John Mpamei and the Band Celebrate First Birthday with All-Star Jam

John Mpamei and the Band.

Nagaland rock artist John Mpamei had the dubious distinction of being the only international artist at the Hornbill International Rock Contest in Kohima, Nagaland after bands from Australia and Nepal backed out at the nth hour citing travel issues. Mpamei, who is from Kohima, was previously based in Dubai until early 2013, and was chosen to perform at Hornbill last year. Earlier in 2013, Mpamei took to stage at Hard Rock Café in Delhi with a full band and exactly a year on, he is roping in friends from the Delhi and North East scene to celebrate one year as a live band.

Mpamei, who is a violinist, vocalist, drummer and keyboardist, started out in 2004 as part of local rock bands such as Green Mixed Band and The Harvest Teams. After working at a music equipment store in Dubai for three years, he released his first solo single “Fly Away.” Says Mpamei, “I was back in India on holiday and I’d heard about Hard Rock Rising and thought I’d take part.” Mpamei recruited members from Delhi, and performed at Hornbill in December and also landed a three-night residency at Turquoise Cottage in Delhi last month, performing originals and covers. For his anniversary gig at Turquoise Cottage, Mpamei will be jamming with pop rock singer Alobo Naga, Delhi-based Arunachal alt rock band Yesterdrive and Delhi hard rock band Heavens Down. Says Mpamei about the lineup, “They are all friends. Alobo is a close friend and the guys in Heavens Down played for me as well.”

Yesterdrive and Mpamei both competed at Hornbill in December last year. Apart from jamming with Mpamei and the band, Yesterdrive will also play a 20-minute set including songs such as “Hold On.” Says Yesterdrive keyboardist Kabir Jamatia, “We also have another gig on the 23rd in Bangalore, so this will be a warmup gig for us.”

John Mpamei and the Band will perform a mix of originals and covers during their collaborative set, including “Fly Away,” “Cry” and “Far Away.” Mpamei is also readying a new single, “Angel,” to release in June. Says Mpamei, “It’s more of a blues song, since people always ask us to play blues and all we had before were more soft rock songs.”

John Mpamei and the Band, Alobo Naga, Yesterdrive and Heavens Down perform at Turquoise Cottage on March 21st, 2014. Entry: Free. Event details here.