Riffing it Apart

It was at a host of college festivals in Mumbai that a name like Imli Imchen struck a chord.

It was at a host of college festivals in Mumbai that a name like Imli Imchen struck a chord. A young boy from Kohima was upping the ante with his fingerstyle guitar playing a technique where the strings are plucked directly with fingertips or fingernails. Not very common among many Indian guitarists,the arpeggios were interesting. I did not realise it back then but college festivals,to a large extent,were responsible in being the foundation. I was just an Andy McKee and Don Ross fan,trying to play their style. But I had some memorable collaborations, says the 23-year-old,who is now out with his debut album.

Aptly titled First Fret Festival,(Rs 200),this is a self-financed album that listeners and makers of independent music have waited for quite a while. Not just because of Imchens skills,but also because of the poignancy his music comes with. The chordal progression is such that it is like replacing words with music, says Imchen,about the sound of the album.

When Imchen began singing in a choir as a young boy,guitar playing (classical and rock) was as common as smoked meat in Kohima. But it was McKee and Ross fingerplaying technique that changed things. The inner melodies and change-ups were too brilliant for him to keep playing the guitar with a flatpick.

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The album opens with a tribute to Mckee titled Since That Day. The song is not a cover but reminds one of the style Mckee follows jazz and folk-spirited acoustic tunes. It is followed by Kohima Night Sky,another tribute track that reminds Imchen of the time when he mastered Mckees famous tune,Drifting. Other tracks include a mellow tune titled PSIPO that comes with a drifting progression,and Cultural Resonance that is Imchens interpretation of folk from Nagaland.

A solo musician who collaborates with various artistes,Imchen is not keen on being part of a band. I just want to make music,go deeper in its realm. Commitment to a band is taxing. I am not that flexible, says Imchen,whose album is available online on http://www.oklisten.com. It will be available in stores next month.

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