Blackstratblues is a solo project of Warren Mendonsa, who is a guitarist, songwriter, producer and recording engineer. The current lineup is augmented by Jai Row Kavi on Drums, Adi Mistry on Bass and Beven Fonseca on Keys. Their music is predominantly instrument, consisting of a blend of Blues, Rock & 70's Psychedelia with strong melodic and occasional electronic influences.

The band has played some prestigious gigs such as NH7 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017), Sulafest 2012, Indigo & Blues 2012 and Mahindra Blues Fest 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 & 2018, where they shared the stage

with their heroes Tedeschi Trucks Band and Doyle Bramhall II.

Three Blackstratblues albums have topped the all India iTunes Charts, a first for an Indian indie artist.

From 2010 to 2020, Warren had been based largely in India. He played as a live sessions guitarist with AR Rahman, Vishal &

Shekhar, Amit Trivedi, Pritam & Karsh Kale. He has been featured as lead guitarist on hit songs like Bang Bang, Ghungroo, and AR Rahman’s 99 songs. He also appeared on Coke Studio Season 2 with Karsh and Ehsaan-Loy, and on Season 3 with Amit Trivedi, Salim-Suleiman, Hitesh Sonik & Clinton Cerejo, and on Season 4 with Amit Trivedi.

In mid 2020 Warren moved back to New Zealand with his wife and daughter. He spends his time recording & mixing,teaching and doing guitar sessions remotely (Vishal & Shekhar, Pritam & Amit Trivedi among others) and composing music for TV and films.

After moving back to New Zealand, Warren released a pandemic-themed album called Hindsight is 2020 that came out in

2021. It featured jai Row Kavi & Cole Goodley on Drums and Komorebi on vocal textures. The other instruments were all

played by Warren, recording at his new home studio in Auckland. The album topped Apple Music’s rock charts for India.

Their first live album titled L.I/O.V.E was released in 2022.