Rock band REDOLENT formed in the summer of 2003 is a testimony of sheer hardwork. They made full use of what little was received from contributions by well-wishers and friends and today they are one of the most recognised bands in Northeast India.
Fuelled with determination and hard work their lucky break came when they got the opportunity to be featured in the Great Eastern Rock vol. 2 produced by The North-east Today (TNT) in January, 2010. Redolent were selected from amongst 217 bands from as far as Sweden, USA & Singapore.
The present line-up of Redolent includes Ching (vocals), Stephen (bass), Jonah (guitars), Samuel (drums) & Xieeyaan (guitars & keyboards). The band is presently managed by Aaron.
EASTERN MIRROR: An insight into Redolent’s birth!
REDOLENT: Formed in the mid-summer of 2003, we started off doing covers with few originals. Not long after our formation we soon released our debut album ‘Shine Your Light’ in Dec. 2003. We had small shows, big shows, medium shows, and whole lotta charity shows written all over our planner. But all in all it was fun!
EASTERN MIRROR: With the band performing together for more than 10 years…How has the experience been?
REDOLENT: Being together thus far has been a learning experience. We’ve come to understand each other’s strong and also weak points and that’s where we try to figure out how to tackle the situation. We’ve faced lots of odds and evens together which helped us to stand strong and grow musically.
EASTERN MIRROR: How was your debut appearance on stage during the State Level Orange Festival 2003 like?
REDOLENT: We were in the initial stages of forming the band and had very limited fanbase. Had the initial hiccups, but, had fun. We believe it was the moment where we gathered quite a lot of fanbase.
EASTERN MIRROR: Share 5 most memorable moments the band has experienced over the last few years?
REDOLENT: 1. CROSSRHYTHM, our debut concert way back in 2003.
2. Our recording sessions in Kohima.
3. BOAT, Imphal concert.
4. New Delhi shows.
5. Frontline Stronghold, Imphal.
EASTERN MIRROR: Also list down few of your achievements and awards.
REDOLENT: No ‘achievements’, no ‘awards’, just few honorary citations. That’s all.
Why don’t you guys at Eastern Mirror give us an award? Hahaha…!
EASTERN MIRROR: What do you think is the condition of the NE musicians when compared with the rest of the world?
REDOLENT: Musicians in NE actually are the “unsung heroes”. We try to be at par with our western counterparts despite our substandard gears. And we do a really good job at that. We play borrowed music which is very different from our traditional music, but we still try to do justice with music which were not really passed-on from our forefathers.
Our market is absolutely not as big as markets elsewhere. Some NE state governments have started to encourage the music industry, but it’s only recent. We are starting to see growth gradually.
EASTERN MIRROR: Assuming that Redolent must have performed in numerous events/concerts…..Which event/concert has been the most embarrassing of all?
REDOLENT: There was this show sometime back in MBC, Imphal, where we really had a bad time. One of the guitar strings gave way and we just couldn’t stay on track anymore. There was also this ‘RIP (Paul Gangmei) Tribute Concert’, Imphal, where the guitar FX processor’s power supply screwed-up and we had to do the whole song without the main guitar. Those were definitely the worst moments we wouldn’t want to come across again.
EASTERN MIRROR: The band’s most commonly played favourite original?… What is the song all about?
REDOLENT: ‘Coming Home’ is the band’s most commonly played original. Not because it’s the band’s favorite, but it’s the crowd’s favorite. We’ve seriously had enough of playing the song at every other show, but we wouldn’t want to disappoint the crowd either. We are just 5 guys, but the crowds are a whole lot more than us. Haha…!
The song actually is about coming back to the Lord.
