“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”?

• 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 RecordsEstablished: 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 NYCDelhi?)

• 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.