Biography
London-based indie electro trio Strong Asian Mothers fuses hip-hop, trap, and pop into a vibrant sound that reflects both their deep affection for music and their eclectic personal histories, which include directing, acting, producing, and magic. Childhood friends Kalim "Khushi" Patel (vocals/keys) and Amer Chadha-Patel (vocals/keys/samples) launched the project in 2012 and quickly recruited former bandmate Josh "Rogan-Josh" Stadlen to handle drums, after which the three began exploring fresh sonic territory. The group drew its name and guiding spirit from their mothers, who had defied racial and gender expectations in 1980s England as part of a tight South Asian female circle of countercultural artists and thinkers that regularly gathered families for parties and holidays. That same collaborative ethos shaped the band, helping it celebrate heritage while testing artistic and social limits. Fresh from an earlier indie-rock venture, the members initially toyed with subdued textures yet soon pivoted toward high-energy material meant for parties, redirecting their lyrics and layering in hip-hop beats and melodies.
An early standout came when Stadlen reworked Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" by lifting Mercury's opening vocals and placing them over a heavy beat; the track became a costumed live staple that helped the trio build an organic audience through spirited performances. In 2014, "Alien You Alien Me" appeared on Killing Moon Records' New Moons, Vol. 2. As local demand grew—evident in headline runs at Communion-promoted Notting Hill shows and slots at several European festivals—the group self-produced its debut EP, Lynx Africa, which surfaced in May 2016. Lead single "The More That I" paired horn fanfares with a sinuous groove, while follow-up "Out of Love" drove the sound further with its insistent, stomping pulse. Stadlen's mother created the EP artwork, merging Islamic patterns with bright graffiti to embody the band's blend of cultural roots and kinetic visual identity. Before the year closed, the trio issued two additional singles: "Don't Let Go," a reworking of the En Vogue hit, and "Sober." The latter song resurfaced on 2017's Animal EP, which also contained "Just Another" and the title track.
An early standout came when Stadlen reworked Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" by lifting Mercury's opening vocals and placing them over a heavy beat; the track became a costumed live staple that helped the trio build an organic audience through spirited performances. In 2014, "Alien You Alien Me" appeared on Killing Moon Records' New Moons, Vol. 2. As local demand grew—evident in headline runs at Communion-promoted Notting Hill shows and slots at several European festivals—the group self-produced its debut EP, Lynx Africa, which surfaced in May 2016. Lead single "The More That I" paired horn fanfares with a sinuous groove, while follow-up "Out of Love" drove the sound further with its insistent, stomping pulse. Stadlen's mother created the EP artwork, merging Islamic patterns with bright graffiti to embody the band's blend of cultural roots and kinetic visual identity. Before the year closed, the trio issued two additional singles: "Don't Let Go," a reworking of the En Vogue hit, and "Sober." The latter song resurfaced on 2017's Animal EP, which also contained "Just Another" and the title track.
Albums
Singles
