Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 4
GUITAR virtuoso Vinnie Moore will be performing in India for the first time as he takes the stage at the Hockey Ground (IG Stadium), Kohima on December 7 for a 30-minute set. The American guitar legend arrived Kohima early Thursday to judge the four-day Hornbill International Rock Contest (HIRC) 2014 that began this evening.
Interacting with media persons following his arrival at the De Oriental Grand, Kohima, Moore said this was his first visit to India and considers it an exciting opportunity to be here. He said it was amazing for him to learn that people from this part of the world know his music, and he expressed enthusiasm to be performing some of his earlier solo materials.
As a judge at the HIRC 2014, he said he is excited to be encountering talents that are new to his musical sensibilities and he would be looking out for “genuine and heartfelt” talent.
Vinnie Moore talked about his journey with rock greats UFO, and he considers it ironic to be in a band which he grew up regarding highly of. “We used to jam along with their (UFO) records and learn their songs when I was a kid and then I ended up being in the band, which is surreal in a way. I never thought that I’d be joining the band someday, you know” he said. He has been a band member of UFO for over ten years now and they would be releasing a new album in January 2015 called ‘A Conspiracy of Stars’. He asserted he would love to do a show in Nagaland with the band in the future.
He also talked about his brief stint with the legendary Alice Cooper. He explained that he worked with the band for their ‘Hey Stoopid’ album and toured with them for one summer, however he left as he had a solo record coming on.
On the transition of his style of music like the neo-classical ‘Morning Star’ to a more mellow ‘April Sky’, the guitar legend said he just followed with the muse and that he followed his musical journey without any plan that he would go a different direction and do a particular style of music. “It just sort of happened….It’s just more of a natural thing and I just went with the inspiration,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the much anticipated Hornbill International Rock Contest for 2014 got underway this evening, with Vinnie Moore as one of the judges in a panel that includes accomplished musicians like
Sanjay Divecha (Danny Boyle, AR Rahman) from Mumbai, and Thejove Medeo (Divine Connection, Native Colours) and Wati Imchen (Squadron) from Nagaland.
This year, the contest has 31 bands from across India and abroad that were selected from over 80 bands. The first of the four-day contest begun with 10 bands from Nagaland, Pune, Sikkim, Kolkota, Meghalaya, Bangalore, and Arunachal Pradesh.
The contesting bands are vying for the top prize of Rs. 10 lakhs (one million) and other individual prizes. The runner up will walk away with Rs. 5,00,000 and the second runners up Rs. 3,00,000. Winners of individual prizes will pocket Rs. 30,000 each.
According to the organizers, NOC & Sky Inc, the competition will showcase some of the finest bands in classic metal, melodic rock and the eclectic, besides the contemporary staple of good old times.
The event organizers have appealed and welcomed all citizens, guitar fans and music lovers to attend the four-day rock contest and encourage home-grown talents, as well as appreciate new discoveries from talents from outside Nagaland or NE region that the event will showcase.
