HOT POP

Yogi talks music and money

FROM ISSUE # 81 (September 2002) | IN THIS ISSUE
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"People listen to you when you're on stage. Otherwise, they don't. And they recognise you. That's good too."

Yogeshwor and Daniel

Albums are released every day, and most of them are forgotten even before store owners pull them off the shelves. That can't be said about anything Rock Yogis put out. They are a Nepali band whose album you can't help but sit up and notice, ponder upon and remember for a long time. So when the band came up with their second album, Ahiley Chahin Drabyako Ashama, Vastu Chahin Sangetik Bhashama, you can't ignore it. And talk about it. We have here for you, the frontman of the band, Yogeshwor Amatya, 'Yogi' to his friends. This is a musician who is really out in front when it comes to stage presence. You can't help but sit up, take notice and wonder what makes him tick. And talk about him.

Why did you choose singing? Did you have a family background?
No, I did not. Well, my father used to act in dabali plays in Om Bahal with the fathers of Prabesh Man Shakya, Harish Mathema and Nhyoon Bajracharya. I found that out much later. I started singing around 1993, that's when we formed Rock Yogis. My first stage performace was in Banepa around that time when I sang Akasaima Chila Udyo.

What's the idea behind wearing shorts on stage?
I'm a free-spirited guy. I like things simple. So, I prefer shorts to full-length trousers. That's how I am. One night I was naked when I washed my car on the banks of the Rapti. People were watching. Fortunately I didn't get beaten up. Call me crazy, or rebellious. That's how I have been. Rules have to be broken, that's what they say.

Otherwise too, you do have a very visual stage presence.
I was studying in the US in 1987. In an International Students Day, students from different counties were performing, singing and dancing. I was supposed to play guitar for a group of Nepali students. I just could not go on stage. I had stage fright. That day none of the Nepalis performed because of me.

How did you progress from that?
I got into music. Now I don't see the audience when on stage. I lose myself in the music.

The name of your new album is rather long. What does it mean?
We thought being a musician, being in a band, was only about creating music and that was all. But people have a different notion. You have to come out with an album when you have a band. So, when friends started sort of forcing us to put together an album, we did our first one. That's why it was called Karai Karley. That one didn't sell well and we lost money. So with this one, we thought we would make some money. That's what we've said very clearly in the name of the album - Ahiley Chahin Drabyako Ashama. But it's still music, it's still an expression, hence Vastu Chahin Sangetik Bhashama.

Are you making money yet?
No. It's not doing well in the market. We have a marketing scheme where we are giving away one TV as a lucky prize in every 5000 albums sold. That doesn't seem to be working! Perhaps people don't like the music.

Do you like the music?
It hasn't turned out so well. Good songs are those that you can listen to all night long, over and over again. I don't think we have that in this album.

What's one thing about singing that you like the most?
It's like a therapy, an outlet for your emotions. Besides that, people listen to you. Otherwise they don't. They do when you're on stage. And they recognise you. That's good too.

What is your kind of music then?
It would be bold, with strong political and social satire. Musically it would be harsh, I think. Others might not even consider it music.

What's your next big plan?
Nothing special. We will come out with albums, next time not for money or fame but with our own stuff. The market will be small, limited to a select hundred perhaps.

Which of your own songs do you dislike the most?
Jaba Sandhya Hunchha. I don't like my voice in that. It's a torture every time I listen to it.

Do you like Nabin Bhattarai?
The first time Nabin Bhattarai's Akhama was played on air, friends told me that they heard my song Akhama on the radio. I was pleased, do I sound that good? Now it has become somewhat monotonous, but even today I like singing Akhama whenever I drink and at parties.