Pendulum Swing releases their full-length debut album 'Life Is Beautiful'.
Psychedelic rock quartet from Imphal city, Pendulum Swing are releasing their debut full-length album âLife Is Beautifulâ on 12th October, 2014. The album features 8 amazing melodic tracks. The band is playing live at Paradiso (IMC Cinema), Thangal Bazaar, Imphal at 4 pm on 12th October as their album release event. The all-girl band Maniac  from Imphal will also support the event. Be there and be first to listen to their amazing album.
We had a wonderful time sitting with the band and listen to their stories about their early days and the album in the making. Read on to find out more details about the band and album â the real stories behind their music.
SC: As per our grasp, Pendulum Swing made its debut appearance at the Manipur Idol, so how would you guys like to introduce the band to the people who haven't heard of you guys yet?
Vabe: Â Well, we made our debut appearance at the Manipur Idol and we have been playing around in the city (Imphal) as Pendulum Swing for a while now but hopefully this debut album of ours will be our breakthrough exposure as a mass introduction to everyone who hasnât heard about us yet. We have put in our bloods and sweat in making of this album. So, guys, we are Pendulum Swing. We play a blended mixture of Blues, Psychedelic and Soft Rock and if you are someone who really digs these genres of music then we promise you, you will not be disappointed with this album. Give it a listen.
SC: List us the current members of the band along with their roles in the band.
Vabe: I cover the main vocal actions and play rhythm guitars in the band. Tinku is the lead guitarist and Bronjit is the bassist. Chinghkei is supporting us with the drums as of now but he has his personal preferences with other things in life so we will be eventually looking forward to cover for him.
SC: A brief history about the band, in short, how did Pendulum Swing happen as a band.
Vabe: It has been a long dream for me to gear up a band and play music for I have a huge inevitable interest in music. So, basically, it started off with me and my cousin Tinku before it was Pendulum Swing. I was in Delhi back then when it triggered me that I have to give in a shot and start up a band of my own. As Tinku has been an enthusiastic guitar since his early days, we discussed about it. Â We started jamming with many amazing people but due to differences in music taste we could actually work out together. Then Amu and Chingkhei happened on the way. And soon Bronajit joined the team and we started out as Rebreed. Few months later, we coined Pendulum Swing as our official band title and since then we have been playing in and around the city till now.
SC: We all have heard that the band is on its high road of releasing a full length debut album very soon. Take us to a scoop of the whole making and recording process completed so far?
Vabe: Initially, we had to face a really hard time shaping up this album. At start, we have had it planned for a low budget album yet without compromising sound quality. We actually targeted on making just a single track at the first place but soon we started realising whatâs of a worth if weâd release just a single track with all of the efforts we have put in our love of music so far. So, we charted out to releasing a full album and started to work with double amount of energy. We told ourselves that it will be our do or die moment. So, we approached this friend of Chingkhei, Delalo from Nambol, who was quite good with mixing and recording tracks. We spent a period of one and half month just recording just a single track. Yet at the end of the day we end up not achieving didnât achieve the quality of sound we were looking forward to. So, we gave up on him and started to look out for other alternatives. Then it rang me about an old friend who is actually is beaming sound mixing artist in the present music scenario. Yes, so I called Tulajit who now has a recording studio of his own in Bangalore and spoke to him about my plans. We framed out the whole recording work together but since he was put up in Bangalore it cost us a hard time working out things as planned. We finally managed to pull up the recording process of the whole album in three traumatising weeks. And, now we are here. (Sigh!)
SC: How is the band planning to release the album? Will it be a digital release or physical release with CDs? If CDs, who are you guys planning to let out the stock for distribution?Â
Tinku: Well, of course, weâll be releasing it as both digital and physical releases as well. Weâll update the details about the releases as soon as we get it done. Anyway, weâll make sure it reaches each and every one of you as soon as it gets out.
                    (L-R: Vabe, Bronajit & Tinku)
SC: Has Pendulum Swing ever performed outside of their hometown Imphal? If so, brief us about the whole event and tell us how did it happen (who hooked you guys up)?
Vabe: Yes, we have played a couple of shows outside of Imphal as well. We have played as the opening act in the Battle of the bands in Delhi. We have also played at Cafe Rockafella in Delhi and few other cafes there.
 SC: From the songs the band has covered or played at live gigs, we notice more of psychedelic styles in particular. Does it mean you guys are very much influenced with this particular genre and can we expect the same in the upcoming album?
Vabe: Honestly, our music influences go to a wide variety of music. We listen to almost all genres of rock music. Yet, Blues, Psychedelic Rock, Soft Rock and Hard Rock have to go on top, if we have to go a little deeper on our major influences.
 SC:  Most of the lyrical concepts of Manipur bands are based in current scenario of the city or the anti-politics or anti-corruption issues and related stuffs. Do you guys also follow the same ideas when it comes to writing materials?
Vabe: Well, when it comes to writing I know I am not much of a great lyricist. We know we can acquire help from other great people in shaping great lyrics yet we didnât because weâve always wanted the lyrics to relate to ourselves so we carried on with what we could develop on our own. We write mostly about the inner feeling of our own- happiness, sadness, excitements, or either love. Or say, we generally write about things that we all normally face in our everyday life. There is one song, Hunger Of A Lady, which I have written in a little diverse perspective focusing more on the present socio-economic and political situations on our State at the present moment.
 SC: If you are asked to pick top 3 tracks from the album which three tracks would it be? Is there any special story behind these particular tracks?
Vabe:
1. Hunger Of A Lady. It has a whole different context in terms of meaning and lyrical approaches.
2. Wind And Rain- Well, just because, I believe, it is a very romantic track.
3. I Should Have Known - Another melodic track with great vibes.
 SC: On a lighter note, give us a brief idea about the personal lives of the band members apart from being an amazing band. What are they up to in their personal lives at present?
 Vabe:  I have acquired a Masterâs Degree in Linguistics. Presently, I am working a private tutor taking private teaching classes for school goers. Also, I am applying for examinations in government and private sectors.
Bronajit: Currently, I am a full time musician. Music tops my list of priority in life.
Tinku: Â I have just graduation from my college. So, right now, music is my sole focus.
 SC: Lastly, any messages for the fans and other people who are looking forward for the upcoming album?
Vabe: First of all, we are really thankful to each and every one of you who has helped us made this dreams come true in making who we are today. We are really indebted to you all for life, without your love and support we wouldnât have been what we are today. If give a chance, we would really love to catch up with each and every one of you who has whistled and clapped at our shows, it really means the world to us. Secondly, please grab a copy of our debut album âLife Is Beautifulâ. This is for you guys. Take it as our token of appreciation for all those love and support you all have showered on us all along. Thanks.
Track lists of the album 'Life Is Beautiful:
1. Life Is Beautiful
2. Wind And Rain
3. Hunger Of A Lady
4. Baby Blues
5. I Should have Known
6. Something To Make You Mine
7. Anger Roar
8. Untitled
Check out the video on their album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y3Ac-5Lj_o
To read more about the band, follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thependulumswing
Be the first to stream their track âHunger Of A Ladyâ here on our Sound Cloud Channel:
https://soundcloud.com/supportsoundcheck/pendulum-swing-hunger-of-a-lady
Interviewer: Chitradeep Nongmaithem
Photographs: Rohit Maisnam
Crew: Ken, Nganba & Andy
Documented by: Lenin Nameirakpam











