Those that spring to mind are Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Neil Young, Ani DiFrance and Bono, among others.[break]
Closer to home, we have bands like Nepathya, Robin Tamang, 1974 AD, and Abhaya Subba Weise who have utilized their popularity to address various social issues and create awareness.
Abhaya, who’s the lead singer of Abhaya and the Steam Injuns, has taken music as a means to voice her dissatisfaction with the ongoing political scenario in her upcoming single “Haami Sabai Nepali.”
Republica caught up with the rockstress to learn about her views on her upcoming project.
What’s the inspiration behind the song, how did you come about the theme?
While traveling in or visiting different parts of the world, I’ve often felt that Nepalis are spoken to in a slightly patronizing tone. In fact, the condescending manner just gets my goat.
It’s like you guys live in such a beautiful country, you all are so mild mannered (read servile), although it’s another matter of course when they start having a conversation with a not-so-mild me. If you read “White Tiger,” it’s clear how Nepalis are perceived.
Do we even have a voice in this world? I felt the need to write a song which would encourage all Nepalis to leave the past behind and stride into the future with assertiveness.
After all, it’s been 3,000 years since a world famous Nepali was born. I refer to Gautam Buddha here. So now, it’s time to appreciate each other, strive together for a better Nepal. The national ambience is much too dark, it’s time to bring the rainbows and light into our nation and people.
No one in the world deserves it more!
I’m first a Nepali, and then I’m Abhaya Subba!
That’s what we all should strive to be, Nepali first. “Haami, not me!” As for whether a musician has an upper hand in creating awareness, I guess it depends on the individual. And for that matter, I’m not even particularly famous. If a person is scrupulously passionate about a cause, it doesn’t matter if you’re a musician or not.
If you raise your voice, you’re heard. I’m fervent about being Nepali. I’ve met many similarly inclined people lately. We all believe in the concept of unity, through which we can all build a strong nation. A strong nation doesn’t have to be anti anything. It can always stay positive, inside the country as well as internationally.
What frustrates you about current political scenario?
I’m writing a constitution about that! (Laughs)
Haami Sabai Nepali – united we stand!
The single is triplet. We, the Steam Injuns, have done three different mixes of it. A rock mix that’ll make everyone of us march on to our bright future; a club mix because we all need to be happy, and dancing can make you happy; and an unplugged raw mix for the ones who like basics! Nepal faces a crisis.
Some respond with fear and run away. We’re responding by uniting all of Nepal. After the single, I hope we all will UNITE!
Everyone’s invited to the launch
The single “Haami Sabai Nepali” is being released today, between 7-8 pm at Sherpa Mall, Durbar Marg.
It’s free, and everyone’s invited. And yes, let me clarify this: There will be no branding of any movement. It’ll be Hami Sabai Nepali, period.
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