In a landscape filled with post-punk bands, Mandrake Handshake—a diverse collective of ten members based in London—aren’t merely a refreshing presence; they represent a gateway to a brand new realm. After establishing a well-earned reputation for blending genres and delivering mind-altering live shows, they have finally released their debut full-length album, 'Earth-Sized Worlds'—which is as intriguingly cosmic as one could wish. To celebrate this milestone, we spoke with lead guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Row Janjuah for a glimpse into the band's vibrant universe.
Your debut album, 'Earth-Sized Worlds,' is officially out now—congratulations! How does it feel to have released it? What has been the public's response to the album?
It feels like we’re checking off an item from our bucket list. Personally, this was a goal I set for myself at the beginning of my music career, and I can be content knowing I’ve accomplished something I truly wanted to do. To sum it up, I feel proud. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We created an art-rock album that took risks, and we enjoyed the process without overly fretting about how it would be received. It’s reassuring to know that there are people out there who appreciate the same things we love.
You’ve been performing and releasing music as Mandrake Handshake since 2018, but this is your first full-length album. Can you share a bit about your journey to this point? Why did now feel like the optimal time to make your formal debut?
We wanted to put out album after album, but it turns out that it’s costly and challenging. We spent a long time seeking the space, time, and funds needed—there was no one at the beginning to guide us in the process. We learned through trial and error. Now feels like the right moment because we finally secured all the resources necessary to create it. We would have released it sooner if we had the opportunity!
As a collective with up to 10 members, we can imagine that the creative process might be more complex than for a smaller group. How do you manage your songwriting sessions? Do a few individuals take the lead? Do different members contribute to various tracks? Give us some insight into that dynamic.
Typically, the principle is that I have the final say. Different band members have varying degrees of autonomy, but our setup allows me to have the last word. It might sound authoritarian, but it prevents complications. When there’s doubt or uncertainty, we have a system to resolve it. While it may not be as collaborative or sensitive as we’d hope, it helps us avoid getting bogged down and enables us to work together (relatively speaking) efficiently.
The concept for 'Earth-Sized Worlds' revolves around ‘Welcome To Space Beach.’ Was this aesthetic or sentiment something you aimed to create from the outset, or did it develop as a theme connecting the songs along the way? Sketch out the scene at Space Beach for us—who would we encounter there? How did they arrive? What are their next destinations?
We compiled a large array of songs, ideas, and motifs over many years. When we decided to create an album, we found a thematic framework that allowed us to unify all the different elements of our music. We conceptualized ‘Space Beach,’ which helped us draw from a reservoir of creative ideas that fit this theme. The concept accommodates the two main, somewhat contrasting aspects of the music: the heavier psych-rock element (Space) and the more delicate avant-pop or ‘70s Brazilian MPB influence (Beach), which I am especially passionate about.
As a setting, it represents an oasis in the vast cosmic desert. There are scavengers, scrap collectors, bounty hunters, lost princesses—all existing in the outer rim. It’s a space where the comforts of home, life, and solace confront you; it serves as a refuge in the distant acid horizon, where you can sit, feel safe, and experience life's highs and lows in a singular moment.
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