biography
The extraordinary talents comprising The Three Seas converge from diverse cultural backgrounds, bound by a profound love for music and a shared commitment to crafting transcendent sonic experiences. Live performances by the band serve as gateways to a mystical realm, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in an otherworldly journey.
At the helm of The Three Seas is Australian composer and saxophonist, Matt Keegan. His quest for new sonic horizons led him to India in 2009, where fate brought the ensemble together in the enchanting town of Santiniketan, West Bengal. The fusion of their distinct cultural backgrounds and immediate musical rapport birthed the energetic and uplifting musical fusion of The Three Seas.
Fronting the ensemble is Baul singer Raju Das, whose resplendent voice and radiant stage presence are heightened by his mastery of the khamak, and its danceable rhythms. Hailing from a nomadic tribe with a rich cultural heritage and their own language, Raju’s family has passed down these traditions with a deep emphasis on spirituality and a heartfelt focus on the vast energetic presence within the human body, as expressed through song and dance. These spiritual traditions inspired The Three Seas’ modern interpretations of ancient Baul songs that celebrate the human spirit.
Darjeeling-born singer and multi-instrumentalist, Deoashish Mothey, adds depth with his soulful vocals and sound effects in a Himalayan style. His proficiency extends to an array of West Bengali stringed instruments, weaving together intricate and mesmerizing riffs.
Drummer Gaurab Chatterjee, renowned for his contributions to Bengali rock giants Lakkhichhara, brings his expertise in traditional West Bengali folk percussion to The Three Seas, infusing their sound with rhythmic vitality.
Collaborating with the band at various points are artists Cameron Dyall, Steve Elphick, and Brendan Clark, enhancing the ensemble’s sonic palette.
Gaurab Chatterjee
Gaurab Chatterjee DRUMS, DUBKI Gaurab “Gaboo” Chatterjee is a renowned drummer based in Kolkata, India. His rock band, “Lakkhichhara”, is one of the...
Raju Das Baul
Raju Das Baul Lead singer, Khamak The Three Seas’ lead singer and khamak player Raju Das Baul has been singing and performing in the ancient Bengali...
Deo Ashish Mothey
Deo Ashish Mothey LEAD VOCALS, DOTORA, ESRAJ, GUITAR Deoashish Mothey is a singer and multi-instrumentalist who was raised in the Chamong tea garden...
Matt Keegan
Matt Keegan SAXOPHONE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Saxophonist Matt Keegan regularly performs throughout Australia and around the world. In 2011 he won the...
Executive Producer: Amy Curl
Music label: Earshift Records
Sound Engineer + Co-producer: Richard Belkner
Instrumentation
Whilst Indian classical music and jazz have enjoyed a long association, The Three Seas music draws on the earthier sounds of folk music with a strong focus on the Baul tradition, and playfully creates new musical pathways using a contemporary jazz framework and western production aesthetics.
The Three Seas employs a menagerie of traditional North Indian instruments alongside electric and double bass, saxophone and drum kit.
The Khamak
(strummed percussion) is a one headed drum with two strings attached to it that are strummed with a plectrum made from buffalo horn and pulled to alter the pitch to dramatic effect.
The Dubki
(hand drum) is a single headed drum designed to be held in one hand and struck with the fingers of the other. The pitch can be altered by the hang holding the instrument by pressing the fingers against the skin.
The Esraj
(bowed fretted harp) has four main strings which are bowed, a medium length sitar like neck that has 20 metal frets and a rack of 12-15 sympathetic strings. It is rested on the knee of the sitting player.
The Dotara
(Bengali banjo) is a fretless string instrument that sounds and is played in a similar fashion to the banjo. Although Dotara means two strings – most have three or four. Two are used to finger and change pitches while the others are employed to create drone and resonance.