En Karma’s big bhangra theory
UNIQUE SOUND: Hard-working band’s fans can’t get enough of that rock ’n’ dhol music
En Karma has a big bhangra theory.
The B.C.-based quintet believes that its fusion of traditional Punjabi bhangra music and contemporary amplified sounds is set to capture listeners’ ears the world over. Call it rock ’n’ dhol music — a dhol is the double-headed drum used in traditional music throughout South Asia, particularly in the prominent pounding beat of bhangra.
With the band’s recent signing to giant Indian music label T-Series for its latest single She Kills, good karma is coming to the hard-working musicians whose day jobs range from music producer to financial adviser, and more.
Drummer Pip Dhaliwal, vocalist Inder Kooner, keyboardist Nick Chowlia, bassist/guitarist Ricky Thinda and percussionist Karm Cooner are all seasoned players with plenty of previous experience.
Their unique sound incorporates elements of the late 1980s Asian Underground in the U.K., and the global bhangra movement.
She Kills, featuring vocals from Delhi 2 Dublin singer Sanjay Seran, boasts a video storyline cut right out of club culture as well as some funk and R&B vibes.
“As far as we know, we’re the only live bhangra (band) here, and had previously been releasing through a label in the U.K., where there is more of an infrastructure,” said Dhaliwal, who originally hails from Birmingham, England.
“But after doing a lot of major shows and touring, we contacted T-Series, and we are the only band in North America that they have taken on. It’s certainly giving us a kind of exposure for our music that we needed.”
She Kills has nearly 350,000 views on YouTube.
It was released on Jan. 20, and a RadioPunks remix released April 4 already has thousands of views.
The song’s traction would be impressive for many popular Canadian indie bands, but T-Series’ roster enjoys far greater media exposure, with acts such as duo Raool and Jaz Dhami nearing 4.5 million views for its smash Desi Girls Do It Better.
En Karma hopes to see the same success. Dhaliwal and Chowlia both note how the band is not only seen as a bhangra act for cultural events, but also as a world music band. Bookings include the main stage at the 2016 Surrey Canada Day celebration and multiple trips to the Clark Country Amphitheatre in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Audiences are taking notice. En Karma has been nominated twice for best bhangra band at the BritAsia Awards (2011 and 2012).
From folk festivals to big parties, the group is eager to expand its sound across its primary North American market, and has a lot of new material planned for release later in 2017.
Most of it likely to be dropped as individual singles, which is the norm.
“We were all ready to put out an album, but the label made it very clear that it is a singles market right now and we are fine with that,” says Dhaliwal.
“This winds up putting you in a position where you get listeners coming in from all over, and gives you the means to provide them with personalized feedback.”
Keep an eye out for En Karma coming to a stage near you this festival season. Besides a return engagement at the City of Bhangra festival, the band is booked for an outdoor gig on June 24 in Washington, D.C.