BIO

NIGHT is a new-school folk band that focuses on using traditional and endangered Nepali instruments to create new sounds.

Night’s songs are representative of the various music traditions existing in the country.The band derives much inspiration from their travels and discovery of the place and its people. Their lyrics speak of rural life in Nepal, the struggles of the workingman, and the resilience of the people’s spirit to deal with the harshness of every day life.

Night's debut album ‘Ani Ukali Sangai Orali’ released in 2014. It was well received critically and commercially and carved a niche for the band, with an audience spanning from metal heads, music connoisseurs and the common man.

Night represented Nepal at Shambhala Music Festival (UK) in August 2015. Night has also collaborated with A.R. Rahman (winner of two Grammy Awards) on the occasion of International Peace Day to produce a musical tribute Ot.

About the campaign

We are in the process of recording our second album ‘Jhalka Raya Buka’, which along with our studio session recordings, also features live field recordings from our travels. The songs in this album are reminiscent of the various musical practices across the country. Nepal has over one hundred different ethnicities and languages and the landscape changes drastically from the south to the north. This subsequently stimulated us to write and compose in diverse languages and dialects of Nepal. We have researched considerably in putting together each and every song of the album. Most of these songs were composed ‘in the field’ along with the people in the villages. After living with the initial melody and rhythm, we slowly discovered its deeper meaning through its compositional narrative. It is with this intention we express and share this music.

There are nine songs in the album that address various subjects but are thematically linked. The title track ‘Jhalka raya buka’ meaning ‘remnants of memoirs’ is based on ‘thadi' and ‘deuda’ singing practices and performances from the western parts of Nepal. Another song, ‘Putali ko bhesha barilai’ is based on traditional wedding ceremonies practiced in the remote villages of Nepal. ‘Tharu song’ is based on the musical repertoire of the Tharu community where the verses of the Ramayana, an epic Hindu poem are sung. ‘Daanda kaada’ is inspired by mountain folktales that resonate on different levels, from faith to mythology to daily plight. Whereas ‘Gaine geet’, Kalo dhunga’ and ‘Basai bagayo part 2’ speaks about the struggles of the workingman, and the resilience of the people’s spirit to deal with the harshness of every day life.

We have also worked with and revived some endangered traditional Nepalese instruments like ‘pilhru’, ‘kastaar’, ‘chatkauli ‘and ‘piwancha’ for our upcoming album. Research has been an integral part of our evolution and creative process. But this involves an enormous cost associated with travelling and staying in remote villages for a long duration. We have been fortunate to meet and collaborate with regional artists along our musical journey, and a few of them feature in our upcoming album.

Some of previous work:

Live at Kripa Unplugged, ‘Putali ko bhesha barilai’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNs0OBnhn70

Live at Chowrasta, Darjeeling, India- ‘Daada Kaada’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNjIB8iejWE

Official Music Video “Kathor” from their debut album” Ani Ukali Sangai Orali”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ2uxtD9Fbc

Official Music Video “Tuina ko chha hai bhara” from their debut album” Ani Ukali Sangai Orali” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr_TLT_E7lg

Know your instrument series

Leaf (Paluwa) - Know your instruments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9xDJFcFhoI

The Forgotten Tharu Instruments - Know your instruments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn3ZZGvNajw

We need your help

As of now, we have been able to record only about fifty percent of our upcoming album. In order to complete the process, we will need your support. Your donation, no matter how small, will go a long way. And we will be grateful for your kindness. Also, there are some perks that come with every donation made. Your contributions are invaluable to us, so we want to give back as much as we can!  Please take a look at all the perks we have put together for you!  Digital downloads, T-shirts, Handwritten lyric booklets with English Translation, Physical cd's, and not to mention our sincerest appreciation. 

The Budget

Here is a list of everything our $4,000 goal goes towards:

-Studio time

-Paying the Engineers

-Mixing & Mastering

-Artwork

-CD Duplication

-Professional Music Video shot by our very talented friends

- T-shirts & other Merchandise

And, so…

Please contribute and share, if you can. Even if you can’t donate hope you will help us get the word out.

Thanks, everyone!