July 19, 2024 |
Diversity has become quite the buzzword over the past decade. Rooted in a positive and necessary intention, the term has nevertheless fallen victim to virtue signalling, with tokenism often being observed and experienced in a host of environments as a result.
Despite seeming to anchor itself in social and political progressivism, the contemporary music industry has not managed to avoid this harmful trend, well-intentioned or not. Artists from minority backgrounds already face a host of barriers which make it harder for them to break into creative industries, meaning that the pool of talent established enough to get booked for gigs or sets starts smaller than it should. Pairing this with the restrictive nature of events, where only a certain number of artists can be booked, the situation lends itself to musicians from minority backgrounds being assumed to represent the sonic style and taste of everyone from their respective community. In some instances, the expectation is even taller, with artists from minority ethnicities or sexualities presumed to reflect the work of underrepresented groups as a whole.
These factors considered, perhaps the trick for true diversity is carving space for minority groups to explore, develop and celebrate the breadth of their talent, rather than squeezing it all into one, carefully sized and, at times, strictly policed box.
Enter Dialled In – an artist-led collective that platforms the breadth of South Asian artistry. Taking place on July 20, the group is putting on Dialled In: Manchester, a three-stage festival that will celebrate the eclecticism of South Asian music with a line-up populated by pop, rock, indie, folk, house, jazz, electronic and club artists. Founded in 2021, Dialled In has hosted parties in a variety of high-profile venues including Printworks (R.I.P), the V&A and the Southbank Centre. Since then, it’s been instrumental in championing South Asian talent and connecting communities across the UK. Ahead of its incoming function, we sat down with some of the DJs performing to discuss how their heritage has impacted their music taste, how they navigate the industry and what they’re most looking forward to about their sets.
Gracie T
How would you describe your sonic style in three words?
Bassy, fun and unexpected
How has your South Asian background influenced your music?
As someone with dual heritage, I have sometimes struggled to situate myself musically within South Asian culture. I definitely made a conscious effort during the pandemic to learn more about Sri Lankan Tamil music and discovered lots of artists making dance music using Tamil inspirations. Spaces like Dialled In have really helped me feel connected to a community and find my sound!
What are you most excited about your set at Dialled In?
I can’t wait to perform with legends Metz and Trix, we’ll be bringing some bassline energy from Sheffield alongside their usual garage hits. You might also catch me at the after party spinning some high energy tunes.
As a South Asian gender minority how do you navigate the DJ industry as a white and male dominated space?
I’ve been in the music scene from a young age, playing drums in bands from the age of eight and whatever music scene you’re in, it’s always a similar story of having to fight for your space as a gender minority. I’ve faced a lot of microaggressions and outright aggressions too in the DJ industry but it’s just made me more determined to create safe spaces through Dialled In and my collective The Beatriarchy.
Who is an up and coming South Asian artist from a gender minority everyone should have on their radar?
You absolutely need to catch Lotus Phaze at Dialled In, she’s an insane producer and an amazing DJ. Alongside her, Nahi Mitti, Jameela, Sunnies, Haaji Ka Halva and Harpriya are all very talented up and coming producers and DJs who you need to catch at the festival!
What should people expect to see from you in the next few years?
Expect more workshops spreading education in the music scene to people who are often excluded from it, more festival takeovers and lots of fun shows!
Jameela
What are three things people can expect from your mixes?
Subs, dubs and wubs.
Your sound is very energetic and fun – what’s one track of yours that always gets people to the dance floor?
24/7 by Sam Interface (ft. Fox)
How does it feel to be playing at an event that champions South Asian music like Dialled In’?
It feels like being part of something historic. When I started DJing I never imagined a community of South Asian creatives and events like this existing. It is something very special and I’m honoured to be part of it.
Who is one DJ you’re excited to see at Dialled In?
Difficult question because the lineup is stacked. But I have to say DJ Radical Sista – the first woman DJ on the Daytimers scene. [There’s] a picture of her DJing in a salwar kameez in the 1990 [and it’s] iconic.
As a South Asian female, how do you navigate the DJ industry as a white and male-dominated space?
I think it’s near impossible to navigate the industry on your own. Connecting with the people who are aligned with you, support you and want to platform you for the right reasons. Looking back I’ve felt like a token on some lineups, but what’s kept me going is being connected to some great collectives who have believed in me and given me great opportunities – Slut Drop, Dub Sirens, Daytimers and now Dialled In.
Manj
Describe a mix by Manj in three words
Nostalgic, heavy, and euphoric.
How has your South Asian background influenced your music?
My South Asian background has influenced my music in a number of ways. On one side of the coin, my grandad was heavily involved at the Gurdwara, especially with music and prayer. My mum has been playing sitar for as long as I can remember, and my dad played the tabla. Music was on 24/7 in the car, no matter what, and I was exposed to a plethora of wide-ranging sounds growing up. As a result of my elders’ musicality, I was encouraged to learn an instrument and played the piano until I was about 13. This really laid the foundation for my musical understanding and general interest in the subject.
On the other side of the coin, as a Panjabi lad growing up in Birmingham, music was and is a staple in the culture. It soundtracks our parties, weddings, and friendly gatherings. I had dhol lessons at secondary school and developed a deeper passion for music as a whole, experimenting with production at 14. Birmingham has local legends such as B21 and Bally Jagpal, who were some of the first to fuse folk music with Western dance music, oftentimes with UKG. These tracks carry immeasurable amounts of nostalgia, which has undoubtedly influenced my style and sound in my own productions.
Last year you performed at Boiler Room Southall and this year you’re performing at Dialled In – why is it important for you to perform at events that highlight South Asian talent and how does it feel?
It’s important for me to perform at such events as it gives us a place to really showcase the talent the South Asian community has to offer on a large scale. Having the opportunity to perform at Boiler Room was truly a blessing – a whole Boiler Room celebrating South Asian artistry! It’s testament to the talent that exists in our community. I hope this inspires people from the South Asian community to really pursue their passions and dreams, knowing that they are not excluded from such opportunities just because of who they are.
What’s the best thing about the South Asian music community?
The feeling of togetherness and unity, and the diversity of sounds from different regions. Everyone wants to see everyone else win, and everyone wants to give everyone else opportunities where they can. It’s easy to collaborate as we are all pursuing a common goal – to be recognised in spaces where we are usually cast aside. Dialled In are really changing this narrative, exemplified by Arrivals at Glastonbury. Daytimers were the first people to put me on a club lineup and Dialled In have shown love year after year. Manara and Panjabi Hit Squad from BBC Asian Network have constantly supported me as a creative and have helped in giving me opportunities that I probably would have never had if it wasn’t for them.
Who are three South Asian artists everyone should have on their radar?
Felix Dubs, A.S. Kullar, and Kishan.
Vedic Roots
You set up a lot of music events in Southall like the memorial for Jah Shaka, what does Southall have to offer the music industry?
Southall is our home and it’s where our passion for dub and reggae music blossomed. Growing up with iconic venues like Tudor Rose and Southall Community Centre on our doorstep, we’ve always been part of a tight-knit community that deeply values music. Southall has a rich and diverse musical heritage that makes it a unique and vibrant part of the music industry. It’s not just about the events; it’s about the people and the community. Southall is a massive music scene in itself, a home away from home for many. We’re proud to contribute to that legacy and want to ensure it continues to flourish.
How has the classic car and soundsystem scene in Southall influenced your experience as a DJ?
We wouldn’t class ourselves as DJs but as selectors and operators of the sound system. The classic car and sound system scene in Southall has had a huge impact on our journey. Before we even had our own sound system, we used to test bass frequencies in our cars. It was a way to experiment and perfect our sound. Classic cars are a passion for many in our community, including ourselves. Growing up, we were surrounded by elder uncles and cousins who were car enthusiasts. Being exposed to this from a young age naturally drew us into the scene. There’s something special about driving down the streets of Southall and hearing reggae music blasting from classic cars.
What is one thing you’re most looking forward to at this year’s Dialled In festival?
I’m really looking forward to the sound resonating with everyone at the festival uplifting the vibes. It’s always exciting to see people from all cultures and backgrounds coming together to enjoy music. And of course, I’m excited to indulge in one of my favourite South Asian dishes, Vada Pau from Dishoom.
Last year you performed at Boiler Room Southall, at Glastonbury this year for the first ever South Asian dedicated space and this year you’re performing at Dialled In’, how does it feel to be part of these spaces that are driving South Asian music representation?
We love our culture, so being part of these spaces that are driving South Asian music representation is truly an honour. It feels unreal to know that we are having an impact on better representation. We love showcasing our heritage, celebrating our community, and opening doors for future generations. We’ve seen many artists playing on our sound system, experimenting with all genres of music, and it’s amazing to see their faces light up when they truly feel the music.
Who are three South Asian artists everyone should have on their radar?
There are so many talented South Asian artists making waves right now, but three you should definitely have on your radar are DJ Arjxn, Golden Roots, and Avz (Sehmi Skimmed) who are all making big moves for our community.
Lotus Phaze
If you had to sum up the style of your music in just three words, what would they be?
Energetic, Bassy, Unpredictable.
How has your South Asian and Leeds background influenced your music?
There was always South Asian music playing in our house, on TV and on road trips with the family. My parents made sure that we were exposed to South Asian music early on in life, as it was a way to teach my sibling and I about our culture and languages. So, I feel that it’s only natural to incorporate these sounds and rhythms it into my curations and projects. I also grew up in Canada at a time where there were a lot of South Asian producers and artists promoting their music, and more fusion sounds were being shown in Indian movies and even at nightclubs by the time I started university. It wasn’t until I moved to the UK a few years ago that I became more influenced by the sounds here, so I guess it makes sense to try to blend all these influences and create something unique.
How does it feel to be playing at an event that champions South Asian music like Dialled In?
I feel so honoured to be playing for Dialled In, as its always so refreshing to see more South Asian representation in the UK music scene as it’s long overdue in my opinion! I appreciate the team as well for working hard to curate and showcase what it means to be an artist with South Asian heritage without being confined to a narrow box. Not many platforms or groups do events like Dialled In, so this is definitely something that I am looking forward to being a part of and am excited to see some of my friends performing on the lineup as well!
Your past sets have been a display of Desi fusion, what is it about Desi music you love?
I think that Desi music has so much variety and depth to it; its hard to choose a single reason why I like to showcase it. There’s countless genres that have come out of the diaspora and its just great to be able to play it and show people who aren’t as familiar with it, that it’s not just one big genre. As somebody who is of Punjabi and Bihari heritage, I think it’s a great way to learn more about where I come from and a way to connect to my culture. It just seems natural to me to use a lot of Desi tracks, edits and mashups in my sets; given the influences that have shaped my musical tastes over the years.
What inspired you to co-found three Leeds-based DJ collectives focused on elevating underrepresented groups, and how do you see the impact of these initiatives on the local music scene and community?
There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to create more opportunities for BIPOC folks in the music industry at all levels. Although there are a few fantastic collectives in Leeds that do similar work to the collectives I co-founded, there was still a noticeable gap for improving representation in the bass and techno scenes. I used to get frustrated about the lack of representation and the assumptions that were made by other promoters when it came to bookings. My friends and I decided to cultivate our own platforms and communities; and we haven’t looked back since! It’s lead to some great moments and collaborations and we’re proud of the fact that it’s also opened doors for other folks as well. We are huge on prioritising safer spaces at our events, and it’s nice to see some folks becoming regulars at our events as they feel safe going to them. Just want to give a big shoutout to the collectives: Global Bass Union, TechTechTech Leeds, and Lilac Unknown!
Photography by Avel Shah. Purchase tickets for Dialled In: Manchester here.
