MaMoGi and Lydian Nadhaswaram: An Interplay of Virtuosity, Chemistry and Creative Caprice
Aditya Veera, the interviewer, engages in an intriguing conversation with musicians Mark Hartsuch, Mohini Dey, and Gino Banks (MaMoGi) ft. Lydian Nadhaswaram on the occasion of Oddball Music Festival. Together, they form a collective that embodies diverse facets of creativity in their music. Aditya poses a thought-provoking question about the creative impulse behind MaMoGi. Mark, Mohini, and Gino express their delight in collaborating with each other as MaMoGi, which combines Western harmony ideas with traditional Indian elements.
Mark, as a composer, enjoys the East meets West concept, incorporating elements from Bebop, Jazz Fusion, and Progressive Rock into MaMoGi’s music. He praises Mohini and Gino's exceptional talent, which elevates their songs to new levels. The project's impetus is based on their friendship, mutual respect, and desire to explore, create, and share their music with the world. Mohini emphasises the uniqueness of the project, with each member bringing their individual experiences and cultural backgrounds to create a distinct sound. They cherish the organic and natural collaboration that led to the idea of making an album together.
Gino highlights the joy of playing together and the strong connection between the three musicians. He appreciates the balance between structured elements and improvisation in their music, which makes each performance unique and engaging for the audience. The conversation also involves Lydian Nadhaswaram, a guest artist, who expresses his admiration for the band and excitement to join them for the upcoming Oddball Festival.
Aditya Veera continues the conversation, expressing his excitement about the upcoming Oddball festival and the variety of music it will offer. He commends the musicians for their evolution and their ability to continually deliver fresh and new music to their audiences. He then shifts the focus to Gino Banks, acknowledging his significant role in music education. Aditya praises Gino for founding music schools like Algorithm Drums and Nova School of Music, as well as his involvement as an adjunct faculty member at NMIMS.
Aditya is curious about the objectives of these organisations and how they differ from institutions like the Berklee School of Music or the Musicians Institute. Gino explains that the curriculum is a hybrid mix, drawing from various sources, and emphasises the importance of helping students learn at their own pace.
Mohini Dey's achievements are highlighted next, with Aditya recognising her impressive collaborations with renowned artists both in India and globally. Aditya inquires about her approach to persuading these successful and sometimes elusive artists to collaborate. Mohini modestly shares that she never planned or dreamed of these collaborations but rather focused on her music and let the opportunities come to her.
Mark Hartsuch appreciates Mohini's authenticity and realness, noting that she is the real thing in a world where social media often presents manipulated images. Mohini also differentiates between musicians who focus on online presence (IG musicians) and those who are actively working and performing live (real musicians).
Aditya Veera compliments Lydian’s impressive performance of "Flight of the Bumblebee" at a fast rate of 340 BPM. Aditya mentions that Lydian was mentored by two people, A.R. Rahman and Illayaraja, and asks him about the intense and important environment he grew up in. Lydian Nadhaswaram responds by explaining that he is home-schooled and focused full-time on music. He learned a lot through YouTube and attended regular lessons, including sessions with Illayaraja. Lydian also mentions his education at the conservatory and expresses his dedication to music, emphasising that he is still developing and has a long way to go in his career.
Lydian shares that he loves various musical styles, including Jazz, Hindustani, and Carnatic music. He mentions that his first instrument was the drums, which introduced him to Jazz and Western classical music. He discusses his debut Jazz album and his current project, which involves blending Hindustani and Carnatic music with Jazz. Aditya asks Lydian if he has a personal favourite musical style, to which Lydian responds positively, mentioning Jazz as one of his favourites, along with Indian Classical music.
Mohini Dey speaks about playing with Lydian and expresses her excitement and honour to be part of the performance. Mohini and Mark discuss the importance of dedication and hard work in music and the value of being serious and sincere in their practice. Mark shares his perspective on music and improvisation. He talks about Jazz music and the balance between structure and improvisation. He emphasises the importance of leaving room for expression and improvisation in his music.
Mark also explains his background in Jazz music and the importance of tightness and form in their performances. He talks about striving for perfection in every gig and delivering energetic performances that engage the audience without having to demand applause. Mark discusses the evolution of music and how certain improvisational styles, like Miles Davis's performances, were celebrated in the past. However, he points out that audiences today might not be as receptive to extended jams on just two chords. He emphasises the importance of maintaining a tight and well-structured performance while leaving room for improvisation.
Aditya Veera builds on Mark's point, asking him about the intent behind their music as a collective group. Mark responds, saying that they aim to provide a well-rounded experience for the audience, inspiring and enriching their lives through their music. Mohini adds that they want people to dance and groove to their music, even if it's in odd signatures like seven or five. Mark and Mohini emphasise that they are entertainers and musicians who want to deliver a unique and engaging experience to their audience. They express their desire to connect with the audience on an emotional level and bring joy through their performances.
Mark explains that they are working on incorporating a light show to enhance the presentation and make the entire experience more enjoyable.
Mohini adds that they see the audience's reactions and energy on stage, which motivates them to do their best and give the audience a one-of-a-kind experience. She highlights the fusion of Jazz, Progressive, and Heavy Metal elements in their band, making their music like a rich and diverse buffet, satisfying various musical preferences. Aditya enquires about the personal and professional dynamic between Mark and Mohini. Mark starts by mentioning that Gino might be better suited to answer the question, but he proceeds to explain how their collaboration feels like a family band. They have love and respect for each other and collectively work towards their shared goal of creating excellent music.
Mohini emphasises the importance of effective communication and how they make decisions as a team. She shares that they constantly push each other to improve and explore new ideas. Mark adds that each member brings their individual strengths to the table, creating a dynamic where they complement and inspire one another. Lydian chimes in to discuss his experience during an earlier interview where AR Rahman asked him if he was into gaming and if he knew about PlayStation. He admits that at the time, he was more focused on music and didn't know much about gaming.
However, now he plays some video games occasionally, mostly sports-related ones like badminton with his father.
Lydian shares his inspirations, which come from listening to new music and discovering young musicians who play instruments incredibly well. He mentions watching YouTube videos of child prodigies and being motivated by their talent. Aditya asks the band members about their approach to making music for the audience and expressing emotions through their notes and compositions. Mark explains that their songs are dynamic, with fluctuating tempos and harmonies, taking the audience on a journey through different feelings and emotions. They aim to create an eclectic set of music that can appeal to various audience preferences.
Mohini mentions how, as an influencer, she considers the audience's preferences when planning the show's setlist and overall presentation. She believes that having an understanding of different audiences from various countries helps them craft a show that resonates well with each crowd. She also reflects on her upbringing, which instilled in her the value of not getting carried away by success and staying grounded. Mohini, Mark, and Gino engage in a discussion about the balance between catering to the audience's preferences and staying true to their artistic vision. They emphasise the importance of enjoying the music they create themselves as the first audience. They also acknowledge that it's impossible to please everyone and that criticisms should be taken lightly.
Mark highlights the significance of striking a healthy balance between improvisation and form in their performances, allowing different audience members to enjoy different aspects of the show. They agree that they're not here to prove anything and that their primary goal is to have fun and share their joy of playing music with the audience. Aditya asks about the correlation between different geographical environments with regard to Mark Hartsuch's career in music. Mark shares that he feels fortunate to have travelled the world and played music he is passionate about, particularly projects that involve improvisation in various styles like jazz, rock, and fusion. He expresses gratitude for playing with talented musicians like Mohini Dey and others in India.
Aditya then inquires about the role of spirituality in MaMoGi’s music. Mark begins to answer, stating that choosing a career in music is not always practical and that one must have belief in oneself and the music they are putting out. He mentions that spirituality is a personal belief system and, for him, involves having faith in the music they create and their band's capabilities. Mark also emphasises that they aim to bring something special and authentic to the musical landscape.
Mohini Dey and Gino Banks share their perspectives on spirituality in music. Mohini shares her journey from being brought up in a religious environment to discovering her happiness and purpose in music. She finds spirituality in music, feeling grounded and connected to herself when playing her instrument. Gino adds that being a good person is not a prerequisite for making good music, but being honest and genuine in one's artistic expression is crucial.
In a symphony of wisdom and passion, these musical maestros delved into the mystical realms of spirituality and their influence on their enchanting compositions. Lydian, the youngest virtuoso, unveiled his devotion to music, blending tradition with contemporary flair. Mark, the harmonious sage, emphasised the deeper connection between spirituality and art, transcending religious confines. In a dazzling display of rapid-fire, they envisioned a future where traditional genres harmonise with electronic pop, forging a thriving music industry. Each heart-warming confession revealed the songs that stir their souls, from Beethoven's symphony to Cardi B's provocative beats.
As their harmonies intertwined, they painted their dreams of a legacy etched in a musical tapestry. Lydian, the passionate pathfinder, yearned to be remembered as a true custodian of music's heritage. Mark, the prolific artist, sought a discography of endless creativity and collaborations. Mohini, the joyous muse, hoped to be remembered for her unique and soulful contributions. Gino, the versatile master, desired a legacy of harmony and camaraderie within the industry. With gratitude and optimism, they bid adieu, leaving melodies that echo through time. Their extraordinary insights and harmonious spirits will undoubtedly inspire generations to come, enriching the world with the gift of timeless music