Nagaland Music: Naga Orpheus Hunt’s 7 finalists

by Al Ngullie

Six finalists and a wildcard have scrapped through the last round of eliminations from the talent hunt Naga Orpheus Hunt 2011. Backed by live rock group, Incipit, 11 contestants had a shot at a vernacular and an English round.

From 11 contestants the evening initially brought down the contestants to six. Imtisenla, Sungtinaro Zarina Longchar, Athrong Sangtam, Kokliba Jing’s and Vetulu were the six contestants who made it to the finals based on the votes received and the Judges scores. 

After the round’s  performances Tsapila Anar, who was among the five eliminated contestants wooed the judges and made her way back into the show joining the top 6 finalists  finally leaving the show with Top 7 finalists. 

Top 7 Finalists

Athrong Sangtam                      

Tsapila Anar                                

Vetulu Curhah                          

Sungtinaro Zarina Longchar    

Imtisenla                                 

Kokliba Jings

                        

Kezevilie                                

The event was Judged by well-known Media personality and designer Bambi Kevichusa, musician Tali Angh and lead guitarist of one of India’s most prolific bands, Rudy Wallang of the blues rock group Soulmate.

The Top 7 finalists will be performing at the Hornbill’s achievers night on December 1 before they finally perform at the grand finale on December 15 at the M-fest in Mokokchung.

The final round of Voting starts on November 27. Voting cards are available at Crescendo Music Store Dimapur, Virtual Point Kechuchar Building in Mokokchung and Lineage Enterprises, Opp new Nst bus station in Kohima. 

(All photographs: courtesy Naga Orpheus Hunt 2011)

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5 Minutes of True Blues with Rudy Wallang

by Al Ngullie
 
Once Upon a Time around 2001 AD when India was ruled by the Bhangara Raj, a warrior rode out from the east and stood on a lonely mountaintop. Armed with a mighty Fender axe, his long, brown locks probing the wind inquisitively, the lone warrior took in the wide expanse of the noisy kingdom below. 

What he saw filled the heart of this eastern warrior with sadness. The thunder and clang of barbaric axes of the metal warrior tribes were subjugating every aesthete in sight; the tin and boom of the Dohl and Bhangara warblers were torturing every tongue in this besieged kingdom. 

The hairy warrior had seen enough! The eastern breathed in deep and with a mighty battle cry, rode hard down towards the kingdom in distress.

Or somewhat like that.

And oh by the way, he was accompanied by a fair but equally mighty warrior princess from the green hills of Shillong.

Soulmate is easily one of India’s most well-known bands today, driven as much by their no-nonsense Blues as for their grit to stand out from a population struck down by metal – or “desi music.” Former member of two equally celebrated bands from the North East, The Great Society and the other, Mojo, Rudy Wallang of blues rock band Soulmate has come a long way. But he is unconvinced when you tell him he’s done a great job. 

“We are going to play with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers in Jakarta this December,” he explains quietly. The way he dropped the bomb, you might as well disclose that President Obama is your brother and not expect jaws around you to drop.

For a man who is known across music lovers in India, a date with one of the biggest bands in the world seems a casual proposition. Rudy Wallang, guitarist and songwriter, was interacting with The Morung Express at Niathu resort tonight. Wallang is in Nagaland as one of the judges of Naga Orpheus Hunt (formerly the Naga Idol).

“I was with Mojo nine years and The Great Society 12 years. With Soulmate I have realized many of my dreams; performed abroad; released albums; when Soulmate started playing the Blues everyone was critical; we have proved a lot of people wrong today,” Wallang explained as his cream coat shouted from amongst brown leather chairs.

Becoming Rock Hogs

Indeed the man has fought some dirt to where he – with Soulmate singer Tipriti “Tips” Kharbangar – is today.  Soulmate played its first concert at the ‘Roots Festival at the Water Sports Complex in Umiam. That was ages ago. Today, the band’s tour credentials are comparable to the amount ink needed to fill a small note book. From Katmandu to Bangalore, Delhi to Nagaland and of course from France to Singapore to good old United States of A, Soulmate is a road hog.   In 2007, Soulmate represented the country in the 23rd International Blues Challenge organized by The Blues Foundation of America, in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.  Oh, make that twice.

“We are not making a living out of it; but we are certainly making a life out of it,” Wallang explains as he discloses that Soulmate would be playing Jakarta International Blues Festival 2011 with legendary John Mayall’s bluesmen.  

In Good Company 

Tell us your history with Nagaland? “I am no stranger,” the affable Wallang confesses. “In fact,” he drops another bomb, “I have played concerts in Mokokchung, Wokha…” The man narrated how in Shillong when he was in college, he and his Naga pals concentrated more on jamming than on grabbing the results of education. Playing with music rigs which are today equivalent to dinosaurs, Wallang and his friends from Nagaland laid the foundation for a stint with Nagaland and her music fans. He played Dimapur in Nagaland in 2009, by the way.

Do you know any band or musician from Nagaland? No, not any. But bruised egos have a saving grace. “There was a musician called Kuku Haralu. He played fine, fine classical guitar,” Wallang said. 

The man is grateful for everything that continues to come his way. “There are money problems and sometimes it is hard; we are not making a living out of it but we are making a life out of it,’ he explains. “If that is not a blessing and God, I don’t know what it is.”

Soulmate has two albums ‘Shillong’ and the other ‘Moving on.’ 

Soulmate is currently working on a third output where he and Tipriti share songwriting duties. “I am a Musician,” the hairy warrior adds with a smile.

Photograph by Musician and Photographer Abhimanyu Ghoshal

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Zuchobeni takes home Kids for Fame-3

by Al Ngullie

Easily the most pitch-perfect of the lot, preteen Zuchobeni Tungoe of Dimapur crooned her way to the winner’s podium to demolish the singing contest for “kids,” the Kids for Fame Season-3, during the event’s finals October 30, at Dimapur Club tonight. 

For someone her age, a surprisingly polished Tungoe out-sang close finalists Meyinaro Changkija and Gifty Shitiri to win the third edition of the singing competition, which now doles a cash prize of Rs.2 Lakh and an “educational scholarship” to boot aside from other gifts. 

 Yet again, the lovelier ones had completely demolished the boys – all the three survivors were girls. Save for a number toward the end of the competition, the youthful but strongly professional and confident talents performed on soundtracks. Still very young, pretty as daisies, hugely-talented, nervous and silently dying in their high heels, the three contestants led the music enthusiasts to a treat. 

Dressed in a white frock, a shy Shitiri opened a pleasant Dimapur evening with American band Six Pence None The Richer’s 1997 hit “Kiss Me.” While not much of a stage performer and primarily clueless during interludes in the backing, Shitiri implored for a pucker or two from an encouraging audience – comprising parents, friends and of course insatiable Dimapur music fans. She won the kisses, cheer-wise of course.

The second finalist to perform was a charming Meyinaro Changkija. Dressed beautifully in black and wings yet looking as vulnerable as a lily, young Changkija proved to be an exceptionally brave fighter. She battled bad pitches and a stumble in the chorus to hold up Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Climb’ as any true professional would. “Ain’t what’s waiting on the other side… It’s gonna be another battle,” she sang as the audience encouraged her to the hilt.

Following Changkija for the countdown, the third finalist in-performance, a quietly confident Zuchobeni Tungoe sang Sherrie Austin’s ‘Streets of Heaven.” Easily the most poised and controlled of the singers, Tungoe flawlessly delivered – notwithstanding CD skips in the soundtrack – the Australian singer’s Billboard #18 2003 hit. With the natural, yet, polished timbre that she has, Tungoe set the standard for the evening’s second and final round. 

Prior to the final round, the Pheto Music Association event also saw performances from former Kids for Fame winners and finalists, including season two’s winner Asheni. Chairman of Khadi & Village Industry and Advisor to the Music Task Force Dr. Nicky Kire addressed the audience during the intermission to the performance. 

Not wanting to prevent the audience from enjoying the music, chief guest Dr. Kire explained that he would speak “only one word.” A music enthusiast and a devotee of the microphone himself, the legislator spoke a 5-minute long one word. Concluding his speech, the MLA encouraged Naga talents that only those who are serious about music, there is a living to be made out of it. 

Also in attendance, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Mrs. Husheli was honored with flowers “as she is the only woman among the guys.” The Dimapur administrator was the only woman among the slew of “male” dignitaries, the audience realized later.  

In the second round, besides individual performances, the three finalists performed a trio before it turned into a quartet – upcoming Naga musician Alobo Naga joined the stage to sing “What are words,” by former American Idol contestant Chris Medina, with Zuchobeni, Meyinaro and Gifty. 

(From Top: Zuchobeni Tungoe, Meyinaro Changkija and Gifty Shitiri during the final event of Kids for Fame season 3, DImapur) 

All photographs by Sorei Mahong

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Metallica's Bangalore Concert Not Postphoned

by Al Ngullie

Ticket refund for Metallica's Delhi Concert; Delhi show on Saturday, Oct 29
Bangalore show not canceled; notices served to DNA Networks; Criminal case against organizers.     

India has pulled off a a metal CWG of sorts. Metallica will perform in Bangalore October 30 as scheduled even as the band's Delhi-Gurgaon show was postponed due to 'safety concerns.' You can't blame the fans for ripping off barricades and having a go at the music gear.

Remember in my earlier blog, I mentioned booking the organizers and wanting a Metal Anna Hazare? Well, according to CNN-IBN four organizers have been arrested by Delhi authorities for "cheating the public." The news anchor did not say what "cheating the public" meant. My assumption is, she meant the poor sots skimmed off some of the funds that originally was meant for safety infrastructure? 

Anyway, IBN Live said the arrested included the general manager of Operations and three assistant general  managers. Further, notices have been served to the owners of DNA Networks, the organizers as well.

Here is a video still from the IBN Live news report. The link to the full video is in the following part of this article:

Too bad for the fans and too bad for the opening act, Delhi-based metalcore band Guillotine for Metallica's show in Delhi.

For those seeking a ticket refund, you can do so from DNA, the TV report said, quoting DNA officials. Earlier, "technical reasons" were cited as the reason behind cancellation of the show. However, it was more do to with safety infrastructure and security for the audience attending the concert, I am told. My rationale is that although the concert is part of the F1 India, it is obvious that 300MPR cars won't be doing the rounds when the band is performing right?          

Bangalore Concert NOT Canceled - at least not now

Thankfully, DNA "sources" have said, according to the news channels I watched, that Metallica will be performing in Bangalore, October 30 as scheduled. You may want to watch the news on Metallica's Delhi-Gurgaon show at this IBN Live video here.

For full details about the tickets, prices and outlets for the band's Bangalore concert, you will find it here in this update I wrote earlier: Metallica India Concert Tickets Price List - Full

Administrator's Note: Do you want to use this article? Please read the section ‘Attention, All You Copycats and Plagiarists’ for terms and conditions. Thank you.

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Divine Connection's (yeah, that rock band from Nagaland) Pictures and images

by Al Ngullie

This is for all of you visitors to my blog who'd been nagging me for pictures and images of Divine Connection, Nagaland's biggest export to India's rock circuit in 45 years yet. The band recently won the MTV Kurkure Desi Rock. Members of Divine Connection, are Obed Kath (voice), Lichen Kichu (Guitars), Bandang Kichu (Drums) and Mhathung Odyuo (bass guitars). The band has an album 'El Roi' (2008) as well.  Read the album review here.

The pictures are mostly from Divine Connection's Facebook fanpage and yes, Mhathung Odyuo, was kind enough to give me the go-ahead thing with his own as well. By the way, why would you ask for Divine Connections' photographs here when there is a-plenty on Facebook? You lazy dweaks. Anyways, here they are, enjoy!

Note: All I did was ask and I got. I do not know who the photographers are. If there is a photograph of the band here you recognize as yours, please write to me at alngullie@gmail.com (or leave a comment) with the image URL of the photograph (s) so I'll mention you in the credit as the photographer. Thank you.

Mhathung is lost in his best John Myung Impression. Garnier Shampoo istymal karo, zabardast bajao. Take Care! 

Bendang just found out that these things don't sound at all like mom's utensils he used to play at home!

 

India's latest fingergod Lichen is all legs on this one. 

...and both of them are so happy to be playing under red bulbs somewhere far from Nagaland - them bulbs remind the dudes of Christmas, you see.

No, that's not a Gold Medal for winning the MTV Kurkure Desi Beat. Anyway, as you can see one of the four is obviously out of place both direction-wise and shirt-wise. No wonder. He's not wearing his glasses nah. 

And here's the famous first photograph of Divine Connection. Right after winning the MTV Kurkure Desi Rock Beat results were announced, this picture was the first to reach the Media - and I'm one of the very few to have seen it first yay!! Oh by the way, his exotic Pyjamas helped a lot - convinced the Judges to think that these dudes had been working without sleep na.  

And the winner is...DIVINE CONNECTION OF NAGALAND! The now-everywhere photograph of the band reacting right after the judges announced their name as winners of the MTV Kurkure Desi Rock Beat. 

Lichen looked up just in time to realize that his vocalist wasn't pointing at anything up there anywhere.

 

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Naga Music: Grand Finale of RockAware

by Al Ngullie

On October 15, Saturday, Dimapur District Sports Council stadium gasped as the musical hordes thronged to confirm the truth that music is to Nagas what land is to Naga villages. The most hyped musical event of the fall, RockAware 2011 – a rock music-driven anti-HIV-AIDS campaign of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) – had 11 rock bands grunting and growling angrily for the Rs. 1 Lakh cash prize. Noisemakers from Dimapur, Avantgarde metal band Avancer, finally killed the competition for good.
 

Peddled hard by the NSACS ever since the competition took off months back with the district-level auditions, the final event was as noisy and entertaining as it was hilarious and often ridiculous. The bizarre joy only Naga crowds know how to do best.

As usual, the Nagas’ rich cultural tradition of late timing inaugurated the show. Scheduled to commence by 4:00PM the event took to the decibels only from around 5:30 PM. Hosted by the easygoing entrepreneur and veteran musician Theja Meru, the evening’s formalities commenced with the all too worn-out appeals of “are you ready, Dimapur?” The Are-You-Ready-Dimapur would, later on, turn out to be The Dream café proprietor’s most powerful instrument to keep the impatient crowd occupied momentarily.  Just momentary enough for sound technicians and stagehands to escape with their endless sound-checks in between sets.


Who’s Who 

The trickle of people into DDSC stadium surged into a flood. ‘Music lovers’ of all sort and species began strutting in, making the best out of something that cost them nothing more than an auto-rickshaw ‘bhara’ to reach the venue. 

As is a common sight in Dimapur, underwear was the unofficial dress code for the evening. Chattering confidently and looking undefeatable, hundreds of enthusiastic youths walked into the venue dressed in their best underwear – boxers of all shape size and color.

Closely following the boxers, the stiletto addicts came. This lovely lot floated in – or rather wobbled in – braving the odd wolf whistling from somewhere in the crowd. Drudging through inches of dust, the lovely ones endured their spine-killing heels like true pros would – but clearly looking self-conscious wondering if some naughty areas of their thighs may have escaped the strict jurisdiction of their skirts.

As the grounds filled, the cream of the evening, perhaps, finally arrived. Dressed in bright yellow, Grammy winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt arrived, accompanied by  a  white-clad Nagaland Minister for Health, Kuzholuzo Neinu. The youths were interested only in the swanky black Chevrolet they drove in.

     (A glimpse from the grand finale of the RockAware concert in Dimapur, October 15, 2011)
 

Welcome to the Show  

By 6PM, the show was already grinding any ear that came within 1 mile radius of the stadium. Metalcore rockers from Dimapur, Melodrama, were one of the several guest artistes lined up to warm the crowd up before the roasting.



The band whipped out from the word ‘go’ in a 3-song set. Of course, Melodrama’s 5th member – the police siren – also performed in the band’s original ‘Restrain.’ The gathered youths head-banged their Koreans off as ‘Restrain’ unleashed their months’ worth of frustration at not having tasted any major entertainment freebies in Dimapur. Easily one of the finest and more professional-sounding metal bands in the state, Melodrama roasted an ear or two that evening.

After the roasting, came the strawberry cream. Lovely Naga Idol Renbeni Odyuo took the stage to soothe every smoking and burning ear. With two songs – one unidentified flying number and the other, Katy Perry’s ‘Hot n Cold’ did the youths in. The Naga Idol was accompanied by another of Dimapur’s finest groups, Incipit.

What she lacked in stage fire was more than compensated by her incredible vocal performance, especially on the Katy Perry hit. The crowd – mostly noise lovers – for once set aside their musical differences and did their best to join Odyuo in the chorus at least. After the hot and cold set from Melodrama and Odyuo, Theja Meru walked back on stage flashing a 100 watt grin that outshone the stagelights. One couldn’t blame the former Blood & Fire man for being joyous at the crowd’s response. ‘It’s a good start,’ the “Believe” songwriter thought as he grinned his ears to  shreds.

The growing population of boxers and Nagamese-warbling Korean youths added to the general chaos at the show. As part of the show, two youths, Temjen and a Nungshinaro also took time to share their experiences and push across their message of responsible sexual behavior. It was only then that realization dawned on  the crowd – no matter what noise,  they were still in an anti-HIV-AIDs program. The confusion was understandable considering one of the two persons actually began by saying “although it is not a very good moment to talk about HIV and AIDS…” In response, a confused Nagamese sentence rocketed out from somewhere in the crowd – “Ehhh? Itu HIV AIDS laka awareness program no hoi?”


Battle of the Grunts 

Eleven bands representing their respective districts performed a set of three songs each, including a rendition of the NSACS theme song for the campaign ‘I Care.’ The competing howlers grunted, moaned, groaned and ranted – almost all were metalcore or avantgarde bands (at least their songs sounded so). Backed loyally by huge guitars and even bigger drums, the excited Dimapur crowd never had a louder menu of rock music in the past 9 months. They leapt and hopped – adequately dressed in their metal fingers and gestures; grunted and shouted along with the choruses and made sure they also built human pillars and pyramids.

Fans at the front climbed on each others’ shoulders  before crashing down into the crowd, much to the delight of the gathered sweating mass of humanity.  Sprained ankles and twisted necks from the fall   is a totally  different story.

Another interesting aspect of the event was stage-diving. Fans cheered and romped as the more adventurous climbed the stage and dove into the crowd. Stage-diving  is  a tradition during rock shows across the world. In Nagaland if a fan bobbed his head or raised a metal salute during enjoying a song, there is always a danger of being thought you may be either a drunk or ‘Bosti.’ But now that RockAware has officially inaugurated  stage-diving, Naga fans can now do more than just bob heads without fearing if someone would ask them how many bottles they’d downed.

(A glimpse from the grand finale of the RockAware concert in Dimapur, October 15, 2011)

   


Condoms & Atomic Kittens

Adding to the joy of the evening, Bryan Adams and Atomic Kitten also performed for the crowd  – during the lengthy sound checks.  As Brian Adams sang “Those were the best days of my life,” blown balloons floated. It  delighted  the more liberal men but sent the women running for the nearest cover if one of the ‘sexy’ things landed on their  heads. The Atomic Kittens “Tide is High” brought out even more blown condoms, much to the chagrin of the irritated womenfolk.

Overall, the entire show was one of  high spirits –  bottled spirits,  that is. Notwithstanding the festivities, many youths were  seen lugging around the brown-red liquid in  nice   bottles. Many a Bleary-eyed and Nagamese-shouting warbler could be seen with cans of beer or bottles with contents that clearly indicated they were not black  tea or coffee.

Free and open use of alcohol during entertainment events remains a concern. In fact, just before the Dimapur edition of RockAware was lunched, a Media commentary in a local newspaper had pointed to the common, abundant and open use of alcohol during concerts.  Also, fulfilling the rich tradition of picking fights during concerts in Dimapur, a fight reportedly broke out at the gate of DDSC stadium. Security cleared people and vehicles from the area of crisis.

Anther highlight was Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt’s performance. Floating in with Indian classical and playing poetry on one of the sub-continent’s most celebrated musical instruments – the Mohan Veena – Pandit Bhatt had the crowd singing along – literally. For an instrumentalist, he successfully encouraged vocalizing the words ‘I Love You’ on one of his tunes.

And of course, as the Pandit rigged  his second song, the crowd turned to ‘Baba Black Sheep’ for comfort from the soundcheck. At one point the soundcheck was so prolonged that many fans even reached Christmas – they all started singing ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Merry Christmas.’

After the festive chaos, fans returned home happier while winner Avancer, of Dimapur, 2nd runner-up Tears of Judas of Tuensang and 3rd runner-up Anti-Trust of Zunheboto, went home richer and heavier with the rupees.

(All photographs by Sorei Mahong)

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Metallica India Concert-Tickets Price List - Full!

by Al Ngullie


Check out the retail outlets from where you can book or grab one too

 

Hello all you ‘llicaheads still growling about Metallica’s India concert tickets and where to buy them – Gurgaon and Bangalore. Look no further! Here’s the complete concert ticket price list for the band’s Gurgaon and Bangalore show and where to buy their tickets too – via online or retails outlets!

I’m mega-sorry for being unable to update my blogs on Metallica’s India concert tickets. I was busy – my girl nah. Enough blah. Alright, it’s tad overdue but here are the prices for Metallica’s concerts.

Metallica India tickets Gurgaon price

For the F1 Rocks show in Gurgaon Delhi-NCR, the price is Rs. 2, 750 (Front) and Rs.1, 560 (Back). My estimating was correct (ahem ahem) that the concert organizers wouldn’t be hard on our pockets. I’m convinced that some of the Delhi ticket-price committee people come from poor families. My initial thought was that the price for the Delhi Metallica concert ticket would be pretty steep – after all it is to be sold primarily to snobby-nosed NCR wallas nah, dimwit. Here’s the bad news: All online tickets are sold out on both www.dnanetworks.com and www.ticketgeknie.in . The good news? Find the retail outlets listed below, from where you can buy grab the tickets in flesh and blood tantanaaaa! I’m your hero, dude.

Here’s the Legend:

Event:  F1 ROCKS featuring METALLICA - GURGAON

Venue:  LEISURE VALLEY GROUND, SECTOR 29, GURGAON

Location:  DELHI -NCR, GURGAON

Date:  Friday, October 28, 2011

Time:  04:00 PM

Ticket price: Rs. 2, 750 (Front)

                     Rs.1, 560 (Back)

Metallica India tickets Bangalore price

The price for the band’s Bangalore show is the same as Gurgaon’s. The problem? There is only one category, General Admission – Rs. 2, 750. Daylight robbery! We need a metal Anna Hazare to have the Bangalore organizers booked! Somebody tell them that Bangalore is also home to serious metal heads who like to mosh from back gallery!

Here’s the legend for the Bangalore show:

Sunday October 30, 2011

Palace Grounds, Bangalore

Ticket price: Rs 2, 750 (general admission) 

(Photo: Metallica Guitarist Kirk Hammet)

By the way, all Metallica India tickets on DNA and Ticketgenie are sold out! That’s why I thought to list out for you the…

Retail outlets in Delhi and Bangalore for Metallica’s concerts! Now go catch an auto rickshaw and grab a ticket. You can also book your tickets through these retails outlets.

New Delhi outlet:

Cafe Morrison,

South Extension Part 2
New Delhi

Bangalore outlets:

Planet M

Kalyan Nagar,

# 96/3 4th Cross, HRBR layout, 2nd Block, Kalyannagar, Bangalore-43.
Zabiulla
Ph:080-41637304

Jayanagar,

Planet M Retail Ltd, No. 29/ A BBMP No.115, 9 th Main, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 011.
Nagabhushan C
Ph:080-41497085

Esteem Mall,

Planet M Retail Ltd, F20, Esteem Mall, First FloorNo: 127 & 128, Hebbal Village Bellary Road, Bangalore - 560024.
Kariappa C P
Ph:080-40908534

Garuda Mall,

Planet M Retail Ltd, No:219, Garuda Mall, 2nd Floor, Magrath Road,
Bangalore 560 025.
SUBHAJIT ROY
Ph:080-41131238

Brigade Road,

Planet M Retail Ltd, 9, Curzon Complex, 1st floorBrigade Road, Bangalore 560001.
Razzak Hasan Wadkar
Ph:080-40682888

Mantri Mall

Planet M Retail Ltd, Anniamma Arcade No:280/1, 2nd Main Road,18th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore - 560003.
Chetan KUMAR.A.M
Ph:080-22667272

Total Mall – Kempfort

Total Mall - Kempfort, Ground Floor, Shop no. 7, # 97, Old Airport Road,
Bangalore-17.
N.SUNIL KUMAR
Ph:080-41480660

HeyHo Village

Planet M Retail Ltd, Shop No.39, 80 Feet Road,HAL 3rd Stage Bangalore - 560 075.
Chetan R
Ph:080-41644361

Landmark

The Forum

Contact Manager: Mr. Aravind
21 Hosur Road, Koramangala, Bangalore – 560 029
PH: (080) 4240 4240

Garuda Swagat Mall (Old Swagat Theatre)

Contact Manager: Mr. Harish
Tilak Nagar Main Road, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore – 560 041
PH: (080) 65771227

Lesconcierges

Contact

Sujith,
LES CONCIERGES SERVICES PVT LTD
# 83, 7th Cross, 4th B Block, Koramangala, Bangalore.
Karnataka, INDIA. PIN: 560 034
Ph: 080-42842424
Mobile: 9845015183

                                             

Phew, so much metal – it’s quite heavy. Enjoy, man.

(Photo: Metallica. Lar's Ulrich just found out that James' tattoos are a bit salty)

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TC Hawkins: God’s own Travellin’ Bluesman

by Al Ngullie
 
For a man whose name takes after one of America’s most fabled hunting rifles, opened for some of the most iconic figures of entertainment America ever had, and later on survived the horrors of the Vietnam War and emerged to travel the world singing the Blues, he is as close to the real beat stuff anyone can have.

                                   
Blues veteran TC Hawkins has travelled hard but travelled well. “I know there are better singers, better musicians out there but no one is more sincere than me. (This sincerity is) from God,” the man, who once opened for The Jackson Five, told The Morung Express during an interaction at Aier’s Mansion in Dimapur, Sunday.  

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, TC Hawkins performed Saturday in Dimapur as part of “international culture-mix,” an inter-culture variety, held on October 8. The Christian ‘bluesman’ is described as a singer, songwriter, choir director, producer and international performer. But this affable man, standing somewhere 5’7 has also a scarred side to him, one he politely declined to talk about. Hawkins is also a veteran of one of the most devastating and most controversial wars in modern history – the Vietnam War (1955-1975).
The mere details he can share you is these: He enlisted in the US Army 1966 and was dispatched to Vietnam in 1967. In 1969, he returned home after military service.  

Right: TC Hawkins in performance in Dimapur, Nagaland
on October 8, 2011 (Photo by Sorei Mahong)

From Vietnam to Praise                                

“When I came back from Vietnam, everybody was singing rock and roll,” Hawkins reminisced. Hawkins already had an incredible track record even before he commenced military service, in fact. He led a now obscure band that opened for The Jackson Five and then Tina Turner herself. Hawkins would go on to open for the great bluesmen of the day Al Green and BB King among others. In fact, his career was taken on the tops when he sang the Star Spangled Banner the night Muhammad Ali took on Jimmy Young.

Hawking said he resumed his singing even in the military. But, apparently, the war took a toll on him. When he emerged from serving in Vietnam, Hawkins no longer wanted to pursue career in “secular’ music. There was no power in his music before he committed to God, Hawkins said between sips of coffee. “When I committed to God, then,” he said, “the power came.”
 
TC Hawkins had finally found what he wanted to do in life. He travelled the world performing in Norway, a host of other Scandinavian countries, Russia and Canada. He then wrote and produced his first solo album entitled “I Gave It Up”.


The Blessed Vagabond

Yet, in all irony, the veteran bluesman has no record label even after 40 years. ‘I have been waiting for somebody to come along, to sign me and say, show me what you got,’ Hawkins said. In a world of rock and hip-hop, record labels have yet to find time for a Christian blues singer, who aside from all practical purpose, is 63 years old now. “There has been no label for me for 40 years. But I am successful in the eyes of God. I am successful because I attempt to succeed in what I do,” the man, whose namesake is a hunting rifle, said. ‘Was it successful because you have reached the top? Or was it successful because attempt was made to reach the top? In God’s eyes, I am already successful. I’m certain of it,’ he explained. “I have never lost hope. I believe that one day the phone will ring…” the man said.
 
Writing and producing his music, Hawkins took out a second CD “Forever”, and a third recording which was a single “There’s Nobody.” His latest release is “Totally Committed” which has a set of more than a dozen new songs ‘for the record labels.’  

It is said that TC Hawkins is a household name in Europe and Scandinavia. In fact, he is quite popular there that he’d travelled to Norway for about 40 times to perform.  “He is mentioned in the same breath as BeBe and CeCe Winans, Andrae Crouch and Richard Smallwood,” a resource on Hawkins says. God has been his guide and provider, he acknowledged. ‘I had never heard of Nagaland, now I am in Nagaland,’ he said, explaining that God is the one who offers him work. He has a dream though – a record label that can offer him a platform to share his message of redemption and God’s love to the people.
 
In 1990 Hawkins joined the Scandinavia leg of BeBe and CeCe Winans European tour In November of 1993 he appeared in Oslo, Norway, with Richard Smallwood. “Whatever God has in store for me I will take. If you keep believing, faith will work.”

Hawkins has a page on MySpace at www.myspace.com/hawkins1

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ON SALE JULY 3, 2011 Metallica's India Concert Tickets

Rejoice, you lucky metal mahaputra. Tickets to Metallica’s India concerts 2011 in Bangalore and Greater Gurgaon is to go on sale on July 3, 2011 at Noon (12 PM) local time and will be available at Ticketgenie.in This update is from a June 14 update on Metallica’s website. The guys are still not disclosing the price but I am SURE it won’t be more than 3 K (and that’s the extreme maximum!). A cent more than that would have India's billions of Metrallica horde rioting - literally. I'll keep you updated.

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Nagaland's Imli Imchen: Guitars, Fingerstyle, Fingerflair

Nagaland's first Fingerstyle instrumentalist, I believe   

When his debut album hits the stores in June in Mumbai, the least of reactions in Nagaland would be vigorously nodding heads agreeing that his brand of music is the first of the kind ever to come out from the Naga talent pool. In a state where traditional guitar playing-styles – such as contemporary rock guitar playing and the classical guitar – are as common as smoked pork, Imli Imchen’s acoustic instrumental music will stand out stark and indisputable. 

21 year old Imli Imchen – a devout Andy McKee addict and acoustic junkie – plays Fingerstyle and his tunes are centuries away from the normal fingerboard menu 12 lakh Nagas have been playing since the age of the dinosaurs. On his album release, Imchen shall be solely blamed for shoving Wes Borland and Joe Satriani out of Nagaland and introducing Bucky Pizzarelli and Guy Van Duser here.

Imchen, a 5’9 tall monster sparkling with dexterity even a young George Winston would appreciate, played to select patrons at Dimapur’s Jumping Bean, Wednesday May 11. He treated the patrons to his gift, playing a guitar style that has taken the American and European music industry by storm –Fingerstyle. He could be making history. Wait and watch.

Fingerstyle for Dummies 

For those who came in late, Fingerstyle or Fingerstyle Guitar is a recent and highly specialized guitar style. In contrast to traditional guitar styles such as flat-picking (eg., the contemporary rock style) or chord repertoire (eg., the classical guitar style) Fingerstyle’s chief characteristics are the use of entire digits accentuated mainly by percussive and open tunes as opposed to picking individual notes, repertoire or strumming. Artificial harmonics, hammer-ons or pull-offs in open fretting and yes, using the acoustic body of the guitar as percussion, used alternatively with playing the notes, are some of the main features of the technique. A recent boost for the Fingerstyle movement (also called New Age Fingerstyle for modern arrangements) was the Grammy for the Eurells – John Eurell Sr. and John Eurell Jr. Guitar enthusiasts will know Andy McKee’s ‘Rylyn.’

(Right: Guitarist Imli Imchen)

Jumping Gaga 

A little jumpy Imli Imchen – nervous to the point of apologizing – and baby sister Nukshinaro Imchen performed a gig of covers and numbers from the guitarist’s yet untitled album. His nervous mutterings notwithstanding, Imchen’s special skill with the guitar, and his originals made sure he was swiftly forgiven for getting jumpy. A dulcet Nukshi accompanied her brother on Chandler’s’  ‘I know you’re there’ before retouching John Mayer’s 2005 Grammy Song of the Year ‘Daughters.’  On the higher pitches, Nukshinaro actually sounds like American singer Anastasia. The brother-sister duo then nailed the patrons good with Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ and of course one unidentified flying number that even had  Lady Gaga helping out in the chorus.    

However, Imchen’s originals were the main course. An incredibly beautiful, emotional and poignant instrumental Imchen played was ‘Kohima Night Sky’ – a tribute to his missing home when in Mumbai. The piece was replete with all theatrics even a rock guitarist would envy – double-handed harmonics in the middle of repertoire; soaring ascensions and flowery arpeggios; exquisite layering. ‘Kohima Night Sky’ is destined for greatness, especially for ringtone junkies. ‘Since that Day,’ another original from his upcoming album, was next – an instrumental powerfully reminiscent of the iconic ‘Midsummer’s Daydream’ (Rick Emmet).  You could see jaws were having a day off when Imchen played his originals. 

Promoted by Nagabit.com, a Naga website, Imchen’s debut is scheduled for summer. For all his dexterity and fine musical sensibilities are worth, Imli Imchen could be the first of the new breed of Naga guitarists who have renounced worldly pleasures such as the rock styles and dedicated their lives to more fingerly pursuits.

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Nagaland's Imli Imchen: Guitars, Fingerstyle, Fingerflair

Nagaland’s first Fingerstyle instrumentalist I believe

When his debut album hits the stores in June in Mumbai, the least of reactions in Nagaland would be vigorously nodding heads agreeing that his brand of music is the first of the kind ever to come out from the Naga talent pool. In a state where traditional guitar playing-styles – such as contemporary rock guitar playing and the classical guitar – are as common as smoked pork, Imli Imchen’s acoustic instrumental music will stand out stark and indisputable.

21 year old Imli Imchen – a devout Andy McKee addict and acoustic junkie – plays Fingerstyle and his tunes are centuries away from the normal fingerboard menu 12 lakh Nagas have been playing since the age of the dinosaurs. On his album release, Imchen shall be solely blamed for shoving Wes Borland and Joe Satriani out of Nagaland and introducing Bucky Pizzarelli and Guy Van Duser here.

Imchen, a 5’9 tall monster sparkling with dexterity even a young George Winston would appreciate, played to select patrons at Dimapur’s Jumping Bean, Wednesday May 11. He treated the patrons to his gift, playing a guitar style that has taken the American and European music industry by storm –Fingerstyle. He could be making history. Wait and watch.

Fingerstyle for Dummies

For those who came in late, Fingerstyle or Fingerstyle Guitar is a recent and highly specialized guitar style. In contrast to traditional guitar styles such as flat-picking (eg., the contemporary rock style) or chord repertoire (eg., the classical guitar style) Fingerstyle’s chief characteristics are the use of entire digits accentuated mainly by percussive and open tunes as opposed to picking individual notes, repertoire or strumming. Artificial harmonics, hammer-ons or pull-offs in open fretting and yes, using the acoustic body of the guitar as percussion, used alternatively with playing the notes, are some of the main features of the technique. A recent boost for the Fingerstyle movement (also called New Age Fingerstyle for modern arrangements) was the Grammy for the Eurells – John Eurell Sr. and John Eurell Jr. Guitar enthusiasts will know Andy McKee’s ‘Rylyn.’

 (Right: Guitarist Imli Imchen)

Jumping Gaga 

A little jumpy Imli Imchen – nervous to the point of apologizing – and baby sister Nukshinaro Imchen performed a gig of covers and numbers from the guitarist’s yet untitled album. His nervous mutterings notwithstanding, Imchen’s special skill with the guitar, and his originals made sure he was swiftly forgiven for getting jumpy. A dulcet Nukshi accompanied her brother on Chandler’s’  ‘I know you’re there’ before retouching John Mayer’s 2005 Grammy Song of the Year ‘Daughters.’  On the higher pitches, Nukshinaro actually sounds like American singer Anastasia. The brother-sister duo then nailed the patrons good with Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ and of course one unidentified flying number that even had  Lady Gaga helping out in the chorus.    

However, Imchen’s originals were the main course. An incredibly beautiful, emotional and poignant instrumental Imchen played was ‘Kohima Night Sky’ – a tribute to his missing home when in Mumbai. The piece was replete with all theatrics even a rock guitarist would envy – double-handed harmonics in the middle of repertoire; soaring ascensions and flowery arpeggios; exquisite layering. ‘Kohima Night Sky’ is destined for greatness, especially for ringtone junkies. ‘Since that Day,’ another original from his upcoming album, was next – an instrumental powerfully reminiscent of the iconic ‘Midsummer’s Daydream’ (Rick Emmet).  You could see jaws were having a day off when Imchen played his originals.

Promoted by Nagabit.com, a Naga website, Imchen’s debut is scheduled for summer. For all his dexterity and fine musical sensibilities are worth, Imli Imchen could be the first of the new breed of Naga guitarists who have renounced worldly pleasures such as the rock styles and dedicated their lives to more fingerly pursuits.

Photo: Soreishim Mahong

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Metallica’s India Concert Tickets Sale Date Postponed

More: Band confirms F1 Rocks' concert venue: Leisure Valley, Gurgaon (Haryana) 

Metallica has announced that tickets to the band’s two concerts one each in Leisure Valley, Gurgaon and another in Bangalore, have been “delayed.” This is a tad too much. Just too much. Earlier, the event's organizers had announced Metallica’s concert tickets to start selling from May 4 from www.ticketgenie.in and www.dnanetworks.com

Metallica did not offer information on the date the tickets for their India concerts would go on sale but I have strong notions that ticket booth will open around May 20 – the time when tickets to the inaugural Indian F1 Grand Prix, to be held near Delhi, goes on sale. The event Metallica is playing is F1 Rocks - the entertainment segment of the Indian Grand Prix. The band has a concert scheduled at the event on October 28 and another in Bangalore on October 30.

     Metallica's Bassman Rober Trujillo during the band's November 3, 2009 show in Ottawa, CAN

According to Metallica’s website, tickets to the band’s two concerts in Noida and Bangalore have been “delayed until further notice... we will be sure to update you here when we have new information, which should be very soon.” The “very soon,” I suspect, would be around May 20. Trust me, my experience with international rock bands tells me the whole affair is a Media coup. You build the hype, tantalize the hunters (example: announce tickets, postpone ticket sale dates, announce it again etc), feed the hype more and in about a week to the event – announce the tickets. It is total psychological warfare in the case of Metallica’s India concert tickets and the shows. 

Keep checking in, I will keep you updated when my thrash metal cats meow.

PS: Also, for the first time since Metallica announced its 2011 ‘India tour', the band has said it is play at F1 Rocks, will be in Leisure Valley, Sector 29, Gurgaon and not at the Inaugura Indian Grand Prix, which is in Noida. Please note that the inaugural Indian Grand Prix is to be held in UP’s Noida, near Delhi. Metallica’s Bangalore concert is at the Bangalore Palace Ground, Main Palace, Bangalore, on October 30 as part of the Sonisphere Festival.

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