Hong Kong date for Sikkim band - GnC to stage second foreign rock show

BIJOY GURUNG

Girish performs at an event; (above) the members of the rock band, Girish N the Chronicles. File pictures Gangtok, Feb. 8: The Girish N the Chronicles (GnC) has been invited to play in Hong Kong, the second chance for the Gangtok band to perform outside India. The band will perform on February 12 at the annual rock festival, Alive-III, Clash of Titans, in which musical troupes from other Asian countries like South Korea and Japan are slated to take part. “Your band has already gained the reputation as one of the finest from India and also looking at the fan following you have in Hong Kong, it would really be great to have you as a part of this event,” reads the invitation to the GnC from Extreme Entertainment HK, the organiser of the event. A press release issued by the GnC said the Hong Kong performance would be the second by the band outside India. It had played at the Suncane Skale music festival in Montenegro in Europe in 2010 and came second in the contest. Bands from 26 nations had participated in the concert. GnC front man and vocalist Girish Pradhan, 25, has played in South Korea also during the Yamaha Asian Beat final in November last year. The other GnC members are 24-year-old Nagen Mongranti (drums), lead guitarist Suraj Karki, 23, and Yogesh Pradhan (guitars, bass and sound engineering). The band was the brainchild of Girish and his younger brother Yogesh, 23. Girish has already been in Hong Kong since November to perform at bars after being signed by a private management company there. The other band members joined him on February 6 for the coming festival where they will play covers and original compositions. “It is a matter of great achievement for the band to get to play in a foreign country and leave a mark with music and talent. This way, the band is also serving as Sikkim’s as well as India’s musical ambassador. All aspiring musicians can learn from the GnC that if they work hard and chase their dreams, they can make a good career,” said Shyam Pradhan, the media manager of the GnC. Pradhan said after participating in the rock fest, the GNC would deliver guest performances at three-four select venues in Hong Kong till February 14. “The shows will be attended by event management companies and pub owners and if they are satisfied with the performance, the band may be asked to stay in Hong Kong to play at more events,” he said. According to the media manager, Girish wants to send a message to the youth that music should be taken as a career and not merely as a form of entertainment. “Sikkim is producing professional footballers and the state can also display its talents in music. Girish will encourage talented musicians in Sikkim to come to Hong Kong if the GnC is able to set up a base there,” said Pradhan.(Telegraph)