Inside M.O.T.H.E.R.: The Indie Supergroup Crafting the Guitar Version of N.E.R.D.

An indie supergroup emerges with a powerful blend of guitar-driven anthems and heartfelt collaboration, aiming to channel the spirit of N.E.R.D. through rock.

The Birth of M.O.T.H.E.R.: A Story Rooted in Life’s Highs and Lows

Every great band has a story, and M.O.T.H.E.R.’s tale is as poignant as it is inspiring. This new indie supergroup is a collaborative brainchild led by Robbie Furze of The Big Pink, featuring the raw talents of Jamie T and Jamie Hince from The Kills. Their debut is more than just music—it's woven from the threads of personal loss, friendship, and creative synergy.

Robbie Furze shares the deeply emotional inception of M.O.T.H.E.R., revealing that the project sprouted during a turbulent time in his life. “My mum got sick about five years ago and was ill for about four years before she died,” he recalls. This period was marked by a powerful juxtaposition—while grappling with his mother’s illness and eventual passing, Furze also welcomed a daughter into the world. This clash of birth and death became a poignant backdrop for their music.

Bringing together his close friends Jamie T and Jamie Hince felt natural and comforting during this time. Tragically, Hince faced his own loss when his father passed away just four days after Furze’s mother. Reflecting on this, Hince comments, “If ever there was a calling, it was that.” Yet, the project wasn’t birthed from despair alone. The enforced stillness of the pandemic provided fertile ground for creativity. Hince explains how this period was a bubble of open creativity, allowing them to share ideas freely and foster a unique camaraderie. “It felt nice, like we were buying into this camaraderie, and this gang.”

Crafting the Sound: From Ego Clashes to Collaborative Magic

The magic of M.O.T.H.E.R. isn’t just in the story but in the music they create together. These artists have danced around each other’s projects for years—Jamie T and Jamie Hince contributed to The Big Pink’s 2022 album The Love That’s Ours, but fully collaborating under one banner was new territory.

Furze jokingly describes their sessions as “the clash of three egos,” a reminder that creative collaboration is as much about negotiation as inspiration. Hince adds, “Everyone wants to work with each other because you like what each other does, and so it’s not quite imposter syndrome but you have to live up to that idea and jump in and be a character.” There’s no room for shyness here—each member brings their own flair, but with mutual respect.

The recording process spans continents, with sessions bouncing between Hince’s LA studio and Furze’s workspace in Bethnal Green, London. Their first self-titled EP features four tracks—‘My Love’, ‘Real Human’, ‘Traitor’, and ‘Surrender’—each carrying the band’s ethos of fluidity and collaboration. The lineup isn’t fixed. Instead, M.O.T.H.E.R. thrives on bringing in fresh faces from familiar circles, making every release a unique snapshot of their evolving sound.

Jamie Hince expresses eagerness to deepen the collaboration with musicians like Jenny Lee Lindberg from Warpaint, and Furze mentions hopes to involve Zach Hill of Death Grips and electronic producer Skream, among others. “We ran into Zach and he seemed into it but then he started ghosting me,” Furze chuckles. “Whether or not he decides to text me back, it would be wonderful to have that kind of thing.”

The Soundtrack to Friendship: The Bond of Three Jamies

The chemistry between Furze, Hince, and Jamie T is more than just musical—it’s deeply personal. Their friendships stretch back over a decade, intertwining with the pulse of indie festivals and late-night jam sessions.

Furze and Jamie T first met around 2009, during the early days of The Big Pink’s rise. Hince met Furze a few years later at Corona Capital in Mexico, a festival notorious for its wild backstage antics and ego clashes. Hince reminisces about that chaotic time with a grin, recalling how “everyone had bodyguards” and bands were vying to outdo each other, including The Black Keys, who hilariously didn’t need such heavy security but had it anyway.

Jamie T fits seamlessly into this mix. Hince fondly remembers watching him perform in a tiny pub when he was just 19, impressed by his effortless mastery. Furze shares an anecdote about the making of ‘Traitor’, where Jamie T grew frustrated trying to nail the verses but ultimately got it right on the first take. “See you later,” Furze laughs, “He’s that kind of guy.”

This camaraderie also means they push each other without holding back. Hince recalls sending Jamie T a beat he adored for ‘Traitor,’ only to receive a teasing text calling it “One pound fish” — a playful jab about its waltz-like rhythm. Furze sums it up perfectly: “Whatever works for the track works, and everyone has to be happy with it.”

M.O.T.H.E.R.’s Vision: The Guitar Version of N.E.R.D.

When asked about the creative vision behind M.O.T.H.E.R., Hince doesn’t hesitate. “I wanted it to be the guitar version of N.E.R.D.,” he declares. The goal is to create a production team fueled by love for each other and the music, similar to how N.E.R.D. blends genres and collaborators fluidly.

Furze echoes the excitement about collaborations, saying, “We’ve got songs in the pipeline with other artists already, and it makes it like an N.E.R.D. or Unkle or Massive Attack thing.” This fluid, collective approach fits the modern music landscape where attention spans are short, and records can quickly fade away.

Hince acknowledges this shift candidly: “It feels like that time has gone where albums really last. Records seem to come and go quite quickly now.” So, rather than full albums, M.O.T.H.E.R. plans to release standalone singles or small EPs packed with energy and creativity.

The Soul of M.O.T.H.E.R.: Epic, Romantic, and Hopeful

Despite their different musical backgrounds, Furze, Hince, and Jamie T find a shared spirit in their sound—something “epic” and “romantic.” Hince points to a lyric about “the last of the hooligans,” a phrase that captures the bittersweet, rebel heart of their music.

This feeling of being underdogs with something to prove is a thread that runs through their work. Hince jokes, “Maybe we’re just lonely men?” Furze adds with a poetic touch, “Beaten down but being pulled up by hope…”

This emotional cocktail, of passion, struggle, and camaraderie, is the secret sauce of M.O.T.H.E.R., giving their songs a life and urgency that resonate deeply.

The Debut Single ‘My Love’: Simple Yet Powerful

Their first single, ‘My Love’, is a beautiful example of how simplicity can convey profound emotion. Furze describes it as “one of the most basic songs” — a love song about hope with a razor-sharp energy. He draws a subtle comparison to The Beatles’ iconic early tracks like I Want to Hold Your Hand, where “less is more” rules the day.

This track radiates a relatable energy, resonating with listeners who appreciate straightforward, heartfelt music. It’s a perfect introduction to the band’s ethos.

Live Shows Ahead: Bringing the Collaborative Spirit to the Stage

Although M.O.T.H.E.R. is a studio-born project, live performances are firmly on the horizon. Furze shares their surprise at the enthusiastic reaction to ‘My Love’ and their eagerness to hit the stage. “We’re playing a bit of catch up because we didn’t think ‘My Love’ would get the reaction it has, but we’re desperate to get out and do gigs.”

True to their collaborative spirit, Hince envisions live shows with rotating lineups, featuring different musicians in various countries. For a recent BBC 6 Music session, Rhys Webb from The Horrors joined on bass, highlighting the exciting fluidity the band thrives on.

Bromance and Beyond: The Heart of M.O.T.H.E.R.

The bond between Furze and Hince is a heartwarming underpinning of the project. Furze calls Jamie T “probably my best friend in the world,” describing years spent side-by-side—from their days in Los Angeles, sharing meals and long conversations, to the deep personal connection they’ve nurtured over time.

Hince echoes this warmth, joking about how people would mix them up due to their shared vibe and energy. Their close friendship is an inspiring example of how music can unite souls.

More From Their Worlds: What the Members Bring

• The Big Pink returned in 2022 with The Love That’s Ours, their first album in over a decade, featuring Jamie T and Hince as co-writers.
• The Kills dropped God Games in 2023, continuing their raw, electrifying legacy.
• Jamie T made a strong comeback with The Theory Of Whatever (2022) and recently collaborated with Fred Again.. on the uplifting single ‘Lights Burn Dimmer’. He also appeared with The Maccabees at their reunion gig in London last summer.

Experience M.O.T.H.E.R.’s Debut EP

M.O.T.H.E.R.'s EP, featuring tracks like ‘My Love’, ‘Real Human’, ‘Traitor’, and ‘Surrender’, is out now. Dive into their fresh, guitar-fueled indie vibes that blend emotional depth with infectious energy.

Watch Official Video for “My Love”

Listen to “Traitor” Official Audio

Listen to “Real Human” Official Audio

Listen to “Surrender” Official Audio

FAQ

• What inspired the formation of M.O.T.H.E.R.?
  The group was born from personal loss and friendship, with Robbie Furze’s mother’s illness and passing being a catalyst, along with Jamie Hince’s father’s death.
• Who are the current members of M.O.T.H.E.R.?
  The core trio includes Robbie Furze (The Big Pink), Jamie T, and Jamie Hince (The Kills), with plans to bring in guest collaborators.
• What is the musical style of M.O.T.H.E.R.?
  Their sound is guitar-driven indie rock with anthemic and emotional undertones, aiming to be the “guitar version of N.E.R.D.”
• Will M.O.T.H.E.R. be releasing full albums?
  The band prefers releasing singles or EPs due to the fast-moving nature of music consumption today.
• Are there plans for live performances?
  Absolutely. The band looks forward to live gigs with rotating musicians, creating unique on-stage experiences.

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