Jagwar Ma results from the collective musical efforts of Sydney-siders Jono Ma and Gab Winterfield. I dare say that at this point in time they are one of the most criminally unknown Australian artists I’m aware of but with their debut album, Howlin’, dropping in the coming week, I’d suggest that’ll be changing soon. Their electric style of rock n’ roll is one that’s captivating -- the type of sound that creeps into your consciousness and wraps itself around you in a warm, fuzzy, psychedelic embrace. Naturally, we’re more than okay with it and highly recommend you jump on board to join in the party. 

In the past the guys have toured with Foals, The XX and -- I’ll stop the namedropping there, you get the idea... As well as their aforementioned album drop, the lads will be performing at many more exciting locations around the globe over the coming months, i.e. Glastonbury Festival, Splendour In The Grass and headline shows in the USA, the UK and Europe. In the lead up to their prolonged absence from our side of the world, we caught up with Gab to chat about the exciting adventures that are underway for the band. Read on.

Can you tell me a bit about how Howlin’ came to be?

Its been a few years coming so will be great to have it out. But its one of those weird things, I don’t really think you can put a time on how long we’ve been working on it. The way we were writing for this was changing for every song. Sometimes it would be me writing with vocals, guitar and a pen and paper, then other times its Jono making beats and me singing over the top of it. 

What would you say inspires you to create?

Generally speaking with music, I feel like its very much like a funnel. Its very difficult to say what things you draw influences from and I mean, you’re an ‘artist’, so the world around you provides inspiration wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. I think in our case, there are also logistical things that impact what we do. When you’re touring with bands you just learn and get better at what you’re doing, better at being on the stage or on time. Actually, I’m horrible with those sort of things, I’m never on time for anything -- hence we’ve got a tour manager! She’s a very nice girl called Caroline, and she’s kind of like our mum. She really just makes sure we get places, you know, that we’re in the lobby when we’re meant to be. Its kind of nice having a female tour manager as well, from what I’ve seen they’re normally like these big seedy old guys who are like, “Come on already you cunts,” when she’s this wonderful little English lady who says, “Now boys, its time to go downstairs. We’ve got tea for you!” She’s like our fairy-god-mother.

You’ve been on some pretty exciting tours in the past with some pretty amazing artists.. Has there been a highlight moment?

There’s been a few moments like that. Playing with Foals in Paris was unbelievable. And even playing the Hordern in Sydney recently was one of those moments. I remember going there as a kid and I mean, even just being the support act at those places is pretty amazing. I guess also just hanging out with the bands is amazing, a lot of the time they’re people you’ve looked up to at some point.

You guys are playing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival -- I can imagine that will be pretty exciting. How does it feel to be on the same line-up as The Rolling Stones?

I haven’t even really thought about it. Its unbelievable. I’ve heard that its potentially going to be their last show so even just to be there. It’ll be an event that you can’t afford to miss. 

Greatest musical moment...

I don’t think its fair to say. Its like asking a painter what his favourite painting is in the world, so I really don’t know. I guess there was a moment when I went to a club in Berlin called the Berghain after just seeing Radiohead play. The whole this with the Berghain is that you go there on Sunday morning, its open all weekend for 72 hours straight. We went there on this Sunday morning, completely sober, you know we’d seen Radiohead the night before, went home got some sleep, then went to this place the next morning for breakfast. I was sitting at the bar, sipping on sparkling mineral waters and just people watching. The sound was just so incredible. There was something about that, and this will sound lame, but I actually think that clubs are more than just that if they’re really really good, just being surrounded by interesting people and great music. 

“I’ll know I’ve made it when...”

I’ve never really thought like that... But I really like the ending of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory when Willy Wonka says, “Remember Charlie, what happened to the man who got everything he ever wanted” and Charlie says, “What happened?” and then he says, “He lived happily ever after.” 

So maybe I’ll know I’ve made it when I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted.