Singer-songwriter Abdon Mech's inspiring journey from Nagaland to Budapest
Nagaland-based singer-songwriter Abdon Mech's journey makes you believe that dreams come true, but not devoid of struggles. When Abdon started out as a musician two years ago, he felt drawn to cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi. But over time, he became a part of the growing movement of North East artistes to build their fanbase right from their hometowns.
His decision finally paid off, and the singer was recently in Budapest, as part of the Artisjus Songbook Camp 2025, held in May, which also saw a total of 30 artistes from across the world. . Abdon's participation was championed and sponsored by the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), along with the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA)-Government of Nagaland. Abdon says, 'I just realised the importance of what my culture and identity mean to me and how important it is to bloom where you are planted.'
He is now driven by the goal to represent and accelerate growth among artistes in Nagaland. The Naga representation started right from his time in Budapest as part of the week he spent in Hungary, where Abdon even sported a traditional Sumi Naga jacket.
It has been a five-year-long journey for the singer, who launched his debut single 'Again' in 2020, scored a hit with 'Taking My Heart' in 2022 and recently put together a do-it-yourself open-air concert in March on his home ground, in Dimapur, with thousands in attendance. He credits TaFMA and IPRS for the boost along the way, where at first (like many artistes), he was not sure of what the copyright society did. He lauds IPRS for reaching out to Nagaland artistes and encouraging them to become members. 'For them, coming all the way to the North East and providingaccessibility and inclusivity to someone from this side, shows that they are passionate about the scene as a whole, and not just one part of the country,' he says.
Abdon also believes the idea that 'a lack of accessibility' to the North East has changed over the years with more talents taking center stage. 'Over the last few years, the growth has been incredible as far as original music is concerned.'
Where cover bands were more likely to draw crowds before, now original music is staunchly supported, right down to artistes printing merchandise and bringing in the sales. 'I think artistes alone cannot take the credit. It also needs to be given to consumers.'
At the camp in Budapest, Abdon was exposed to the global music space and 'how different cultures make music differently'. He adds in terms of learnings, 'I appreciate electronic dance music more because there were many of these artistes and producers who were incredible dance music artistes. Just being with them and seeing how they have so much soul into what people classify as soulless music was something I took away.'
Put in groups of three to four artistes each day, with a daily task to produce a new song, Abdon was interacting with producers, songwriters and singers. While the singer says he has never worked within that kind of framework and structure to bring out a song in a day, it led to creating several songs with collaborators from the U.S., Hungary and elsewhere.
They officially created three songs during their song camp hours, but Abdon shares: 'Everyone was so inspired that after the day was over we would have these unofficial sessions, collaborate and make music till two or three in the morning.'
We can expect more compositions coming out later this year as a result of the camp, along with his solo work — bolstered by the creative energy of Budapest.
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