Singzu Joint setting Sparks in the Sky
James Khangenbam *
Singzu Joint :: Pix - Deepak Shijagurumayum
Three young musicians decided to form a band and create a distinctive sound of their own. The fact that the three had not performed together for any live concert earlier could not hold them back.
The story sounds familiar and clichéd in a place like Manipur. However, the story goes on and their songs have touched the hearts of many taking fellow musicians and critics by surprise.
Meet Riki Chingangbam (vocalist), Laishram Eroz Khumancha (vocalist, song writer and programmer) and Rajiv Nongmaithem (guitarist). Of the three, Riki Chingangbam was formerly one of the vocalists of the current leading protest band Imphal Talkies.
With just three songs to their kitty, the trio made a quite entry into the world of Indie music scene in Manipur with clear cut idea on what their craft and art should be. Singzu Joint adopts a minimalistic approach to music with rather minimum use of conventional instruments.
The tender voices of Riki and company flow exquisitely smooth with the sound created by the band. The lyrics of the band are based on tribulations of individuals trapped in turmoil spawned by a socio-political reality that is Manipur.
With a tinge of psychedelic nostalgia and a touch of Irish angst, Singzu Joint sketches the society they live with their lyrical prowess.
Singzu Joint's song "Fly": Athouba Emagi Macha was one of the songs compiled by The IndiEarth Podcast in June 2014. The band also won IndiEarth's DIY Musicians Campaign award along with another band from Mumbai in July 2014.
Fly – Athoubi Emagi Macha was digitally distributed worldwide by IndiEarth. Though the platform might not have been a mega musical conquest, what is worth mentioning is the fact that Singzu Joint's numbers were reportedly aired by an FM Channel in Chennai.
Currently, the band has taken a sabbatical from their usual musical pursuits perhaps to chart out their own future. When Hueiyen Lanpao contacted the band, one band member assured they will be back on track soon with new and invigorating compositions.
* James Khangenbam wrote this article for Hueiyen Lanpao
This article was posted on June 16, 2015.
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