Maggie8 are an indie folk band from Leeds, UK whose sound juxtaposes Eastern harmonies with Western sensibilities. By adding banjo, melodica, violin and trumpet - as well as Hindi influences - to an 'indie pop' sound they have prompted listeners to describe them as a 'Hindi Housemartins' or a "Bhangra Belle and Sebastian". The band's singer, Niv, says Maggie8 are 'a little bit pop, a little bit folk, Hindustani classical with some old Bollywood tinges'. Their influences include John Coltrane, Led Zeppelin, Aphex Twin, The Housemartins and a mix of bollywood and classical Indian ragas. Musicbrokemybones.com describes Maggie8 as "delightfully unique and inspiringly sprightly" while BBC Introducing says that "[Maggie8] create beautiful, ethereal music that is both calming and stirring at the same time." According to Leedsmusicscene.net "there are few bands that create their own genre but Maggie8 have done exactly that. The music they make incorporates western folk and indie styles with Hindi Raags and elements of Bollywood. A strange mix at first glance but what is stranger, is just how well it works." Their first 12" single, This Charming Lady, a homage to The Smiths' This Charming Man, is released on the Dance To The Radio label on 30 January 2012. Maggie8 are: Nivedita Pisharoty (vocals and bass), Mark Wright (vocals, guitar and banjo), Peter Mottram (keyboards), Dominic Hand (trumpet and melodica), James Mann (guitar), Matt Figgis (drums). Maggie8 tracks and videos can be streamed from their offical website, http://www.maggie8band.com.
