“ From Asian Underground To Asian Massive” Week 10, Lecture 2

Asian Dub Foundation (ADF) DUB: A form of music that evolved out of Raggae in the 1960s Emphasizing Drum and Bass Frequencies Remixing of prerecorded sound as a mode of artistic expression ADF: hybrid of dub bass, electronica, punk guitar and Indian classical elements No separation between musical form and political message

Community Music Start in 1993 ADF ED (Educational Group) Collaboration between Teachers and Students Break down hierarchies Minorities, Working-Class, Disabled Coexistence of Different Forms of Music=Coexistence of Different Races

Main Themes of Songs: Problems of… Racism Fascism Empire Globalization “We were livid and angry with Britain…and it is represented on the sonics on that album and how we played live.” (Dr. Das.)

Free Satpal Ram “Engaging in debate” “This is how you can be engaged and have an impact. What we do has a value as an alternative news broadcast.” (Dr. Das) Miscarriages of Justice in Britain (BBC)

“MIDI Warriors” Musical Instrument Digital Interface a system for transmitting information to electronic musical instruments Warrior: One who is engaged in or experienced in battle/war Kazi Nazrul Islam Poet, Revolutionary National Poet of Bangladesh Ami Bidrohi (1920s poem) Rebel Warrior

ADF & The Queen Pandit G awarded Master of British Empire (MBE) For serving the nation through music He rejects the MBE "When I think of the British Empire, exploitation and colonialism spring to mind. The issue is particularly significant now because we are seeing a new form of imperialism…”

Talvin Singh Family from Uganda Born and raised in East London Trained in Indian classical music Tabla, break-dancing, punk music Founded club called “Anokha” Space for Asian Punk and Drum and Bass music Responsible for “Asian Underground”

Why call it “Underground”?Underground An avant-garde movement or publication Hidden, concealed, clandestine

Mercury Music Prize 1999 (“Asian Overground”) "With me being from Asian origin I am a minority and this is celebrating the struggle of our forefathers.” "The industry needs to accept music that's a bit colourful. I am not a minority anymore, I am a majority. This is celebrating that."

Outcaste Records Established: 1995 (Note the spelling of outcaste)

Outcaste Records : “The aim was to promote and endorse British-Asian underground music.” Swaraj: Future Beat Science

CLUB KALI “The world’s biggest Asian based LGBT Club” (LGBT=Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) “...ecclectisism is the basis of my mixes, I don´t like to play for audiences that want to hear one type of music or the same tempo all night.” DJ Ritu

Asian Massive From Underground to Massive (From Counterpublic to Public?) (From British Asian to Global?) (From Britain to NYC  Delhi?) Massive: --Mass Audience --Large or imposing, as in quantity, scope, degree, intensity, or scale --Qualities of Indian Classical Music

Karsh Kale

MIDIval Punditz MIDIval (Not Medieval) Musical Instrument Digital Interface Pundit: -A Brahman scholar or learned man -Used as a title of respect for a learned man in India.