RBC desiFEST 2009 Artists
Toronto | Vancouver | MontrealPrevious | 1 of | Next
 |
NAME:: Shakti Dance Society
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver 10 SECOND BIO:: Anusha Fernando is the artistic director of Shakti Dance Society. Shakti Dance is a society that promotes Bharata Natyam Indian Classical Dance through teaching, performance and production. The society focuses on both traditional training as well as creating works that illuminate the creative potential of the form. |
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Anusha Fernando is the artistic director of Shakti Dance Society. Shakti Dance is a society that promotes Bharata Natyam Indian Classical Dance through teaching, performance and production. The society focuses on both traditional training as well as creating works that illuminate the creative potential of the form.
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Bob Mann is a veteran of the South Asian music scene for more than 13 years. He first got into music when he was 15 as a DJ and has opened for Bally Sagoo, DCS and Safri Boys. In 1996, Bob decided to try his hand at producing music and released “One and Only Kuldip Manak Remixes” with his brother. But DJ’ing and producing weren’t enough for Bob, so he pursued singing under the guidance of Professor Gurdev Singh Phull and later with Sashi Lata-Virk, two well-respected gurus in the music industry. Leap forwards to 2009, Bob has his own recording studio and has sung with RDB, Juggy D and Rishi Rich. He’s also produced for fellow RBC desiFESTers BattleKATT and Blitzkrieg!
http://www.myspace.com/bobmann
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Calgary
10 SECOND BIO::
Sonal from Calgary will be releasing her first album in 2009. For Sonal, music has always been a source of inspiration but only now, is she going public with her passion and her talent. With a strong sense of melody and an innate ability to harmonize, Sonal, also a songwriter, infuses catchy melodies within hip-hop and soul-tinged frames.
http://www.myspace.com/sonalmusic
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Shalini, a young and vibrant singer/songwriter pursued her passion for singing at the tender age of 8 when she became the youngest student to join her school choir. Her passion for music started even younger at the age of 3 when she began piano lessons. She is now an accomplished Pianist earning a Grade 10 with the Royal Conservatory of Music. However, Vancouver knows Shalini for her beautiful voice, contagious smile and smooth lyrics. In 2008, Shalini wrote “Praise You Lover”, an original piece and first single from her upcoming “Beautiful Dangerous” album.
http://www.shalinimusic.com
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Together, BattleKATT, Alan Africa, B.Morales, Hollywuud, Rikk Lightyear and Scape form the collective known as Reign City. Reign City’s 6 years in the industry has paid off as they have worked on tracks featuring Avril Lavigne and fellow RBC desiFESTer Bob Mann. In addition to making urban music, this talented group also produces a webcast series that is self-titles.
http://www.myspace.com/reigncityent
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=1155987904253&subj=511101316
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Joya has lived up to his name, meaning ‘researcher’, as it has taken him almost seven years of hard work and determination for him to come up with his own style of music that he feels will be appreciated by Afghans and Persians alike. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Joya migrated to Pakistan in 1996 and joined the school choir in 1999. Joya has also taken classes under well known vocal teacher Ustad Saleem Khan. His influences include traditional Farsi and Hindi music and grew to include the likes of Bob Marley and John Legend after he moved to Canada in 2002. His first album, ‘Joya’, includes influences for all of his many musical interests.
http://www.najeebjoya.com/najeebjoya/WELCOME_TO_NAJEEB_JOYA.COM.html
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Having lost sight in both of his eyes because of retinoblastoma cancer when he was just 6 months old, Juggy Jag experiences the world through music. He performed on stage for the first time at the tender age of 6 and now at 14 he has performed over 350 stage shows including various charity events and just released is first album ‘Juggy De Nakhare’. Juggy can sing in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and English and last year his vocal experience and range helped him win the Ek Tara singing competition which was open to ages 10 – 55 years.
http://juggyjag.com/
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Desi Detour is a fusion rock band that represents a true fusion of cultures, ideals and personalities by fusing traditional South Asian lyrics and rhythms with contemporary western rock music…Desi Rock…if you will. The band’s influences come from the Foo Fighters, Metallica, Nirvana and Junoon. Desi Detour consists of Paul on bass, Neehar on guitar and vocals with Quentin on percussion. Since they formed in 2007, Desi Detour has been a major supporter of local fundraisers and community events. Their signature sound is one unlike any other in the RBC desiFEST stage this year.
http://www.desidetour.ca/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713849602&ref=ts#/group.php?gid=8431007349
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Bombay Sapphire came together on New Year’s Eve 2007 to perform for the first time and since then, have been rocking Vancouver into a storm. Headed by former Anaamika vocalist, Jazz, the group includes the talented Kal-M, Hollywood Harv, Hardy, Gurmeet, Raveen and the young K-MA2, this group brings UK-Bhangra classics a little West Coast flavour. Their sole goal is get other South Asians inspired by and inspired to get into music.
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Avtar Rai burst onto the Bhangra scene in 2008 with the release of his first album “Just Rai”. As a child, Avtar was easily distracted by harmonies and music, and took almost any opportunity to sing. As he matured, so did his craft and with the support of family and friends, he was able to overcome certain obstacles to realize his dreams. Today, his songs “Gabroo” and “Daru” enjoy thousands of views online.
http://justrai.com/
http://www.myspace.com/justrai
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713849602&ref=ts#/pages/Just-Rai/14558592804?ref=s
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO::
Boasting a rich, versatile voice and an astounding vocal range, Alex Aujla mesmerises
his audiences with his vocal versatility. His creative expression ranges from Semi classical Ghazals to Modern Bollywood, and Bhangra. His passion has taken him internationally to perform for countless shows and he is presently working to release an album in the near future. Alex’s electrifying performances reveal his versatility, passionate energy and his unconditional and enthusiastic devotion to the art of music.
Performance Time:: Afternoon
HOMETOWN:: Vancouver
10 SECOND BIO:: * Formed in 2006, beginning with Nick Chowlia on keys, Pip Dhaliwal on drums, Ravi Binning on dhol, Jatinder Dhesi (JP) on dholak and Ricky Thinda on bass guitar, later adding vocalist Inder Kooner * Have shared the stage with legendary bhangra artists such as Malkit Singh, RDB, and Jassi Sidhu among many others
http://www.myspace.com/enkarma
http://www.enkarma.ca
HOMETOWN:: Toronto
10 SECOND BIO:: * Triple-threat vocalist/songwriter/producer who sings in English, Hindi and Punjabi * Musical journey began at the age of 12 as a winner of Bollywood’s most popular music TV show Antakhshari * Has performed at over 300 live shows and festivals worldwide, including the Miss India-Canada Beauty Pageant, Desi Idol and many more * Boasts one of the highest viewed MySpace & YouTube profiles amongst independent artists in Canada, in part due to the success of the hit single “Jadoo” with Blitzkrieg and Roach Killa * His debut album No Boundaries is set to be released Summer 2009 under major label banners in India and the UK
http://www.parichayonline.com
http://www.myspace.com/parichay
HOMETOWN:: Toronto
10 SECOND BIO:: * Opened for the likes of Russell Peters, Kardinal Offishal and Panjabi MC * Performs regularly across Canada, the States and the UK * Shot music video for hit single “Nothing Like Me” live on stage at RBC desiFEST Toronto 2008
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jay-Deala-of-M-Way-Entertainment-Inc/21389215404
HOMETOWN:: Mississauga
10 SECOND BIO:: * World’s predominant South Asian hip-hop artist, has performed across Canada, the States and the UK including a BBC Asian Network university tour * Was first discovered by legendary DJ/producer Panjabi MC, who featured tracks from a Blitzkrieg mixtape on the online radio show 60 Minutes of Desi * Name means “lightning warfare” given to this hip-hop artist by his friend Robby who was the unfortunate victim of a triple homicide in Toronto * Has collaborated with cream of the crop of UK South Asian industry including Mentor Kolektiv, Tigerstyle, Bikram Singh, Punjabi Hit Squad and The Sona Family * 3 singles in the BBC Asian Network top 10, has been featured on the BBC Asian Network’s live music showcase on BBC2 * His debut album The Rhyme Book earned him two UK Asian Music Award nominations – Best Newcomer and Best Urban Act
http://www.getblitz.com
http://www.myspace.com/twenty2k
HOMETOWN:: Toronto
10 SECOND BIO::
Meditating Minds Entertainment (MME) was established in 2002 by founder and CEO Rocky Jeyam to fill the void in the Canadian urban landscape. MME has evolved into one of Canada’s rising entertainment companies in just five years. The success of MME is largely due to our unique core group of artist’s and producers. Our artist’s come from a wide variety of cultural and social backgrounds that resonate through our music.
http://www.meditatingmindsent.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=62601962
HOMETOWN:: Sebha, Libya
10 SECOND BIO::
Roach was born in a small city called Sebha, in Libya which is in the heart of the Sahara desert. At the age of ten, him and his family were forced to migrate to Canada due to the country’s educational limits. At the age of 12, Roach was introduced to the life of urban music and from the first sounds of reggae, he fell in love with the culture which inspired him to become a reggae artist. At the early age of 14, Roach collaborated with producers from the Greater City of Toronto and released an underground Reggae album called “ROACHSTAFARIAN” of which he sold 6000 units across North America.
The New Album titled “ The Revolution” with its first single Yara Dildara dropping in Fall.
http://www.myspace.com/roachkilladot
