Hear Manipur Band Variation 4’s Soulful and Funky Debut Single ‘By Your Side’

When vocalist Jenny Thomte and guitarist Donald Lalsang Donny began talking about playing neo-soul, funk, jazz, blues and pop songs together last year, they decided to form a band. The pair drafted in keyboardist Lian Suanlal Guite, bassist MuanSiam Naulak and drummer David Hz to form Manipur-based outfit Variation 4.  

After playing together for nearly a year, the band are now out with their funky debut single “By Your Side.” Donny says, “It started as one of the rough audio sketches out of many I would send to our WhatsApp group.”  

“By Your Side” has certainly evolved from just a rough draft to a scintillating song. The track offers up plenty to a listener with slinky guitar work, crisp keyboard parts as well as dynamic and groovy drum and bass playing. Thomte on her part showcases her honeyed vocals along with catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Hz says, “The song is about a breakup of two significant people where a guy loses faith in ever getting back together, but by the end of the song finds strength to say that he will always leave the door open.” He adds, “We got huge help with the lyrics of the song from our close friend Dada Tonsing.” 

Variation 4 recorded “By Your Side” at Manipur’s Seismic Jampad and got it mixed and mastered at KnP Records. Next, the band plans on releasing an EP and are currently in the midst of writing the songs for it.  

Stream “By Your Side” on Spotify below: