Depot48 Presents ‘Empty Whiskey Bottle’ Turns One

26-Nov-2023 | 8 PM Onwards

Takar Nabam is an Indian singer songwriter who infuses mellow alt rock references with hints of Himalayan folk and the music of North East India to create a soulful concoction of liberating World Music grooves, ethno-jazz riffs and dreamy vocals. From India’s Arunachal Pradesh region bordering Tibet, Takar’s music embodies the truth that it’s the journey that matters, and not where it should eventually lead to.



"Takar is a true representation of Indian Indie, both in his sheer musical prowess and how he retains his accent while singing in Nyishi dialect. Infusing the traditional Himalayan Dramyin into what are essentially western styles of Blues and R&B tracks that pay homage to his roots." - A HUMMING HEART



"Nabam’s solemn, jazz-inflected yearning and bittersweet refrains take a heart-wrenching perspective, one that’s undoubtedly tearjerker material." – A.T (@Rolling Stone India )




Takar grew up listening to a lot of 90s pop, Rock, Metal and Alternative Rock. The guitar became his first love, for which he won several awards during his school years. Gaining exposure in the Delhi Music scene, his peak moment was opening for Metallica in 2011 at Bengaluru, India.


Takar studied music formally, introducing himself to Composition and Arranging, playing in jazz ensembles, and learning a great deal about Jazz, World Music and RnB, which informed the next phase of his musical journey. Listing John Mayer, Tom Misch, Mac De Marco, Simon and Garfunkel, Nick Drake, Damien Rice and Incubus, as well as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Julian Lage, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane as his influences, Takar Nabam released his debut Album 'Same Sky' in 2016 and sophomore album 'This Home, That Home' in 2018. His latest EP 'Red and Yellow' was released in November 2021.




Takar has performed at notable Music Festivals in India - NH7 Weekender, Ziro Music Festival, Orange Music Festival. His video for the song 'Good Night' made it to the Top 10 Music Videos released by Indian Indie Artists in 2021. 'Red and Yellow' EP made it to the Top 20 EP/Album releases by Indian Indie Artist in 2021. He is the first artist from Arunachal Pradesh to have played at Sofar Sounds Brooklyn and Rockwood Music Hall, New York and he was nominated as Top 5 Guitarists by The Indies, India, in 2021.



“The tribal region of Arunachal Pradesh in India might not be the first place you think of when looking for guitar’s ‘next-big-thing’, but Takar Nabam – already named in Guitar Player Magazine’s ‘Top Five Guitar Players in India’ in 2020 – is absolutely at the forefront of innovative, convention-defying guitarists with his deep, instinctual understanding of both his instrument and his voice. Nabam demonstrates a deep respect and foundation in the musical traditions of his own culture whilst mixing in elements of contemporary blues and roots greats such as John Mayer, Tom Misch, and slide supremo Derek Trucks.” - A&R Factory, UK

SHIKHAR
Shikhar is a 24 Year-old singer-songwriter. Having been raised on brilliantly crafted Pop and Rock from the 80s/90s, Shikhar has found a signature sound of guitar-centric songwriting told with thoroughly crafted arrangements and hauntingly vulnerable lyrics. His music comes from a space that finds him torn between writing about the alienation of being alive in 2023, and wanting to be stuck inside a time capsule in his room for the rest of his days.