Motherjane To Tour Ukraine

It has been a game-changing two years for theKochibased alt rockers Motherjane. In 2010, lead guitarist and a chief songwriting force Baiju Dharmajan left the band to start his own project called Wrenz United. Last year vocalist Suraj Mani, who’s charismatic frontman skills had become synonymous with the face-paint bearing stage histrionics of Motherjane, also left the band owing to a back injury. Having lost two key members in a short span, Motherjane have been grappling with getting the show back on the road, playing a few gigs here and there including a set at last year’s M.A.D. Festival in Ooty. Along with founder member drummer John Thomas, bassist Clyde Rozario and guitarist Deepu Sasidharan, Motherjane now also has Santosh Chandran on lead guitars and Vivek Thomas on vocals. “It’s been difficult yes, but also very exciting. We are working with new musicians and the band’s sound is suddenly infused with a lot more energy than before,” says Thomas.

Now Motherjane will perform a five-city tour of Ukrainefrom September 16^th to 22^nd, supported by the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) and test drive their new found sound. “There will be many firsts on the tour,” promises Thomas, “this is our first trip to Europe not just Ukraine and we will be performing some brand new songs that we have been working on.” This is not the first time Motherjane is playing out of the nation. Between 2008 and 2009, the band played at a few pubs inDubai. In 2009, they performed at the Java Rockin’land music festival in Jakarta,Indonesia.

Back home in Kochi, Motherjane are fleshing out a jam session with new songs that they are writing for an upcoming new album. Hopeful to release it by the end of the year, Thomas says the band is moving in an unexpected new direction. “Vivek and Santosh have brought in a lot more folk influences to the band. It is challenging and exciting at the same time to be exploring new music and making new music,” says Thomas. Motherjane’s last album in 2008 Maktub won Best Album at the JD Annual Rock Awards in 2009.