Untitled - desiFEST

SATS B
/satsb
/sats.b
/satsb
/channel/UCEpY-lIiBa9KnSUHJM2ElbA
/satsb/
bysathish.com
Founder and CEO of two nationally recognized companies, Sathish Bala
embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. His digital marketing firm
BlueBand Digital is one of the top ten agencies in Canada and his notfor profit organization, desiFEST holds one of the largest South Asian
music showcases in North America. His diverse range of interests
demonstrates how passion can lead to success.
From his start at Ryerson to founding his own company, Sathish has
worked all his life to create a life that matters to him and those
around him. Hustle is something he believes in and preaches about
every day. In 2006, he founded BlueBand Digital, a technology
solutions agency that employs a talented group of more than 20
individuals across a variety of disciplines to service a diverse range of
clients across North America. With over 20 years of experience
pioneering new marketing initiatives, his focus is on technological
innovation that allows brands to connect with their consumers,
through marketing strategies carefully constructed to emphasize
digital and social behaviours.
Sathish strives to inspire and encourage success through action. As a
hands-on CEO, working with the team and developing winning ideas
collaboratively is a key part of this leadership style and successes. His
passion for helping youth overcome obstacles in his community lead to
the foundation of desiFEST, a music festival dedicated to South Asian
Urban Music across Canada and abroad. ‘Getting and giving back’ are
two important parts of his life and this is baked into the culture of his
businesses. Sathish supports a variety community programs through
profit allocation from his business ventures.
DJ A-SLAM
/a_slam
/hussein_dj_a_slam
/deejayaslam
/channel/UCUOcDivDr5Qshv9ClPcnXrg
/a_slam
DJ A-SLAM is a Juno-nominated and Western Canadian-award winning
DJ and music producer. He has made a name for himself in the Urban
Desi music scene having toured in 5 countries. He is now working on a
new EDM project titled Global Party Starters. A-SLAM along with SatsB
and other Canadian producers will be bringing their Desi Urban sound
to the EDM world, taking inspiration from groups like Major Lazer. Join
the #GPSMusic movement by following "Global Party Starters" on
Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. You can hear GPS
podcasts and remixes on their SoundCloud and Mixcloud pages. Make
sure you listen to their most recent release IVIVI Part II, a remix of
Lilly Singh and Humble the Poet's IVIVI.
LUKSIMI SIVANESWARALINGAM
/luksimimusic
/luksimimusic
/luksimimusic
/luksimisivamusic
Luksimi Sivaneswaralingam is a Carnatic vocal student who is also well
versed in Bharatanatyam, veena, piano and Western classical vocals.
She is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto with a
Bachelor of Music – Voice Performance (Western classical), and a
Bachelor of Music – Carnatic Vocal from Annamalai University Canada
Campus, and teaches at Wilfrid Laurier University. Luksimi won first
place at the international Innisai Kural 2006 competition in Canada
and the UK. In 2008, Luksimi sang her first film song, Valimeethu and
the title song for the Tamil Canadian movie Appa. Luksimi has also
featured on albums and performed on stage with many accomplished
international artists. Singing fluently in many languages, including
Tamil, English, Hindi, German, Italian, French and Latin amongst
many, in various styles such as film songs, Carnatic, Western Classical
and popular genres, Luksimi hopes to take her career as a singer to
international platforms.
RAAGZ ENTERTAINMENT
/gogiragz
/raagzent
/raghugogi05
Raagz Entertainment is your one stop shop for the most talented and
versatile Bollywood singers and performers. Shruti is a Toronto-born
artist with a rare combination of talents, ranging from classical to
fusion music and dance. She has performed on several national and
international platforms. Bhagyashree is a soulful vocalist who enthralls
her audiences by singing a wide variety of Bollywood, fusion, folk &
semi-classical styles. Gogi is a complete entertainer and performer
who will steal everyone's hearts with his dance moves and charisma.
Hold your breath and enjoy their scintillating performance.
THE KOMINAS
/TheRealKominas
/Kominas
kominas
The Kominas are a situationalist punk band, á la Sex Pistols. Much like
the Pistols’ Anarchy in the UK or God Save the Queen, The Kominas
wrote songs like Sharia Law in the USA and No One’s Gonna Honor Kill
My Baby But Me.
Having released four albums to date, The Kominas have received
praise from notable thought leaders like Rolling Stone, VICE, FADER,
NPR, and The Guardian. They have shared stages with Jello Biafra, DJ
Rekha, Black Lips, Heems, King Khan, Bobby Friction, and Discharge.
The band was featured in an award-winning documentary entitled
Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam.
The band launched their latest album Stereotype to much critical
acclaim in 2015, and premiered a thought-provoking music video
tackling xenophobia for the single See Something, Say Something in
conjunction with NPR Music. They also reworked a classic Pakistani
burlesque tune by Noor Jehan into the theme song for the upcoming
documentary Zunn: Showgirls of Pakistan.
SHAFT Z’S SUR-MALA
/Shaft.RC
/BalikaMegh
Shafayet Chowdhury is a natural singer and performer. He is a senior
business analyst/project manager in the Toronto financial industry. As
a multilingual singer, fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, he has the
capability to connect to audiences through language. He was one of
the top 100 contestants on Canadian Idol in 2008 and later on
continued to support charitable organizations through music. In 2009,
he performed at the President’s Choice Financial Fundraising
Campaign. In addition to his passion for music, he also has learned
dancing.
MME - MEDITATING MINDS ENTERTAINMENT
/question416
/RockyJeyam
/question416
/ruleakarajsingh
/MmeMusicInc
/mmemusicinc
/question416
/mmemusic
www.mmemusicinc.com
MME Music Inc. was founded in 2005 by Rocky Jeyam and consists of
members Question416 and Raj Singh. Question416 is a mainstream hiphop artist and Raj Singh is an R&B singer with a soulful voice.
Together they have produced 3 critically acclaimed albums, The
Beginning, Harmony and Project Freedom available on iTunes and
various other outlets. The trio have collaborated with many well know
local and international artists like Collie Buddz, Snow, Harpoon Missile,
Choclair, Kat Eyez, ,Roach Killa and Blessed B just to name a few, and
have performed in some of the best venues in Canada. Currently,
Question416 is touring Canada coast to coast promoting his upcoming
debut album slated for worldwide release in July 2016. A global tour
reaching Europe and South Asia is in the works.
XD PRO MUSIC
/xdpromusic
/beatsbydms
/shaan_sangha
/xdpromusic
/beatsbydms
/shaansangha
/xdpromusic
/dmsmusic
/channel/UCbmEJHKEz93507S-IOdWHKw
/xdpromusic
xdpromusic.wix.com/xdpromusic
XD Pro Music is a production duo fusing various genres with their own
style to bring a unique vibe. Their sets are known to be upbeat with
heavy bass lines mixing music from all around the globe. Both being
trained sound engineers and producers, their production stands out as
something new and fresh. They have shut down events with over
4,000+ in attendance and continue on their quest to play in some of
the biggest venues known. When they are not performing live, they
are in the studio working with upcoming artists to invent new styles
and are always pushing boundaries. XD's true motivation behind their
music is to collaborate and inspire upcoming artists.
MOHUA PARIAL
/SingerShobha /mandeepmusic
/SargamStudio
/mohuamelodies /SingerShobha /mandeepgandhimusic /SargamStudio
/mohua.parial
/mohuaparial
Mohua Parial is a melodious and soulful Toronto-based vocalist and
recording artist who is passionate about singing. She is currently
training in Hindustani music with Pt. Deoghoria and performs various
genres of music in Hindi and Bengali. Her broad range of singing
talents, from Hindustani classical to Indian folk music, to ghazals, to
Bollywood, gives her the versatility that every artist desires.
Sumon Sarkar is an exceptionally talented singer, performer, and
recording artist originally from West Bengal, India currently based in
Toronto, Canada. He has been entertaining Indian music enthusiasts of
North America for numerous years. With his mellifluous voice and
charming stage-presence, Sumon never fails to mesmerize his
audience!
Jay Aashar is an award-winning, versatile vocalist from Mumbai, India.
He has been enthralling audiences all over North America and has sung
alongside artists like Sunidhi Chauhan and Asha Bhosle. Along with
being a singer, Jay is also an accomplished keyboardist.
Mandeep Gandhi is a versatile, talented, and passionate percussionist
who started playing drums and tabla and has since added dhol, dholak
and world percussion to his skill-set. Mandeep performs regularly with
the Sargam Studio Live Band led by his father, Deepak Gandhi, a wellknown, talented, and seasoned keyboard player, arranger, and music
producer in North America!
MIZZ TAJ
/mizz_taj
/mizztaj
/mizztaj
/channel/UCO7_2j9yXK6i1Op5lnkSq6g
/mizztaj
mizztaj
Mizz Taj is a rapper, singer, songwriter and model from Toronto,
Canada. Her style consists of an urban concept while infusing her
Punjabi roots into her music through lyrics, sound and style. Mizz Taj
is a trained dancer and has won three international dance
competitions with her bhangra team (Nachdi Jawani Girls) as well as
solo Bollywood and group hip-hop competitions. She has acted in films
such as Speedy Singhs and was featured in countless music videos. This
year Mizz Taj releases her debut single Top Girl" with world-renowned
producers Tigerstyle and look out for Come Up produced by XD Pro
Music.
Mizz Taj has had a love for and a strong presence in the arts world
from a very young age when she performed as a professional dancer
and fell deeply in love with hip-hop. This passion to move got her onto
many stages in Toronto and internationally and she was noticed by
Toronto's entertainment industry movers and shakers. This led to many
collaborations and short appearances in the Bollywood scene and
solidified Mizz Taj in the recording world. She then made her way to
the UK, the mecca of the South Asian urban music. This led to the
ultimate collaboration for Mizz Taj as a rapper/singer/songwriter that
opened doors to amazing opportunities, which she is most proud of
today!
MISHAL KHAWAJA
/mishalmusic
/mishalmusic
/mishalmkmusic
/channel/UCvr7UNesFctIuLhY0x_e5jQ/
/mishalmusic
Born in Pakistan. Raised in Brampton. Mishal is determined to set a
footprint in the Canadian music industry.
From an early age, Mishal developed a passion for music and song
writing. However, she convinced herself that pursuing the arts was not
a practical career option for a first-generation Canadian raised within
a traditional family. She went on to pursue a formal education,
completing her studies in Psychology and Human Resource
Management and spent the next few years working in the financial
services industry.
As time went on, she continued to feel an urge to challenge the norm
and, most of all, challenge herself. With the love and support of her
family and friends, she has gained the confidence to make music,
releasing two singles - Murder and Do You Feel It featuring Sickick.
Being a singer and songwriter is not only a dream but also a journey of
self-discovery - a personal challenge to overcome her fears and
revolutionize traditional views surrounding South Asian women in the
creative industry.
MILI SOCH
/milisoch
/soch_music
/mili.act
Mili Soch is a rapper and hip-hop artist best defined as 'boundarybreaking' and 'thought-invoking'. Soch brings a new perspective to Desi
hip-hop by incorporating authentic urban sounds to create the Desi
hip-hop experience, as it should be heard. His sources of inspiration
and influences reflect in his flow and are diverse as his lyrical
attributes. One can truly feel the depth of the underground, and the
artistic emotion behind the rhymes and metaphors.
The fusion between modern pop acoustics driven with hip-hop culture,
melded with an Indian influence is the essence of what Soch
represents. Mili Soch's mission is for Indian music to be recognized
worldwide on a commercial level reflected by the international
diaspora of South Asians. NRI or a resident of Mumbai, the connection
is undeniable.
DEENA JOHN
/d3john
Deena John is an aspiring artist from Toronto. She was a worship
leader, singing gospel music at her community church for more than 5
years.
Her father, a well-known Indian singer in the community, taught her
everything she knows about Hindustani and Carnatic music.
Deena's versatility as a singer ranges across various genres including:
Bollywood, Indian folk, Sufi, Indian classical and gospel. She not only
sings in Hindi and English, but also Malayalam, Bengali, Tamil,
Kannada, and Telegu.
JAI MATT
/jai_matt
/jaimatt
/jaimatt
/JaiMattOfficial
/Jai_Matt
Jai Matt is a rising star in the Urban Desi scene that the current youth
are listening to. He is the singer from the 2015 summer hit Lean On
Rangeela which hit 100k views on YouTube and over 400k plays on
SoundCloud. Lean On Rangeela has been played on multiple BBC Asian
Network radio shows such as the show hosted by Yasser and on Baba
Kahn's show The Fix on G98.7FM in Canada. Jai Matt has also released
many other hit tracks including Habibi Aaya Hai, which was played on
BBC Asian Network by Kan D Man and DJ Limelight.
DEEP JANDU
/deepjandu
/deepjandu
/deepjandumusic
/deepjandumusic
www.deepjandu.com
After releasing his debut album titled Nach at the age of 18, Deep
continues to stride as his music is setting new standards. Post-album
releases have showcased Deep’s versatile ability, live band videos, and
collaborations with urban artists.
Whether it’s a bhangra competition, banquet hall, or a concert, the
charisma and energy Deep brings to the stage is unparalleled. With his
powerful hard-hitting voice, Deep Jandu has created a niche for
himself in the Punjabi music market.
SHAHID ALI KHAN
/shahidalikhan.khan.315
/Shahid_Ali_Khan_(Qawwal_singer)
Shahid Ali Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and brought up in a
family of Qawwali musicians. He now resides in Toronto, Ontario, but
tours globally. He studied under Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and later had
the pleasure of performing alongside him.
Shahid has appeared on numerous local media outlets and performed
at multiple festivals, notably showcasing a stellar performance and
acceptance award at IIFA Rocks. Shahid released his first CD in Canada
in November 2006. He was officially invited to sing for The Queen and
his music was featured in The Passion of the Christ.
ANITA LERCHE
/anitalerche
/anitalerchemusic
/AnitaLercheMusic
/AnitaLercheMusic
/anitalerchemusic
anitalerche.com
Award-winning Danish Punjabi singer Anita Lerche is also known as
‘Heer from Denmark’ is an award-winning singer-songwriter, composer
and actress, trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
Although Anita has sung in a total of sixteen different languages, she
was the first non-Asian woman from the West to release an album in
Punjabi.
Anita is the Danish voice of Barbie in Toy Story 2 & Toy Story 3 as well
as the Indian plane Ishani in Disney’s Planes. She has performed her
own Punjabi songs in the Danish version of Dancing with the Stars.
Documentaries, namely Fra Herlev ‘til Bollywood (From Herlev to
Bollywood), DR2 (Denmark), Kashish Punjab Di (The Attraction of
Punjab), and Doordarshan (India), have been produced about her.
Anita’s latest album Sadke Punjab Ton is making great waves, with her
new videos having been viewed by over 10 million music lovers on
YouTube.
EN KARMA
/EnKarma
/enkarma
/EnKarma
/EnKarmaBand
enkarma.ca
Founded by Pip Dhaliwal (drums), Nick Chowlia (keyboards), Inder
Cooner (vox), Ricky Thinda (bass), and Karm Cooner (dhol), En Karma
has been steadily Building an international name as the bhangra
scene's 'indie rockers.' Their debut album En Karma hit #1 on the
iTunes world music charts, followed up with Enkarmafied which hit #2
on the iTunes world music charts. En Karma has been performing
shows and festivals around North America to very mixed diversities and
backgrounds since 2007 and audiences have been blown away by the
electrifying energy.
En Karma is a distinct and unmatched commodity in the bhangra
industry. The only World Bhangra rock band in North America, En
Karma's members deliver musicianship and performance abilities
without compare. Drawing on their UK influences for live band
arrangements and infused with their more contemporary influences in
North America, En Karma has created a unique World Bhangra sound
that has audiences from all diversities mesmerized by their drum &
dhol beats.
H-DHAMI
/HDHAMIMUSIC
/hdhamimusic
/hdhamiofficial
/hdhamimusic
hdhami.com
H-Dhami is all set to kick off 2016 with his first release Clap It,
produced by one of North America’s finest, The PropheC. Since the
release of H-Dhami’s debut album Sadke Java in 2008, Dhami has been
working hard and focusing on all aspects of his career, including
touring globally and performing to the masses. He has worked with
some of the finest names in the industry from Rishi Rich to Raghav and
many more creating dancefloor hits, which are played at weddings,
clubs and parties worldwide. H is definitely no stranger to the scene.
Best known for his crowd pleasing music and unique stage presence, HDhami wanted to make it a point not to just release a song for the
sake of it; British Asian music will always have an influence from
various styles and cultures from which it has transcended from and the
real breakthrough comes when artists can take those influences and
combine them with the sound of today to set the bar of what is
achievable in terms of producing a track which holds substance, not to
just top the charts but ultimately have the longevity to be
remembered years down the line.
SIRENS OF SHANTI
/sirensofshanti
/Sirensofshanti
/sirensofshanti
/channel/UC7S1DNwjB160g_4YYLzw9bQ
sirensofshanti.rocks
Sirens of Shanti: the group, the production, the experience is the
brainchild of Tony Singh, formerly of Juno Award-nominated bhangra
septet, Punjabi By Nature. Tony is a writer, performer, and producer
for Sirens of Shanti. His musical training started in high school where
he played the saxophone and then as a percussionist playing with a
variety of bands such as Traction in the 1970’s. He self-produced PBN’s
first 3-song EP.
This led to co-producing (along with late Billy Bryans) Jmpn for Joy,
nominated for the 1996 Juno Award for Best Global Album. West Park
Music distributed that album in Germany. His video Dance with PBN
received a Much Music Video Award nomination in 1995. In 1999, Singh
produced the second album for PBN, Raise the Roof. Singles produced
by Singh have been featured on Here and Now: A Celebration of
Canadian Music. He also toured in North America for the Beastie Boys
and REM side project Tuatara.
DELHI 2 DUBLIN
/delhi2dublin
/delhi2dublin
/delhi2dublin
/delhi2dublin
/delhi2dublin
delhi2dublin.com
Delhi 2 Dublin was started in 2006 as an electronic fusion between
bhangra beats and Celtic fiddle and has since grown into anything from
dub reggae to breakbeats to just straight up happy dance music.
Founded by Tarun Nayar (of Beats Without Borders cred), Sanjay Seran
(at the time, hailing from live bhangra act Signia), and Ravi Binning (a
professionally trained bhangra dancer and dhol player). They have
been touring constantly across Canada, US, UK, Australia, Germany
and Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Dubai.
The band’s new release of We’re All Desi looks to be their strongest
album yet. Embracing the musicianship of new members James
Wallace (guitar) and Serena Eades (fiddle), the band is heavily
influenced by their favourite Bollywood records from the 70s, their
love for funk music, and produced by Nick Middleton (of The Funk
Hunters). Described by one magazine as the “United Nations of rock
‘n’ roll”, the last 9 years of incessant touring have seen Delhi 2 Dublin
become one of Canada’s most buzzed-about bands.
desiFEST
We are a not-for-profit, grassroots organization established to foster and grow the large South Asian Arts Community in Toronto and across
Canada. We help to unify, create awareness and develop new showcase opportunities in Toronto, across Canada and internationally.
From the very beginning, desiFEST’s vision was to build a national infrastructure across Canada to help emerging artists from the South Asian
community to establish their music careers. desiFEST plays a key role in finding, showcasing, and inspiring the next generation of South Asian
artists across Canada. As a national brand, it has helped to expose new artists, support emerging artists and worked with established artists to
help push South Asian music into mainstream Canada. Artists who have performed at desiFEST have gone on to make full albums, form new
bands, play at other festivals, gotten hired for TV and much more. We are very proud of the impact we have had in helping to shape the South
Asian music industry, as well as helping to launch the careers of so many talented musicians.
desiFEST is Canada's only national South Asian music festival held the last Saturday of May in the heart of Toronto at Yonge-Dundas Square and
boasting 12 hours of foot-tapping music. Since inception, desiFEST has expanded to include Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver. We have
also showcased artists from across Canada, UK, US, India, and Pakistan. Toronto is seen as the New York City of Canada, the hub of the music
and entertainment industry. We take pride in showcasing Canadian talent in the core of our city. Heading into our 10th year, we have helped
over 300+ musicians across Canada to gain exposure, collaborate on new music and strengthen the community.
desiFEST is the perfect outlet for a new generation of South Asian artists who are creating new music that combine their eastern and western
influences and to connect our youth to culture; both Canadian and South Asian. Music captures the stories of our generation. In Canada, South
Asian youth have always struggled to find their identity and place in the community. Without an outlet, we don't get an opportunity to engage
the next generation to learn and discover their needs. Music is also a strong bond that unites the various cultures, religions and people that
make up Canada’s South Asian community. desiFEST creates an atmosphere of inclusion and invites everyone from all communities to learn and
enjoy our culture. With a growing population of second and third generation South Asians, desiFEST ensures that there is a focus on continuing
to celebrate South Asian culture and arts, sharing it with all Canadians through music. We also work to ensure our youth remember the roots of
our culture and origins of our values.
SHE ROCKS: ALL FEMALE SHOWCASE
Wednesday, May 25th, 2016 @ Adelaide Hall
• https://www.facebook.com/events/247096592310308/
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jasmine-sandlas-live-she-rockstickets-24579950293
FU*CK CANCER: OPEN SCREAM NIGHT
Thursday, May 26th, 2016 @ Adelaide Hall
• https://www.facebook.com/events/1325780594105524/
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fuck-cancer-open-mic-night-tickets24905744753
FACE THE MUSIC: MUSIC INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
Friday, May 27th, 2016 @ George Vari Engineering & Computing Centre
• https://www.facebook.com/events/1709093216045703/
• http://www.eventbrite.com/e/face-the-music-music-industryconference-tickets-24704142756
desiFEST 2016: 10th ANNIVERSARY
Saturday, May 28th, 2016 @ Yonge-Dundas Square
• https://www.facebook.com/events/235160773503572/