At the mention of ‘Abiogenesis’, one can immediately hear the sound of music in a whole new dimension. It captures attention with ‘Howey and Bamhum’, the former being a genre of music that is indigenously Naga, and the latter a wind musical instrument that was invented by Moa, the main composer of the Band in the year 2005.
Since then, they have gone around the world with their music - “a fusion of Naga folk tunes and modern music” as they would call it. The christening of Howey and Bamhum in the year 2005 was a beginning of sorts, although the music group was already in existence prior to that. “Nirvana”, they think they have achieved after “Howey” was born.
Indeed, so much of an engaging genre that Abiogenesis were listed during the 50th and 51st Grammy Award for two consecutive times and now, also for the third time in the 53rd Grammy Award 2011. But getting used to being nominated, they prefer to stay low on this until they actually get it.
Interestingly, the two core members of the Band – Arenla on Vocals, Lead Bamhum, Front lady & co-composer and Moa on Guitar, Bamhum, Harmonica & main composer - are a couple, who, in their words, “met doing music and live doing music”. Music obviously runs in the family as even their son Imli takes on the Drums & Percussions as one of the band members.
With Daniel Engty, Lead Guitar & Jews harp, Krongchui from Assam and Larry, Bass Guitarist from Meghalaya, the Band also advocates building a bond between the North Eastern States. Over the years, Abiogenesis has performed in 500 plus gigs in India, Thailand and Myanmar, mostly happy with a responsive crowd and gathering rich experiences from each show.
But a success story is never without struggles and the band has had their share. However, with their passion for music steering the wheel, they carried on impressing a world audience with a new genre that is deeply rooted in what is sheer Naga.
Moa says, “Initially we had to struggle but our hard work has not gone in vain”.
While the Front Lady displays excellence, evident in being nominated for the Best female vocals category in the 6th Jack Daniels Rock Awards in Mumbai, for Arenla, “Peace is the ultimate key” as she holds this forward by entertaining people in the form of music and adds “entertainment is something so pleasurable and involves youth” which, she also maintains is a great medium for advocating peace.
She is a little dismayed that Nagas take music too lightly. “It is not that easy…we fail to differentiate between a professional and an amateur” and laments that “Nagas’ approach to music is mostly as a hobby.” She underlined the importance of professionalism, whether in music or any other field. It is really her dream for Naga musicians to take it forward beyond the borders of Nagaland, marketing it to globally and not confined to the State.
When asked who/what inspires them to make music, Moa is quick to reply, “Our love for music is a big inspiration in itself. We love each other and music. It surrounds us…we are both each other’s inspiration.”
A family like friends, sharing ideas and views, this bond would definitely go a long way in fulfilling the band’s dream to “scale to the highest level and put Nagaland in the music map of the world.”
For aspiring musicians, they have this to say, “If anyone loves music, you should take it on, never leave a gap…take it along with you to always.” And this, of course, coupled with discipline, responsibility and dedication. It is also their desire to change the concept of Nagas being labelled as “primitive people” by the outside world.
Among the many big shows they’ve been invited to perform, Abiogenesis has performed at Veethi Sankel Auditorium in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Myanmar at the National Theatre, Yangon, and the National Theatre, Mandalay, at Shillong, Aizawl, Mumbai, Trivandrum, etc, compelling an audience of many foreign diplomats besides a host of people from various professions.
Making a record of 3 albums namely Aeon Spell, Rustic Relish and Slice of Heaven uptil now, people would think they are lucky, but it’s because they are good at what they do. Their music compels big names such as Saregama, APH Records in collaboration with International Marketing Companies like CD Baby, Amazon, Create Space, Magna Sound, etc, to call on them and make music with them.
Affirming to stay faithful to their genre ‘Howey’, it makes so much sense to hear ‘Universal’ say “Stick to your music”.
This summer, Canada and the United States of America will watch them live as they gear up to perform in those countries.
They call themselves ‘Music Freaks’ and aspire to live by it.
Since then, they have gone around the world with their music - “a fusion of Naga folk tunes and modern music” as they would call it. The christening of Howey and Bamhum in the year 2005 was a beginning of sorts, although the music group was already in existence prior to that. “Nirvana”, they think they have achieved after “Howey” was born.
Indeed, so much of an engaging genre that Abiogenesis were listed during the 50th and 51st Grammy Award for two consecutive times and now, also for the third time in the 53rd Grammy Award 2011. But getting used to being nominated, they prefer to stay low on this until they actually get it.
Interestingly, the two core members of the Band – Arenla on Vocals, Lead Bamhum, Front lady & co-composer and Moa on Guitar, Bamhum, Harmonica & main composer - are a couple, who, in their words, “met doing music and live doing music”. Music obviously runs in the family as even their son Imli takes on the Drums & Percussions as one of the band members.
With Daniel Engty, Lead Guitar & Jews harp, Krongchui from Assam and Larry, Bass Guitarist from Meghalaya, the Band also advocates building a bond between the North Eastern States. Over the years, Abiogenesis has performed in 500 plus gigs in India, Thailand and Myanmar, mostly happy with a responsive crowd and gathering rich experiences from each show.
But a success story is never without struggles and the band has had their share. However, with their passion for music steering the wheel, they carried on impressing a world audience with a new genre that is deeply rooted in what is sheer Naga.
Moa says, “Initially we had to struggle but our hard work has not gone in vain”.
While the Front Lady displays excellence, evident in being nominated for the Best female vocals category in the 6th Jack Daniels Rock Awards in Mumbai, for Arenla, “Peace is the ultimate key” as she holds this forward by entertaining people in the form of music and adds “entertainment is something so pleasurable and involves youth” which, she also maintains is a great medium for advocating peace.
She is a little dismayed that Nagas take music too lightly. “It is not that easy…we fail to differentiate between a professional and an amateur” and laments that “Nagas’ approach to music is mostly as a hobby.” She underlined the importance of professionalism, whether in music or any other field. It is really her dream for Naga musicians to take it forward beyond the borders of Nagaland, marketing it to globally and not confined to the State.
When asked who/what inspires them to make music, Moa is quick to reply, “Our love for music is a big inspiration in itself. We love each other and music. It surrounds us…we are both each other’s inspiration.”
A family like friends, sharing ideas and views, this bond would definitely go a long way in fulfilling the band’s dream to “scale to the highest level and put Nagaland in the music map of the world.”
For aspiring musicians, they have this to say, “If anyone loves music, you should take it on, never leave a gap…take it along with you to always.” And this, of course, coupled with discipline, responsibility and dedication. It is also their desire to change the concept of Nagas being labelled as “primitive people” by the outside world.
Among the many big shows they’ve been invited to perform, Abiogenesis has performed at Veethi Sankel Auditorium in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Myanmar at the National Theatre, Yangon, and the National Theatre, Mandalay, at Shillong, Aizawl, Mumbai, Trivandrum, etc, compelling an audience of many foreign diplomats besides a host of people from various professions.
Making a record of 3 albums namely Aeon Spell, Rustic Relish and Slice of Heaven uptil now, people would think they are lucky, but it’s because they are good at what they do. Their music compels big names such as Saregama, APH Records in collaboration with International Marketing Companies like CD Baby, Amazon, Create Space, Magna Sound, etc, to call on them and make music with them.
Affirming to stay faithful to their genre ‘Howey’, it makes so much sense to hear ‘Universal’ say “Stick to your music”.
This summer, Canada and the United States of America will watch them live as they gear up to perform in those countries.
They call themselves ‘Music Freaks’ and aspire to live by it.
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