Song Rhapsody- Week 1

Hi everyone! As we approach finals week, here's a tidbit of newness to keep you energized :)

In this column of Song Rhapsody, I would like to share one song on each blog post from my playlist that I would love to share with people around me, on a select random week as a pop-up and an energizer to add something new to your day.

Today's song is one for rock and indie music lovers- it is called 'From the Ashes', by an indie rock band from Nagaland, India, who go by the name of The Paradigm Shift. Nagaland indie music is only now getting the recognition that it truly deserves as authentic artists who add to the tapestry of India's diverse music industry. Paradigm Shift is an indie-rock band hailing from Dimapur, Nagaland, whose members include lead guitarist Zajamo Kithan, Arepsen Aier in charge of rhythm, bass guitarist Razo Tenenu, drummer Bendang, and vocalist Chechamo Odyuo.

The YouTube thumbnail for the song

I remember I had been surfing through YouTube on a tranquil evening in my hometown during vacation. You could hear the crow that had landed on the rooftop, and the contrasting birdsong of the mynah that found the mango tree in my grandparents' garden quite a comfortable home, one that also almost always has fresh green mangoes for everyone!

It was at that time when I absentmindedly clicked on the music video, and as my finger searched the screen to play the Jordindian comedy video that I was searching for, the song 'From the Ashes' starting playing, with a catchy electric guitar intro. The powerful, yet melodic strums and tabs of the electric guitar tugged at my heartstrings, too, and I decided to let the song play on and give it a listen.

The song's music video encompasses the scene of the live band playing, and Chechamo in the center, singing their piece with emotion and technique. As far as I understood, the song talks about a supposed time of regret that was caused by the pride and ego that the protagonist held, and how that time of regret also caused him to feel quite shameful and crestfallen. However, he talks about how he eventually learns to put the past behind him, to leave behind all the shame, anger and downtrodden feelings and learn to embrace the good times that he had and will be having- 'From the ashes I've fallen to rise again'- that every fall you take is for you to rise higher, and spread your wings a little higher.

The song has a heavy rock sound to it, and the change of rhythm in the bridge adds an extra tang of peppiness and excitement.

Ever since I first listened to this song, it has been quite the earworm! The song's message was also one I found really uplifting, and every time I listened to it, I felt this urge- a sort of motivation to do the things that I have been putting off for later, or that I feared doing for no reason. It's interesting how music can have such a profound impact on our lives, and how it can become something that can drive us to create change in our lives. Even though this change takes time, in the end, it's worth it!