Kinaara are a trio of vocal, electric guitar and drum kit from Leeds. They play Punjabi folk songs, and Celtic songs presented in Kinaara’s own distinctive arrangements. Begun in 2018 by singer Satnam Galsian with the aim of achieving an identity that reflected both her Punjabi heritage and her UK upbringing. She began working on arrangements of the songs of Surinder Kaur and Noor Jehan with guitar player John Hogg. Both musicians are schooled in Indian classical music but they realised that they wanted to keep an edge to the sound with an emphasis on electric guitar and drums. Jazz drummer Simon Henry completed the indie/folk/rock/jazz cross genre trio.
Nominated for ‘Best Indie Act’ 2021 by Radio Wigwam, Kinaara have been playing to enthusiastic audiences in the North of England with a standout performance at Musicport festival 2021.
The Leeds trio recorded their second EP in January 2022, ‘Colours In Black’, which was released on 1st July. The tracks have been well received, with radio play on Roger Brockbank’s The Global Underground, Papaoul and Alabaster Deplume on Worldwide FM, Radio TFSC, New Music Saturday with Doc Bones and Mike Five and legendary DJ Ritu's, A World In London.
Colours in Black
Satnam Galsian
Singer
Satnam Galsian is a British-Asian vocalist. Since receiving her Indian classical music degree from Birmingham Conservatoire she has been working with a range of artists creatively exploring the interplay between North Indian and Western music traditions. Her vocals have graced tours with Sonia Sabri Company, drum and bass tracks and a play for Radio 4. Satnam would include Noor Jehan, Surinder Kaur and Sheila Chandra among her influences. She is interested in promoting health and wellbeing through music. Likes herbal tea.
John Hogg
Guitar
John Hogg was beguiled by the electric guitar when he saw his cousin play Christmas carols on a Gibson one night. At Leeds College of Music he studied jazz and then North Indian classical music (also on the latter course was Satnam Galsian). Inspired, he became immersed in Indian music. But, missing the loud sounds of rock 'n' roll, he switched to epic indie blues folk pop funk rap! Always looking for a creative niche. In between he would teach and compose. He is inspired by Bert Jansch, Shahid Parvez, BB. King, Steve Reich, Duke Ellington, Siouxsie Sioux, Eno and fruit cake.
Simon Henry
Drums
Simon Henry holds a BA in jazz studies from Leeds Conservatoire and was awarded a full scholarship to complete his MA in jazz. He regularly takes trips to New York to study with influential jazz drummers and he has performed with many of the North’s top jazz musicians. His is influenced by drummers Roy Haynes, Max Roach, Elvin Jones and Ed Blackwell. Likes bacon and soup.
Across the River
The debut EP 'Across the River' had an amazing response with the tracks featuring on shows on numerous stations including GlobalRoots on Gilles Peterson’s WorldWideFM, DJ Ritu’s A World in London on ResonanceFM, BCB radio, playlisted on Radio Wigwam and DJ Lokesh on FeverFM.