Jagwar Ma
Sep 2, 2013
Australian, Alternative band, Jagwar Ma has just released their debut album, Howlin and new single, "Come Save Me" via Mom + Pop Records. It's a feel-good summer hit with light and breezy vocals. The album twists its hooks in dirty clanking breakdowns. Pop songwriting is seen here buried in layers of crunching synths and pedal effects.
This Sydney duo rose from the ashes of two of the city's best late-2000's bands: Lost Valentinos and Ghostwood. Jono Ma (of the former) and Gabs Winterfield (of the latter) enjoyed success in their previous groups, but united by common tastes and have since launched their own project together. The pair set out creating a sound that would capture their love for contemporary electronica and classic American Soul. Just weeks after putting their music online, it secured heavy airplay on Australian radio triple j and a seven inch release on new UK label The Blue Rider.
Jagwar Ma then traveled to France and were on a mission to re-create a two man wall of sound and with help from friends, locals and a pre-historic desk once used by Conny Plank, they set about re-inventing the warmth, harmony and audio sunshine they had first created back in Australia. Their collaborators along the way included long-time friend Warpaint drummer, Stella Mozgawa and renowned DJ and producer, Ewan Pearson on mixing duties. By the end of 2012 their time in France had not been ill spent and a debut album Howlin was recorded and ready to be mixed.
With Jack Freeman on bass, Jagwar Ma began 2013 in Australia on the Big Day Out festival tour before playing a packed NME show in London in February. Since then they've toured Europe with Foals and then Australia with The xx. A U.S. tour is planned this Fall.