Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Maggie 8 are a six-piece outfit comprising vocalist and bassist Nivedita Pisharoty, banjo and vocalist Mark Wright, trumpet/melodica player Dominic Hand, James Mann on guitar, Peter Mottram on keyboards and Edward Ruttley on Drums.

I'd been invited round to their house to have a chat and watch band practice. When I arrived at 'Maggie 8 mansions', I was surprised to find an incredibly warm and inviting family home, very tidy with the faint smell of incense and home cooking. I was ushered into the living room and given the best seat in the house. I nestled into the very comfy sofa with my cup of tea ready to find out more about this unusual outfit.

Their style of music is difficult to summarise. On first listen they have definite folk tendencies. After one or two listens there are clearly so many different influences in there. Niv (Nivedita) describes them as 'a little bit pop, a little bit folk, Hindustani classical with some old Bollywood tinges.'Μύ

Maggie 8 avoid doing the washing up!!

The band, in its current incarnation, formed roughly two years ago. Niv had come from Madras to study in England and had been here for three years when she decided she wanted to learn to play guitar. After buying a cheap guitar on the internet, she advertised for a guitar teacher. Mark Wright replied to her advert and they soon discovered they both had a mutual love of similar music and so formed a band. Dominic, James, Ed and Pete joined shortly afterwards.

Collectively Maggie 8 grew up listening to a wide variety of music - John Coltrane, Led Zeppelin, Aphex Twin, The Housemartins and a mix of bollywood and classical Indian ragas courtesy of Niv's dad. They create beautiful, ethereal music that is both calming and stirring at the same time. I asked them how they manage to create such an interesting sound,

"We're all really temperamental people, sometimes we feel like creating music to dance to, other times we are more reflective. We believe that music should be diverse and free, without constraints. A lot of music is lacking in that, and is bound by rules. Our songs happen quite organically, mostly we will start by jamming on bongos and see where it takes us. We record all of our jam sessions, listen back to them and pick out the best bits."

They have a small but dedicated following, and although they play fairly regularly, they feel that they do not fit anywhere in the Leeds scene.

Dom & Ed cooking up a storm

"People don't know how to label us. We are not your standard outfit, Nivedita sings in Hindi on a lot of the songs, which is unusual for a lot of gig-goers in Leeds, but we've had plenty of compliments from people at our shows - when they see us live, they kind of get it and understand what we are about. Sometimes it can be a hindrance being such a diverse group, but mostly we think that it’s nice to be out there doing something people may have not heard before."

Although they are all so passionate about the music, and genuine in their desire to create something new and refreshing, I got the feeling that it had not been an easy road for the band.

"Many of today's bands are so well marketed, they know how to promote themselves and be seen in all the right places, they even dress the part and look slick and polished. Sometimes we feel that we are such outsiders, we've never thought about what clothes to wear, or what hairstyle to have."

This attitude is really refreshing. They are not planning to take over the world, they don't want fame and fortune or a clothing line or their own perfume.

"It would be nice to put a record out, so more people can hear our music. What is really nice is that we're all friends. We do this because we get on, we are all constantly learning from each other, as people and as musicians. I have to say that this band are the nicest bunch of people I have ever met, we are family to each other. We are accepting of each others flaws and encouraging of each others strengths."

At this point we head downstairs to their basement kitchen and I watched them fire out a couple of songs. I actually felt quite privileged to be watching my own private show - they are all accomplished musicians, the music is layered and complex, but they make it look easy. I had completely lost all track of time by this point, after checking my watch I realised that it was pretty late. I said my goodbyes, but I was sad the night was over as I could have gladly spent longer listening to them and watching them play.

Check out the band yourself: