Motherjane - The Interview

We caught up with Cochin-based progressive rock act, Motherjane! Read on…rarely does one see the entire band in an interview.

Q. How does it feel being one of the few Indian rock bands, whose audience invariably hums along the songs? Most bands consider themselves lucky when the crowd has just heard of the songs, let alone sing along!

It is a terrific feeling for any band anywhere in the world. No exceptions. Even the biggest of the acts get thrilled by it and we are lucky to be in this position. Things are happening at an unbelievable rate for us and we have a huge fan following in India. Come to think of it, we actually have fans from 50 different countries and these are people from different races who I guess, see something of themselves in what we are doing.

Q. What we’re seeing now is bands making a very discernible shift towards a more authentic Indian sound. There’s you, there’s Avial of course, then bands like Fossils from West Bengal. Even Parikrama uses Indian instruments, increasingly. What’s causing this change? Why are bands realising it’s more than just about being a brown-skinned version of Western bands?

Well its not only about the instruments. As far as we are concerned, tones and sensibilities make a large difference. New tones, be it on guitars or percussion, can add a lot of edge and excitement to the creative process. Indian instruments do offer a wide spectrum in tones and that must be what is creating this shift.

Q. Baiju - I speak for a lot of fans when I ask this - your Carnatic style of playing guitar is unique and original. How did you first come upon the idea of playing like this? How difficult was it, seeing there are no ready scales or lessons or tabs available?

I have grown up listening to this kind of music all around me. Way before I even heard my first rock song. That is finding expression in what I do now. As a guitarist in an Indian rock band that is writing, composing and playing original music. Some people call it the “emotional carnatic shred”. For me, it is just my personality and culture naturally finding its way into the charged musical journey that Motherjane takes.

Q. John - Congratulations on winning the Drummer Of The Year Award. You are now constantly being looked upon as a drummer reinventing himself. The addition of the chenda to your kit has just added to Motherjane’s overall Indian sound. Are you planning to expand this, to say, a mridangam?

Thanks mate. No mridangam for me as I just can’t visualize it in my rig! I’m working on a new rig though and very soon you’ll see a new set-up onstage.

Q. Clyde - When John and you put together the band back in college so many, many years ago, did you ever dream that it would take you to where you are today?

Of course. At some point in life, your dreams are bigger than you are and then again sometimes it’s the opposite. I guess it’s the same for everyone. We’ve stopped analyzing this journey and we are just enjoying the fact that both our dreams and Motherjane are still evolving.

Q. Deepu - Your story of walking 15 km everyday to save money to buy a processor is truly inspirational - hats off to you for that. Mithun and Rex were established guitarists… how difficult was it slipping into their shoes? Like Suraj reminded us, you’re the ‘youngest’ member of the band.

No one’s replaceable! And so I never tried slipping into their shoes! In many ways that kind of effort is always wasted as no one ever succeeds at being someone else, don’t you agree? When I joined Motherjane, I couldn’t even play or reproduce the guitar parts they composed and played. The band spent a lot of time with me while I learned all the songs from insane biography and before I realised it, we were composing Maktub. I thank god for giving me an opportunity to be with this band. It just has a very different, powerful vibe that I love!

Q. You guys have gone through the pay-as-you-like route before. Do you think this is a sustainable model for a band in a country, which believes so much in getting their music free?

Let’s see what happens. Sometimes when the answers are not clear (for an entire industry) and the results not definable, a musician should just go back to music. As Baiju keeps saying, “If you give yourself to music, then music will take care of you.” So, let music take its course…

Q. A lot of your fans are anxious to see Motherjane make it big internationally as well. Where are you guys on this front? I’m sure the AVIMA awards have thrown open a few doors…

The world is ready and has probably been waiting for a band like Motherjane. We have a new battle cry - “Ethnic spirits, Global Rock!” So, brace yourselves and spread the word.

Q. What’s the most memorable gig you guys have done so far?

There are lots and that’s so hard to pinpoint! Each gig for us is special. I mean we have often told ourselves that there is no other “job” that we know we can do, where we can make 1000 to 10,000 people happy in an hour. We have some seriously good karma accumulating for us.

Q. Thank you so much for your time, guys. I can guarantee you, there are going to be lots of Janiacs lapping this up. On behalf of Chordvine and an adoring Indian rock base, I’d like to thank you for not just this interview but for leaving an indelible mark on Indian rock. Wishing you guys the very best of luck for the future! \m/

Thanks mate. Have a great life!

Photo Courtesy: www.motherjane.in

Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck is a social media professional who gorges on PG Wodehouse, jigsaw puzzles, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Motherjane, Blackstratblues and cricket. He blogs at www.chroniclesofdementia.blogspot.com and tweets (like a maniac) at www.twitter.com/chuck_gopal.