Elephant Kind

Elephant Kind

Elephant Kind is an indie rock group from Jakarta, Indonesia, active since 2014. The band centres on Bam Mastro, who also uses the name Bam.

Background

Before forming Elephant Kind, Bam explores music scenes in Western Australia and starts a band called SaySky in Perth. SaySky plays venues including Mojo’s and The Rosemount and finishes third in the Gozzy Rock Music Competition in 2011. That period helps him build experience and confidence in the Australian music industry.

Bam then begins Elephant Kind as a solo project while studying at WAAPA, the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. He also works as a songwriter, composer and producer with his sister on her project Neonomora. He writes five songs for one of her EPs, and Rolling Stone Indonesia names that release its Album of the Year for 2013.

Line-up and development

After Bam moves back to Jakarta, he develops Elephant Kind further and brings in John, Bayu and Dewa, who join the project. The group’s members are John Paul Patton, Dewa Pratama, Bayu Adisapoetra, Bam Mastro and Kevin Septanto.

Sound and influences

Elephant Kind’s songs combine a range of influences and draw on pop, rock and alternative styles. The group’s references include Michael Jackson, Queen, Bon Iver, Kanye West, Sigur Rós, David Bowie, Arcade Fire and Kings of Leon. Its lyrics and music focus on emotional themes and contemporary social concerns, while also aiming for commercial appeal.