Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Medo Kense

The cheerful Medo Kense natively from Tuophema village was introduced to music at a very young age by his uncles, and music has become a big part of his life ever since. From singing in Sunday school events to forming a teenage band ‘Raising Souls”, Medo has evolved into an inspiring musician.
Crediting INDIHUT for discovering and introducing musical talents, in chitchat with Eastern Mirror’s Rhythm of Love Medo shares his musical journey.

EASTERN MIRROR: What got you involved with music? Do you have formal music education?
Medo Kense: Well, when I was a kid maybe in the 2nd standard, my uncles (from mom side) bought a deck/tape and they used to burst the songs whichever cassette they have and sing along with it. I used to join them and sing with my crack high pitch voice hehe. Later on I got involved in Sunday school, sing choir, or group sings from which I got the taste of singing on stage. I really got involved when I was in Class 9 where we formed a band called “Raising Souls “that’s when I really got to go deeper in lyric writing and composing.
To be honest, I haven’t done any formal training, except for some 3 days courses on stuff notation reading, composing, and a 2 day vocal training. Apart from that no formal education in music.

EASTERN MIRROR: Who are your musical influences?
Medo Kense: First will be my parents, my Sunday school teachers, my uncles and aunties and my High school band mates.
Not forgetting Blood and Fire, Black Rose, White Lion, Pantera, Frank Sinatra, Freddie Mercury, John Mayer.

EASTERN MIRROR: How do you describe your music to people?
Medo Kense: Uhmm.. ..I will say the songs I write and sing are based on storytelling, about someone or about me. I try to write lyrical poems and then convert them to song, the genre is a mixture of little bit of Indi-pop, rock, blues and jazz and lil bit of contemporary music with the melody as priority.
EASTERN MIRROR: Who gave you the support to keep writing? Who did you play the early songs for?
Medo Kense: My friends and family, and my colleagues where I worked last, and Teputo Richa, also not forgetting my friend who made the melody for the song ‘Thepfulie Kengurüsie’.
The song was written for a close friend of mine, who was undergoing frustration and was struggling with family pressure and relationship.

EASTERN MIRROR: What are your songs about? What is your song writing process?
Medo Kense: My songs are simple, it conveys positive messages, encouraging people to be positive, optimistic, also to be ready to face challenges and struggles in a positive way and to carry on whatever life may bring.
Song writing

for me is not easy, but I write them while having conversations with friends and family. Actually I listen a lot to what people have to say, I try to listen to their problems and struggles their frustrations, or any of their stories and then write it down which turns to lyrical poem and then to song.

EASTERN MIRROR: Talk us through your song “Carry On”
Medo Kense: Carry on is a positive song, which starts with “The dawn is here and the night is gone”. The 1st verse is about telling someone to be positive and that the bad days are over and with the new day good things are just beginning, reminding about the beauty of God’s creations about the birds singing their songs and travelling to new places singing.
2nd verse conveys not to stop dreaming, not stop fighting for their goals and not to stop making and creating new ideas for their life.
3rd verse and bridge is a challenge to all to start chasing their dreams and to do it quick and fast till the end, and once started not to look back or regret but keep on moving against all odds.
The bridge is a reminder to all that life may seem like a very long one but snap and days and years just get over. So leave a legacy so that people will remember us for good or bad but one must be satisfied with one’s life, providing it is for the betterment of the society, friends and family.

EASTERN MIRROR: What are your immediate music career goals?
Medo Kense: For now I am concentrating more on lyric writing and composing.

EASTERN MIRROR: How would you describe and rate the music scene of our State?
Medo Kense: I have just started struggling to create a niche and have much more to learn and to know. But through various observations and with the little experiences I have, I will say Music is at its peak, our Musicians are making good music which are of international standards.
Many seniors who are at the top now are really trying hard to help younger ones and beginners like me.
A lot of music schools have come up, many events are being hosted by different groups, and Naga Musicians groups, Naga Music Community and similar groups are trying their level best to help all musicians.
Most importantly “INDIHUT” is really giving a great platform to all artists regardless of genre, gender, race and so on, bringing and introducing our music to the world. Many good things are happening, but still we still have to improve a lot, try harder, work harder, practice harder to be on top and to be part of the international music standard. (hehehe I hope I am making sense).
If I am to rate the music industry in our state on a scale of 1-10 I would rate it 6.
We still have to improve in terms of studio production, determination of the artists, diction and creativity.
But I am happy there are some who are doing great and their music inspires me to improve and be more hard working.