To say Jaggery is unconventional is an exercise in understatement. The band, which that night comprised singer Mali on vocals and keyboard, [Dylan Jack] on percussion, Tony Leva on upright bass and Rachel Jayson on viola — creates an enormously thick tapestry of music that is at varying points both comfortable and hauntingly familiar, and alien and jarring.

Tucked behind her keyboard at center stage as she is, it’s arresting how much presence the thin-framed vocalist can muster. Her voice is enormous, a howl that’s textured and melismatic, words and syllables rattled through a run of notes, giving the band’s songs an incantatory feel.

Continue reading “WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTE ~ GIG REVIEW”

There’s a way in which the Boston band Jaggery walks a tightrope between a number of musical worlds, notably classical on one side and a dark, gothic sort of alternative rock on the other. A song such as “Hostage Heart” is both lovely and deeply saddening, whereas “No Sympathy” takes on a slow-sizzle jazz feel. What remains consistent with the band is that there are deeper and deeper caverns to explore within the music, dark wells of sound and emotion to excavate, or to get lost in entirely. (Victor D. Infante)

link to article:  http://www.telegram.com/article/20140522/NEWS/305229980/-1/living11

Singer Mali To Play The Newsagency

Garnering attention as lead singer of avant-garde Boston-based pop band Jaggery, Singer Mali’s music is as intriguing as it is wonderful. Continue reading “[Mali Solo] The Brag [Australia]”

JAGGERY ~ “Private Violence”

(Autoproduzione)

Rating : 8

Due anni fa scoprivamo con voi lettori una misconosciuta ma grande realtà musicale d’oltreoceano, segnatamente da Boston: un quintetto di nome Jaggery dalla curiosa formazione (piano/voce, arpa, viola, contrabbasso e batteria), all’epoca già autore di un album e di un EP, guidato dalla figura carismatica della cantante e pianista Mali Sastri. Continue reading “DARK ROOM MAGAZINE ~ Italian Review”

Jaggery Wows and Flutters

Jaggery’s most recent release, Private Violence (EP), takes us through 5 tracks of progressive but elegant chamber rock. Most tracks are filled ably by the five piece band such as the sneaky, trickling “Trouble” (highlighted by wonderful bow scraping and a nice payoff when the full band kicks in). But my favorite is the sterling “Hostage Heart,” which features the accompaniment of small orchestra. Listen to how Singer Mali’s simple piano figure becomes increasingly swept-up with a sequence of orchestral counterpoints and a melody that glides wickedly through a range that is as vastly as it is cleverly tight. The large ensemble breathes nicely through a piece of work worth shelling the extra studio time on. You don’t have to be classically inclined, but it sure doesn’t hurt.  — Jonathan Donaldson

link: http://www.boston.com/ae/music/blogs/localmusic/2012/12/jaggery_wows_and_flutters_toni.html

Premiering A New Song
Someone You Should Know

THE SPICE OF LIFE – While their range and musical leanings might put them at risk of being misunderstood in our contemporary rat race, JAGGERY are far from unaccessable. In many ways, the band of five players could be the region’s most talented band. Leader Mail Sastri is a brilliant vocalist and piano player. In this project she is surrounded by a number of very strong players — and this Lot have a new and rather stunning record of statement in, Private Violence.

Continue reading “RYAN’S SMASHING LIFE”