Photo Courtesy: Instagram|@abdonmech
Rebecca Kits Jakhalu
Kohima | August 18
Days after releasing his new music video titled Waiting For Your Call, indie-pop singer-songwriter from Nagaland, Abdon Mech is still processing the overwhelming response. The song, centered around loss, longing, and memories of a loved one has already crossed 1 lakh views on YouTube since it premiered on August 13.
In a candid conversation with The Morung Express, Abdon talks about the story behind the song, the making of the music video and what the first week of the release has felt like.
An Unprocessed Grief
Waiting For Your Call marks a deeply personal detour for Abdon. While it retains the acoustic warmth and emotional vulnerability he is known for, it departs from his usual work in many ways. His other popular tracks like Always Be, Taking My Heart, and his 2025 EP Not Overthinking This, centers on romantic love, interpersonal relationships, and personal growth. Waiting For Your Call tackles a much heavier subject of the unprocessed grief of losing a close friend at a very young age.
“I lost a dear friend when I was 14,” Abdon shares. “He was a day scholar while I was in the hostel. We used to be so close, but one day, after our summer break, he stopped coming to school. And I later found out that he had passed away. Back then, there was no social media, no personal phones, and the only updates I had were from his neighbours who used to attend the same school,” he continues.
He may have lost his friend at an age when grief was still something he could not fully comprehend, but the emotions found their way out through the song. “You don’t really know how to process grief at that age,” he shares. But years later, when he sat down to write the song, the words were not very hard to come by.
While the song was born from the deeply personal experience of losing a childhood friend, Abdon also makes it a point that he has no intention of marketing his personal grief. Instead, he elevates the track into a broader exploration of loss. In his words, it serves as an enduring tribute and hopes it resonates with anyone who has lost someone close.
Overwhelming response
Since the premiere, Abdon’s socials have transformed into a collective space for mourning and healing. Fans have flooded his inbox with not just praise, but their own stories of loss and grief.
“There’s something about the way you sing about waiting that makes it feel less lonely. “Waiting For Your Call” is comforting and heartbreaking at the same time…” an Instagram user commented.
Another wrote, “This is so heavy, but so healing Thank you for this beautiful comfort Abdon Mech. Beautiful work by everyone involved!”
“Every frame pulled at my heart. This isn’t just watched, it’s felt. The story, the music, the emotions - it left me in tears. Some videos entertain. This one lives with you,” wrote another user.
Director Bendang Walling wrote, “This film is dedicated to Abdon Mech’s childhood best friend, my niece Soyimyala and to everyone who has lost someone they love. Thank you to @abdonmech@sanenkichu @kevipucho, and the entire production team for believing in this story. To Visalie and Darhü - our actors - thank you for bringing the soul of the music and the story to life. I love you always.”
In the week since the music video’s release, the artist has been taking time to process the massive outpouring of support and love. “The number of messages and emails I have received after the release is unbelievable. Honestly, I am yet to read all of them, but seeing how deeply the song has resonated with so many listeners has been truly moving,” he adds.
Real superheroes
Abdon shares that the scenes in the music video are recreations of the cherished memories he shared with his late friend. To translate such memories required immense care, he says. Bringing this intimate vision to screen included acclaimed filmmaker Bendang Walling as Director, Sanen Kichu (DoP), Kevi Pucho (Sound Design and Producer) along with the entire cast and crew. Shifting the spotlight to the team, Abdon praises the unmatched professionalism and excellent work of everyone involved. He also attributes every intricate, authentic detail of the music video to Walling. During a scene, the two boys paste newspaper cutouts using leftover rice as adhesive. This simple, yet brilliant, nostalgic touch is an example of attention to detail that makes the music video strikingly relatable.
Shot in Jotsoma, the music video’s location offered stunning views, but the crew also faced their biggest hurdle in the form of the unpredictable weather. The shoot took 5-6 days, Abdon shares, while acknowledging the tireless dedication of the entire cast and crew for braving all challenges, and terming them the “actual superheroes”.
“I just get to be the face of the whole thing. The real heroes are all of the team working tirelessly to bring this idea to life,” he adds.
Message to fans
Mechsticks, as Abdon’s fans like to call themselves, are very close to his heart. “The name is so silly, I love it!” he says. “I do not like to refer to them as fans, but rather as a community, the ones who are always there for me no matter what. Whatever I do, they take it upon themselves to make sure it’s heard and seen all over. I do not know what I have done to receive that kind of love, but I am really grateful each day,” Abdon shares.
Future plans
Typically, Abdon’s singles serve as precursors to larger projects. But because of the deeply personal nature of the song, Waiting For Your Call stands as a dedicated, standalone release. As such, fans should note that this song will not be included in any upcoming album or EP. A somewhat temporary step away from his signature sound, this song will stand as a solitary, emotional project, Abdon shares.
However, Mechsticks will not have to wait long for more music. He confirmed that he is currently working on an album that is slated for release next year. He will also be on tour with Frizzell D’souza from August 23.
