Down Under Thunder

In what seems to be a totally genius idea, Kylie Minogue will be recording a song written by none other than A.R. Rahman. The Australian pop nymphet is currently in Mumbai filming the song and dance number alongside Akshay Kumar in the Bollywood movie Blue.

I don’t know about you, but I love Kylie. Her over-the-top dance numbers, cheesy pop lyrics, sparkly costumes, and incessant toothy grin seem perfect for the likes of Bollywood. Plus she survived being dumped by Oliver Martinez, battling cancer, and at 40 she’s dating a hot male model 10 years her junior and dancing alongside Akshay Kumar. If that isn’t a Bollywood ending I don’t know what is.

Tony!!!!!

Yea!!!! No Doubt announced they will go on tour this summer. Join desi boy Tony Kanal, Gwen Stefani, and the rest of the gang this summer.

Says Tony, "Get there early...this is going to be a great night from the moment the lights go down."

You heard the man, buy your tix soon!

Keepin' It Real

M.I.A. is looking FLYYYYYYY in her polka dot bikini!!! Watch her hold her own with the big boys of rap, Kanye, Jay-Z, TI, and Lil Wayne.

Bad Ass Bitch

M.I.A. is so fucking bad-ass she is actually performing onstage at the Grammy Awards on her due date!!! WHAT??? Wouldn’t it be cool if she went into labor onstage?

Miss Maya is nominated for “Record of the Year” for “Paper Planes”. According to reports, she has been asked to perform with Jay-Z, jailbird TI, and Lil Wayne on “Swagga Like Us”.

I don’t know about you, but I think this might be the most interesting thing to happen at the Grammys since Eminem performed with Elton John.

Watch the Grammy's at 8pm EST on CBS.

Blackballed

Playing the guitar with their penises, threats of jail, homosexual acts, and dogs eating camel carcass, stolen passports, and crazy promoters. All in a days work for Atlanta band Black Lips. After being kicked out of India, for a plethora of shenanigans, the Black Lips share their experience on tour in India with spin magazine. Check out the article here www.spin.com

King Kool

He’s whack. He’s Desi. And he’s not fucking around. I’m talking about King Khan. Born Arish Khan, he’s Canadian, German, Indian, and maybe part alien. I had the pleasure of seeing him last summer at McCarren Pool in Brooklyn, and I wasn’t sure whether to be amused or puzzled. Although I’m sure he has plenty of words to describe his music, his James Brown-meets-60’s boy band, complete with dancing backup cheerleaders, is a mashup the likes of which most people have never seen.

And let’s not forget the gold lame cape, gold chain headpiece, and gold panties. Now that’s an act you can’t forget.

Check out King Khan and The Shrines on tour now.

www.myspace.com/kingkhantheshrines

Snoop Comes to Town

This is amazing….

This is just a sneak peak. We’ll keep you posted when the real video is out…

Hot Stuff

Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Dancer, Actress and devoted daughter, Shaheen Sheik is a more than just a triple-threat. She’s a one-woman multi-talented extravaganza. After taking a hiatus to be with her family, Shaheen is back with a new CD aptly titled “Revolution”. The Desi Dish caught up with Shaheen to discuss her new album, life, love and the pursuit of happiness.

The Desi Dish: I really enjoyed the album it was incredibly refreshing. What inspired the title "revolution"? It suggests some sort of life change.

Shaheen: Definitely a life change. Musically, I put away my guitar and produced this album by myself. So, big change there! Personally, I began to stand on my own two feet again. “Rock Candy” (her first album) was based on a big long bad break up. So here I was, single, in charge of my destiny and I wanted to showcase that in my music

The Desi Dish: So it was a stylistic and a life change as well. What made you decide to produce it on your own?

Shaheen: On “Rock Candy”, I co-produced it with Jay Ruston and he taught me a lot in terms of production and how to break down a song and build it back up through arrangement and composition. But I definitely found during [the making of] “Rock Candy” that I had so many ideas that were being filtered through Jay's brain or other musicians' brains which impacted "my sound."

The Desi Dish: It’s true you hear it with so many artists, one album sounds one way and the next album comes out with a different producer and you’re not even sure if it’s the same artist! Nonetheless, that’s quite an undertaking for only your second time around. Did you find it difficult to produce an album yourself?

Shaheen: Hahah! That is a loud and clear YES! I remember when I first got all the equipment and set it up, I couldn't get any sound to come through the speakers, [I was] feeling so defeated, I called jay in a panic and asked him..."How do I get sound out of this thing?"

The Desi Dish: Omigod!!!

Shaheen: He's such a nice and patient man, he just walked me through all the cable connections until we found the culprit. I learned a lot "on the job" so to speak.

The Desi Dish: By the way how is your mom doing? (Last year Shaheen’s mom battled cancer).

Shaheen: She's doing really well now. She has more spirit in her than before the cancer. Part of it is I think facing your mortality and figuring you better live while you can because you never know what lies ahead - and part of it is the joy of retirement!

The Desi Dish: Do you think that her battle with cancer influenced your album? The album discusses a lot of serious issues like poverty and HIV but manages to stay pretty upbeat.

Shaheen: I think having gone through that really nasty break up and then faced mom's cancer, I really got it...there will always be adversity and challenges and sometimes they will be really heavy and difficult - even tragic - but through all that, you must see hope, experience joy and celebrate what you do have. Life is a gift. I'd be insolent if I didn't count my blessings in every thing I did - including my music. That's why this album discusses things like poverty and AIDS and prostitution, but in a hopeful way.

The Desi Dish: I love that attitude. I definitely got the sense that the album is a celebration of life, the good and the bad.

Shaheen: Yup! Unfortunately, we have to have the bad with the good. Can't just pick out the good parts!

The Desi Dish: I enjoyed the lyrics in the song "Coconut" a lot. Have you ever been called a coconut? Why do you think we as desis put each other down like that?

Shaheen: I never got called a coconut to my face, but I'm sure someone has said that about me somewhere. My cousins in India call me an “ABCD”. Which is effectively the same thing, I think. Honestly, I think we have this intra-community prejudice because we're feeling insecure about something or jealous. Isn't that usually the reason one puts another down? It generally is the person slinging the mud that has the issue and not the person on the receiving end. In my humble opinion.

The Desi Dish: So true! I wonder if desis who are considered more “traditional” are threatened by those who aren’t perceived as such. Which brings me to my next question did you ever feel pressured to follow a more traditional path, i.e. medicine or business?

Shaheen: I think in my family, it wasn't so much an overt pressure. My folks never said you have to be a doctor or a lawyer, etc. But I think it was definitely there in a subtle way. In the sense that my folks didn't really sit me down and say, "You can be anything in the world. There are so many options out there. Let's try to figure out what will fulfill you and inspire you lifelong!" Hahaha! I didn't really think I had options until i picked up a guitar and figured other people did this for a living, why couldn't I?

The Desi Dish: I think many of us know that feeling. You just assume there are certain possible careers and you don’t realize what else is out there until it smacks you in the face! Although music is a more recent venture for you, dance has been part of your life since a young age. How is your dance career going? And does it influence your music? And lastly what are your plans for the future?

Shaheen: I'm very active with my dancing. i have a solo showcase on June 22 here in LA. My first solo show in 11 years! Acting is also a great outlet and I have two films slated to start this summer that I'm involved with, but they are in the nascent stages still. I feel very excited to be able to pursue all these creative avenues. They definitely help round me out as an artist and keep me sharp and challenge all the different aspects of being an artist. It's like exercise. My artistic muscles need the exercise!

The Desi Dish: Do you have any plans to tour?

Shaheen: We're working on it. I'd like to do a 10 city US tour and then head to India. I also have a show in London in July, at the Bedford. It's an acoustic show so I feel excited to be able to pick up my guitar once again!

A musician, dancer, actress, songwriter, and gorgeous, now that’s what we call desilllllicous!!!! For more info on Shaheen and upcoming dates visit her website. http://shaheensheik.com/

Win This!

No, you’re not hallucinating. That is indeed desi Avir Mitra lead singer of Bamboo Shoots, in the in the latest Virgin America ad campaign. The billboard size ads will be seen in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington D.C..

Now for the good stuff. If you see the ad take a picture of it with you, your pet squirrel, or your new BFF. Send the photo with your name and location of the ad to BambooShoots@gmail.com and you could win a signed limited edition Hey Girl 7" from the band. Additionally, all pictures will appear on the Bamboo Shoots site...credited to you.

Now if that is hot contest, we don’t know what it is.

www.myspace.com/bambooshoots

www.bambooshoots.com

So In

Africa is sooooo last year. The new vacation du jour is clearly India. Check out the material girl visiting Rajasthan.

Rapper's Delight

Find out with Maya A. has to say in this month’s Paper Magazine.

Or read it here: www.papermag.com

50 Rupee

Now we've seen it all......







Catch more of 50 Cent on
www.desihits.com

One Happy Family

Just because we love them both....

See Perez interview M.I.A. on his new show "Perez Sez" on VH1
"Perez Sez". www.vh1.com

Sit and Spin

"Droppin the bass with the beat of the bhangra a soni kuri asian queen rinsin the dhol for one and all. A cha drinkin, Tweed wearin hip hop to brit pop masala mix tape volume 1-and only Praise be to the magic of music and its musical magicians that allows our minds and souls to expand, beyond the boundaries of our lands. I got some airwaves and I come to you to find, your special sound to bring to new ears and minds."

Yep, just what we were thinking. Not really. But better pay attention because Komal Trivedi is going to make you stand up and listen.

Its not often that you get to hear Karmacy or Rishi Rich on the radio. Fortunately Komal is out to change all that. No longer relegated to the "international" station on a Saturday night, South Asian music is making an appearance on mainstream radio in the form of Komal's radio show "Bricklane Beats".

Although the Asian Underground is quite popular in London (duh), the dearth of Asian music Stateside inspired British-born Komal to start her own show. In her East London-Indian-Caribbean patois, Komal wakes up listeners with her infectious laugh and upbeat personality. Playing everything from Asha Bosle to Talvin Singh, to local rapper One Signata Nach, the DJ brings bhangra, Bollywood, and Asian electronica to the masses on Boston's radio station WZBC 90.3, airing Thursday mornings 7 am to 9 am.

Thankfully you don't have to live in Boston to enjoy "Bricklane Beats". Tune into the live stream on http://www.wzbc.org/listen.html and shake ya groove thang.

Hollllllaaaaaaaa!!!!

Komal Trivedi,
www.myspace.com/greenstreetgirl

Happy Anniversary!

Israel and India together forever. How sweet.

To celebrate 15 years of India and Israel’s hot diplomatic love for each other the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel, will play host to the “From India with Love” Festival.

Among the many highlights, Kavita Dwibedi, world renowned Odissi dancer, will perform several shows at the museum, from August 17^th- August 20^th. The dancing queen has toured all over the U.S. and Europe, performed at almost every major dance festival in India, and appeared on CNN and the Discovery Channel.

Purbayan Chaterjee, sitar player virtuoso, will also be on the bill performing during the festival. The talented Purbayan has been stringing away at the sitar since he was 4, winning the prestigious President of India award for best instrumentalist at age 14, and bringing his sweet sounds to various corners of the globe ever since.

Besides the requisite music and dance there will be art exhibitions, puppet shows and storytelling (for the kiddies) as well as guided tours.

Of course, no festival South Asian festival would be complete without a nod to Bollywood. To make sure that Bollywood is represented, several movie theaters in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will be showcasing a variety of crowd pleasers.

Here’s to fifteen more years of diplomacy and goodwill. In the words of the Beatles “All You Need is Love”.

The Israel Museum, www.imj.org.il

Bollywood Beats

“So what do you want to do this weekend?”

“I don’t know. I was thinking getting really dressed up, blow $200 on dinner and drinks at an overpriced restaurant/bar/club, while I have drunk guys hit on me.”

Wow, sounds super fun.

Here’s a better idea. DJ Rekha, innovator of all things desi and DJ related, is spinning for one night at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY, as part of Celebrate Brooklyn’s summer long festivities. DJ Rekha brings the ever popular Bollywood Disco to the park with Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin. For a mere $3 donation, revelers can enjoy Bollywood grooves in a gorgeous park under the stars. (Can we say date night?)

The woman, who was named best DJ in NY by New York Magazine and “one of the most influential South Asians” by Newsweek, still draws the crowds after 10 years as a DJ, with both Bollywood Disco and Basement Bhangra. And when she’s not too busy spinning, she might be lecturing at your local university or playing alongside Outkast and The Roots. Not too shabby for a Punjabi girl from Queens.

Of course if you’re not in NY, you can always buy DJ Rekha’s upcoming Basement Bhangra CD coming out this fall. An ipod, a little wine, a few samosas, and you can have your own little picnic in your local park.

Sure beats getting hit on by drunk guys.

DJ Rekha, www.myspace.com/djrekha Celebrate Brooklyn, www.celebratebrooklyn.org

Falu La La La

Pause. Rewind.

If you think you know fusion music think again. Or better yet don’t think, listen. With a voice to rival Lata’s, Falu seamlessly weaves classical Indian vocals with alt-pop/rock melodies to crowded venues all over New York.

The lady from Mumbai was trained as a classical singer studying with the likes of Ustad Sultan Khan, before moving to New York to start her self-titled band. Citing everyone from the Beatles to Kishori Amonkar as influences, Falu is an unexpected surprise in a sea of blah. In addition to performing with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Project, she has also collaborated with Wyclef Jean for Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut A Place in Time and Karsh Kale among others.

To see her live is truly a gift, as Falu gives a fantastically electric performance every time. If you're in New York, you can catch her at the upcoming CD release party at the Canal Room on August 8th. And if you can’t see her live, (boo!) watch for her new self titled CD dropping August 7^th For a little preview, check out songs on her myspace page, www.myspace.com/falu.

If only all music sounded so sweet.

Falu, www.falumusic.com

The Desis are Coming!

Have you ever noticed how after someone becomes rich and famous suddenly everyone wants a piece of the action? Well India is no different.

As part of the mayor of London Ken Livingstone’s India Now celebration Trafalgar Square in London will host a festival of all things Indian. From now until the 19^th of August, you can catch specially commissioned performances by some of the leading dance South Asian artists, including dance, “Dreaming Now” by Akademi, theatre, “JUGGERNAUT Tara in the Sky” by Tara, and music by DJ Ritu.

And that’s not all, the India Now celebration which continues into September, also showcases native Indian wildlife at the London zoo, readings of Ramayana at the Wellcome library, tastings at Café Spice Namaste, and a Manish Arora exhibit at the Victoria and Albert museum.

The reason for the mayor’s interest in India? To strengthen India (can we say burgeoning superpower??) and London’s growing economic and cultural relationship while welcoming Indian companies and trade to the city. To help revelers out, Time Out has even produced a special 28 page special on India Now. How times have changed!

All this without the cost of flying to India. What more can you ask for?

For more details on the Trafalgar Square festival visit www.london.gov.uk. Performances are every Thursday and Friday night at 6 and 8pm respectively as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3pm.

Hit the Spot

When’s the last time you heard an American pop song fully sung in Hindi? We’re going to guess probably never.

Times sure are a’ changin’. L.A. based rock band, Goldspot (named after the Indian soda) will release their latest single “Friday” (from debut album Tally of the Yes Men) in both English and Hindi today August 6^th. To boot, “Friday” features the musical arrangements of none other than music composer extraordinaire AR Rahman. Nicely done.

The five piece band consists of lead singer Siddhartha Khosla, Ramy Antoun, Derek Horst, Seth McLan, and Sergio Andrade. Siddhartha, the first generation son of Punjabi parents, grew up in the desi mecca of New Jersey.

Fortunately, for us he left NJ for LA and joined a band. And ever since the band has been receiving rave reviews from critics and fans alike with their sweet melodies, the hypnotic vocals, and old school Bollywood influences. If you like Keane, Bright Eyes, The Smiths, or Modest Mouse, Goldspot is right up your alley.

Now that’s an alley we want to get lost in.

For more info and samples, visit their website, www.goldspot.net or their myspace site, www.myspace.com/goldspot

Shake Your Groove Thang

Talvin Singh. Karsh Kale. Nitin Sawhney. These are only some of the names that come to mind when thinking of Indian Electronica. However there’s a new breed of up-and-coming DJs and artists (and they’re not just British) ready to steal your heart. And the Indian Electronic Festival is ready to show you.

The Toronto based online community, Indian Electronica, started over 4 years ago as a platform for emerging South Asian electronic music and artists. Its goals? To encourage South Asians to pursue music as a career, encouraging collaborations, and to promote South Asian electronic music to all cultures. And of course, to get your dance on. Pretty impressive. Which is why it’s so perfect that just two years later it spawned a globe trotting festival featuring South Asian DJs, dancers, and visual artists.

The festival kicks off tomorrow in Toronto at the Dragonfly with guests such as DJ Alkmst, Abdul Smooth, and Cassius Khan. The roving festival then travels to New York, London, New Delhi, and Mumbai until New Year’s Eve for all kind of sweet electronic action.

Now quit dancing around your room and shake your money maker at the Indian Electronica Festival.

Indian Electronica Festival, www.indianelecronica.com