Shillong artiste Neil Umwi talks about his upcoming music video 'Made for More'

SHILLONG:

Shillong artiste Neil Umwi's song titled 'Made for More' that tells a story of a drug abuser and his journey in overcoming his addiction was released by Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla in Shillong on Wednesday.

The music video will premiere on Umwi's YouTube at 6 pm on Wednesday.

In a conversation with TNT-The Northeast Today, Neil Umwi has this to say:

TNT: What inspired you to write this song?

Umwi: Back in June 2020, the Department of Social Welfare, Meghalaya, held an online singing competition on the theme “Drug Abuse” in observance of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

I started looking for ideas on how to go about writing a song for such a sensitive topic in today’s society.

Since the closest people in our lives are our parents, bringing that in the story can help people (especially the ones battling addiction) connect to the song. Hence, I turned it into a conversation between father and son and how the father’s words as well as the son’s determination brought about a change in his life.

TNT: Was anyone else involved in writing, recording or producing this song?

Umwi: After winning this competition, Andreas War came up with the concept of the storyline for a music video alongside Silvester Phanbuh, who produced it.

The audio was recorded, mixed and mastered by Cornelius Kharsyntiew, owner of Legato Recording Studio, Shillong. I was fortunate enough to have a bunch of talented musicians for this project; Jewel Roy on Guitars, Mayson Dkhar on Bass, Batlador Khongnoh on Violin and Cornelius Kharsyntiew on drum arrangement.

It is an honour to have Desmond Rimaki Sunn, one of the finest singers from Shillong to take up the father's side of the story in this song. His soulful voice makes the song worth listening to.

The video was directed by Kamki Diengdoh, State of Mind Productions. Cast starring Elizer Bareh and Starland Kharlyngdoh brought the story and meaning of the song to life.

TNT: What has been the most challenging aspect of your current release?

Umwi: Getting the production right. From a musical point of view, I wanted this song to have the sound of country music, somewhere in between traditional and modern country music and coming from a place where country music isn’t that popular, getting the musicians to get it right was quite challenging.

We brainstormed on what would sound best for this song and the end product was very satisfying. Every musician involved in this project played their roles professionally.

TNT: What are your plans for a future release?

Umwi: I have a couple of singles on the way, and plans for an EP are also on my calendar. I’m excited to bring country music back to the mainstream and I hope that people that listen to and hear my music like and support what I do.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in this project.

(Edited by Ladiangti Rani)

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