Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Sharktail Audio House

Sharktail Audio House is a creative retreat for recording artists of all streaks. The for-musicians facility was founded by duo Jabez Zeliang and Henok Phom. Musicians at heart, they are also involved in a Dimapur-based band called the “Echoes Hill,” which was formed as a bow to country music.
Sharktail Audio House is a new place on the block for artists and bands to jam, or to rehearse, at any hour of the day. It is located at 4th mile in Dimapur. The facility has all equipments and gears ready.
The duo came up with the studio to create a productive musical space for musicians. Zeliang and Phom talk about the path they took with Sharktail.

EASTERN MIRROR: Tell us about the beginning of Sharktail Audio House?
Jabez Zeliang & Henok Phom: Sharktail Audio House first began when I, Jabez Zeliang , and my friend Henok Phom , the co-owners came up with a plan to create a jamming space for our band and for local artists/musicians as well.
The initial idea arose specially keeping in mind the problems musicians face regarding space to rehearse but most importantly a place where P.A sounds, guitar amp sounds, last but not least the raging sound of acoustic drums during practices can reduced or minimised without causing problems for the dear neighbours( our tolerant and supportive parents included).

EASTERN MIRROR: What journey did you take to make Sharktail Audio house? And what is the story so far?
Jabez Zeliang & Henok Phom: Well the journey was quite challenging at times since we had to start things from scratch. First of all finding a place to set up a jam room that too in a location which is accessible for musicians wasn’t easy at all. We were on a hunting spree for the longest time making sure we find the most suitable place available to set up the jam pad, which we both agree took a really long time in the process. Another thing, convincing the shop owners and explaining the whole concept of the jampad and the purpose of it was quite a challenge too, as for most of them an establishment in the field of music especially in our town was not common.
As luck would favour us, the search for a place was finally over one late evening and here’s the fun part. We decided to keep this entire operation discreet as a way to surprise our band mates, (still regret that ) which had us do all the labour by ourselves, lifting those heavy gears and equipments ,shifting them from one place to another and setting the whole place up.
One tiny plan led to another, and with each step we progressed further and further. Though painstaking, and also discouraging for the majority of the events leading to where we stand today, we faced a lot negative critics who thought the idea of a jam pad was a sinking ship from the beginning.
It’s been 5 months since we launched our pad and we have been blessed with nothing but progress and have also been sponsored financially by our well wishers and our families. We believe that our dream finally came true by the end of November 2017.
We are also happy to announce that we have recently launched Music Courses, which was inaugurated on March 27 2018. The courses include guitar, piano and keyboard, drums, singing classes etc.

EASTERN MIRROR: What is the best thing you get to do on the job?
Jabez Zeliang & Henok Phom: We believe, “It’s hardly a job when you do what you love”.

EASTERN MIRROR: You are involved in a band recognised as Echoes Hill? Can you give us brief introduction about your band and your journey till date?
Jabez Zeliang & Henok Phom: Echoes hill are Asü Shijoh and Surholü Rio (vocals), Jabez Zeliang (guitars), Henok Phom (bass).
We are a country music tribute band based in Dimapur. Our sole reason behind covering country pop songs, ballads etc is to keep alive the declining love for western country songs in Nagaland from famous artists like John Denver, Don Williams, Tanya Tucker, and Faith Hill to name a few.
We were formed on the eve of Feb. 2018. Our first live concert debut was on the 10th of Feb 2018. We played a country music tribute night at the famous Cafe Hendrix in Guwahati. The response was was way more than we expected. We at Echoes hill were so proud and at the same time happy to know that the good old country music still lives in the people’s hearts. We def were a bunch of happy folks that night, and hope to see many more night like that.

EASTERN MIRROR: Coming back to the music scenario of the state, what do you find discouraging in the music industry? What do you think is the most important thing Naga artists should do to promote themselves?
Jabez Zeliang & Henok Phom: We at Sharktail believe that the first and foremost thing which is lacking till date regarding music and music bizz in Nagaland is the scarcity of knowledge in the field of music. We Nagas are appreciated throughout the country for our inborn talent in music whereas our own people despite knowing the talent we posses still find it hard to support them wholeheartedly.

EASTERN MIRROR: What do you think is the most important thing Naga artists should do to promote themselves?
Jabez Zeliang & Henok Phom: Digital media exposure is definitely the main backbone in order to promote and provide a platform for all musicians. For eg: If we have a dedicated local channel where only local artist can showcase their own videos or songs, and gather a fan following within the state or even the country. Secondly we (hard working musicians) also deserve multiple venues and events to help artists promote their talent and also acquire a way to make music a living.

EASTERN MIRROR: Any other upcoming projects/releases you’re excited about?
Jabez Zeliang & Henok Phom: We (Echoes Hill) are currently working on a folk fusion project, where all materials will be original compositions, written, recorded and produced by Sharktail studio.
Apart from that we are at a running pace with our music courses as we are blessed by more and more students joining in at the Sharktail Audio House and more opportunities arriving each day.