Alo Wanth’s 1st album “Beautiful” (2009) is a refreshing break from the kind of music that Nagas are accustomed to churning out, i.e. 80’s & 90’s rock or Hillsong type of gospel music. It is a relief to see that a young Naga has ventured out beyond that established bracket and attempted something new and innovative; new, not so in mainstream western music, but certainly in our society.
“Beautiful” can easily come under the Norah Jones’ class of progressive jazz music. It has lots of acoustic and occasional piano; very beautiful, soothing and pleasant to listen to.
His 2nd album “Life” (2010), which was released on 4th Oct, 2010, is a tailored expansion of the 1st album, i.e. of the same genre. It has a little more funk with the introduction of techno, although in a well controlled manner. The theme song “Seasons of Life,” which is co-written by C. Tj Meren Jamir takes off on a direct inspiration from the Ecclesiastes in the Bible. No doubt, this song is a heart winner.
Alo’s trade mark in both the albums is clean lyrics in simple and direct form, sincere and heartfelt melody, and brilliant contemporary acoustic. Above all, his music is all about glorifying the Almighty God. His two albums are the kind that one would be proud to flaunt as achievements from our land. Surely, it won’t be too long before Alo sets the trend rolling for our musicians in contemporary acoustic, as well as progressive jazz and soul singing – a winning combination.
Alo’s musical talents did not emerge from nowhere. He in fact inherited it from his mother who is also a singer. She sings in her own dialect and is into full-time ministry in Tseminyu. Alo recollects, “It was from her that I received my very first guitar. I was about 5 or 6 years old at that time.” He mentions that he sang his first song with the two chords which he memorized; and when the guitar broke, he managed to tie it with the rubber strap from a catapult and continued to strum on it.
Besides music , Alo also runs a mobile Ministry called SOWTA (School of Worship & Technical Arts). According to him, “Worship inside the church is just 10% and 90% of it is outside the church. Worship is beyond Christian duties; it is a lifestyle.”
Alo maintains that he’s had “humble beginnings.” He completed his 10th standard from Government High School, Purna Bazaar, Dimapur and PU from Public Commerce College, Dimapur. Then he studied B.Th. in Buntain Theological College, Kolkotta, where he was also the Worship Leader both in the college and the church. It was here as a student that Alo wrote in his diary that he wanted to start a school of worship in Nagaland; as a result of which SOWTA was born. He then served for a year as a Church Planting Missionary in Patna, Bihar, under the tutelage of the Assembly of God, World Mission.
Before he embarked on his theological journey, Alo served as a Worship Leader and Chaplain from 2000 to 2002 at Living Word Centre, Dimapur. He says, “I started fresh there and uncle Jeff (Geoffrey Yaden, the Newspaper baron who started Living Word Centre) taught me many lessons and shaped me.”
In the year 2006, Alo went to Christ for the Nation Institute (CFNI), Dallas, Texas. He remembers, “Every year CFNI offers a full scholarship to 2-3 students from the 3rd world. I applied through the net and I got admission immediately. I didn’t do any running around nor did I spend a single penny. Even my passport and air fare were all sponsored by friends. It’s a miracle how I went there.”
Alo admits that although his “mind is always in music,” he also loves soccer and chess. He likes reading biographies of great lives, those who “start with nothing, but leave behind a great legacy.” He admires Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King; and also Geoffrey Yaden, at the local platform. As such he loves to learn from and to be with people “who think far.”
Alo’s music CD’s are found at OM stores in Aizawl, Imphal, Guwahati, Dimapur and Kollotta. In Dimapur they are also found in Cafe 77, Hiyo Café, Mirror Café, Furtados, Jumping Bean Café and Music Ground. In Kohima, they can be purchased at Dream Café, Bible House, Central Plaza Restaurant, Maple Drive Restaurant and Power Faith café.
From his SOWTA syllabus, Alo offered a short-term course at Withee Bible College, Dimapur and will also be doing the same at Christ for the Nations Bible College, Kohima He maintains, “Maybe in the future, I shall own an office, but right now my work is mobile and I’d like the opportunity to travel all over Nagaland and teach music and worship.”
His music may lean heavily toward contemporary acoustic, but he also states that he’s “open to all kinds of experimentation.” And maybe in the coming days, he would also incorporate “Naga folk fusion.” He thus says, “It would be nice to improvise old folk tunes into contemporary music so that everybody can listen to it and enjoy.”
As of now, Alo’s top priority is music and he still has the blessing of time on his side. This top rate musician is only in his late 20’s, and he has already achieved more than what could take a life time for another. With his special God-given gifts and abilities, it does not take effort to predict how much further he will still go in life. May our prayers always be with him.
Written By: Susan Waten, HAWA, Dimapur.
