PUBLISHED June 11th, 2024 06:00 am | UPDATED August 19th, 2024 02:37 am
At the recent Sunda Festival, Singapore-based band Mantravine transported us into their cosmic music universe, seamlessly blending electronica, funk, and psychedelia. I’ve seen many artist blend different genres together, but never quite like this – I could almost feel the sounds of Farhan Remy’s trumpet and keyboard, Isuru Wijesoma’s double-neck guitar and ArunDitha‘s voice resonating through my chest, compelling me to let loose and groove to their organic melodies. They were in tune with the crowd, and the crowd was certainly in-tune with them. That being said, my curiosity led me here!
As always, hit the play button to groove as you dig deeper into Mantravine’s Rhythmic Tapestry.
In the realm of music where genres blend and new sounds are constantly emerging, Mantravine is pushing creativity and fostering community vibes through various shows, workshops and sound baths. In this edition of City Nomads Radio, we speak with the band about their diverse influences, audience connection, integration of wellness and more.
A Symphony of Diverse Influences
Mantravine’s journey began in 2012, inspired by the eclectic energies of psychedelic world music at Australia’s Rainbow Serpent Festival. Upon returning, Rupak George, the band’s music producer, collaborated with Starlight Alchemy to create their debut album, ‘Dream of Dragons,’ for the Flipside festival at the Esplanade. Since then, their evolution has been marked by a passionate drive to radiate love and joy through music, creating a unique musical experience that captivates audiences worldwide, including in Morocco, Germany, Thailand, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, France, Japan, Australia, and Singapore.
Over the years, this ensemble has created a formula that allows them to evolve gracefully, much like the organic beings they liken themselves to. Their approach to music is dynamic and ever-changing, driven by a mutual passion for exploration and expression. Each member brings a unique cultural and musical background, contributing to a cohesive sound that’s both unified and wonderfully diverse. The band also uses their music as a platform for social and political commentary. “Mantravine stands for social and political liberation, for joy, for musical empowerment, and for creativity,” the band assert, highlighting the intrinsic link between their artistic expression and their advocacy for a better society.
“We kind of think of Mantravine as a very special kind of organism. Like most organisms, there are different parts which make a whole. We are petals, leaves, branches and roots, all different and yet necessary. We each have our role to play in our ultimate function: to make magical music… This organism matures and becomes wiser over time.”
The Art of Improvisation
Improvisation is a cornerstone of their live performances, allowing them to weave spontaneous musical narratives that are both unpredictable and deeply engaging. A memorable instance of this was during a festival in Sri Lanka, where what started as a duo performance evolved into a six-piece ensemble show, completely improvised with newly-made friends at the festival. This ability to adapt and innovate on the fly is a defining trait of Mantravine, reflecting their deep musical synergy and ability to connect and create under spontaneous circumstances.
“We have a hybrid formula of using structured improvisation. It’s all about listening and responding.
With the relationship we have now, sometimes we improvise songs and whole sets without people knowing. That being said, it has taken years. Most of what you will hear us play publicly is very developed material, even if it did start as a complete surprise!”
Mantravine places a heavy emphasis on audience interaction, transforming each performance into a collective experience, a shared journey of emotional and energetic exchange. Their performances are interactive, inviting audience participation that ranges from contributing lyrics to becoming part of the live sound. A standout moment of audience interaction occurred in New Zealand in 2018 when a friend’s daughter sang on stage with the band, stepping out of her comfort zone and into the light, guided by the supportive energy of Mantravine.
Wellness in Music
The global disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, while challenging, provided unexpected opportunities for Mantravine to delve into the realm of wellness music. They produced seven albums during this period, incorporating healing frequencies into producing wellness albums for yoga, meditation and they now conduct sound baths, enriching the audience’s experience with ancient, nurturing energies.
Looking Ahead
As Mantravine prepares for their international tour across Germany, the Netherlands, and Morocco, they continue to explore new musical landscapes. Their upcoming projects include a tribal Middle Eastern show at a party called “WEAVE: A Multidisciplinary Playground”, intertwined with storytelling, promising yet another layer of cultural synthesis and creative expression. Catch them at Blackbox of Aliwal Arts Centre on Saturday July 6, 2024, from 7-11pm.
For aspiring musicians who wish to fuse different cultural sounds into their music, the band leaves this advice:
“The world of sound is massive, so set some limitations on what you want to work with and look for a show or an event to share your sonic exploration. That will help you to be productive in creating.” For more advice, check out Rupak’s collab with Tracy Joy Phillips from deeplycurious.
Keep up with Mantravine here , and check out their latest song Saraswati on Spotify.
All images courtesy of Mantravine.