Interview with Redolent
Club Muzik's ARTISIA - voice of the stars

Club Muzik *

Redolent : A group photo
Picture from Redolent FB page

Redolent, the Band from Tamenglong District, Manipur was formed in mid-summer of 2003. Their 1st album "Shine Your Light" was released in 2003. The 2nd album "Infinite Horizon" was released in 2007.

Q1. What were you all before Redolent?
Redolent: Prior to Redolent, we were into our respective educational careers. For instance, Aaron (Manager) and Jonah (Guitarist) had just completed their Graduation from Manipur and Nagaland, respectively. Stephen (Bassist) was in a Delhi-based band called Nakshatra while pursuing his Computer Course (Multimedia). Bordin (Executive Producer) had just got employed in the District Rural Development Agency.

Q2. How do you record your songs, like the recording Equipments, Studios, etc.?
Redolent: The first album, Shine Your Light, was recorded at Alfred's studio (Music Tracks) in Imphal. The second album, Infinite Horizon, was also recorded at Alfred's studio (Clef Ensemble) in Kohima. The yet-unnamed third album is presently being recorded at Zuffy's studio in Tamenglong.

Q3. Give us a brief about some of the best gigs the band ever played?
Redolent: Most memorable performances so far are –
* Concerts in Nagaland on April 12th-13th, 2006 & March 30th-31st, 2010; and
* Concerts at Imphal (Manipur) on the 11th November 2006, the 11th October 2008, the 30th September 2009, the 13th February 2010 & the 10th May 2014.
* "Naga Fest 2012" @ Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi on the 19th September 2012.
* "Charuang 2012" @ Surtaal Open-Air Theatre, New Delhi on the 21st September 2012.
* "Frontline Stronghold" @ Recreation Centre, Imphal on the 26th March 2013.
* "Independence Rock" @ Ukhrul on the 14th-15th August 2013.
* "Reverberating In Paul – Version 1" (RIP-v.1) @ B.O.A.T., Imphal on the 10th May 2014.

Q4. A big crowd is what a band wants to play in front of but we do also face various hurdles from fans and the organizers. What are the difficulties the band usually encounters while playing in such gigs?
Redolent: We've had some experience organizing our own gigs sans any sponsors. Inadequate sound systems for an open live concert are common occurrences. You can't expect 100% from the band when it has to shoulder the responsibility of arranging the sound systems and pushing ticket sales. But in the end, there's a sigh of relieve in giving our best effort all for the fans.

Q5. We don't see a lot of you very frequently in gigs. How do you pick gigs?
Redolent: Right! We are seen frequently in gigs because we pick gigs that fit our schedule – time & date. The band members are also involved in our respective regular professions. For instance, Jonah and Samuel are into teaching professions while Stephen, Ching and Xieeyaan are involved in other lines of work. Moreover, except for Xieeyaan, all the other members have family obligations being married with wives and children to look after.

Q6. How is the musical trend in Tamenglong?
Redolent: People in Tamenglong have varied tastes in music ranging from Hip-hop to Pop, Country to Rock & Roll, Rock to Metal, Dance to Reggae, et al.

Q7. How do you inspire or land a hand to your juniors who come for guidance in music?
Redolent: Usually, we let our juniors go through the basics: tonic sol-fa & staff notations. These are taught by our senior professionals through workshops, seminars, classes, camps, etc. Then, we guide them by making them apply these basic skills in the contemporary perspective.

Q8. Honestly Redolent seems more of an online or web oriented name rather than a frequent neighborhood kids here in Manipur. Have a say on this?
Redolent:Hey! Redolent has a group or a page or two in facebook, an account in reverbnation, etc. But despite these we aren't too frequent online because of the disparingly poor net accessibility in Tamenglong. In fact, our fans expect so much more from us that they keep us alive through the internet: uploading our videos, songs, photos, etc.

Q9. How is the Redolent going to be in the futures to come?
Redolent:Redolent shall continue to do what it has been doing – making music and entertaining the world and at the same time delivering messages of peace and hope to the world. We hope to inspire more young people to channel their talents for the same instead of wasting it on other worldly pleasures.

Q10. What do you think the purpose of Redolent is to the society?
Redolent: Redolent is a band of the present generation for the betterment of the future generations to come. We are here to build a better society through songs that contain deep messages of hope.

Q11. What do you do to come up with a new lyrics and tune?
Redolent: Most of the songs we make are spontaneous. Sometimes the structure is made before the lyrics and at other times it is the other way round. Once the two are put together, we refine the songs by blending these with the finer elements.

Q12. Some of the best things you wanted from the band?
Redolent: Time and unwavering dedication is what we want from the band. Unless we find these, we shall always be missing gigs. We don't want the talents of the band to be wasted and would like to keep on making music as long as we don't face any physical or health related problems.

Q.13. Favorite National Highway in Manipur?
Redolent: None (as of now)! Hope these NHs improve as much as to serve its purpose without any hindrances! Wishing for the best!