Ishta is an exciting, eclectic world music fusion band from Aotearoa/NZ. Featuring sitar, double bass, percussion, flute, sax, guitar, didge and vocals their sound encompasses a diverse range of styles from uptempo ethnic groove to dub/roots to blissful lounge.

Ishta were based in Auckland for three years. During that time their sound evolved into an uplifting blend of Eastern and Western influences featuring the funky bass grooves of Monsieur Escargot, soulful sitar playing by Rob Croft, stirring flute and sax arrangements by Ben Campbell and the soaring, sensual vocals of Josephine Costain and Tui Mamaki. Additional members include Yair Katz on percussion, Eyal Lutz on Didgeridoo and tabla virtuoso Basant Madhur.

The album is 100% acoustic and was painstakingly recorded over two years by Monkey producer Nigel Braddock and mastered by Chris Winchcombe at York St. Special guests on the album include flautist Trudi Lile (Mohave), Tui Mamaki (Mamaku Project) on bvs, Kingsley Melhuish (Brassouls, Spargo) on trumpet and Haydn Godfrey (BSM) on Trombone.

Ishta performed regularly around Auckland for a few years in venues such as Galatos, Odeon Lounge, Leigh Sawmill, Rakinos and Khuja Lounge and toured the country several times between 2003 and 2006. They performed at Splore, Kaikoura Roots, Prana, Visionz, AUT Orientation and AK05 delighting festival audiences with their unique, exotic summery sounds. In May, 2006 shortly after releasing their debut album, Ishta disbanded with various members leaving to pursue other projects.

The lineup:
Josephine Costain – vocals
Monsieur Escargot – bass
Rob Croft – sitar and percussion
Basant Madhur – tabla
Yair Katz – drums and percussion
Ben Campbell – saxophone and wooden flute
Trudi Lile – flute
Eyal Lutz – didgeridoo
Tui Mamaki – backing vocals

Reviews

“Listening to this multiculti outfit from Auckland qualifies you for frequent flyer points: the line-up has musicians from Dutch, Kiwi, Israeli, Indian and French backgrounds; and the instrumental artillery on display includes sitar, saxophone, didgeridoo, guitar, flute and double bass. All of which could make for an unworkable implosion of world fusion, if it weren’t for the keen sensibilities on display.
When the eight-minute second track – Butterfly – takes flight around the midpoint in a maelstrom of flute, sitar and tabla drums (with didgeridoo offering guttural sonic punctuation), it makes for a thrilling and heady brew. The interplay of sax and sitar brings to mind the most gutsy passages on Ali Akbar Khan and John Handy’s 1975 album Karuna Supreme.
They are equally impressive in quieter moments (De La Tierra and Drop the Soap which suggest the Indo-jazz group Oregon, Muhashaba featuring the entrancing vocals of Josephine Costain) and the folk-pop of Ramjhula.” - The Herald

“Ishta really is something else. They are a band shockingly reflective of New Zealand’s ever-changing and increasingly multicultural society. Picture an uplifting blend of eastern and western influences, eclectic world fusion music, styles spanning from down tempo to roots/dub and venturing through lounge. I was instantly entranced by this music. Sitar, double bass, flute, sax, guitar, didge, percussion and vocals wrap around each other and flow over then under like a strange musical waterfall. I could really go into detail on this release, but words are of the essence. Recorded at Monkey Studios in Karekare, mastered at York Street, Ishta is essential listening for fans of local artists such as Rhian Sheehan, Max Maxwell, Bluey and the whole NZ ambient/world music movement. – NZ Musician