If you have not heard of the Nagaland band Abiogenesis, we won’t blame you. Neither did we know about them. We spotted them by chance at an event in Mumbai where they had come to perform for ‘Colors of North East Festival’ in early August 2015. Their performance at the event left everyone spellbound. Their music was nothing short of something exotic, something we had never heard at all, though they claimed to have performed in Mumbai several times. We just had to meet up with this band who we came to know hailed from the North East and were leaving to go back after the performance. We cornered them for an interview over a couple of beers and they rattled about themselves like there was no tomorrow. But before we take you to the interview here is a little snapshot on the band so you get to know what Abiogenesis is all about.

Abiogenesis to a science student would be a biological term, but to Moa who founded the band, it is a Rock – Folk - Fusion band from Dimapur (Nagaland), formed in 1992 and has been performing since 2005. They describe their sound as a form of world music called ‘Howey music’. Frontman Moa Subong performs with a wind instrument he has invented called the bamhum. Bamhum’s eerie lingering tones bring an otherworldly quality to the band’s sound and highlight the group’s fresh take on a classic genre. Not satisfied with just playing mainstream music and their hunger to take music to a higher level, the band went further into exploration and experimentation which resulted in a new form of world music. Abiogenesis is the only band in the world that plays Howey and Bamhum. Known for their energetic and lively acts, they have performed some action-packed shows in many places in India and the world over. They are already getting increasing noticed everywhere.

The band tries to bring the culture of Nagaland fusing it with modern day melodies that appeal to a younger generation. They have also been nominated for a Grammy award too. With such a profile in tow, what more can you expect from them, but wholesome music that soothes the mind and fills the soul.

Voices in Kisama the band’s latest music video was premiered on VH1 India on 22^nd May followed by telecast in MTV Indies, 9XO and Songdew. It was also reportedly featured internationally across the world. Voices in Kisama is an instrumental piece from their album “Legacy of the Mountains” which was nominated in the Global Indian Music Awards 2014. The two new Naga bamboo musical instruments Bamhum and Tikzik are played in the video. Most of the footages have been shot live in Kisama during Hornbill Festival, 2014. Through this song, Abiogenesis intends to promote not only Naga Howey Music but also tell and show to the world about the colorful Hornbill Festival held at Kisama annually.

Abiogenesis has a lot going for them. They are a band to watch out for in the months to come. They are already a household name in Nagaland. With a music video playing on national television, concert tours around the country, Abiogenesis is the new act the world will look up to very soon.

Now onto the interview:

Can you tell us tell us a little about Abiogenesis the band. How did it all start, when did it start, who were involved in the initial stages?

Moa: Abiogenesis started off as a rock band playing both originals and covers. Gradually, as the years went by, we realised the need to go further. This made us explore and experiment with our music. The exploration and experimentation resulted in evolving a new form of world music called Howey music. Howey is a fusion of Naga and other Indian folk with various forms of modern music. The word Howey is derived from the chants or expressions of the Nagas ever since time immemorial while doing work or dance during festivals easing them and giving them lots of energy. In the midst of this process, something wonderful happened, the invention of the Bamhum. This (the bamhum) novelty brought about a huge change to how Abiogenesis sounds today. It became the leading instrument of the band with Arenla playing the lead Bamhum, and myself playing the harmony. After the advent of Howey music and Bamhum in 2005, we play only originals. Arenla and I are the founding members and when we evolved Howey music; our two sons Meren on guitar and Imli on drums were playing with us. Due to other commitments they are not playing with the band anymore and the present line up is Arenla on vocals and Bamhum, Moa (that’s me) on guitar, Bamhum, harmonica, Tikzik, Aso on drums and Tikzik and Sosangmeren on bass guitar.

Abiogenesis is a biological term. How did you get the name Abiogenesis? 

Moa: Yes, Abiogenesis means, the evolution of life or living organisms from lifeless matter. The present youngsters in Nagaland are more inclined to western music and culture and as such they have very less or no knowledge of our rich cultural heritage. We thought we should reverse these trends through our music. So we have incorporated the elements of the past with our music to make it modernized and appealing so that it would arouse interest to them.

How do you define your music and which genre (style) would you put in? Is it pure folk fusion or would you have another name to give it?

Moa: Howey music is our brand of music. It’s a fusion of Naga and other Indian folk elements with various forms of modern music. Of course, our music is leaning a bit more towards rock.

Your music is from Nagaland. Tell us more about it and what is the selling point? 

Moa: Being from Nagaland, we create indigenous and tribal sounds in the most modern way making it exotic and beautiful to listen to, a sound never heard before. Each and every song or music has a meaning and Arenla, the front lady narrates and explains the untold stories of Nagaland. It is not only entertaining but also a learning experience.

Where do you draw inspiration from? Who’s been the motivational person in the band or from outside the band?

Moa: Arenla and I draw inspiration from each other as we have been together through thick and thin. We both have the same zeal for creativity and complement each other in all our works.

Does music run in the family?

Arenla: Yes, all 5 members are musicians.

The North East is known to produce some of the best music talent. How do you promote yourselves around India and the world? 

Moa: Performing live shows and featuring our music and music videos on TV, radio, internet etc.

Your videos Voices of Kisama and Return of the Son have great visual element. Are there any other videos you plan to shoot in the future?

Arenla: Yes, we will make videos for most of the future single releases

Your song Voices of Kisama has two Naga bamboo musical instruments Bamhum and Tikzik being played in the video. How did you find such instruments and how long have you been using it?

Moa: Yes, both bamboo and tikzik are my inventions. The Bamhum is a new wind bamboo musical instrument unveiled by the then Governor of Meghalaya Shri. M.M. Jacob at the International Bamboo Fest on 3^rd May 2005 at Shillong.The Bamhum made it to the i3 National Innovation Fair at The Lalit, New Delhi in October 2013, where it was declared as one of the six innovations selected by TIFAC, the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Tikzik is a new bamboo percussions unveiled by Shri. Lipokmar Tzudir, Director of North East Zone Cultural Centre during the Discover North East Fest at Mokokchung on 2^nd May 2014. I would want people to know that both are not folk instruments, but rather they are the latest invented indigenous Indian musical instruments.

How does one play the Bamhum and Tikzik?

Moa: For Bamhum, all it takes for a player is to simply hum a tune into the hum hole, besides controlled breathing as an ingredient to acquire proficiency and versatility, unlike other instruments where one undertakes the long trail of learning the technicalities of playing musical instruments. Tikzik is sounded or played by holding with one hand and being struck onto the finger or balm of the other hand while the fingers can also simultaneously tap single note or beat repeatedly like a roll onto the Tikzik stick or the small tok pad located on one end of the Tikzik. The zik sound clan is played with the additional zik stick while the shake sound is also heard. Tikzik can be classified as an unpitched percussion instrument, which produce notes without an identifiable pitch.

What language do you use in all your songs? Do you use the local Naga language and any other Indian languages? Moa: We do both vocals and instrumentals. Our songs are in English as it is the universal language but we do incorporate few lines here and there in Ao-Naga including elements of Naga and Indian folk tunes, expressions and chants.

You have about six albums including a Christmas album. Do you plan on releasing a new album soon?

Moa: With CDs almost disappearing we have to move with the trend of releasing our songs in digital format. So I guess we will be releasing mostly singles regularly followed by a few albums.

At your live concerts, do you always wear traditional North Eastern outfits (Naga dresses as you are from Nagaland), and do you try to promote besides the music also the tradition of your state and culture?

Moa: Like our music, we also love to mix and match our modern outfits with our rich and colourful traditional gears and fabrics. So through our music and outfits in concerts as well as music videos, we try as much to promote and expose our unknown culture to the world. Each and every song or music has a meaning and Arenla, the front lady narrates and explains the untold stories of Nagaland during shows.

Do you design your outfits by yourself?

Moa: Yes we do it on our own. Since Arenla has a way of wearing certain things from our culture since childhood, on stage it now makes it easy for us to do what and how to wear our outfits.

How many years have you all been together as a band and how has the journey been?

Moa: The new Abiogenesis was born through Howey music and the Bamhum in 2005, our foundation has been laid since then.

Have you used any other musical instruments in your music?

Moa: If you are referring to Bamhum and Tikzik, besides them we play guitar, bass, drums and harmonica.

Do you have any session / backup band members on other musical instruments?

Moa: We are just 4 regular members.

You have performed all over the country, have you also performed at international festivals and in which festivals?

Moa: Abiogenesis has performed in 5 countries: Thailand, India, Russia, Bhutan and Myanmar including an exclusive performance for Bhutan’s Royal family on 15^th August 2011. Most of the shows abroad have been exclusive Abiogenesis shows except one of the show in Thimpu in 2011; it was a live concert for the Bhutan Star Season 1, Bhutan’s reality show.

Which has been your most memorable concert to date?

Moa: Each show has been special to us but in November 2005, when we were to perform Howey music with the Bamhum for the first time at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan we were not sure how the crowd would respond. But to our delight, the response was better than what we expected, with the media also giving good reviews of our music and the Bamhum. We were also featured on the cover of Northeast Sun Magazine. It was also a big honour to play for Bhutan’s Royal family at the Indian Embassy, Thimpu on Indian Independence day in 2011. Another memorable performance was at Mumbai’s Raj Bhawan the same year, where we performed in front of VIPs and more than 160 consuls. Interacting with all the VIPs had been an experience which we will always cherish. The reason being, when people from different cultures in different places tap and sway along with us, there is no doubt that they are appreciative of our music and it is that connection which really keeps us going.

What are the projects that you have in the near future - both in India and International arena?

Moa: There are so many things we have in mind like releasing a few singles backed by music videos, performing in India and abroad and yes, we also make Howey musical feature films so we are intending to shoot another film soon. Our first film ‘Lichaba’s Daughter’ was one of the three films selected from India to screen at the Days of Ethnographic Cinema Festival in Moscow.

Have you won any awards for your music?

Moa: We have won quite a number. Some of our achievements are: Our album Abiogenesis album ‘Legacy of the Mountains’ was nominated in the Best Album category in Global Indian Music Awards (GIMA) 2014. Our song Time for a Change was nominated in Artist Aloud Music Awards’ in Best Female Fusion Category. We were also ‘URD1’ winner of the Best Alternative Song Category in Academia Music Awards 2014, Los Angeles. Our song Wake up Call got nominated in the Best Genre Bender song In VIMA India Awards 2014 in Malaysia. My wife Arenla was nominated for the Best Female Vocals category in the 6^th Jack Daniels Awards which was a big moment for us. Our band Abiogenesis was nominated in Artist Aloud Music Awards for the Best Alternative band, while our song Return of the Son was nominated for the best Alternative song 2012. Abiogenesis album ‘Aeon Spell’ released by Saregama in 2007 was listed for Nominations in the 50^th Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary World Music album of the Year. This was probably our biggest award even though we did not win it. Being nominated meant a lot to us.

What is your message to your fans?

Moa: We would first of all like to thank our fans for buying and listening to our music and attending our shows. You are our lifeline so do keep supporting us. May Almighty God bless and keep you all.

That’s all we have time for Moa. It was very nice talking with you Moa, thank you.

Moa: Thank you Music Unplugged for the interview and keep up the good work. If all tabloids and media houses promote Indian artistes and bands like you do then there would be many Celebrities and Indian rock stars by now.

Arenla: Thank you.

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira