Where Were You in ’92?

Sri Lankan British recording artist M.I.A wants to know.

Her latest track, called XR2, represents a deviation from the trademark hyper-politicized songs of her debut album Arular.

XR2, which hasn’t officially been released yet, is more a re-visitation of 1992 and all of its kitschy pop culture, than it is a journey through her old lyrical stomping grounds (you know: the land of consumerism, teenage prostitution, war, and poverty).

We covered the edgy, punk-ragga princess two years ago and have been fans ever since.

Have a listen to XR2, the ‘Turbo’ remix and let us know what you think.

This song and others are available for downloading on M.I.A.’s MySpace page.

3rd I: A Film Fest for the West

I For India (thirdi.org)

Some of the screenings at 3rd I’s 4th Annual San Francisco International South Asian Film Festival have already sold out online. That’s why you’d better get moving if you’d like to see any of the films in the festival lineup posted below—old, new, classic and cutting-edge—being shown this weekend, November 10-12. 3rd I is a non-profit, national organization committed to promoting diverse images of South Asians in independent film.
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Deesha’s Debut

Canuck crooner Deesha’s hot single Everytime (from the album Life Less Ordinary) is getting some serious play on Canadian and British radio. Deesha’s voice is crazy smooth (like buttah!) and we’re left wondering when American stations will take notice.

Have a listen and tell us what you think, eh?

Need more? Get the dish on Deesha here.

Don’t Miss Zerobridge at CMJ

Back when I was a sprightly college student, I probably would have salivated over the fact that I could check out dozens of great bands at this week’s CMJ Festival in New York. Now that I’m an old lady of nearly 28, I’d rather download a few mp3s and forego the abnormally tall guy and the spiritual hippy twirlie-armed faerie dancing girl inevitable at most concerts.

However, Zerobridge is playing on Thursday, November 2, at the Alphabet Lounge as part of the festival, and I may have to reconsider. Named after an actual bridge in Kashmir’s capital, Srinagar, the band is comprised of Kashmiri brothers Din and Mohsin and bass player Greg. They played at CBGB’s this month before the close of the legendary stage, and a lot of rock’n'roll bigwigs are taking notice of their stuff.

Look for the full story on this incredible band in our upcoming issue of Nirali, but don’t wait to check them out on Thursday!

SPIN Magazine Looks at the Indian Rock Scene

The latest issue of SPIN magazine features a story on the Indian rock scene–and Nirali‘s very own Arun Kale (founder of Split Magazine) is quoted in the piece. Entitled “Bombay the Hard Way,” the article takes you inside India’s headbanger underground. I love the story’s subhead: “India’s new headbangers just want to be heard, but first they must withstand monsoons, avoid terrorist attacks, and drive mom to the airport. Step into their loud new world.”

Arun was pretty instrumental to this story—he took journalist Phil Zabriskie around Mumbai and gave him all sorts of information on the rock scene. Here’s how Arun is quoted in the piece:

Four years ago, says Arun Kale, Mumbai-based editor of Split, an online magazine devoted to Indian rock, “bands that played their own music got booed.” … But while still far from the mainstream, says Kale, “[The scene] progressed to a place where everyone appreciates the music as long as it’s good. Before it was, ‘Okay, we’ll play Metallica and Slayer covers.’ That kept the crowds coming.”

Get your own copy of the magazine or just download the PDF here. In related news, Split will actually be re-launched tomorrow, and it will even feature an Internet radio station for Indian bands. Check it out!

Hai, Hai, Hai and a Bottle of Lassi

The Office folks get down with Diwali.

Nothings spreads holiday cheer like some plucky lyrics set to tender music (see Happy Birthday Jesus and the Kwanzaa Spelling Song: K-W-A-N-Z-A-A!) , so when the cast of NBC’s hit show The Office celebrates Diwali on screen next Thursday, they will be doing so with an aural ode to the Festival of Lights.

Called The Diwali Song , its lyrics are dark (“Don’t invite any zombies/To a celebration of Diwali”), folky (“Along came Polly/To have some fun at Diwali”) and might just convince you to put your old holiday CDs—about flying deer and talking snowmen—into storage for good.

Tune in to NBC at 8:30PM on Thursday, November 2, to catch desi script and screen sensation Mindy Kaling introducing her co-workers to the joys of being Hindu. As a bonus, we are told her real-life parents will be starring in the episode.

In the meantime, pop on your headphones and turn up the volume for this: The Diwali Song (courtesy of NBC Universal).

(PS: Want more on Mindy Kaling and other desi American television writers? Check out the November issue of Nirali for the exclusive).

Ismat’s Note: What do you think? Is the song funny, offensive, or none of the above? Share your thoughts!

Clap Your Hands Say Yaar

The New York Times and Newsweek magazine have both decided she is one of the most influential South Asians in the US. She has performed with Outcast, Rah Digga and The Roots, but is perhaps better known for putting Bhangra on the map (of New York City—at 200 Varick Street, to be exact).

DJ Rekha (née Rekha Malhotra) is the powerhouse behind Basement Bhangra—a popular desi dance destination, and what New York magazine has called “the best party in NYC.”

Last Sunday Rekha was featured on CNN where she dished on identity (“to me it’s a shifting idea”), the future (a CD featuring collaborations with Bikram Singh and Panjabi MC) and what it’s like to be a woman in the male-dominated world of DJs.

The first Thursday of each month you can catch Rekha holding down the decks at the club SOBs—lower Manhattan’s address for Basement Bhangra.

Check out www.sangament.com for details.

Suphala in NYC Tonight

Suphala is a tabla master.

One of the most interesting people I’ve met through Nirali is tabla player Suphala. If you’re in New York City, you have a chance to see this amazing musician tonight. She’s performing at midnight with cellist David Gotay and violinist Yuko Naito at the Spiegeltent at Fulton Fish Market. After her set, King Britt will take the stage. Tickets are just $15.

New York Magazine writes, “Ultrahip tabla player Suphala shares a bill with King Britt, a D.J whose realm spans from jazz to Afro-tech.” What an endorsement! Go for me and enjoy the show, if only because I’ll be dealing with the unenviable task of moving into a new apartment instead.

Rise with Anoushka Shankar

Courtesy of Amazon.com

Chicagoans attending the final concert in the city’s Music Without Borders series were treated to performances by talented sitarist Anoushka Shankar and DJ Karsh Kale. I considered myself a lukewarm fan of Indian classical music at best, but after sitting in the open air Pritzker Pavillion of beautiful Millennium Park in the shadow of Anil Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture, the sounds of Kale’s innovative stylings and Shankar’s sitar blended with electronic music quickly changed my mind. I’m going to check out Shankar’s Rise and Kale’s Broken English and I suggest you do the same.

Luella Bartley & M.I.A.

Luella + M.I.A. Photo: David Sims

Fashion Rocks, a supplement to Condé Nast publications this month, has paired fashion with musicians speaking to personal style and the intersection of the two art forms. One article focuses on fashion designers and their personal musical inspiration. UK designer Luella Bartley cites none other than this girl’s favorite, M.I.A. as her musical inspiration.

The two met in 2000 when M.I.A. and Bartley moved to Notting Hill with Justine Friedmann (of Elastica). At that time, Maya was making documentaries and also her own clothes, confections of “bright flourescent fishnet fabrics.” Of M.I.A. Luella says, “She had an unabashed in-your-face craziness that I loved, admired, and identified with.”

How much do I love that these two were once roommates? Watch Fashion Rocks on September 9 on CBS. Although I wish M.I.A. were performing that day, I think it’s a night mostly dominated by the likes of the Pussycat Dolls and Beyoncé.