Northwest Asian Weekly
08.19.04
"Urban rhythms meet ancient Indian melodies in new music genre"
Boredom and disillusionment can lead a person to discover new passions. Take Seattle DJ Jason MacLeod (aka DJ Advent), for instance. Home-schooled throughout his adolescence, he developed a vast independence that eventually led him to undertake the truly difficult and competitive profession of being a DJ. After a number of years of playing the standard genres of electronic music, MacLeod grew tired of its repetitive nature.
I was spinning house, drum and bass, and ambient music, and I got bored because it didnt explore much. I decided to try a different genre, said the 24-year-old MacLeod.
What followed was his discovery of and subsequent dedication to a unique genre known as Asian Massive. A blend of electronic beats and traditional Indian music, Asian Massive is the newest underground music phenomenon to hit Seattle. Primarily popular in the U.K., the genres unique appeal has already been embraced in the United States by the artistically progressive cities of San Francisco and New York.
In describing why hes drawn to Asian Massive, MacLeod explained, For me it has more soul; it has culture and history behind it.
Aiding MacLeod in the spread of Asian Massive is frequent musical partner and talented musician Deepayan Acharjya. A native of India, Acharjya began playing tabla (Indian drum) at age 6, later earning a senior diploma in Hindustani classical music from the Prayag School of Music. At 29, he has reassessed his once-strict adherence to traditional Indian music and branched out alongside MacLeod into the largely unknown domain of Asian Massive.
There was a lot of sticking to traditional music, said Acharjya. But then I met Jason and James (Whetzel, a sitar player) and decided to try something fun.
Their ensuing relationship has resulted in continual musical collaborations. From scoring the silent film Sharaz for a Seattle Art Museum showing or helming regular gigs together at the Mirabeau Room in Queen Anne, MacLeod and Acharjya are forging a fresh musical path in the Seattle music scene.
It may sound odd that someone of Scottish, German and Irish decent would have such a passionate interest in South Asian music and be at the forefront of the Asian Massive movement in Seattle.
I do feel weird sometimes, especially when I play Bhangra music, said MacLeod. I cant understand what theyre saying. But Im opening peoples minds to another culture, and even for Indian people, showing them a part of their culture.
Acharjya is surprised at the diversity that Asian Massive draws, especially at their club shows.
I remember once we were doing a show at the Mirabeau, and the doorman made an interesting comment like, Ive never seen such a mix of different people at one show. I looked around and said, Yeah, youre right.
The community-oriented feeling and happy vibe resulting from their shows is what keeps people coming back, Acharjya believes. He also warns that Asian Massive is much different from Bhangra, a highly popular and crowd-pleasing form of Indian music that MacLeod occasionally plays at clubs. The difference between Bhangra and Asian Massive, Acharjya explains, is like the difference between popular Top 40 rap and underground political rap.
The duos latest project is musical accompaniment for Defibrillator Productions Vetala, a multifaceted, creatively conceived piece that draws from the 1,000-year-old Sanskrit fables of India. It tells the story of King Vikram, a young man in exile from his own kingdom seeking the guidance of a sage who promises to restore unity and peace to his land. Vikram is instructed to find an un-mutilated corpse in order to perform a special ritual. Lost and running out of time, Vikram finds a group of unmarked corpses but is appalled to find them inhabited by Vetala, a spirit that communicates through its host bodies. Vetala allows Vikram to take a corpse under the condition that he remains silent throughout his trip back to the sage.
The trouble is, Vetala begins telling a series of tales and at the end poses a moral dilemma that Vikram is forced to answer. The king breaks his vow of silence and finds himself ensnared in a Catch-22.
Each tale is told through a different medium, be it a Bollywood parody, a karaoke performance, puppetry or traditional Balinese dance. Highly entertaining, the avant-garde approach of Vetala transcends its lo-fi production quality to give the audience a truly unique experience.
In the end, Vikram successfully conjures a powerful goddess who grants him one wish. He wishes for all the world to know Vetalas stories and the morals they demonstrate.
Like Vikram, MacLeod and Acharjya hope Asian Massive reaches the larger audience it deserves.
I feel good pushing it, even if its not my own culture, said MacLeod. Were taking a more live approach to future events, producing original beats on the fly.
The genre is going to change a bit in the future, said Acharjya. I wont be surprised if I hear Asian Massive mixed with hip hop.
Vetala plays Aug. 12 to Aug. 28 (Thursdays and Fridays only) at 8 p.m. at JEM Arts Center, located at 6012 12th Ave. S. in Seattle. For tickets or more information, visit www.defibrillatorproductions.org.
For more information about DJ Advent, visit www.djadvent.com. For more information about Deepayan Acharjya, visit www.seattletabla.com.
By Tiffany Wan
08.19.04
"Urban rhythms meet ancient Indian melodies in new music genre"
Boredom and disillusionment can lead a person to discover new passions. Take Seattle DJ Jason MacLeod (aka DJ Advent), for instance. Home-schooled throughout his adolescence, he developed a vast independence that eventually led him to undertake the truly difficult and competitive profession of being a DJ. After a number of years of playing the standard genres of electronic music, MacLeod grew tired of its repetitive nature.
I was spinning house, drum and bass, and ambient music, and I got bored because it didnt explore much. I decided to try a different genre, said the 24-year-old MacLeod.
What followed was his discovery of and subsequent dedication to a unique genre known as Asian Massive. A blend of electronic beats and traditional Indian music, Asian Massive is the newest underground music phenomenon to hit Seattle. Primarily popular in the U.K., the genres unique appeal has already been embraced in the United States by the artistically progressive cities of San Francisco and New York.
In describing why hes drawn to Asian Massive, MacLeod explained, For me it has more soul; it has culture and history behind it.
Aiding MacLeod in the spread of Asian Massive is frequent musical partner and talented musician Deepayan Acharjya. A native of India, Acharjya began playing tabla (Indian drum) at age 6, later earning a senior diploma in Hindustani classical music from the Prayag School of Music. At 29, he has reassessed his once-strict adherence to traditional Indian music and branched out alongside MacLeod into the largely unknown domain of Asian Massive.
There was a lot of sticking to traditional music, said Acharjya. But then I met Jason and James (Whetzel, a sitar player) and decided to try something fun.
Their ensuing relationship has resulted in continual musical collaborations. From scoring the silent film Sharaz for a Seattle Art Museum showing or helming regular gigs together at the Mirabeau Room in Queen Anne, MacLeod and Acharjya are forging a fresh musical path in the Seattle music scene.
It may sound odd that someone of Scottish, German and Irish decent would have such a passionate interest in South Asian music and be at the forefront of the Asian Massive movement in Seattle.
I do feel weird sometimes, especially when I play Bhangra music, said MacLeod. I cant understand what theyre saying. But Im opening peoples minds to another culture, and even for Indian people, showing them a part of their culture.
Acharjya is surprised at the diversity that Asian Massive draws, especially at their club shows.
I remember once we were doing a show at the Mirabeau, and the doorman made an interesting comment like, Ive never seen such a mix of different people at one show. I looked around and said, Yeah, youre right.
The community-oriented feeling and happy vibe resulting from their shows is what keeps people coming back, Acharjya believes. He also warns that Asian Massive is much different from Bhangra, a highly popular and crowd-pleasing form of Indian music that MacLeod occasionally plays at clubs. The difference between Bhangra and Asian Massive, Acharjya explains, is like the difference between popular Top 40 rap and underground political rap.
The duos latest project is musical accompaniment for Defibrillator Productions Vetala, a multifaceted, creatively conceived piece that draws from the 1,000-year-old Sanskrit fables of India. It tells the story of King Vikram, a young man in exile from his own kingdom seeking the guidance of a sage who promises to restore unity and peace to his land. Vikram is instructed to find an un-mutilated corpse in order to perform a special ritual. Lost and running out of time, Vikram finds a group of unmarked corpses but is appalled to find them inhabited by Vetala, a spirit that communicates through its host bodies. Vetala allows Vikram to take a corpse under the condition that he remains silent throughout his trip back to the sage.
The trouble is, Vetala begins telling a series of tales and at the end poses a moral dilemma that Vikram is forced to answer. The king breaks his vow of silence and finds himself ensnared in a Catch-22.
Each tale is told through a different medium, be it a Bollywood parody, a karaoke performance, puppetry or traditional Balinese dance. Highly entertaining, the avant-garde approach of Vetala transcends its lo-fi production quality to give the audience a truly unique experience.
In the end, Vikram successfully conjures a powerful goddess who grants him one wish. He wishes for all the world to know Vetalas stories and the morals they demonstrate.
Like Vikram, MacLeod and Acharjya hope Asian Massive reaches the larger audience it deserves.
I feel good pushing it, even if its not my own culture, said MacLeod. Were taking a more live approach to future events, producing original beats on the fly.
The genre is going to change a bit in the future, said Acharjya. I wont be surprised if I hear Asian Massive mixed with hip hop.
Vetala plays Aug. 12 to Aug. 28 (Thursdays and Fridays only) at 8 p.m. at JEM Arts Center, located at 6012 12th Ave. S. in Seattle. For tickets or more information, visit www.defibrillatorproductions.org.
For more information about DJ Advent, visit www.djadvent.com. For more information about Deepayan Acharjya, visit www.seattletabla.com.
By Tiffany Wan
University of Washington Daily
03.06.2003
"Asian Massive"
DJ Advent is one of the few local DJs spinning Asian massive music. Advent hopes to help the fledgling electronic-music scene grow in Seattle.
Allow me to share with you the first time a record literally paralyzed me: I picked up a recording by
British producer Talvin Singh titled Anokha: Sounds of the Asian Underground. The albums first track
was laden with fresh drum and bass beats. The angelic vocals sailed above the bass line, massaging my
eardrums and sending goose bumps through the length of my body.
This album showed me what happens when the best of traditional and modern music merge; sheer sonic
bliss brought on by a new music style called Asian massive. The genre merges traditional Indian
instruments and vocals with electronic beats, although artists oftentimes make use of Japanese and
Middle Eastern sounds as well.
Six years after Singhs debut release, Asian massive remains largely unknown. Only recently has a
scene sprouted on American soil. In fact, only a few DJs in Seattle make Asian massive their specialty.
At the forefront of Seattles fledgling scene lies DJ Advent. This part-time masseuse, full-time DJ spins
with the Starbourne Community, (known for its popular Oracle Gatherings series) at private parties and
the Romp Naked dance nights.
"Ive been booked for massives, clubs, whatever you can think of. That is a clear sign that people are
responsive and receptive to the music Im spinning", said Advent.
He writes for the online radio station Ethnotechno.com, and has recently started mixing an online show
with Capital Hills Oseao Gallery of the Senses. In the past, Advent has worked with artists Sharaab and
North Africas Master Musicians of Jajouka.
Due in part to his connection with the international Asian massive community, Advent thinks Seattle is
several years behind London and New York with regard to electronic music. He hopes to counter this
cultural lag by bringing in DJs from San Franciscos Dhamaal Artist Collective to the Seattle scene.
"Although the scene is still in its infant stage here in Seattle, it will continue to grow with the support of
other DJs and promoters", predicted Advent.
Lawrence Martin is one of the few event promoters actively trying to expand the Asian massive scene in
Seattle. An innovative and experienced promoter, Martin is the organizer behind many popular DJ
nights, including Atmosphere and the ill-fated Sladki Sweet after parties. As a UW alumni, he wants to
give back to the University by bringing in an Asian massive heavyweight to the HUB Ballroom, (in
conjunction with the Indian Student Association). Maybe Talvin Singh, he hinted.
Today, Martin manages a trio of musicians on Monday nights at the Baltic Room for an evening called I
Heart Shiva. The Monday-night gigs have become a ritual for fans of Bhangra music and regulars flood
the dance floor.
The evening starts slowly, as DJ Peter Madril mellows the mood with Hindi film songs (Bollywood) and
Asian Dub. Later on, Madril kicks it into high gear with Bhangra, a popular Punjabi music. William
Gilchrist accompanies Madril on tablas and Angel scratches in the background. Overall, the scratching,
tables and Bhangra provide a dance-worthy sound.
Madril began his career spinning Asian massive, but just recently switched over to Bhangra sets after
seeing how well the music was received at the Chaya fundraisers he deejayed last year. Gilchrist has
performed tabla for 15 years, and also plays in a world-music band called Spiral Axis. With over 50
tabla students in the Seattle area, he manages to draw a large crowd.
Playing tabla to Asian massive and world music for me takes me to a place inside myself that finds
sheer joy in self expression, he said. Its like my inner and outer worlds become one, especially when
I perform for groups of people. I can feel their energy as they dance and there is a relationship between
the rhythm and the crowd.
03.06.2003
"Asian Massive"
DJ Advent is one of the few local DJs spinning Asian massive music. Advent hopes to help the fledgling electronic-music scene grow in Seattle.
Allow me to share with you the first time a record literally paralyzed me: I picked up a recording by
British producer Talvin Singh titled Anokha: Sounds of the Asian Underground. The albums first track
was laden with fresh drum and bass beats. The angelic vocals sailed above the bass line, massaging my
eardrums and sending goose bumps through the length of my body.
This album showed me what happens when the best of traditional and modern music merge; sheer sonic
bliss brought on by a new music style called Asian massive. The genre merges traditional Indian
instruments and vocals with electronic beats, although artists oftentimes make use of Japanese and
Middle Eastern sounds as well.
Six years after Singhs debut release, Asian massive remains largely unknown. Only recently has a
scene sprouted on American soil. In fact, only a few DJs in Seattle make Asian massive their specialty.
At the forefront of Seattles fledgling scene lies DJ Advent. This part-time masseuse, full-time DJ spins
with the Starbourne Community, (known for its popular Oracle Gatherings series) at private parties and
the Romp Naked dance nights.
"Ive been booked for massives, clubs, whatever you can think of. That is a clear sign that people are
responsive and receptive to the music Im spinning", said Advent.
He writes for the online radio station Ethnotechno.com, and has recently started mixing an online show
with Capital Hills Oseao Gallery of the Senses. In the past, Advent has worked with artists Sharaab and
North Africas Master Musicians of Jajouka.
Due in part to his connection with the international Asian massive community, Advent thinks Seattle is
several years behind London and New York with regard to electronic music. He hopes to counter this
cultural lag by bringing in DJs from San Franciscos Dhamaal Artist Collective to the Seattle scene.
"Although the scene is still in its infant stage here in Seattle, it will continue to grow with the support of
other DJs and promoters", predicted Advent.
Lawrence Martin is one of the few event promoters actively trying to expand the Asian massive scene in
Seattle. An innovative and experienced promoter, Martin is the organizer behind many popular DJ
nights, including Atmosphere and the ill-fated Sladki Sweet after parties. As a UW alumni, he wants to
give back to the University by bringing in an Asian massive heavyweight to the HUB Ballroom, (in
conjunction with the Indian Student Association). Maybe Talvin Singh, he hinted.
Today, Martin manages a trio of musicians on Monday nights at the Baltic Room for an evening called I
Heart Shiva. The Monday-night gigs have become a ritual for fans of Bhangra music and regulars flood
the dance floor.
The evening starts slowly, as DJ Peter Madril mellows the mood with Hindi film songs (Bollywood) and
Asian Dub. Later on, Madril kicks it into high gear with Bhangra, a popular Punjabi music. William
Gilchrist accompanies Madril on tablas and Angel scratches in the background. Overall, the scratching,
tables and Bhangra provide a dance-worthy sound.
Madril began his career spinning Asian massive, but just recently switched over to Bhangra sets after
seeing how well the music was received at the Chaya fundraisers he deejayed last year. Gilchrist has
performed tabla for 15 years, and also plays in a world-music band called Spiral Axis. With over 50
tabla students in the Seattle area, he manages to draw a large crowd.
Playing tabla to Asian massive and world music for me takes me to a place inside myself that finds
sheer joy in self expression, he said. Its like my inner and outer worlds become one, especially when
I perform for groups of people. I can feel their energy as they dance and there is a relationship between
the rhythm and the crowd.
Minty Magazine
10.04.02
"Asian Massive Moves West"
Dj Advent is one of Seattle's ambassador's for a style that's becoming known as Asian Massive - A bridge between modern electronics and Indian music. Darren Kamikura investigates.
-First popularized in the 1990s by Talvin Singhs Anokha crew in London, the fusion of traditional Indian music, with modern electronics described as Asian Massive has been steadily gaining interest throughout North America. For Seattles Dj advent, who started his career spinning trance, house and Drum and Bass, this genres mix of ancient and modern flavors was enough to make Asian Massive his primary focus for the past four years.
Dj Advent first became aware of this music thought the work of Dj Cheb I Sabbah, which features many instruments not familiar to the western ear. Musically and sonically interesting, it was his first taste of the fusion of which Asian massive is based. Due to its unique nature and broad sonic palette, Advent suggests that Asian Massive is really its own genre, a mix of so many styles.
Although his current musical challenge is to find the balance for an audience that is primarily not Indian, he faces a potentially even more difficult task exposure of him and his music. As with all new things, the diffusion of Asian Massive in the United States has been relatively slow, and Advent is one of the few djs in Seattle spinning this musical form. Unfortunately, this often limits his appearances to parties and other events outside Seattles club scene. However, in line with the increase in awareness of DJ culture in Seattle, he sees Asian Massive as an up and coming form and seeks to increase awareness and provide exposure for the genre in the area.
For him , the integration of electronics with ancient sounds as a natural progression in the evolution of music. Ultimately, .Music is a universal language and with an open mind, you can break down all cultural barriers ---Darren Kamikura
10.04.02
"Asian Massive Moves West"
Dj Advent is one of Seattle's ambassador's for a style that's becoming known as Asian Massive - A bridge between modern electronics and Indian music. Darren Kamikura investigates.
-First popularized in the 1990s by Talvin Singhs Anokha crew in London, the fusion of traditional Indian music, with modern electronics described as Asian Massive has been steadily gaining interest throughout North America. For Seattles Dj advent, who started his career spinning trance, house and Drum and Bass, this genres mix of ancient and modern flavors was enough to make Asian Massive his primary focus for the past four years.
Dj Advent first became aware of this music thought the work of Dj Cheb I Sabbah, which features many instruments not familiar to the western ear. Musically and sonically interesting, it was his first taste of the fusion of which Asian massive is based. Due to its unique nature and broad sonic palette, Advent suggests that Asian Massive is really its own genre, a mix of so many styles.
Although his current musical challenge is to find the balance for an audience that is primarily not Indian, he faces a potentially even more difficult task exposure of him and his music. As with all new things, the diffusion of Asian Massive in the United States has been relatively slow, and Advent is one of the few djs in Seattle spinning this musical form. Unfortunately, this often limits his appearances to parties and other events outside Seattles club scene. However, in line with the increase in awareness of DJ culture in Seattle, he sees Asian Massive as an up and coming form and seeks to increase awareness and provide exposure for the genre in the area.
For him , the integration of electronics with ancient sounds as a natural progression in the evolution of music. Ultimately, .Music is a universal language and with an open mind, you can break down all cultural barriers ---Darren Kamikura
Yes, press has been on the D/L since 04'. what can I say?
