‘Music, for us, is born from experience, trying, failing, feeling’

What would be the odds of four young musicians chasing their passion to create something different, coming together to create great music? Mathematically calculable, perhaps, with the right data. Musically, just Lone Odds, a four-member band in Shillong.

The band began its journey in October 2022 as a group of friends-turned-collaborators — Duncan Kharmalki aka Knack (vinyls, keys and sampling), Abel Pheonix (vocals, guitars, drums and bass), Wankamai Dkhar (Guitars and bass) and Pyniar Nongshli (guitars) — “crafting music in bedrooms, cafés and borrowed corners of the city”.

“Our sound blends ambient indie, acoustic storytelling and dreamy textures, pulling from Northeast India’s folk heritage, the weight of rain-soaked landscapes and introspective silences,” said Kharmalki.

Abel is a former member of Notes of A’rongga and was also associated with bands such as Black Jack, Ultimate Page, Safe and Sound and Rocket Child. Knack had been a part of Khasi Bloodz, Tarik and CSP, while Wankamai played for Krooze.

Their debut EP, Play Tribe, introduced a band that valued feeling over formulas. Songs like River and Shady Dreams explored longing, nature and the inner world we often keep hidden.

“Lone Odds doesn’t chase trends, they build moments. Their music slows things down, invites reflection and stays with you,” Kharmalki described the band.

Lone Odds recently released its second EP, Ephemeral, which “is special to us because it reminds us that not everything has to last forever to matter”, said the band members.

“In a world obsessed with permanence and virality, we’re drawn to the fleeting. A quiet walk, a forgotten chord, a conversation that sticks for reasons you can’t explain — that’s the space we create from.

“Our songs aren’t trying to be timeless — they’re trying to be honest. Music made for this moment. What makes it powerful is that it won’t last — and that’s what makes it real. It leaves behind a trace, a feeling, a memory,” Kharmalki said about the EP.

For the band, ephemeral isn’t just a word — “it’s how we’ve lived, created, and connected. It’s our way of saying: what matters is that it was real while it lasted”.

Both the Eps and the band’s singles are available on YouTube, Spotify, and all major streaming platforms.

Besides their music, Sunday Monitor spoke to the band members about the music firmament in Shillong and how technology has helped them overcome barriers in the absence of proper infrastructure.

On Shillong’s music scene

Shillong has always had music in its soul. It’s not just a scene — it’s a lifestyle. From living rooms to church halls, from jam sessions to open mics, creativity flows freely here.

What excites us is how experimental things have become. Artists are blending Khasi folk with jazz, hip-hop, ambient, and even electronic music. There is sampling from nature, looping traditional instruments and layering sounds recorded from balconies and backyards.

There is a strong DIY spirit too — musicians here are self-producing, designing, writing and releasing music on their own. The lack of mainstream exposure has created more freedom. It’s a quiet revolution, and we’re lucky to be a part of it.

Technology and music

Honestly, technology has been a game-changer for us. Without it, Lone Odds might not have existed the way it does now.

We started out recording on basic setups — mics, laptops, headphones. Most of Play Tribe was passed around in voice notes and rough stems from our bedrooms.

In a region like Meghalaya, where traditional industry structures are still growing, technology helped us leap the gap. It lets us share our music beyond the hills — and that’s powerful.

It also opened doors to experimentation with sound design, sampling, layering, and even mixing ourselves. The flip side is that it comes with the pressure to always be online, always visible. Overall, it has given us control, and we are grateful for that.

On AI and music

AI is evolving fast, and it has entered the music world. People are now creating fully AI-generated songs — from lyrics to production to mixing — and some are even making money off them. That’s something we feel uneasy about.

Music, for us, is personal. It’s born from experience, from trying, failing, feeling — not just data. When a song skips the journey and just “appears”, it can feel hollow.

We understand AI is a tool, and it can be helpful. But it shouldn’t replace expression. As Matt Garstka from Animals as Leaders said:

“AI will never come up with something new or unique. It’ll only generate what’s already been done. Unlike humans.”

That hits home. AI might replicate patterns, but it cannot replicate the soul. It does not cry when it sings or shakes before a performance. It cannot make something new from pain, joy, or memory. That’s where humans — and real music — shine.

We believe in originality, hard work, and heart. It might not always be the fastest path, but it’s the one that feels true.

How Lone Odds is evolving

Since we started in late 2022, Lone Odds has been in constant motion — learning, shedding, becoming.

We started with raw jam sessions and late-night recordings. Now, we’re more intentional with our sound, exploring new rhythms, electronic elements, and layered storytelling.

We’ve grown not just as musicians but as people. Our themes have deepened. Our lyrics are more open. We’re not afraid to be vulnerable. The honesty is still there, just with more dimension.

We are still discovering ourselves, still learning how to tell our story better, still trying to connect through every chord and silence. If anything, that’s what Lone Odds is all about: staying rooted while allowing ourselves to grow.

~ Team Sunday Monitor