Biography
Jagwar Ma, the Australian pair, fuse effervescent dance rhythms with dreamy neo-psychedelia that recalls 1990s alternative rock for listeners steeped in Primal Scream’s Screamadelica era or the Stone Roses. Jono Ma, multi-instrumentalist and producer, joined vocalist Gabriel Winterfield in Sydney during 2011. Winterfield had previously played in Ghostwood, while Ma had logged time with Lost Valentinos before the two connected. They refined their approach over an extended period, earning favorable early notices from both the press and fellow musicians who embraced the material at once. Ma separately explored production, lending his hand to Foals and scoring music for television.
Howlin’, the duo’s debut album, took shape inside a compact French studio Ma had helped a friend construct. Producer Ewan Pearson then mixed the tracks, and Marathon Music released the set in early 2013. Mom + Pop Music followed with the American edition later that year. By then bassist Jack Freeman had joined the live configuration, and the resulting trio toured extensively throughout the next several years. They supported the xx and Tame Impala, performed internationally, and appeared at summer festivals ideally matched to their sweeping sound. After wrapping those travels and completing focused songwriting sessions in Australia, the band tracked its second album in the same French studio used for Howlin’. Once the core recordings were finished, they traveled to London to capture drums with Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa and producer James Ford, after which Ewan Pearson handled the final mix. Mom & Pop and Marathon issued the resulting Every Now & Then in late 2016.
Howlin’, the duo’s debut album, took shape inside a compact French studio Ma had helped a friend construct. Producer Ewan Pearson then mixed the tracks, and Marathon Music released the set in early 2013. Mom + Pop Music followed with the American edition later that year. By then bassist Jack Freeman had joined the live configuration, and the resulting trio toured extensively throughout the next several years. They supported the xx and Tame Impala, performed internationally, and appeared at summer festivals ideally matched to their sweeping sound. After wrapping those travels and completing focused songwriting sessions in Australia, the band tracked its second album in the same French studio used for Howlin’. Once the core recordings were finished, they traveled to London to capture drums with Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa and producer James Ford, after which Ewan Pearson handled the final mix. Mom & Pop and Marathon issued the resulting Every Now & Then in late 2016.