Organically melodic and rhythmic soul music, with elements of funk and electronic, built on a base of sounds borrowed from nature comes close to describing UK outfit Jungle’s work. Modern compositions constructed on concepts reminiscent of the era they grew up in, the members’ eclectic tastes are evident. Growing up, their drummer George Day was into hip-hop while percussionist Dominic Whalley grew up listening to Brazilian music; his rhythmic sense is founded in those traditions. Co-founders and guitarists Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson (guitars and vocals) listened to Incubus, street music and UK hip-hop. They will be making their India debut as the headlining act for SulaFest in Nashik this weekend.

A lot of Jungle’s early songs featured sounds recorded in forests. It became an integral part of their music, and today sets them apart. Take Lucky I Got What I Want, which has elements of a crackling fire giving it a constant rhythmic base. “I was in the forest with a friend and we made a big campfire. The sound of the fire caught my attention and as I had recording equipment with me, I put it to use. I uploaded it and started playing the synthesizer around it,” McFarland tells us over the phone from their Russia tour.