Steamin’ on ahead | Feature

ANUP PRAKASH

The sun is hanging high on a fine afternoon when we sit in Abhaya Subba Weise's backyard. Surrounded by stoic trees, we talk about music. She is warm and effervescent and speaks a mile a minute while her band members mostly nod or defer to her out of respect. Compared to the rest of her relatively young band mates, Abhaya has been performing for more than fifteen years. She started off doing Janis Joplin covers and her stage presence and persona still bear resemblance to the late rocker.

"We will always be Abhaya and the Steam Injuns," she says, having performed with Parikrama, a popular Indian outfit before the Steam Injuns. "There should always be one driving force behind the band and I think I fulfil that role. I'm the rock."

Her band – made up of bassist Rajan Shrestha, drummer Sanjeet Tuladhar and guitarist Rinchen Palzar (better known as Rajiv) – all agree. "Being Abhaya and the Steam Injuns gives us an identity," says Rajan. Although Abhaya leads, she is no diva and exudes no sense of arrogance. Grounded, charismatic even in casual conversation, she parallels a warm Janis Joplin.

The band and Abhaya share a close camaraderie but things get serious as Abhaya talks about her music, what she wants to do and how she wants it to be perceived. She looks at you in the eye and you feel her passion; her band members remaining quiet while listening to their 'didi'.

We talk about Nepali production values, of which Rajan adamantly says local musicians have none. Comparing Nepali pop stars to Britney Spears, he notes that while they make the same kind of music, production quality has led the former down. Speaking in clipped tones, he is forceful in opinion. "Production isn't just about throwing money around," he says earnestly. "Arranging the music and making sure everything gels together is what it is."

That is precisely what the band represents. "I have performed before but the bonding, the love, the heat, the whole process is nothing I have experienced before and I love every bit of it," Rajan enthuses, a sentiment that is echoed by Sanjeet.

Now, three years after their debut and few changes in lineup, Abhaya and the Steam Injuns are all ready with their sophomore effort: Nayan. Nayan boasts eight tracks, mostly composed by Abhaya along with Rajiv. They later roped in Rajan and Sanjeet. Rajan is featured in two songs on the album while Sanjeet joined after the recording was completed. Nayan is being released on the eve of 14 March through Rajiv's own record label, 360 Degree Records.

"In Nayan, we've tried to create a new sound," says Abhaya. Nayan has four tracks that have Rajiv's madal as the focal point. From the soulful Timro Laagi, which apparently took nine months to make, to the harsh Kathmandu, the album seems to offer exactly what the band promises: something different.

"We've learned too much from the west. It's about time we influence them with our music," laughs Abhaya, her carefree tone underlying a heartfelt desire. They are a force for good, constantly evolving in their sound and refusing to fit into a mold.

With high hopes and even higher ideals, Abhaya and her guys hope to change the way people listen to music – to hear and be inspired enough to do something of their own. Abhaya is optimistic: "We want to show that the power to change things lies in all of us, we're just doing it through music."