Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Imliakum Aier

Dimapur-based multi-talented singer-songwriter Imliakum Aier is the lead vocalist of the band ‘The Electric Cool Kid’.

As a solo artiste, he is more into folk genre and hopes to inspire other generation musicians through his work. He believes that virtues like discipline, hard work and perseverance are essential to make a good musician.

Aier shares his journey so far in an exclusive interview with Eastern Mirror for today’s Rhythm of love.

Eastern Mirror: Could you introduce yourselves to our readers?

Imliakum Aier: Hello. I am Imliakum Aier and I am a singer/songwriter from Dimapur, Nagaland.

Eastern Mirror: What is your musical background and could you share about your musical journey?

Imliakum Aier: I don’t come from a family of musicians nor have I had any musical training; as a kid I wanted to be a guitarist and the idea of becoming a singer was very alien to me. I was very sceptical about becoming a singer but my love for writing eventually led me to start singing and I’m very glad I decided to take that leap of faith.

Eastern Mirror: What’s the best concert you’ve attended or participated in and why?

Imliakum Aier: The best concert I saw was the concert that inspired me to become a musician was a concert that was held in IMC HALL in Dimapur, Nagaland. I don’t remember the artistes that were performing that night but what I clearly remember was how I felt after the show. Music to me meant something different after that night. As for my favourite performance as an artiste, it would have to be a festival I played in Imphal some years back called “Where have all the flowers gone?”

Eastern Mirror: From your point of view, what are the essential qualities that make a good musician?

Imliakum Aier: Discipline, hard work and perseverance.

Eastern Mirror: What is the first thing you note when listening to a new recording of your own music or the music of others?

Imliakum Aier: I am a lover of words so I always listen to the lyrics first and then come the groove and the melody.

Eastern Mirror: What is the most difficult aspect of composing a song?

Imliakum Aier: Every song comes in its own set of challenges, sometimes it is the lyrics while at other times it may be the melody or the arrangement of the song, but for me, that’s the beauty of composing and writing music.

Eastern Mirror: Please tell us about the transition from ‘The Electric Cool Kid’ band to now being a solo artiste.

Imliakum Aier: The transition from a band to a solo artist was rather easy as I had already written a lot of songs that I could not have possibly played with my band.

Eastern Mirror: How would you differentiate between ‘The Electric Cool Kid’ and now being a solo artiste in terms of music?

Imliakum Aier: Music-wise, The Electric Cool Kid played Indie/Garage Rock while as a solo artiste I mostly write songs within the singer-songwriter/folk genre.

Eastern Mirror: Tell us about the song “F.O.O.L.” and what is it about?

Imliakum Aier: “F.O.O.L.” or “Falling Out of Love” was written during a phase in my life where I was really confused personally as well as musically. It’s a song about being consumed by the pressures of the world and looking for answers in all the wrong places.

Eastern Mirror: What’s your all-time favourite classic song that makes you feel good when you listen to it?

Imliakum Aier: “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin and any song by The Arctic Monkeys.

Eastern Mirror: What are your hobbies or interests outside of music?

Imliakum Aier: I am a huge MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and Cricket fan.

Eastern Mirror: Describe your favourite and least favourite part about being a musician?

Imliakum Aier: The responsibility you have as a musician to write songs that may eventually inspire another generation of musicians or bring people together is my favourite thing about being a musician and my least favourite part about being a musician is the instability of the profession.

Eastern Mirror: What is one ritual or process you do before any performance?

Imliakum Aier: I always say a prayer before and after a performance.

Eastern Mirror: Are there any projects in the pipeline?

Imliakum Aier: Hopefully, if everything works out I plan to release an EP by the end of the year or early next year.