Motherjane

Last updated

Motherjane
Origin Kochi, Kerala, India
GenresRock, progressive rock, world, Carnatic music
Years active1996 (1996)–present
MembersNiranj Suresh
Anubhav langthasa
Clyde D'Rozario
John Thomas
Past membersSuraj Mani
Baiju Dharmajan
Santhosh Chandran
Rex Vijayan
Laji
Biju Peter
Mithun Raju
Deepak Dev
Nithin Vijayanath
Vivek Thomas
George Joseph
Website www.motherjaneofficial.com

Motherjane is an Indian rock band that initially started in Kochi and was formed in 1996. The band consists of Niranj Suresh (Vocals), Anubhav Langthasa (Lead Guitar), Clyde d'Rozario (Bass guitar) and John Thomas (Drums). They have released a total of 3 studio albums, and 4 singles. Since their formation, genres like progressive rock and Carnatic music have influenced their music.

Contents

Motherjane line up Motherjane line up.png
Motherjane line up

History

Formation and early days

Motherjane was formed in 1996 by drummer John Thomas, guitarist Mithun Raju and bassist Clyde Rozario to "fill in" for another band which had backed out from a college festival at St. Albert's College, Kochi. The initial line up consisted of John Thomas (drums), Clyde Rozario (bass), Mithun Raju (guitars) and Laji and Nirmal (vocals). [1] Vocalist Laji soon left the band and Motherjane had to continue as an instrumental band without a vocalist. In 1999 lead guitarist Mithun Raju left the band and was replaced by Baiju Dharmajan. [1] Around that time, Motherjane used to jam at a restaurant called Ancient Mariner at Marine Drive, Kochi. In 2000, Suraj Mani, who used to perform with Bangalore based rock bands, shifted to Kochi and chanced to meet the band at the Ancient Mariner. John invited Mani to sing with the band, but Mani was not satisfied with the band only doing covers and not writing original material. Mani became the band's vocalist and wrote Motherjane's first original song "Disillusioned" followed by all the other originals that went on to form the albums Insane Biography & Maktub as well as the singles Tribes of Babel, Jihad and No Contest. About the same time, Motherjane recruited yet another guitarist, Rex Vijayan. Things took a slight detour after six months, when Mani moved back to Bangalore, but they continued to meet and jam as a band. [2] In 2008, Motherjane opened for Megadeth and Machine Head in Rock in India 2008, Bangalore and for Opeth in Saarang '08 at IIT Madras. [2] [3] Motherjane has been a frequent headliner of college rock festivals across India.

'Awoke' - video shoot '22 Awoke 22.jpg
'Awoke' - video shoot '22

Motherjane was ranked No. 1 in Rock Street Journal 's bands of the decade in 2010. [4] In the 2010 AVIMA Awards, Motherjane won the award for the Most Popular Act of Asia, and lead vocalist Suraj Mani was awarded Best Rock Vocalist. [5] In the 2009 AVIMA Awards, Motherjane was awarded the Best Rock Act. [6] They has done an OST titled 'Jihad' written by Suraj Mani for the movie 'Anwar' by Amal Neerad in 2010.

IIMF - Kovalam, 2023 IIMF, kovalam.jpg
IIMF - Kovalam, 2023

In November 2010, Motherjane on their website[ citation needed ] announced guitarist Baiju Dharmajan's departure from the band to work with his new band Wrenz United. In January 2011 Motherjane announced that Santhosh Chandran has joined the band as the band's new guitarist. In the same year, Motherjane performed at Autumn Muse, the annual cultural festival of St. John's Medical College, Bangalore. [7] Motherjane's vocalist and lyricist Suraj Mani left the band in November 2011 citing health problems. He was replaced by Vivek Thomas who joined Motherjane in December 2011.[ citation needed ] Santhosh was replaced in 2013 by Nithin Vijayanath. Towards the end of 2012 the band started work on a new single 'Clayplay' with Rex Vijayan as producer with a vision to revamp the sound of the band. Clay play was eventually released on January 10, 2015, and marked a drastic shift in the musical direction of Motherjane. The single 'Namaste' released in May 2018 is to be seen as a follow-up to the change in musical style, again produced by Rex Vijayan. It hit #1 on the Apple Music rock charts in India within the 1st week of release.[ citation needed ] In June 2018 Motherjane announced on their Facebook page that they have recruited a new guitar player, Anubhav Langthasa, through auditions. [8]

Motherjane - Current line up Motherjane - Current line up.png
Motherjane - Current line up

Insane Biography (2002–2003)

Motherjane released their debut album, Insane Biography in 2002 under Kan & Will Records. [9] The songs "Maya" and "Soul Corporations" had strong Indian musical elements which would continue in later albums. "Soul Corporations" written by Suraj Mani was featured in Geki-Teki Metal, a compilation album released in Japan in 2004. [2] Soon after the release of Insane Biography, Rex Vijayan left the band in 2003, and was replaced by Deepu Sasidharan. Sasidharan, at that time, was playing with the Kochi-based hard rock band 13AD. Insane Biography was the only Indian album to be featured in the Asian Rock Rising Festival in Japan on 1 November 2003. The band also headlined Levi's Great Indian Rock 2003. [10]

Indie International Music Festival, 2023 IIMF,2023.jpg
Indie International Music Festival, 2023

Maktub (2008–2021)

Maktub which was released in 2008, marked a change in Motherjane's musical style. Influence of Carnatic music was prominently seen in the guitar, vocals and percussion, and native instruments like the chenda were used. In 2009, Rolling Stone India named Maktub as the album of the year. [11] Maktub became one of the most awarded indie albums in India. Suraj Mani was named Best Vocalist for the song 'Broken' by AVIMA as well as Best Singer The Jack Daniels Rock Awards 08-09 and Baiju Dharamajan won the Jack Daniels Award for Best Guitarist for Maktub. The album was also named 'Best Rock Album (Maktub)’- by Rolling Stone Magazine 2008 and Unwind Awards 2008

Motherjane at Fandom Gilly's, 2022 Motherjane at Fandom Gilly's -55.jpg
Motherjane at Fandom Gilly's, 2022

111 (2022)

Songwriting started in 2018 and was completed by the beginning of 2019. The theme for this record was also metaphysical, reflecting the band's views of the existential plane. Former member and guitarist Rex Vijayan was roped in as the producer for this record also. Although the band started recording in 2019, the process was abruptly halted, first by the 2018 Kerala floods, and then by back to back touring. It was pushed further again by the covid - 19 pandemic. The sound has evolved with the passing of time, becoming more current and relevant. To add to the post rock driven sound palette synths have been used extensively in this record. The 'Thavil' solo on the intro of 'Contact Sense' is also a new feature added to this record. The album is well received by the loyal fans and by the new listeners. Rolling Stone India magazine has stated in their article on the release - "Clarity and confidence drive Motherjane's new EP - '1 1 1' ". [12]

111 EP - Cover art 111 cover art.jpg
111 EP - Cover art
Lazie Indie Festival Lazie Indie Festival.jpg
Lazie Indie Festival

Line-up

Current members

Touring Members

Ajay George Joseph - Guitars

Roshan Roy - Bass

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sponge (band)</span> American rock band

Sponge is an American rock band formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1992 by vocalist Vinnie Dombroski, guitarist Mike Cross, bassist Tim Cross, drummer Jimmy Paluzzi, and guitarist Joey Mazzola. Dombroski and the Cross brothers were previously in the hard rock band Loudhouse, with Mazzola joining later before the end of the band's tenure. Sponge's discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums, and several charting singles. They are best known for their 1994 hit "Plowed", their 1995 hit "Molly ", and their 1996 hit "Wax Ecstatic ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Queers</span> American punk rock band

The Queers are an American punk rock band, formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joseph “Joe” P. King along with Scott Gildersleeve, and John “Jack” Hayes. With the addition of Keith Hages joining on bass in 1983 the band started playing their first public performances. The revised line-up played a total of six live shows between 1983 and 1984. This earliest era of The Queers formation initially broke up in late 1984; however, Joe Queer re-formed the band with an all-new line-up in 1986. In 1990, after several more band line-up changes the band signed with Shakin' Street Records to release their debut album, Grow Up. The album earned the band notability within New England, but with the release of their next album, 1993's Love Songs for the Retarded, on Lookout! Records, their following grew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mushroomhead</span> American heavy metal band

Mushroomhead is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in the Cleveland Warehouse District, the band is known for their avant-garde sound and horror film-inspired imagery which features masks and costumes as well as their unique live shows usually performed at smaller venues. They have sold over two million media units worldwide, and have released eight full-length albums and 35 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acey Slade</span> American musician

Emil John Schmidt IV, known professionally as Acey Slade, is an American musician. He is the bassist and one of the guitarists in the nu metal/industrial band Dope and a former guitarist of the horror punk and glam metal act Murderdolls. He is also the lead singer and guitarist of Acey Slade & the Dark Party and a touring guitarist of The Misfits. Previous to this, he served as the bassist in Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and as the lead vocalist and guitarist in the punk rock band Trashlight Vision, which broke up in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of Misery</span> Japanese doom metal band

Church of Misery is a Japanese doom metal band from Tokyo, formed in 1995. Church of Misery's musical style melds early Black Sabbath-style doom with psychedelic rock; most of the band's songs are about serial killers and mass murderers.

Pentagram is a four-piece Indian rock/electronica band started in 1994 in Mumbai.

Ark is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in 1991 in Dhaka City by keyboardist Ashiquzzaman Tulu. The original founder members are Ashiquzzaman Tulu, Ridwan Nabi Pancham and Shamim. As of 2017, the band line-up re-consists of lead vocalist Syed Hasanur Rahman, keyboardist Tinku Azizur Rahman and drummer Hassan Towhidur Rahman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John West (musician)</span> American vocalist and guitarist

John Michael West is an American vocalist, best known as the lead vocalist of Artension and the former lead vocalist of Royal Hunt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avial (band)</span> Indian alternative rock band

Avial are an Indian alternative rock band formed in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India in 2003, and known for their Malayalam lyrics. The band initially included lead vocalist Anandraj Benjamin Paul, guitarist Rex Vijayan, turntablist and backing vocalist Tony John, bassist Naresh Kamath and drummer Mithun Puthanveetil. Avial had their first breakthrough with the 2003 single "Nada Nada". They are known for pioneering what they call "Alternative Malayali rock", which is the style of combining Malayalam lyrics and rock music. Their eponymous album got them six out of seven Jack Daniels Rock Awards and Footprints Young Achiever's Award in 2008. The band was praised for achieving mainstream success despite singing in their native language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ilia (band)</span>

Ilia was an American Christian rock group from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The band consisted of Suzy Martinez, Jessica Patterson (drums) and Justin Patterson (guitar).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baiju Dharmajan</span> Indian musician (born 1968)

Baiju Dharmajan is an Indian guitarist, music composer, producer and guitar tutor based out of Kochi, Kerala. A celebrated musician in his own country, Baiju had an extended stint during the 2000s as the lead guitarist of the Indian rock band Motherjane. He has been nicknamed the "God of Small Strings" by his fans. Baiju is particularly noted for his winding, Carnatic-inspired progressive rock and enduring guitar solos.

The Front Bottoms are an American rock band from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, formed in 2006. They are currently a duo consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Brian Sella and drummer Mat Uychich. During live performances, they are currently accompanied by touring members, including guitarist and backing vocalist AJ Peacox, bassist and backing vocalist Natalie Newbold, and bassist, guitarist and backing vocalist Erik Kase Romero.

Inner Sanctum is an Indian death/thrash metal band from Bangalore, formed in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rex Vijayan</span> Musical artist

Rex Vijayan is an Indian composer, guitarist, singer, record producer and multi-instrumentalist from Kerala. He is best known for being co-founder and guitarist for the alternative Malayali rock band Avial. He started out his career as a composer in the Malayalam film industry through Kerala Cafe by giving the score to Anwar Rasheed's segment 'Bridge'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agam (band)</span> Indian band

Agam is a Bangalore-based contemporary Carnatic progressive rock band. The band was formed in the year 2003. The current lineup consists of Harish Sivaramakrishnan (vocals) Swamy Seetharaman, T Praveen Kumar, Aditya Kasyap, Sivakumar Nagarajan, Jagadish Natarajan and Yadhunandan (Drummer). Jagadish Natarajan replaced Suraj Satheesh as the rhythm guitarist in 2012 but the lineup of the band has otherwise remained same. Vignesh Lakshminarayanan was replaced by Aditya Kasyap on bass and backing vocals. Agam is often featured on the Malayalam music channel Kappa TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Izegrim</span> Dutch band

Izegrim is a Dutch metal band from Zutphen, founded in 1996 by guitarist Jeroen Wechgelaer (ex-Deluzion) and drummer Joep van Leeuwen (ex-Solstice). Wechgelaer is the only remaining original member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Swan (musician)</span> American musician (born 1985)

William Swan is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance and as the founder and owner of record label Blue Swan Records. He is also a guitarist in the metal band Secret Band, progressive rock band Royal Coda, and was a guitarist in the now defunct Sianvar.

Thermal and a Quarter are a rock band from Bangalore, India. Formed in 1996, they describe their music as "Bangalore rock" - rooted in a classic rock idiom while Indian in "subtle, inescapable ways". TAAQ had released seven studio albums by their 20th anniversary in 2016 with an eighth released in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suraj Mani</span> Musical artist

Suraj Mani is an Indian rock musician, poet-philosopher, songwriter and former lead vocalist and member of the band Motherjane, and one of the prominent personalities in the field of independent music in India. He is popularly known as the 'singing sensei' and hails from Kerala, a southern state of India. He has performed with Thaikkudam Bridge, Indian Ocean, Shubha Mudgal, Indus Creed, Megadeth, Opeth, Third Eye Blind, Mr. Big etc.

<i>Namah</i> (Thaikkudam Bridge album) 2019 studio album by Thaikkudam Bridge

Namah (transl. Salutations) is a 2019 studio album produced by the band Thaikkudam Bridge. Following the success of their studio album Navarasam, the band started working on the album during March 2017, and was officially revealed to the public and the media in August 2017. The album is considered as a "tribute to various renowned artists that influenced and inspired their music and made them who they are today". It was considered as the band's "most ambitious project" and had planned to rope international and national musical artists who were renowned for their works in the Indian and world music. The process made the team to delay the prospects of the album until they completed recording and compiling the entire album within September 2019.

References

  1. 1 2 "Official Band Profile" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 James, Bobin (25 July 2009). "Motherjane: An Indian Tale". Rolling Stone India . Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  3. "Not Megadeth enough". The Hindu . 23 March 2008. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  4. "RSJ Band of the Decade" . Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  5. "FULL AVIMA 2010 Winners List (Official Release)". Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  6. "AVIMA 2009: And the winners are..." 30 March 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  7. "Pics: ATFC, Motherjane, Pentagram @ St. John's College, Bangalore › NH7 | Discover new music and explore alternative culture from India and around the world". Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  8. Anand, Shilpa Nair (9 January 2015). "Motherjane set to 'play'". The Hindu . Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  9. "Aum-i Artistes:About Us". Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  10. "Motherjane enthrals Sunday crowd". The Hindu . 8 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  11. "Ethnic Spirits, Global Rock" (PDF). Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  12. "Clarity and Confidence Drive Motherjane's Exhilarating EP '1 1 1'". 14 June 2022.

13.https://rollingstoneindia.com/watch-motherjanes-feisty-new-video-namaste/

.14.https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2018/may/09/listen-to-motherjanes-new-single-namaste-7246.html

15.https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2018/may/04/motherjane-is-back-7162.html

16.http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/180512-namaste-about-recognizing-and-accepting

17.https://www.retrokolkata.com/post/motherjane

18.https://www.clubby.in/clubbytalks/motherjane-not-an-ordinary-rock-band/

19.https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-motherjane-carved-out-niche-itself-kerala-s-rock-scene-164710

20.https://rollingstoneindia.com/motherjane-an-indian-tale/

21.https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/motherjane-set-to-play/article6769182.ece

22.https://rollingstoneindia.com/watch-motherjanes-feisty-new-video-namaste/

23.https://rollingstoneindia.com/motherjane-111-ep-interview/

24.https://www.timesmedianews.com/lifestyle/kerala-based-rock-band-motherjane-releases-its-new-ep-111/

25.https://newscinema.in/kerala-based-rock-band-motherjane-releases-its-new-ep-111

26.https://highonscore.com/in-conversation-with-motherjane-score-short-reads/