Music lovers cannot afford to miss 'Project Experience', a unique attempt by four major Nepali players to tell the stories of their journeys in music. The four need no introduction, as they are linked with some of the best music produced here in the last decade.

Nirakar Yakthumba is the bassist and the driving force behind Nepal's premier rock band 1974AD and has also played with popular jazz-funk ensemble, The McTwisters. With his deep blues vocals, Robin Tamang has had a cult following among the youth ever since he stepped on stage with his ground breaking number 'Nepal Mero Gulaf ko Kada' in 2000.

"Your own image is very different from what the public thinks of you. Professionally we have all come a long way but musically there is a lot more distance to cover and this is an attempt to define our relationship with music through music," says Robin.

The third participant in this musical journey is Yubaraj Chettri, also known as Vicku, the guitarist and vocalist of The Rusty Nails and another revered figure among the youth. Finally, there is percussionist Sanjay Shrestha, who entered the music scene in 1995 with the fusion trio Shristi and now gives 1974AD's hit numbers a
special flavour.

The four, along with guest artists such as keyboardist Upendra Man Singh and Spanish saxophonist Mariano, who played alongside Cadenza at Jazzfest, are organising a show they say is solely dedicated to music. And they stress that they still have a lot to learn musically although in their fans' eyes they are already rock stars.

The group has been busy composing new songs as well as working on their own versions of popular tunes by Bob Marley, Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan, who are major influences on the musicians. They also hope that Project Experience can lay deep roots so that next year other players can get together and explore their work.

"We hope other musicians pick it up and put up something like this next year because individually all of us do our own things but working together with others gives new ideas and is an experience in itself," says the youngest of the lot, Sanjay.

Project Experience will take place on 17 December in Patan Museum Caf? and will be recorded for an album. Looking at the work being put into the event, that album is sure to become a collector's item.
Alok Tumbahangphey

17 December
7pm
Patan Museum
Tickets Rs 550 at Moksh and
East Meets West Music Box