John And The Locals

Kandara Band, also known simply as Kandara, is a musical group from Pokhara, Nepal. The band formed in 1994 and takes its name from the Nepalese word for “a gorge or a cave in the middle of remote hills or mountains.” They have been instrumental in establishing the folk-pop genre within the Nepalese music industry. Some of their popular songs include: “Lekaki Hey Maya”: A soulful track that resonated with listeners. “Hongkong Pokhara”: This song gained fame beyond Pokhara and Nepal, becoming popular among migrant Nepalese worldwide. “Tagaroma Rumal Rakhi”: A hit that rejuvenated the band after an 8-year break. Kandara collaborates with renowned Nepalese poets and lyricists to create meaningful lyrics. Their music emphasizes themes of nationalism, love, and nature. Recently, they made a comeback with the album featuring the popular song “Bhedi Gothaima”. 🎵🌟 If you’d like to explore their music, you can find it on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. 🎶

Mantra is a pioneering Nepali rock band formed in 1999 in Darjeeling by Bhaskar (vocals), Praggya (guitars), Pravash (bass), and Bishal (drums). Their first breakthrough came at WILDFIRE, IIT Kharagpur, followed by the release of their debut original Timi Bina in the 2002 compilation Gorkha Rocks, which became an instant classic. With the addition of Manish on keyboards, the band expanded its sound and toured extensively across India and Nepal. Mantra released its self‑titled debut album in 2003, producing hits like Ekantama and Bir Gorkhali, and followed it with Rock Yatra (2004), introducing Bidhan on sax and flute and earning award nominations in Nepal. Their third album Himali Nepali (2006) continued their success, even as Birju replaced founding drummer Bishal. After years of touring internationally—including Bhutan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan—they released Mantra Mugdha (2011), featuring the global hit Priyaashi. Today, Mantra stands as one of the most influential Nepali rock bands, known for blending rock with melodic folk elements and delivering powerful live performances.

The Shadows ‘Nepal’ is a hard rock band hailing from Narayangarh, Chitwan, Nepal. Established in 1997, they made their debut with the album “Suna Hamro Sano Awaaz”. Their second album, “Hidne Manche Ladcha”, achieved success in the Nepali market and earned them accolades for the best band, best music, and best performance in 2006. The band’s influential lyrics often touch on social issues and awareness. Their current lineup includes: Swapnil Sharma (Vocals) Prakash Rasaily (Guitars) Sujan Manandhar (Guitars) Sahil Risal (Drums) Amit Pradhan (Bass) Rupesh Sen served as their band manager for a significant period. Some of their notable songs include: “Naya Nepal” “Buddha Nepal Ko” “Prakriti” “Kun ho Hamro Dharma” “Swarga ma thau chaina” “Hidne manche ladcha” “Ma” “Suna Hamro Sano Awaz” The Shadows ‘Nepal’ has left a lasting impact on the Nepali rock scene, addressing societal issues through their music. 🎸

Swar is a creative musical collaboration between vocalist Swapnil Sharma, producer‑composer Rohit Shakya, and drummer‑percussionist Gautam Tandukar. Blending rock, electronic textures, and experimental Nepali soundscapes, the trio explores fresh sonic identities through studio sessions, live performances, and cross‑genre projects. Known for their artistic chemistry and boundary‑pushing approach, Swar represents a modern wave of Nepali alternative music driven by collaboration, innovation, and expressive storytelling.