By: Sujan Shakya
John Chamling Rai, a boy from Dharan inherited an interest in music from his father and the church he used to attend as a child. His career in music was an extensive battle of the mind and the heart, as he says, “I am an overthinker and had doubts, whether I should take up music as a career or not.” He flew to Denmark to study corporate finance for a bachelor’s degree and also kept on writing songs on his own time. On returning to Nepal, he started singing songs for his friends and family and kept clips of them, which started getting attention from the public and the industry. Now he is a well-known star with a huge fan following both nationally and internationally and his success keeps growing.
When did you first get inspired to play music?
Well, I’m a Christian and I used to go to church. I guess from there singing the chorus, bhajan and also my father. My father used to play guitar and sing when I was young and that inspired me and peaked my interest towards music. He used to sing some English songs, old Nepali songs and some classic Hindi songs to me as a child. And also singing the chorus and bhajans in church made me understand about timing and vocals which was also very intriguing. I always imagined myself as how it would feel to be the one in front of the church leading the singing and yeah that’s how I got into singing.
What was the first song you wrote and what inspired it?
Actually the first song I wrote was the song “Ko Cha Ra”. This was the time when I was about 13 or 14 and I was asking for a bike and fighting over it with my mother who was abroad at that time. I remember skipping meals for months because no one provided me with a bike. Given I was a little immature to ask for a bike at such a small age, but yeah I wrote that song “Ko Cha Ra ” thinking no one would understand me and my needs.
How does the writing process of your songs happen?
I’d say I’m blessed by god for this. When I decide that I’ll write a song, say this evening. I ended up writing the whole song that evening. It just comes out once I’ve decided that I’ll write a song and about what. I read the bible too, which teaches me many difficult words which helps my vocabulary when it comes to writing songs.
Could you also talk about your band?
Well when I finished my 12th grade, I joined a band named “The Last Note”. People usually think of a notebook or homework when we say a note but no, it’s all about music. There were five members in the band. Me, a keyboard player, a drummer, a guitarist and the bass player. Among them I heard the drummer is still in Kathmandu, the keyboard player is in Darjeeling. The lead guitarist I heard is in Australia learning and teaching music. One of them, Mannu, is still with me with my current band “The Locals”. I came up with the name myself, as the band was very young and energetic boys filled with potential and the great thing is we came from the Dharan. Also, we have a YouTube channel “JOHNANDTHELOCALS” where we post all of our shows and band vlogs so do give it a go.
So why did you decide not to study music and go for corporate finance instead?
Truth be told, I had a little bit of doubt in my mind. I was the eldest in the family. I was the one who’s gonna be responsible for supporting the family and also helping my mom. And we were not from that strong of a background. I also have a little sister that I have to take care of. And in Nepal, music was a very hard option to pick financially. I did research about some music schools but it was expensive and I had my doubts.
What did it feel like when you first got a show crowded with hundreds of fans?
The first show I did outside of Dharan was in the Senate Club, back in 2023. I honestly was actually planning to go abroad thinking singing wouldn’t give me a career and I always tried to convince myself that I’m not the one for music. But that show and that crowd made me want to stay in Nepal. The very next day I did a show in Chitwan too. I earned more or less one lakh for the show and I started thinking that this might actually work out. And that’s how I decided to stay in Nepal.
How did you land your first international show and how did it work out?
I got an offer to perform in the UK, which was my first international show by Debbre Events. My brother Aku, was the one who saw the potential in me and the band was soon flying to the UK. The event was called ‘Loudout’ and as the name suggests there was a massive crowd, and they were so loud. It was an amazing experience and something I’ll always remember.
Have you ever felt an emotional pang when the crowd has an emotional reaction while on stage?
Yes, I’ve seen emotional reactions from the crowd many times. I have seen grown men cry honestly. I also get a sense of happiness in it, No offense, but there is a feeling of brotherhood and the fact that they understand the lyrics and feel a part of it. That makes my heart happy although I see many crying in the crowd. I mean I think making a girl cry and a guy cry are two completely different things too. But I haven’t cried myself I guess because I look upwards and always have black shades with me.
Do you listen to your heart or your mind when it comes to music?
I think I’m very emotional to be honest, I am very emotional. I’m also an overthinker in everything. I always think and convince myself about everything that could go wrong and what not. The doubt initially about pursuing a music career to the thoughts of going abroad to the US was all because I am a big overthinker. Especially when the UK show happened, I was actually very panicked and needed my brothers with me at least in the backstage. But in the end I was like, I’m gonna do this even if I get unconscious on stage.
How would you define your genre of music?
I’d say it’s semi- classical rock. It’s a mixture of a little bit of classical, a little bit of rock and a bit of pop mixed in it. But I guess people love our live shows way more because I have a mixed genre of songs. Like Nihita is a bit classical, Prasna has a bit of rock in it, Farkana Hola is a bit emotional. So I guess I want my hands on every genre than just being limited to one.
Who would be your top two inspirations globally in the Music industry that you look up to?
That’ll be Chester Bennington and John Mayer. Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, he is no more with us, unfortunately. He was the lead singer for Linkin Park and what an inspiration he was. And John Mayer would be the second with songs like Gravity which was so mesmerizing.
Did you ever have your own fan moment with some other artists in the industry?
I’d say when I got to meet Sabin Rai. I really do feel a bit nervous in his presence. The aura of Sabin Dai is like a different vibe to be honest. And I always used to ask him how he maintained his vocal prowess for like 30 years and above. So yeah he is someone that I have always looked up to majorly, the aura of the man and his vocals, it’s really mesmerizing and inspirational to me. I feel really really lucky that I have his number, and he is one call away.
Do you have a crazy fan moment or emotional moment that you’ll never forget?
Yes, actually there was this girl. She said that she was really going through a lot of hardships and was really thinking about ending her life. But she said that she heard my song ‘Nihita’ somewhere in a cafe while it was raining, and it gave her positivity to push through. She said that that music acted like therapy and she became a fan of mine.
Can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
On 27th July, our “K Garu” is premiering, which is supported by the Debbre events and powered by eSewa Events and by LG Association Hong Kong. This is going to happen in Dharan stadium, in my hometown. Knowing full well that it’s the monsoon season, I actually want it to rain. I think it will be awesome.
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