Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 8
‘Confessions of a bipolar mind’ debuted in 2019. It was the introduction of Temsu Clover (Temsukala Lemtor) in the music scene from the state of Nagaland. Mostly classed in the genre of indie-mellow/bedroom pop music, Clover now makes music full time. Among several awards on her credit, Clover recently won the ‘Best Pop Song’ title at the Nagaland Music Awards, 2021.
Living music
For this 25 year old from Dimapur, becoming a full-time musician was not always her ultimate career choice. Talking to The Morung Express, Clover says, “…to become a songwriter or a musician, it wasn’t one of those ‘I want to become a big pop star one day’ dream but rather ‘Let’s write and make music because I love making music’. And that is how it started for me.”
With the little money she saved up during her college days, Clover recorded her first song ‘Confessions of a bipolar mind’ at Jam studio 11, Dimapur back in 2019.
“And now here I am in 2022 a full time musician. The living is real. The dream is so big that it feels like I have just started out again,” says Clover who also holds a Postgraduate Degree in Agricultural Extension and Communication from SHUATS University, Prayagraj.
Music calling out
Clover herself experienced and fully understood the bearing power of music when she received ton of messages from friends and strangers about how the song ‘Confessions of a bipolar mind’ healed them and how it saved them. “That has been my grinding ground and it still keeps me going,” she said.
‘Music’ according to Clover ‘is subjective and it comes out based on what inspires you.’ She adds, “… when I am asked about what type of music I create and play, I usually mark my music under indie-mellow/bedroom pop music. But that doesn’t mean I would limit from making any other type of music in the future.”
On a similar note she said, “I am grateful for my band and the producers who worked and work with me and most importantly to God for instilling in me this passion and desire for music.”
Music inspiring Music
Talking about the biggest influence and inspiration for her music, she states, “Biggest influence is music itself” and adds music is ‘The perfect gift that God has bestowed upon us.’
“And to the question who inspires me would be the people I love, meet and encounter every day. Not to forget, so many artists and musicians that I love, follow and listen to,” Clover acknowledges.
Like most artists, Clover does not set parameters for her song writing and production process. “I don’t have a specific route for it. Some days I write first, some days I find a melody line first and on other days I just find a chord progression to work on. I keep room for creativity to follow. And so does the musicians,” she said.
Thriving with Music
Clover attests to the motto of “You didn’t come this far to come this far” and while doing so, she also grow throw challenges.
“Biggest challenge is finding the right people who truly appreciate the art I am making. The right audience,” she shares and adds, “We can’t please everyone and that’s something that every artist needs to learn and accept.”
“The music scene in Nagaland is still continuing to bloom. I have been trying to make my best use of what Nagaland has to offer for now. It’s a challenge but worth fighting for,” she asserted.
Mates on musical journey
To enhance her musical journey, Clover shares her space with people who inspire her. “I don’t have a mentor but what I do have is gifted and talented friends around me. They inspire me. I learn a lot from them.”
She adds, “In fact, the musicians who play with me - Imti Imchen, Theja Chase, Eli Patton and Lima Jamir are all on another level. More knowledgeable and talented than me I would say; wouldn’t be here without these boys.”
Clover is also thankful for her good friend, Lenin Nameirakpam “who is always taking care of so many important things in my music career.”
Music scene in Nagaland
Given a chance or choice to change anything about the music industry in Nagaland, Clover states it would be ‘for people to be more open minded and to understand that musicians work tirelessly.’
She says, “We spend twice the money to get to where we want” and therefore, she would want people “to appreciate and not take advantage of genuine craftsmanship and artistry.”
On the note of music scene in Nagaland and TaFMA (Task Force for Music and Arts), Clover feels the Advisor of TaFMA, Theja Meru, “is doing his best for the music scene in Nagaland.”
“And we see so many young talented people being supported by TaFMA and giving them a space to showcase their talents,” she observed.
‘Music is so much more’
“Don’t stop dreaming. When you do, that is the day you lose. That is when you let a part of yourself die,” Clover shares her wisdom for someone wanting to follow in her musical footsteps.
She also shared that the ultimate dream for her music is ‘to sing, play and perform her music around the world.’
“Music is so much more,” she avows and adds, “It can heal and move you. And to live and share that same experience together with the people I play music with and the people who listens to my songs is one of many things that I want to do. Become one in that given moment and just live.”
Clover is dropping an album this summer. “Can’t wait to share them,” she added.
