The calendar has changed and a brand new year has rolled in. But the year 2015 has been chaotic for Nepalis and it was not different for Nepali musicians. Years go by and there is always something to look back at. Some known names in the Nepali music industry have their experiences to share with The Himalayan Times. While they are not stuck in the past, they think ahead and hope for a much better 2016 professionally and personally. Reviewing 2015 It was the year when Jaalma went viral. I also toured Hong Kong. It was the happiest moment of my life as I got to make the world listen to my tune but the happiness did not last long. It was hampered by the earthquake which led to many changes. Everything took a back seat as we had to support each other in that catastrophic situation. I also cancelled my other tour in Dubai and the UK during that time. So, the year 2015 was a mixed year of highs and lows. Plans ahead I will be on tour for three to four months — I will go to Australia in April while other tours have not been fixed. This year, I will enforce my solo career as a singer. I will bring out two or three singles too. And I will be doing three films as a music director. I will also start my dream project at the end of the year which will be an album as a composer. Other than music Except for albums, songs, and music I don’t have other plans. I wish this year to be ... It should not be like the year 2015. I wish to see good governance, happy faces and a good environment for everyone to live in. As for me, I wish that I get to bring out good and quality works and broaden my knowledge. — Kali Prasad Baskota, Music director and singer Reviewing 2015 There were earthquakes and blockade but I was not out of work in those situations. Those factors did slow my work but I kept on working. So, 2015 was satisfying. Plans ahead An album (as a composer) will be released at the time of Nepali New Year (2073 BS). I will be singing again — one of the songs Garib is in the making. Most of my songs are critically acclaimed rather than commercially hit. And people often ask me which are my hit songs — so, I am waiting for my work to be commercially successful this year. Other than music I hope to lose weight this year and continue to do things that I used to do. I used to read books and watch movies a lot. I will happily accept whatever 2016 has in store for me, I am prepared for everything. I wish this year to be ... Natural and political disasters marred the year 2015. But I hope we won’t be affected by these things in this year. I also wish I will be able to produce good and different genres of music. I hope that I will get to do lots of work in the year 2016. — Kalyan Singh, Composer Reviewing 2015 A new chapter began for 1974 AD in 2015. Adrian Pradhan left the band to pursue his solo career and new members joined the band. So, there was change in music too. The band has experimented with different genres in the past years and albums. We also experimented with sound last year while knowing the new members and their musical choices. We played with horn section with string section to produce funky Nepali sound. Then we got back to the band’s roots — original sound which has Nepalipann in music. Plans ahead This year is going to be interesting for us. We will release a new album with the new line-up in April. It will be very different from all the albums. There will be tours as well. We have a lot of things up our sleeves. We are also planning to do a project with original members and make music. Other than music The band will be involved in social service and I will spend more time with my family, especially with my son Liam. I wish this year to be ... May the basic needs of all Nepalis be fulfilled. I hope for good things to happen in Nepal in 2016. I also would love to see the Government or private sector investing in concert venues. —Manoj Kumar KC, Guitarist of 1974 AD Reviewing 2015 It was a good start. I was doing shows and recording songs for films. Then earthquake struck — everything got affected and work was less. The programmes that we were confirmed for performance were cancelled. It got better at the end of the year though. I started recording for films, collection albums and also started working on my third album — Milan Yatra. The touring resumed and I went to places like Hong Kong and Europe. Plans ahead I am done with my part (singing) for my upcoming album and Milan Yatra will be released before Baisakh 2073 BS (April/May). After my Europe tour, I will go to South Korea for a show and talks are going on for doing other international tours. I will also record songs for films and collection albums. Other than music There is nothing other than music in my plan, but there is some surprise for my listeners and fans. I wish this year to be ... I have new projects this year and I wish they will be the best. I hope the listeners will love my new album like the way they appreciated my previous albums. — Milan Amatya, Singer Reviewing 2015 It was a good year for me as a composer, singer, and music arranger. The songs that I did in films like Adhkatti (as music composer and singer), and Surke Thaili Khai of film Wada No 6 (as music arranger) were hit. I also worked on non-filmy songs. So, the year was good. In 2015, I went to the USA for work that was an achievement. I was busy enough to become one of the highest paid music arrangers and composers. Plans ahead I will be leaving for the USA on January 20 for musical projects. I will be staying there for nine months working on two albums as music arranger. Both are bhajan albums. While I stay there, I will also try to do a course in technical aspect of music, and music arrangement. Other than music There is nothing more than music in my life. I have spent 25 years in music and my life is all about music. — Rajan Ishan, Music arranger and composer Reviewing 2015 Even though 2015 was not good for everyone, it went well for me. My professional life was almost good but not as good as 2014. I did not get to work much due to the problems created by earthquake and blockade. Plans ahead The songs that I have sung for movies will be released and I hope they are hit. I hope to be very busy in musical activities/works. Other than music I plan to travel a lot in 2016. Though I like to travel, I don’t plan anything. I do things on the spur of the moment. I wish this year to be ... Whatever happens, I hope it is good. I am day-to-day kind of a person. I wish to be happy and smiling at the end of the day. —Somea Baraili, Singer