photo by Amy H. Read Photography

Sofar London and Paris performers, Indigo Earth are contemporary folk infused with rock and a splash of pop music.  There is a freshness of a spark newly ignited.

It was just over a year and a half ago that Indigo Earth was formed. Long-time friends Ben Nash and Amy Wilson met fellow band members Jess Sawers - Warren, Matt Facy and Tom Smith at the University of Westminster where they all studied Music.

Prior to forming the band, Nash and Wilson both lived in Somerset before moving to London for university. Wilson grew up there, Nash by way of Cheltenham and Holland. They met at the age of 15, going to college together.  Facy, also grew up in the South-West, in Plymouth to be exact. All three band members enjoyed a calmer pace of life prior to arriving in London where Sawers-Warren grew up. Smith, however, has lived all over the map including Manchester, Finland, the Caribbean and Edinburgh before landing in London.

As for the band’s name, Indigo Earth, its origin is all a bit “hippy” if you ask vocalist, Amy Wilson.

“We knew we wanted something that represented our sound; something organic, earthy, and a bit epic too,” Wilson said. “We're told that the color indigo is symbolic of the sixth chakra (the third eye) which is related to intuition and spiritual knowledge - we thought that was pretty cool.”

Drawing deeply from emotions and its many forms, fuel Nash and Wilson’s songwriting, their styles create a balance of mindset. Further gaining inspiration from bands such as Fleet Foxes, Arcade Fire, Midlake, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac and Nick Cave, Wilson feels that within these influences the band’s songwriting reside.

Encouraged by the growing popularity of contemporary folk music, Wilson and bandmate Ben Nash see this as a positive sign for upcoming folk bands such as themselves.

“It's refreshing to see emotional, real songs being recognised,” Wilson said.

“The very definition of Folk music is that it tells a story, it embraces everyone, and it is, in this sense, the music of the people,” Ben enthused.

The band also uses less conventional instruments to achieve their unique sound.  Sawers - Warren recently took up the accordion and the rest of the band fell in love with the depth it adds.

“It's frustrating when we play live though because Jess (who also play keys) can't play both at the same time (as much as she tries),” notes Wilson. “If only we could mutate her in some way so she could grow another set of hands!”

The clarinet, played by Wilson, can be heard with a careful listen to any of the tracks on the band’s recently released self-titled EP. While too shy to bring it out on stage, one can only hope that changes soon. Nash plays an instrument called the 'cuatro', a Puerto Rican member of the lute family. While not often played live, experimentation with open tunings has led intriguing ideas for songs.

Perhaps not left of center instrument-wise, is the wonderful violin work of Kat Wells that is also featured on their EP. Unfortunately, Wells moved back to Australia just after the band finished recording the EP.

“We're all secretly hoping she'll come back and join the band but if not, we'll definitely be looking for a new violinist in the future,” Wilson said.

The band recently launched their first self-titled EP to a packed house at London’s Luxe in Spitalfields. 

The EP features four songs and a bonus track. Wilson and Nash were kind enough to share just some of the stories behind the songs:

Cold Light Of Day is about coping with everyday life following a difficult or upsetting event. I wrote the song having watched someone close to me grieve the loss of a family member and piece by piece, putting their life back together again.

Wise Man is essentially about following your passion, whatever it may be, and not comprising what makes you happy, even when it's tempting to do so. (Hear Below)

Makes Me Wonder was the first proper musical collaboration between Ben & I. It's about someone becoming lost in a dream-like state, exploring dark places in their mind, experiencing an alternative reality.  (Hear Below)

The EP is a great source of accomplishment for the band.

“It feels good to finally have something to show for all our hard work over the last year or so, something to put us on the map, something that's out there for people to own,” Wilson said.

The Indigo Earth EP is available on iTunes, or a physical copy can be ordered on Bandcamp. Of course, you can also come enjoy one of the band’s shows and grab one in person.

That’s not all Indigo Earth has in store, recently a video was shot for their song Cold Light Of Day, which should be available for viewing in upcoming weeks. The video was filmed partially in Brick Lane with the bulk of footage being filmed in Epping Forest.

“The video has a sort of 'Alice in Wonderland' feel at times; it combines childlike imagery with an eerie, dream-like setting,” Wilson explains.

The Indigo Earth family also includes other projects that music lovers should definitely check out.

“Facy plays in two bands - One is an eccentric modern swing five piece called 'The Chuck Pinkett Quintett' and a melodic, sample-based dance band 'Beneath The Beach',” Wilson explained.  “Jess plays in an amazing gypsy punk band, 'Gypsies' and I'm one sixth of ambient, minimalist pop outfit, 'Aurelia'. Oh, and Ben does instrument design, he invented the Feedback Organ don't you know?”

Always striving, Indigo Earth plans to do more shows, write more music, rehearse and get prepared for the festival season. Not to mention finding time for writing dissertations along the way.

 “In terms of our future, I'd like to think that in a year's time, we will have toured across the UK and released a few singles and another EP, reaching as many people as possible in the process,” explains Wilson. “Oh, and we'd like to have been confirmed for Glastonbury Festival 2013 (even if it's in the tiniest of tea tents - we're not fussy Mr. Eavis)!”

In the meantime, Indigo Earth play with fellow SofarSounds veterans The Joker & The Thief at the Boogaloo. The band is scheduling more live events all the time, including upcoming festivals such as Lubstock and ToneFest. 

“The live folk scene allows the audience to witness music on a very intimate level with the musician(s) - whether it be on a huge stage in front of 1000's or in someone's living room - the relationship is always a close one,” Ben said.

Indeed, the relationship is. Check out their official website for information on Indigo Earth’s music, videos, pictures, live dates and more from this stirring heartfelt band.