I Mother Earth Open To Reunion

11/26/08 4:54pm

by Trevor Morelli (CHARTattack)

It's been five years since I Mother Earth were put to sleep, but there's a slim chance the band could eventually crawl out of hibernation.

Although IME have no immediate recording or touring plans, guitarist Jagori Tanna says the guys are still good friends and speak to each other often.

"It's funny you should ask about that because my brother [drummer Christian Tanna] phoned me today," says Tanna over the phone from his new residence in Peterborough, Ont.

"He was like, 'So... are you writing anything?'

"I've decided I need some time to think about it."

If IME were to get back together, former singer Brian Byrne would most likely be the man to take on lead vocals again.

"Brian and Chris came up last week and we had a really good talk," says Tanna. "Brian sort of came into a situation where there was a dynamic already in place.

"He had a lot to say, and maybe sometimes it just didn't fit into our dynamic. I think he just wanted to get those songs out, which is why he made the solo records afterwards."

While Tanna is excited about writing with IME again, he knows how difficult it is to achieve a balance between band duties and family.

"I still love the guys. We all had our families together. Being on tour is taking something away from your family, and doing both is nearly impossible. But I do enjoy writing and playing. That part of it, I'm behind 100 per cent."

Tanna is promoting his new documentary TV series, The Rawside Of..., which airs on the Independent Film Channel. He's also working with other Canadian artists on their projects, including a new Sarah Slean EP and a J.D. Fortune solo record.

"I'm in the middle of recording guitar parts for J.D.," elaborates Tanna. "He did the INXS thing and now he has a whole bunch of his own songs to come.

"I moved up to Peterborough to raise my family, so we set up a studio here. The record should be done in a couple of weeks."

Tanna says an IME reunion is unlikely right now with all that on his plate, but that's not to say it won't eventually happen.

"I think when we started the band, it was because we felt the need to say something. Until I have something to say, I don't even want to pick up a guitar.

"We have so many ideas, but we left the band in a really good spot. I just don't want it getting to a point where it's a bunch of bitter old guys getting together just to stroke their egos or make money or anything."