Sahitya Nepal ‘Yaatri’ and Vishal J. Singh Team Up for Cross-Border Rock Song ‘See Me Now’

On the first day of 2023, Kathmandu experimental music project Sahitya Nepal “Yaatri” opened their account with the Nepali folk-rock song “Ritto Jhola” and about six months later comes their second single, a grungy English tune called “See Me Now” with multi-instrumentalist and producer Vishal J. Singh.

Sahitya Nepal “Yaatri” co-founder Subodh Dahal, from Oscar Events and Entertainment, says they’ve always preferred to establish themselves as an “entertainment” act” than just a band. “Our vision and goal for this musical project drives us to make music in as many different ways as possible,” he adds. Co-founded by Dahal, Sahitya Nepal and Rejish Adhikari, the project brings in different collaborators with Nepal as the frontman, composer and lyricist. The latest creative partner is Singh, known for his madcap experiments with avant-garde act Amogh Symphony and Serpents of Pakhangba.

Singh recorded guitar parts, drums, keys and bass at his Pargot Studio in Mumbai, with Sahitya Nepal helming singer, lyricist and composer duties alongside acoustic guitar contributions. The artist says, “We made the decision to collaborate with Vishal without hesitation. We knew he was the finest at what he did from the start. Despite the fact that the project was headquartered in Kathmandu and Mumbai, Vishal’s humble human nature and supporting personality made us forget we were working remotely.”

The producer says that right from receiving the first demo from Dahal, he immediately connected with “See Me Now.” Singh adds, “Sahitya’s vocals has a Classic Rock God vibe and that’s one of the most important things I personally liked and I felt inspired to a lot after hearing the demo. Subodh and me talked about how the arrangement of the song can be. We brainstormed over a few ideas and then I spent a few days with the demo version.”

True to the classic rock elements, “See Me Now” has a hymn-like quality, with choir-like vocals and a blazing guitar solo. Sahitya Nepal’s vocals journey through a weathered Nineties rock quality and soar as well to heighten the track. The track also features additional production and guitar from Trisha Romeno and supporting vocals from Loc Punk aka Harip Tatwo and Ves Timalsina. Singh adds, “Overall, it is a feel-good song to inspire — to not give up, to stand up and to believe that somebody is up there for us if we connect through our heart with love.”

The song comes with a breathtaking music video shot by Keshav Dulal, one that captures Sahitya Nepal “Yaatri” being a project about journeys and growth, focusing on the vast, diverse geography of Nepal. From timelapse videos to mirrored frames to drone footage, there’s a remarkable visual treat that supplements the wandering intent of “See Me Now.” Originally a concept suggested by Singh, Sahitya Nepal “Yaatri” says the video is a collection of Dulal’s vacation videos. “It came up with the notion of representing our country of origin, Nepal, through our music. Through our music, we wanted the rest of the world to hear our unheard voices and see the beauty beyond the roughness,” the project founder adds.

With “See Me Now” released in June, Sahitya Nepal “Yaatri” and Singh are already on to the next one, working on a Nepali song called “Kina Risako” together. Described as an “experimental Nepali song,” there are also elements of grunge and punk rock. “We’ve already finished mixing and mastering, as well as filming for this tune, and we can’t wait to release it in a few weeks,” Dahal says.

Watch the video for “See Me Now” below.