It鈥檚 safe to say Vancouver-based group Delhi 2 Dublin has come a long way since its humble beginnings, playing block parties on the west coast a decade ago.
So far this year the band has already wrapped up an India-wide tour and has played the stages of countless music festivals across the world, including Nevada鈥檚 Burning Man, which sees about 70,000 attendees every year.
But as their popularity continues to grow and the demands to play high profile music festivals keep rolling in, the group says it still remains true to its Canadian roots. After packing up a three-day stint at Burning Man, the group will head for the mountains on Saturday to headline the Jasper Folk Music Festival, Sept. 9-11.
鈥淔olk festivals are really important. They have this great family vibe that you don鈥檛 always get at bigger festivals,鈥� said Sanjay Seran, one of the founding members of the group. 鈥淛asper is a part of our world鈥攊t鈥檚 our people and they know who we are so I鈥檓 excited for that.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 go wrong with Canada鈥檚 west coast.鈥�
Armed with violins, sitars, guitars and dhols, the band blends its larger than life stage presence with electronic beats, Celtic music, bhangra, hip hop and other genres鈥攁 rhythm and sound that always gets festival goers up and dancing.
鈥淭he setting up sucks, the tearing down sucks and sometimes the travel isn鈥檛 fun, but when you鈥檙e actually playing that hour at the festival then that鈥檚 the fun part鈥攖hat鈥檚 why you do all of this,鈥� Seran said. 鈥淣o matter what the size, music festivals always make me feel fortunate to be doing what I鈥檓 doing.鈥�
Since forming at the Vancouver Celtic Festival in 2006, the group has crafted more than 10 albums. Its debut album, released in 2007, reached number three on Canadian world music charts and was heard on radio stations across North America, Europe and Japan. Nine years later, the self-titled album continues to bounce around some of Canada鈥檚 top 100 charts. 聽Recently the band released a remixed version of its latest album We鈥檙e All Desi, which was inspired by a collection of old-school Bollywood records from the 1970s and a love of bass music, said Seran.
The band said for its Jasper performance it鈥檒l be treating festival goers to many of the remixed tracks from We鈥檙e All Desi, throwing in some improv beats wherever they may fit.
鈥淭his album was definitely one that we were all stoked about and really inspired by. The last album didn鈥檛 really work out in terms of what we were trying to do, so I think we were all excited to get back in and write something new,鈥� said Seran, adding it takes a lot of work to keep a band fresh and original after 10 years. 鈥淲e wanted a good bass heavy banger and I think we did just that鈥擨 think we nailed it.
鈥淚t was like a rebirth for us.鈥�
After performing, filming a music video and recording a documentary in India earlier this year, the group said while it hasn鈥檛 finalized anything it is itching to get back to the Asian country.
鈥淣othing really ends. The seasons change and we鈥檙e just working out what we鈥檙e doing in India,鈥� said Seran, adding that the band is hoping to spend the winter there. 鈥淲e had so much fun there that we want to make it a part of our regular thing now.鈥�
Delhi 2 Dublin will take to Jasper Folk Music Festival鈥檚 A stage on Sept. 10 at 9:30 p.m.
This year鈥檚 Friday night headliner will be Edmonton鈥檚 folk-rock trio Scenic Route to Alaska.
Festival organizers have also secured vintage folk band Rosie & the Riveters from Saskatoon along with west coast Canadian roots artist WiL. And if that鈥檚 not enough, back by popular demand are Birds of Bellwood, a crowd favourite from last year鈥檚 festival.
This year鈥檚 festival also includes more than a dozen other performances, including several local acts.
A weekend pass costs $110 and can be purchased online at www.jasperfolkmusicfestival.ca.
Tickets can also be picked up at Nutter鈥檚 Bulk & Natural Foods, Tekarra Colour Lab and the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
