Hailing from Sydney, this self-termed ‘pscydedellic dance’ band Jagwar Ma are an interesting duo- now trio (Jack Freeman having joined Gabriel Winterfield and Jono Ma in 2012) – taking on shades of Primal Scream and the Stone Roses. These guys move their sound from 90’s alt-rock to a more daft-punky or the XX kind of groove thing. Now I know what you’re thinking…the name….where on earth did they get this one from? No, it is not a derivation of an obscure kind of Indian dish but a sarky mix of Jono Ma’s surname and em…a Jaguar. The significance of the agile feline is anyone’s guess but what is certain is the unavoidable catchy hooks on their debut album Howlin. I defy anyone to sit still for too long with this on. Ma’s productional skills also come through on this as layers of beats melt into the vocals to create just the right amount of clean and innovative sound. There are even strange inflections of a near-60’s doo-wop element in some songs. Best listened to on a rainy Monday- will pick you right up!
The Biog Bit
Having both been in other bands- Winterfield in Ghostwood and Ma in Lost Valentinos, Jagwar Ma are made up of vocalist Gabriel Winterfield, producer Jono Ma and the later addition of bassist Jack Freeman on 2012. Influences of other acts with whom Ma in particular has worked with- Foals in particular – come through their fairly ecclectic blended beats. Jagwar Ma have also been endorsed by not too dissimilar the XX. Their debut album Howlin’ was released in 2013 by Mom + Pop Music [US] and Marathon Artists [UK].
Check it Out
Howlin’ is a tightly edited and consistent album. Make sure you check out Uncertainty and Did You Have To. If you happen to be on Barcelona at the end of May this year, Jagwar will be playing the Barcelona Primavera Sound Festival too. Details can be found on their website.Jagwar Ma are also on Spotify and Soundcloud for your listening pleasure so check them out there too
Linkages:
Web: http://jagwarma.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JagwarMa
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/search?q=Jagwar%20M
Follow the Birdie
Twitter: @JagwarMa