Vancouver-based Delhi 2 Dublin is a group of five
musicians who mash up electronica and world music, keeping it heavy
on the Bhangra, Celtic and Dub flavours. Fusing tabla, fiddle, dhol,
Punjabi vocals, and electric sitar with scorching electronic beats,
the crew takes listeners on a wild ride through global sounds and
synchronicities.
A short history: In 2006, a couple of Punjabi guys walked into an
Irish Pub where a hot fiddler was playing. After her set they shared
some drinks, some thoughts, and lots of profanity. They became fast
friends and decided to walk to a nearby warehouse to check out a
DJ playing at an afterhours party. On the way, they noticed a Korean
guy busking with his sitar outside of a 99 cent pizza place. Upon
buying the sitar dude a slice they decided that he should just come
and party with them too. He did. The DJ at the party ended up being
pretty decent, so after his gig the group of four invited him to
go eat. He went. The food was okay, the service sucked, and the rest
is history.
The five of them constantly find themselves piling into vans filled
with gear or tiny airplane seats and traipsing around the globe mashing
beats and breaking strings - and basically having the time of their
lives doing it.
They've played some of North America's biggest and best festivals
(including SXSW, NXNE, Stern Grove (SF), High Sierra Festival (CA),
Shambhala (BC), Hillside (ON), Vancouver International Jazz Festival
(BC), and the Regina Folk Festival (SK)). Their live set takes festivals
by storm, Grant Lawrence from CBC Radio 3 summed it up after one
of their performances: "The surprise of the opening night (of
the Regina Folk Fest) for many was the absolutely outrageous set
from Vancouver fusion band Delhi 2 Dublin. Hugely energetic, they
blend the traditional sounds of India and Ireland with modern hip-hop
beats. If Victoria Park had a roof, D2D would have blown it off.
The roar of applause at the end of their set was deafening."
They have also just completed
their first trip to Asia where they performed in Taiwan's Keelung
City Ghost Festival. In March 2009 they were awarded a BravoFACT!
grant to film their first music video. They were also recently
awarded the Western Canadian Music Award for Best World Music Recording,
2009. They've been featured many times on CBC radio and were the
subject of an hour long documentary on CBC TV; they have also been
interviewed on BBC Radio 1, Al Jazeera's 'The Playlist' and on
NPR in the US.
The crew is currently recording their second full length album while
maintaining a busy North American tour schedule.
Their goal? Total global domination. Bouncy bhangra-leprechauns
everywhere. Partying with plincky plincky lovers all over the globe
and spreading the good vibe wherever they can. Oh ya, and more synchronized
dance moves. Its all about the synchronized dance moves.
"Delhi 2 Dublin is the perfect mix of bhangra(ic)-celtic
synchronicity, it only happens onceand you are hearing it"
- Cheb i Sabbah
