In this digital age, the success of a music artist is measured in terms of YouTube views and social media following. But there are still some old-school rockers who rule people’s hearts without having to resort to much virtual publicity. Mukti and Revival’s YouTube page might not have millions of views or hundreds of thousands of subscribers but ask any Nepali music listener if they have heard about the band and they will probably sing you at least a tune or two. Mukti and Revival’s music precedes YouTube, Facebook, iTunes digital MP3 players and all those technological gimmicks of today. The band’s early fans listened to their first couple of albums on cassettes—song after song, side after side, without skipping a beat. Their music videos are also simple, elegant and DIY most of the times.

 

Their debut album “Kalanki Ko Jam” released in 2000, followed by “Bujhai Deu” (2002), “Dekhdai Chu Ma” (2007) and “Sadhai Bhari” (2012) have all given us unforgettable hits. From the bluesy rendition of late Arun Thapa’s “Sanjhako Jun Sangai” to the balladic “Chaubandi Cholo”, the folkish “Dalli Resham”, the ethnic “Wochu Galli” and the politically charged “Kalanki ko Jaam”, Mukti and Revival’s jukebox has it all. And to watch them play live is a treat to one’s consciousness, as they churn out their best numbers one by one and evoke every kind of emotion in you.

 

Mukti Shakya—the renegade bluesman of Nepal who has been active in the scene since the 80s—leads the talented troupe of musicians that form MNR with his unique vocals and virtuosic guitar skills. The senior-most member of the band whose age is a matter of mystery (and he likes to keep it like that) plays every gig with the energy of a teenager performing at his school prom. Mukti is backed by an equally spirited team of Sunit Kansakar on guitars, Roshan Kansakar on bass and Nikhil Tuladhar on drums. All the musicians also sing backing vocals to give the band a harmonic edge.

 

MNR is all set to release their new album “Swotantra” on May 25 at the Patan Museum

 

MNR is all set to release their new album “Swotantra” on May 25 at the Patan Museum. The self-produced, self-financed album took them more than two years to complete in the studio itself, the band members inform. “The experience has been so long I don’t even remember half of it,” says guitarist Sunit, who also does the recording work and mixing/mastering for the band at his studio Rec Records. “It is always tough dealing with Mukti dai. He is a perfectionist.”

 

“We have been releasing a new album every 5 or 6 years but this time it took us longer than expected,” Mukti says. “It is because we took up many concerts and tours in the past couple of years,” Roshan adds.

 

For the new album, the band is trying new sounds and sub-genres, but as always staying true to their blues roots, the band members inform. Their music video of the song “Dal Bhat” from the album was released in January and with the experimentation on ska and some reggae, the peppy number is already a hit among MNR fans. “Dal Bhat” is a song about the favorite meal of the Nepalis, rice and lentils, which paints a picture of the Nepali lifestyle in general.

 

The 8-track album “Swotantra” is about the lives of the Nepalis and what influences them. “We try to keep our music simple and straight from the heart, with the happenings around us the stimuli for our songs,” Mukti says. About their politically influenced lyrics in the past as well as in this album, Sunit adds that political taunts come to them unconsciously as everyone’s life is affected by politics one way or the other.

 

“Swotantra means free and we’re told we’re free in Nepal but that’s not what we feel,” Mukti says about the name of the album. “The common people are not swotantra. Swotantrata is a luxury reserved only for the people with power and money.”

 

Always searching for new sounds and artistic collaborations, MNR’s “Swotantra” will also feature other young musicians and lyricists. The band’s album launch on May 25 will see the band collaborate with other talented musicians like Basanta Sunam (trumpet) and Inap Raj Shrestha (saxophone)—who have also played on the track “Dal Bhat”—as well as Manice Gandharva (sarangi), Milan Ghimire (flute), and a dhime group from Kirtipur.