The Oncoming Math Rock Wave: Haami

October 17, 2013 , by Jerusha Rai, Leave your thoughts

Ever since their first performance at a little local club over a year ago, I have been excited about this four-piece math-rockesque band among a predominantly metal and hard rock scene. While the heavier side of rock has its gravitative force, Haami’s performances have been just as powerful with their clean sounds and slower rhythms. The band has been playing numerous gigs in and around London, including the BBC Introducing stage at London Mela

While the rest of the Nepalese music scene in the UK eagerly awaits the release of Haami’s debut EP, I have fully exploited my position as a feature writer to get my hands (and ears) on the album before its official release in late October. What leads me to brag about this exclusive perk? Probably witnessing the band’s live shows, that have consistently proven to be freewheeling aural journeys through a resounding tunnel of elaborate, dissonant guitar melodies, complexly patterned drumming, simple yet decisive bass work that keeps the whole song together, and vocals that soar and glide with ease on high notes, all progressing in detailed, extended build-ups to climactic gratification. Ever since their first performance at a little local club over a year ago, I have been excited about this four-piece math-rockesque band among a predominantly metal and hard rock scene. While the heavier side of rock has its gravitative force, Haami’s performances have been just as powerful with their clean sounds and slower rhythms. The band has been playing numerous gigs in and around London, including the BBC Introducing stage at London Mela.

A year into the making, they are coming out with a five track introductory EP named “Via”. Instead of taking the instrumental direction of Japanese math rock bands like Toe and Lite, whom they cite as major influences, Haami have incorporated singing and lyrics into four of the tracks. Curiously, the EP has been named after the only exclusively instrumental piece. Yugal Gurung, who plays drums for the band, explains that this spacey, ambient track with its gradual and extended progression is about the different phases and transformations that one must go through in life. “But as it is with instrumentals, it is open to interpretation by the listener”. When I first heard this particular track, I was backstage at the Coronet Theatre in London, waiting to perform right after the band. It was an auditory remedy for pre-gig nausea. I was too distracted to be nervous, wondering how four musicians, using minimal effects on their instruments, could encapsulate that huge theatre inside their sound.

In stark sobriety, this collection of songs seems to be the young musicians’ expression of their transitional experiences, insecurities and challenges. “Reflection”, my personal favourite, is a rhythmic call to self-exploration. “Are you lost in time?” the lyrics ask with an intention to counter the oblivion of our busy lifestyles, preoccupied with technology and media. “Stars” tells a more personal story of the soul-searching journey; the guitar work is especially intricate on this one and Pujan Rai’s vocal range is also a highlight. “Khoji” and another track, untitled at the time of writing, similarly contemplates the self, in literate and eloquent Nepali lyrics. While I cannot think of any Nepali band to compare with Haami, these sing-alongs could very well appeal to fans of Albatross.

The band themselves, however, are not sure how the album will be received. They are conscious about the length of the tracks (around 7 minutes each in average). “It would take a bit of patience on the listener’s part”, Yugal remarks. “Being aired on radio might be tricky as well”, adds Pujan. “You can’t edit the tracks because they develop in a continuous progression”. “Maybe we will make videos. Everybody likes videos”, they laugh. The band is hoping for a more commercial reach, but have refrained from “adjusting” their music to the liking of a mainstream audience. Having independently recorded and produced the album, they seem free to make that choice.

In the global wake of DIY recording and indie music, the band has chosen to create the EP on their own. They list out their personal pros and cons regarding the process. “On the one hand, it takes a long time do to everything on your own, and you need to have solid self-discipline”, muses Pujan. “Without the backup of a big record company promoting your album, it can be difficult to sell any copies. The band is concerned about the lack of interest and support for artists from Nepalese audiences as well. It seems as though the majority do not seek or appreciate anything that hasn’t been shoved down their throats by established record labels and their extensive marketing schemes”.

“But, of course, home recording is inexpensive. Recording sessions can be flexible, which is great if you want to edit and change things.” Yugal, who was responsible for the mixing-desk jobs, adds “Plus its a chance to learn about the technicalities of music apart from your own instrument.”

The band members admit to having somewhat benefited from being located in London, as opposed to Kathmandu. “There are loads of hands-on resources: books, magazines, concerts with various genres in London that are sadly not available in Nepal, but you don’t get a lot of time to engage with music. You have to work long hours to maintain yourselves. Perhaps you would have more time for music in Nepal”. The band also appreciate the support from London’s Nepalese musician’s circle. “We are inspired and challenged by the talent of our peers”, they remark. “Even though the rest of the audience might not listen to our live performances attentively, we go to one another’s shows, stand right in front of the stage and cheer”, hinting that such a camaraderie cannot be found in Kathmandu’s scene.

When asked whether Haami have found their sound or whether they are still experimenting, they point to the two new members, bassist Dinesh Gurung and guitarist Rupesh Malla. With their individual musical influences, we can expect Haami’s musical journey to take a different turn. But for now, it has grabbed our attention with its catchy yet tasteful melodies and tested our ability to move to the syncopated beats. I, for one, have been seen breaking out my convulsive dance moves to their exceptional music. It would be interesting to see what effect it has on you! Here is a taste of the different tracks: