Maggie8 are an indie folk group from Leeds, combining Western indie pop and folk with Eastern and Hindi influences. Their music uses banjo, melodica, violin and trumpet alongside Indian ragas and Bollywood references, and the band describes its own sound as part pop, part folk, with Hindustani classical elements and older Bollywood touches.

Style and influences

The group is noted for blending western folk and indie styles with Hindi raags and elements of Bollywood. Listeners and commentators describe the sound in different ways, including comparisons such as a “Hindi Housemartins” and a “Bhangra Belle and Sebastian”. The band’s influences include John Coltrane, Led Zeppelin, Aphex Twin, The Housemartins, Bollywood music and classical Indian ragas.

Reception

Coverage describes the band as distinctive and original, with one outlet calling them “delightfully unique and inspiringly sprightly”. BBC Introducing says they make music that is both calming and stirring, while Leedsmusicscene.net says they create their own genre and that the mix of western and Hindi elements works unusually well.

Band line-up

Maggie8 are Nivedita Pisharoty on vocals and bass, Mark Wright on vocals, guitar and banjo, Peter Mottram on keyboards, Dominic Hand on trumpet and melodica, James Mann on guitar, and Matt Figgis on drums.

Release history

The band’s first 12-inch single is This Charming Lady, a homage to The Smiths’ This Charming Man. It appears on the Dance To The Radio label.

Online presence

The group streams tracks and videos through its official website.