Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Hot Pot

“Hot Pot” is a newly formed classic rock project band from Nagaland, consisting of five members: Aloke Yepthomi on vocals, Lichen Kichu on guitar, Imkong Jamir on keys, Lanu Kijo on drums, and Meren Tzudir on bass.

The band came together in 2023, united by their love and dedication to music. Currently, they are working on original songs and music videos, with plans to release them in 2025.

The band has an intriguing story behind their name. Read on to learn more about this new group.

Eastern Mirror: How long have you known each other? How did you decide to form a band?

Hot Pot: We go way back as friends, but the pivotal moment for us as a band came in December 2023 when our drummer Lan Kichu reached out to all of us for a one-time gig that eventually evolved into “Hot Pot”.

Eastern Mirror: Any interesting story behind the name of the band “Hot Pot”?

Hot Pot: The name “Hot Pot” originated spontaneously during a jam session for our first gig. While we were brainstorming, our front lady (who is also another friend) suggested “Hot Pot”. 

This name reflects our shared love for food, as our jam sessions are always accompanied by delicious meals. Thus, “Hot Pot” perfectly encapsulates our passion for music and culinary delights.

Eastern Mirror: Being a new band, what are some of the challenges that you face and how do you overcome them?

Hot Pot: Being a new band, we face challenges in establishing our identity. Many people mistake “Hot Pot” for a food gathering, which adds to the confusion. However, we overcome this by delivering exceptional performances that leave a lasting impression on our audience.

Eastern Mirror: When was the first time “Hot Pot” performed on stage and what was the experience like?

Hot Pot: The first time we performed was at “Unlabelled Society” in Duncan (Dimapur) in December 2023. It was a great experience, and the turnout was beyond our expectations.

Eastern Mirror: When will the band release an original song?

Hot Pot: We are currently working on our original music, aiming for a release next year.

Eastern Mirror: How often do you all get together to practice or create music?

Hot Pot: It’s quite uncommon for us to gather for a jam session, as each member is involved in different pursuits. Some even live in other districts, so when we do come together for a gig, we meet a few days prior to the event and make the most of that opportunity. The rest of the time, we commit time to our own practice.

Eastern Mirror: Apart from music, what other activities are you involved in?

Hot Pot: Our passion for creating good music is what connects us as a band. Beyond this, all our members are involved in other work commitments as full-time musicians, music teachers, and private sector employees.

Eastern Mirror: What are the future plans of the band?

Hot Pot: Ourfuture plans include releasing our debut original song and music video, accompanied by more live performances.

Eastern Mirror: Today, social media plays an important role in promotion, but the band does not have a social media presence so far. How will the band promote itself in the future?

Hot Pot: While we currently don’t have a social media presence, it’s important to note that Hot Pot, as a band, is still in a nascent stage, despite our collective experience as seasoned musicians. At this point, we are concentrating on fostering mutual understanding and working together as a group while focusing on creating good-quality music.

However, we recognise the importance of social media in promoting our music. We’re planning to establish an official online presence soon, allowing us to connect with our audience, share updates, and showcase our journey.