CyberSansar : Exclusive

Candid talk with Axe Band
Updated On 31st July, 2007

-By Preity
-Photo by Ashish Shrestha

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(The article and photos may not be reproduced or published in any form without the written permission of the publisher)

Vocal/ Bass Guitar- Shiva Mukhiya
Guitar- Sharad Shrestha
Drum- Surendra sthrestha
Band Manger- Sudip Rana

The fusion of rock music and western musical instruments along with the Nepali flavored lyrics is surely their key to popularity. They are listened not only in the cities but even in the rural places of Nepal. It’s been 14 years they’re in the industry and defeating all the hardships and critics. Definitely they have come a long way, always giving their best melodies. Yes, The AXE, certainly rock the Nepali Music industry. Don’t they?

Right now, “euta chitthi ko saharale” is topping the charts and they have some more music videos lined up to release. CyberSansar caught up exclusive with the band to talk about their musical journey, hardships, their new album Kammasaka and a lot more things.

1. Tell us band formation?

We established the band in 93, as childhood friends when we used to jam up and play guitars and create music. We had a musical environment and all of us belong to the same community so, it happened like that.

2. A band for more than a decade, not a joke! How have you been able to maintain the band unity?

We think it’s because we are friends and we belong to the same place, we grew up with the same understanding level… maybe that’s why! Until now, everything’s fine working with each other.

3. Since it’s been a long time you’re in the music industry, please tell us about your experiences so far.

When we started working as a band, the present scene was quite unimaginable. This was like an alien concept for the mainstream of Nepali Music. Now with the development in media and musical awareness, things have changed a lot now. It’s progressing and that’s good news!

4. What changes have you seen in the music industry within these years and how have you adapting to the changes?

There are a lot of changes. As we said earlier, this musical scene was totally an alien concept. There were live bands and music artists but there are a lot of changes in music itself, in technology, environment and many more things. So, about adapting to the changes, well, we think that the main reason for our sustainability is that we have this typical Nepali flavor in rock which we fuse it with the western musical instruments, so maybe because of this every group of people understand it.

5. How do you do your compositions and lyrics or the overall music thing? Tell us about your working style or schedule.

There is just no such any rules that we follow. We generally create music during our practice and jam-ups. Sometimes Shiva gets the lyrics and we just try creating the melody and it just happens. Basically it’s the jam-up times that we discuss on certain things and exchange suggestions.

6. Tell us about your recently released album “Kamasaka”. What does it stand for?

Kamasaka is our 5th album. We have researched a lot for the name itself. It’s a Buddhist word that denotes Kama meaning Karma and Saka meaning wealth. The word is taken from Paali language that is supposed to be spoken by Gautam Buddha.
Kamasaka basically is Axe flavored album that contains our regular patterned melodies.

7. How is it doing in the market sales wise? Popularity wise we know it’s already a hit!

Well, sales wise also the album is more than expected we already had 2,000 CDs and 10,000 audios sold some time ago. So, we’re getting a pretty good response!

8. We’ve heard that you’ve just completed a video shoot of your next song in Pokhara. Tell us about it.

Yes, the song is “chahe duniya le je sukai bhaneni”. Actually, it was just an unexpected work. We had gone to Pokhara for an anti drug campaign, we did this shooting there. We made the video concept within one night; however, our videos are always unplanned! We also got some models arranged that suited the concept. So, we got it done. Now, we’re taking care of the technical part. We expect to release this video by the 2nd week of Bhadra.

9. Except for the record production and the concerts, how often do you see each other?

As we said, we belong to the same locality so there is no any such fixed time that we see. Mostly some 3 days a week we jam up and do music.

10.Do you have any particular place where you usually meet for the practice?

Yes, we practice at a hall in Maitidevi which belongs to Prabandha Samiti. They have provided us the place considering our contribution to the music.

11. We’ve heard that you guys have been playing for social causes as well and you’ve also played for free in some places. How was the response of the RCCOW concert? How far did the target meet?

The RCCOW program was good. We were interested in the program because it had a god cause behind it and we performed for free. The response was also good and we also faced an unexpected crowd despite the program was arranged within a short period of time. At least we’re happy that we are able to collect the fund for the primary level education of 15 needy children. We are having a meeting with the organizers on this.

12. The Axe band has a huge demand for live concerts and we’ve heard about your hectic schedules to many places. What are the programs lined up with the Axe?

We’re having a concert in Biratnager. We’ve heard that the pamphlets are also already stuck on the walls. But we’re not really sure about the program because we haven’t done any official agreement yet. We’ll perform only if we are able to do it. And we also have a concert in Chitwan on Bhadra 20th.

13. How do you describe the present musical scenario of the country?

Well, it’s at the improving phase we must say. But there are some good and “not so good” people as well! We have the trend; every one can be a music artist. There are a lot of self produced artists also! And there are also many talented ones. So, they should get equal opportunities. The media personalities should also promote the artists making equal judgments.

14. Do have to say anything to the aspiring artists?

Please enter the music field with more enthusiasm and practice. Come prepared and be categorized. And don’t be a copycat. Be inspired with something and come up with something creative. And be patient, it definitely works!

15. Any message to your fans?

Say no to Drugs.

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