image004The popular rock band among Nepalese crowd 1974 AD after unveiling their new line up is set to roll out their latest album, HazaarSapana, in the first week of August which will be the band’s ninth studio album. The band, 1974 AD, were formed in Kathmandu in the early 90s and over the course of their eight albums the group went on to establish themselves as one of the biggest and the most successful bands in the Nepali music industry. Although only three of the band’s original members—Shrestha, KC, and bassist Nirakar Yakthumba—remain on the line-up, the band announced last march that musicians Rohit John Chettri, PrajjwalMukhiya, Subash Jung Pande and Pratik Baniya would be joining the new-look band. Unveiling the cover art for the new album on Sunday, several members of the band have expressed their excitement over the release of their new project. Sanjay Shrestha, drummer and percussionist, wrote on Facebook that ‘Hazaar Sapana’was releasing soon and the band was very excited. He further wrote “Lots of patience and hard work by the band members. You can expect fresh sounds and renewed energy in this album.” He also added that album features songs written by several band members, AnupPahari and the band’s former vocalist PhirojShyangden. Guitarist Manoj Kumar KC wrote, “All of us have a thousand dreams. To some we manage to give life, the rest are left shattered...We are a mosaic of tragedies and triumphs. Our songs are an extension of heartbreaks and happiness; our new album an amalgamation of it all.” KC also thanked V-Chitra and SwooroopNhasiju for conceptualising the released cover art. Nepathya set to launch a new album with folk taste from hills of eastern Nepal Popular Nepali folk rock bandNepathya, who are currently on work at the post-production of their tenth album, released a new track,Hakpare—KoshikoPani, on YouTube on Friday. The song represents the folk music tradition popular in Eastern Nepal. The song, a ‘one-take’ rendition, is an interpretation of local musician DilleDamai’s original track. The forthcoming album includes folk tunes collected from around the country and also includes poetries from renowned poets as well. Before his encounter with DilleDamai in Chaipur, Gurung had wandered through the eastern hills sometime in 2012. The walk that started from Kavre along districts such as Sindhuli, Ramechap, Okhaldunga, Khotang, BhojpurSankhuwasaha, Terathum, which finally came to an end in Dhankuta. “The main objective of the trip was to follow the trail my respected musicians Ramesh and Majul had done in 1969. It was a great experience to find few things unchanged and many new things that was mentioned in their travelogue,” shared Gurung. “It was a pleasant coincidence to meet DilleDamaidai and other musicians during the trip. These traditional folk musicians are our heritage and do preserve our rich folk culture,” he added. “With modern influence penetrating the villages, folk culture is at the verge of extinction,” mentioned Gurung. Folk songs are not only pleasant sounds, but are also a medium to understand the society.“But I am fortunate to still witness them in raw format, when I travel to some remote untouched settlements.”