Isha Moktan

Kathmandu:

Guts, glory, and pluck… she’s got it all. In a man’s world she’s proved there’s nothing a woman can’t achieve. That’s Abhaya for you! “I could not find a band that shared my vision for a long time.” Red Sky Walker and Punchtatva were some of the bands she sang with. “They treated me like nothing but a vocalist. They didn’t accept me as a musician,” says the gutsy lady.

Call it destiny but she had to meet guys younger than her — The Steam Injuns — to understand what she was trying to do. “They respect me!” Through the rest of the afternoon that I’m with her, she keeps insisting, “I’m not from my generation.” And in all probability that could be true, after all, she is way ahead of her times.

Nothing in the world can stop that which is meant to be. Fed up with the treatment that was being meted out to her Abhaya did what most wouldn’t do. She didn’t give up! She asked a cousin to form a band. The Steam Injuns were her brother’s friends and though the guys were “boys” then, she found in them the same fire that burned in her. Abhaya and the Steam Injuns were born on January 2, 2003. Two years hence the boys have become men but their respect for Abhaya is intact and they’re all set to release their debut album!

What genre of music would you say your album belongs to?

Abhaya: For the simplicity of things, we wouldn’t like to be pigeonholed into a genre. For us, the album just has ‘music’. But since the listeners need to know what to expect I’d say the album is rock based, bluesy and steamy.

Any reason for deciding to go with a self-titled album?

Abhaya: Lots of reasons actually. Initially, it was supposed to be ‘Udan’ (flight) but the music.com (distributor) thought it would be better if we went with ‘Abhaya and the Steam Injuns’. It translates to more publicity as it’s our first album and we need as much of it as we can get.

Also, it’s difficult doing abstract things in Nepal. In fact, even getting a distributor was quite a task as the band has me — a female vocalist and to date female vocalists haven’t really broken through in Nepal.

A memory made as a band that always brings a smile to your face?

Abhaya: (Laughs hard) I can’t tell you this one.

Ritesh: During one of our gigs as I was readying to get on stage I realised I’d forgotten my guitar

at home. But, I couldn’t tell Abhaya because I knew she’d blow her top. So I snuck out, got into a cab, made the driver drive like a maniac and, yes, I made it back on time.

Rajeev: Just thinking about the band members.

Subhash: One really cold night, there was no electricity and we stayed up till four in the morning drinking and taking pictures. That’s a memory I’ll forever cherish.

Punnu: We were performing at Moksh once and we had a complaint from the audience that the drums were too loud so I played the drums with my bare hands.

Considering the number of years you’ve been around. What took you so long to come out with an album?

Abhaya: Let’s face it. Its very difficult for a woman to get an album that she wants to make. Also, it took me a long time to get a band like them (pointing at the four guys). In a way, I waited for them. Other bands that I worked with didn’t deem my skills important. For me it’s not just about singing, I want to be involved in the entire process of making music and this is the band gave me the space I needed.

Also, in a way we’re ‘purists’ and we’re like ‘let’s do the live thing’ only to discover just how difficult that is. It took us 18 months to refine this album and even then we’re not totally happy.

Lyrics or a song from your forthcoming album that describe you best.

Abhaya: ‘Banchnacha malai’, because I want to be immortal. Everyone stakes their claim in immortality.

Ritesh: ‘Sapna ra kartavya’ and ‘kina runu’

Rajeev: I’m searching for happiness so ‘Magna cha yo maan’

Subhash: ‘Here I come’ because I’m just stepping into the music industry

Punnu: I can’ leave music so it’s ‘Sakdeena’

What are the band’s future plans?

Abhaya: We’re going to be doing a lot of promotional tours/gigs in and around Kathmandu. We might take it to Darjeeling and Gantok as well. An English album is next — this album will reflect our influences. It’s going to be funky. Then there’s going to be another Nepali album after 18 months. We’re aiming to go international. Bigger goals are everything and we’re planning to have our own studio where we can make our own music.

Ritesh: We want to continue making good music and personally I want to be the sound engineer of the band.

As a parting shot, “We don’t know if the album will explain why we’re spelt ‘Injuns’ but

you’ll definitely find the music and Abhaya’s voice steamy.” Cheers to that!