curiosity to learn about his roots has helped shape his life and work. Hello Augustine! How are you? Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’ve been up to. I am Augustine Shimray, a free spirit born in the 80’s in …

Ziro Festival of Music 2018 | Event Co-Founder Bobby Hano Gives Us a Glimpse into the Festival Preparation Mood from Ziro Arunachal

Published by Roots & Leisure

Ziro Festival of Music is knocking on your doors, and the most magical part here is that this door opens up into the magical land of the Apatani folks in Arunachal Pradesh. One of the major ethnic groups of the Eastern Himalayas, they are known for their unique traditions and their systematic agricultural practices and sustainable social forestry. Ziro valley has also been shortlisted for India’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to their unique culture and traditions, Ziro valley has been gaining fame in the recent years among the young folks as the “It” destination for one of the coolest music festivals in India. Beating all other music fests in the country, this one stands out for “unbeatable everything” from the picturesque venue of the valley to the coolest folks – with artists and festival goers gathered from all over the world, the Food, the Fashion, and a radiant mood that stays with you long after the festival is over. This year the the ‘Ziro Festival of Music’ is happening on 27th …

Ziro Music Festival Special | A Chat With Takar Nabam, A Self Taught Musician From Itanagar Who Is All Set To Rock The ZFM Stage

Published by Nara Longkumer

For Takar Nabam, a musician from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, music has been his best friend since he’s spent his school years away from home. He picked up the guitar, taught himself some tasty chops and mastered the main techniques and skills on stage at his school events. He’s now moved back home to help his parents, spend some time reconnecting with his roots, and is currently preparing to grace the stage at Ziro Festival of Music this year! Ziro Festival is one of the most talked about outdoor music festivals in India! Started in 2012, this four-day festival is now in its 7th edition. With music and performances by bands and talented musicians from all over the country and abroad, this festival is one that has to be experienced at least once for any travel, music or festival junkie. You can check out our coverage of Ziro Festival of Music 2017 and 2016 Today, we chat with musician, guitar player, singer-songwriter and performer, Takar Nabam as he prepares to perform with his band at Ziro Festival of …

Singer-Songwriter Marmen Talks About Growing Up in a family of Musicians in Nagaland and Her Life as a Full-Time Musician in Hyderabad

Published by Ale Mero

Marmen was 6 years old when she sang at her first gig. Fully backed and supported by her mother and family, this singer from Nagaland has grown up performing at Church, school and many other cultural functions. You may have heard her lovely voice from her debut song called “Shitty Luv”, written and recorded with fellow singer-songwriter Oren Mozhui. We had a little chat with singer Marmen from Nagaland about her songwriting and music, which she says is continually influenced by her personal life and family. She talks to us about her passion for music, her love for her job and her plans for the near future. Hello Marmen. Tell us a bit about yourself. Hi, my name is Marmenla M Pongen. I’m also known as Amenla and Marmen. I was born on the 21st of April, 1991 in Kohima, Nagaland. I’m the youngest of 6 siblings and now, I live in Hyderabad and a full-time singer and performer. What got you started as a full-time musician and stage performer? With my mom as …

A Chat With Vitz Zhimo aka MOZZEY from Nagaland – Gifted EDM Producer Whose Feel-Good Tunes Have Already Travelled the World

Published by Rachel Thong

The many facets of music makes it possible for artists across genres and styles to reach listeners in their various moods. Today’s guest is our first electronic music artist to be introduced here. Vitz Zhimo a.k.a. MOZZEY, is a music producer, writer and a performing artist from Nagaland. Known for his feel-good music and host of interesting collabs – including the famous ‘Come With Me‘ with Virie and Zaza, his latest project is an EP called ‘Bedroom Stories‘ which features artists like Rochee and Tiger Darrow from New York, and Canadian Hip Hop artist City Fidelia. We chat with him to now more about him, his music and his latest projects. EDM artist, music producer, and writer Vitz Zhimo chats with R&L about his style of music, his creative philosophy and the influence of his family – especially his mother, on him choosing a musical career. Hi Vitz. Tell us about yourself and what you’ve been up to? Hey, my name is Vitolu (Vitz) Zhimomi. I write music as MOZZEY and also as NVYKO. I’m a …