Kandalini are a rock 'n’ roll band from Melbourne, Australia. Playing their first shows in 2017, Johnny Foti is on drums; vocals and guitars come from Dale Mamo. The band has been through a handful of iterations, initially and occasionally as a two piece until 2019 when Scott Gulbis joined on bass. Adam Buttigieg joined the band after guest guitarring on a couple of songs at Max Watts in April, 2021. Despite the Mediterranean influence, Kandalini is not a pasta, although we do hope to collaborate with Barilla someday to make this dream a reality.
With two DIY singles behind them, ‘A Song Called Pain’ and ‘A Lot Like You’, the band finally relented to the untenable pull of musical validation from consumers, critics, and peers alike – and hit the studio. The result of which has been thwarted by a barrage of pandemic related wizardry not limited to lockdowns, breakdowns, and feeling down. The band released a pair of singles as a direct consequence of this studio session, with the first track 'Wire Mother' released May 25, 2022, and It's OK to Change Your Mind on Oct 27, 2022. IOKTCYM was supported with four launch shows and a music video.
Their sound is highly influenced by the grunge wave of the late 80s and 90s, and subsequent bands, especially early Foo Fighters. Bands like At the Drive-in, the Nation Blue, Babes in Toyland, Rise Against, Fugazi, and Queens of the Stone Age, also directly inspired their energy and musicality. Their aim is the seemingly universal one - to combine interesting and innovative music with meaningful, intentional, and relatable songs.
Their sound continues to be refined by the influence of contemporary artists like Clowns, Bad//Dreems, Horror My Friend, Dilly Dally, Mod Con, WAAX, ’68, and an ever-expanding conglomerate of emerging and historic artists.
Kandalini are looking for any regional and interstate musical opportunities.
In the spirit of reconciliation Kandalini acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.