Back on the wagon

Music that made WAVEs in 2006

FROM ISSUE # 133 (January 2007) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Over 2006 WAVE featured a whole range of artists and styles in our Bandwagon section; we've gone from rock to rap, from Pokhara to California, and from breakthroughs to comebacks. Here's how the groups we wrote about have fared since they were in the hot seat.

The members of Bypass are all currently in the United States. They've recorded two new tunes, but progress is slow, and the group's bassist Jay Malla, aka Bruno, says they have no fixed plans for when their next album will be out. For updates check www.myspace.com/bypassrocks

Metal musos X-Mantra continue on their mission to bring metal to the mainstream, and since we profiled them in February they've performed with popular visiting Pakistani bands Jal and Strings, and are currently working on an as-yet-untitled third album, due for release in January 2007, as well as a music video. "In addition to the usual metal numbers, we're including some commercial songs," says drummer Rajan, explaining that they're planning to collaborate with artists like Mad Zone and Ciney Gurung. BR>

Andazification are back in the USA after a short visit to Nepal in February. Despite the distance, they continue to work together. They recently came out with a new video for Matlab, and fans can check out what's happening with the band at www.andazification.com

Even Plan B seems to have worked out pretty well for Catch 22. Their album has enjoyed considerable success, and they're nominated in this month's Hits FM Music Awards for Best Song in a Foreign Language for Moving on, and Best Performance by a Group or Duo for Yatri. They're now working on a video for Bhulna sakina, to be released by the end of January. Beyond that is a blank slate. "Plan A always fails, that's why we don't make one," says vocalist Prallen Pradhan, adding, "We do have a few new tracks, but we haven't really thought about a new album any time soon."

The Gloomy Guys don't have much to be glum about, as their fourth album Yes Paali proved a success, and they're now all set to make a video for Pirati ko taalma. They've still got the idealistic streak that took them to the street protests in April, and vocalist Hari Shrestha says, "Now that we have peace in the country, we want to develop our hometown Dhulikhel as a tourist area. For this, we'll be singing regularly at some of the area's hotels like Snow View Mountain Resort and Himalayan Horizon."

The band of brothers, Saayas, haven't been slacking since June. They're busy making a music video for their song Ghumto. "We've also got six new songs," says drummer Rajesh Lama, but adds that the album will take another year. They'll also be performing in Palpa and Butwal in January.

Nep-hop icons Nepsydaz are working on a third album to release by the end of January. "We've tried to include more Nepali songs this time," says Maanas, aka Looray. In October, the group performed twice in Hong Kong. "It was our first concert abroad, and we enjoyed it very much," said Maanas over the phone from Bhairahawa, where they were performing at an industrial exhibition. The group has three nominations in the upcoming Hits FM Music Awards; they're up for Best Song in a Foreign Language for Poverty, and Best Performance by a Group or Duo and Record of the Year for Chundaina.

Though their 2006 album Kandara 4—Barsaun Pachi did well in the market and on the charts, it seems Pokhareli group Kandara is on another extended hiatus as their lead singer Bibek Shrestha has returned to the UK. He was back briefly to release the Tagaaroma rumaal raakhi video, but the group has no definite plans. The other members are continuing with their day jobs in Pokhara.

As they had hinted in September, Impulse 21 is looking to follow up the success of their June 2006 self-titled debut (for which they've been nominated as Best New Artist in the Hits FM Music Awards) with faster, rock-based tracks. "After soft tunes in the first album, we want to include more rock and heavy numbers," says vocalist Nuraz Shrestha, adding, "We are also working on a second video and practicing for the Rockmando concert in January."

Pokhara's two-man band Less Than Zero has some new songs in the works, but say they're in no rush to make a new album. "We're more focussed on promoting our debut album Sangeet," says lead guitarist Deepak Batra. "We're also making a video for Man runchha, to be released by the end of January." The duo have a concert at Kathmandu's Mahendra Police Club on 20 January.

Mt. 8848 are also focusing on promoting their debut album, Yo Sansaar. They released a video for Saathi, and are nominated for Best New Artist and Best Rock Composition in the Hits FM Music Awards. Currently, they're practicing for a tour in the second week of January. "During the one-month tour, we'll perform in Dharan, Birgunj, and Shillong," says drummer Binod Lama. The band is also working on a few new songs.

Following the success of Pahilo maya, self-described 'melorap' group the Unity is working on two music videos—Aaja feri and Juni juni. "We'll release these by the end of February, around the same time as our new album Vyakaran," says Asif Shah.