About Maharaja Blues

We are Maharaja Blues—a four-piece ensemble conjuring the spirit of Mississippi blues through Indian classical rhythms, mythic nonsense telling, and early blues history.

We’re not just another band—we’re a bridge between traditions, a fresh voice in the roots revival, and a perfect fit for audiences seeking authenticity with a twist.

We are 4 people, 4 very different animals. Though we have friends who join us too.

Main Characters

Richard Staines aka Maharaja Rich/Maharaja Richie Red the Rooster. Slide resonator guitar player, acoustic and electric. Vocals. Animal character conjurer. Blues and world music enthusiast. "Channeling the storm".

Satinder Grewal aka Maharaja Satinder, tabla player and friendly approachable tiger. "The tiger heartbeat".

Jonathan Browning aka Maharaja Jon, virtuoso and cunning fox of a harmonica player and backing vocals. "The wind between worlds". Joined in 2014, his riffs create musical streams that flow beautifully in and out of the delta.

Miku aka Maharaja Miku the Bard, the friendly happy bear of the group. Bass Guitar & Mythic Undercurrents, keeper of the low-end lore. Joined in 2024 and disrupted everything. Also photographer, MC, actor and surreal poet.

Maharaja Dilwyn Roberts friend of the band and harmonica player to at various gigs. Blues officianado. Born in a place called Y Fawnog / The Swamp. Dilwyn has played harmonica with various bands and various genres over the years and has hosted a blues radio show.

Pink Flamingo we dont know who he is but we do know he is an inter dimensional reviewer for the Nonsense Chronicler.

History

Involved with Devauden Festival near Chepstow from year 2. 10+ years and are regulars in House of Roots. Maharaja Rich is stage manager for that stage.

Involved in Leek Blues and Americana Festival, Staffordshire since year 1.

We played many times at Shirefest including headlining 1 of their events. A few times at Hub Festival Cardiff.

We have played at Aberjazz, Fishguard and Caerleon Arts Festival multiple times.

Coleford Music Festival (Glos) on the Roots stage several times and the main stage. https://maharajablues.blogspot.com/2025/08/coleford-music-festival.html

Various other festivals, most of which seem to no longer be. These include Leamington Peace Festival, Rhythms of the World Festival (Herts), Rhythm Tree (IoW), Maryport Blues Festival and Newark Blues Festival.

Some pub gigs include: The Bootlegger Cardiff, Browns Hotel in Laurghne and Clwb Y Bont (Pontypridd)

We try and play in London once a year but had a large gap post pandemic. 2025 we returned organising 2 sell out gigs of 50 people.