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Tetseo Sisters: “More recently, there is a distinct move towards fusion music and more recognition of folk and folk fusion forms”

Deflecting Conventional Sounds in the North East

The music in the North East has largely had a rock-and-roll bent, which eventually progressed to heavier metallic sounds. In a parallel lane, genres like blues, classic rock and gospel were percolating into the blood stream of the locals. Today, while some believe metal is still the dominant force, a lot of the others have realized a growing trend of varied genres. soundplunge_test brings to you voices of the North East – old and new talking about the genres that rule the region and predicting the sounds that will  take over in the times to come.

Tetseo Sisters

Tetseo Sisters, Nagaland-based Folk Fusion Band 

“We always maintained that there are a lot of different types of music out there and all have an audience. More recently, there is a distinct move towards fusion music and more recognition of folk and folk fusion forms. Metal, dub step, alternative rock, punk continue their trending streak too. People are looking for fresh sounds and we musicians also continue to evolve.”

Sound Prediction: Metal and Alternative Rock

Avancer

Avancer, Nagaland-based Alternative Rock Band

“In our state, Nagaland, the metal scene has declined since the past few years but if we go outside the state, metal still lives on. The general audience demands metal music and there are few bands who have made it up to their mark in that particular genre. Some bands whose genres differ from metal music do face certain pressure in gathering audience. It’s not like metal totally overshadows the other genres but again it falls mainly on the audience, the fans and it’s up to them whether they enjoy metal music more or the other less heavy side of music.”

Sound Prediction: Metal and Pop Rock

Frisky Pints

Frisky Pints, Mizoram-based Pop Rock Band

“Well, to tell you the truth, Metal was a big influence in the North East, but that was a couple of years ago, and as trends keep changing, I think these days metal is long gone, especially in our state of Mizoram.”

Sound Prediction: Alternative Rock

Gukhato “Gugs” Chisi

Gukhato “Gugs” Chisi, Director of Music Task Force, Nagaland

“In the North East, I would say at least from the interactions we’ve had with the musicians from the North East, the stronger leaning is rock but there is a huge base for country and folk. And yet again a lot of musicians are now working towards bringing back identity into their music as expression in their own languages using the medium of contemporary music. Then we have very powerful base of harmony music, as in choirs, which is so evident. We’ve heard a lot of the Shillong Chamber Choir but every town has a small choir depending on the number of churches in that town. I’d say commercially it hasn’t yet hit it off but then once the viability works out it could work. Our market has not yet developed for that type of folk music. Yes I suppose (rock and metal) would occupy the largest chunk of percentage.”

Sound Prediction: Rock, Country, Folk

The Vinyl Records

The Vinyl Records, Post Punk Rock Band

“Now it (the music scene) has become more independent, there are so many punk-indie bands from the metal genre. There is Street Stories from Shillong, from Guwahati we have Digital Suicide, and from Nagaland also I get to see indie bands which are not metal. I don’t think it’s going towards a metal kind of direction.”

Sound Prediction: Punk Rock

Minute of Decay

Minute of Decay, Funk Rock Band

“There are lots of Folk Rock, Sufi, Jazz, pop bands in the independent music scene which we know of that are doing well, metal was ‘the-thing’ during the 90’s but now we know what people like to listen is not just metal. Forget metal, there is EDM (Electronic Dance Music) that came out of nowhere and took everything and that’s where everyone is heading.”

Sound Prediction: Folk Rock, EDM

Afflatus

Afflatus, Shillong-based All-girl Pop Rock Band.

“Metal has a huge following in Shillong, no doubt. But frankly speaking, Shillong is the home for music lovers. We have metal nights that end with trance and Beatles nights that wind up in a singsong. Shillong has music genres playing from each home at various rhythms and decibels.”

Sound Prediction: Metal, Rock and Roll, Trance

Adremelech

Adremelech, One of Shillong’s Oldest Death Metal Bands

“There has been a fair share of genres for all. Whenever there has been a metal act on stage, the crowds have always been 3-4 times the usual number. The tilt today depends on age. The younger generations are more attracted to metal and Progressive rock/metal, but there are many lovers of Blues as well, although in a minority. The dominant genre is still rock, which comprises classic, metal and progressive. Again, here, you will see bigger attendance at metal gigs than at any other gig for some other genre.”

Sound Prediction: Heavy Metal

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