“What we are achieving we did not expect to have a year ago”

Nepal Nepal They became known to the world in 2024, although their first steps in music came a few years before. “In 2021 we got together, we started in a room to produce songs without much idea, and we released music under the name Kebab Hut.” A first stage of learning that led to wanting to take a step forward. “We started doing concerts. We released two EPs, but there came a time when we decided that we wanted to take a leap and start taking this a little more professionally. Then we went into a studio.” That led them to rethink the project. “We realized that those songs sounded much better than everything we had before. So we were a little sad that it was combined with the previous one, and we saw that it was a good time to start from scratch and direct it to something more professional and polished. That’s where Nepal Nepal appears.”

“Now we’ve reached a point where we think we have the best songs we’ve ever made”

Before publishing their first full-length album, they released two EPs that allowed them to define their sound and become known. “We didn’t want to start with a long-term work. We simply wanted to test how the group was going to go, how we could look for a clearer sound. Those first two works served to introduce the group and have songs to be able to give concerts and for people to get to know us.” A first stage that now culminates with the publication of “Reasons to be better” . “Now we have reached a point where we believe we have the best songs we have ever made. There is a sound, a common aesthetic to the project and we felt ready to make this first full-length album.” The selection of the songs was based on a large set of demos that were worked on together with the producers. “We had a list of about fifteen or sixteen songs. We sat down and listened to them with the producers to find out which ones could have the most potential and which ones made the most sense to be together.” A process in which, despite having a base of previous compositions, there was also room to introduce changes and organize the whole. “Many of the demos were quite rudimentary. Many of the instrumentals were very developed, but many lyrics were changed during the week we were in the studio. We also did a job of organizing the songs, not only in terms of sound but also in the lyrics and order. We ate a lot of shit.”

To shape these songs, they once again counted on Luis and Carlos (Cora Yako), with whom they share the way of working. “Our way of composing is closely linked to production. We don’t pick up an acoustic guitar and start composing lyrics, but rather we pick up Ableton or Logic and start recording things. Something that later comes in handy to speed up recording in the studio. They also work that way, so we understand each other very well.” A dynamic that allowed us to arrive at the studio with a good part of the work already done. “This album has been the one we have arrived with the clearest demos. In many songs, fifty percent or more of the tracks we already brought”. The contribution of the producers was equally important. “Theirs were incredible help. Having them tell you things to do or not to include, proposing ideas for arrangements, melodies or even lyrics has helped us, it has been fundamental.”

Regarding the influences that define their music, they recognize an evolution since its beginnings. “At first we did something eighties, but we started to like more sounds from the two thousand bands like LCD Soundsystem. We like our sound to be danceable. There is also influence from dance, electronics… we have taken different elements from everything.” With the album already published, the group’s attention is now focused on translating these songs live. “With this album we have really enjoyed considering it also for the tour, also the show we want to give. That is not going out there, playing and that’s it, but giving something more interest to that.” They are also excited to know the real reception of the songs outside of digital platforms. “There’s one thing that’s cool is that, sometimes, you realize that a song hasn’t worked that well, but then live it turns out that people sing it. There you see the real feedback.” It is precisely in those moments when they find the reward for all the work done. “It’s fun to write, to go to the studio, to shape everything… but to go out on stage and see how people suddenly sing at the top of their lungs. There you say, okay… all the effort, all the money, everything we’ve done so far is worth it precisely because of this.” Now, they face this new stage with great enthusiasm, but without major objectives set. “We just want to play in many places so that as many people as possible can hear it. But we don’t have any goal that we are aspiring to. What we are achieving we didn’t expect to have a year ago. So nothing, just enjoy where it’s going with our people and our team. Things will come.”