Japanese classical, traditional zen and folk music; Indian classical music; African rhythms and strings; Australian Aboriginal music; Middle Eastern music; Western classical and contemporary music, jazz, blues, rock, electronica, free improvisation.
Sounds Like
Dharmakasa – Between Worlds (Independent) Between Worlds is where you’ll find Dharmakasa, a band of uncommon invention. Between Worlds is also the name of their debut album which they describe as, “a meeting between the ancient realm of the mystics and the modern realm of the mad scientist.” They formed in 2001 after the core players met at a yoga class. As you might guess, their music is meditative but it’s even more inventive. The Vancouver quartet of Andrew Kim (sitar, guitar disciple and instrument inventor), Alcvin Ramos, Japanese shakuhachi and didgeridoo virtuoso, Cameron Hood on electric bass and Steven 'Sambunata' Daniluk on kit thrives on gathering unrelated sounds together or, making new ones by creating their own ingenious instruments. World Music defines itself from other genres by erasing borders and absorbing influences from every corner of the planet. But, what if the earth itself imposes limitations on your imagination? Then you enter Dharmakasa's unique realm. The album beautifully pins acoustic against electronic and invented sounds in textured moods, without being too dreamy. This is Pink Floyd for the global granola set.
---- Cal Koat, Executive Producer
world.beats, channel m
Celt In A Twist, AM 1470, CJVB
"Alcvin Ramos and Andrew Kim play a mixture that created genuine new sounds. This is avant-garde, the confluence of local influences. And instrumentalist/ instrument maker/ mad scientist is the kind of eclectic genius who needs to be celebrated and has unlimited top-end potential. Look for big things from them in the future."
---- Kulpreet Sasan - Review Vancouver
..."likely to please a wide variety of listeners. The musics slow droning qualities will appeal to devotees of New Age spirituality; its simplicity will speak to folk music fans; the other-worldly sounds of Kims instruments will attract the experimentally minded; and the improvisational spirit of both musicians playing will draw those whose tastes run to jazz."
--- Alex Varty - Georgia Straight
“Their unique instrumental fusion captivated their audiences, and was a hit with both young children and adults alike. Their ability to educate us on the origin of the instruments, in both a humorous and insightful manner impressed me. Their performance showed great respect to each other and their audience. The passion for their work was evident!
I would easily recommend these incredibly talented musicians, be it for a school, a festival or a community event. They truly capture the essence of multi-cultural”
---Marnie Perrin - Artistic Director, Surrey Children’s Festival
Our new CD is available now on CD Baby. Please click on the image below:
You can also order it direct from us. Just email your request and payment to: diananboyz@shaw.ca.
Within Canada: CAN$20.00 incl. Shipping and handling.
Customers outside of Canada can pay in US currency.
We accept personal cheques and international money orders only. Sorry, we don't accept credit cards as of yet.
If you are looking for our children’s show, please click HERE!!!
“An electrified alchemy that fuses ancient instruments and musical traditions from around the world with unique, modern instrumental inventions”
What do Japanese monks, Australian Aborigines, Indian classical musicians, African shamans and mad scientists have in common? Absolutely nothing! Except that they have all contributed to the musical inspiration behind the band Dharmakasa!
Dharmakasa is a truly unique collaboration of 4 musicians that was formed from a chance meeting at a musical event in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Since then, they have gone on to perform together at numerous musical festivals and events including a performance as the opening act for Anoushka Shankar at the Chan Center. The Children’s show has performed extensively in elementary schools in Vancouver as well as the Surrey Children’s Festival (both to rave reviews). Their groundbreaking new sound ranges from fiery shamanic dance music to meditative soundscapes, drawing from the musical traditions of Japan, India, Africa, and Australia, while fusing them with modern elements. They perform on instruments that range from thousands of years old to recently invented. Dharmakasa was recently featured on a CBC documentary and they have received numerous grants from Canada Council for the Arts.
If you are looking for our children’s show, please click HERE!!!
Alcvin Ramos (shakuhachi, didigeridoo)
Born in Japan but originally of Filipino descent, Alcvin spent many years studying shakuhachi flute in Japan with the some of the greatest masters of the instrument and eventually received his shihan (masters) license with Katsuya Yokoyama and Kaoru Kakizakai. He also studied the didgeridoo with the Aborigines in Australia. Alcvin has played with various musicians including: John Mclaughlin, Bill Laswell, Hun Huur Tuu, Christopher Blasdel, Toshinori Kondo, Josheph Pepe Danza, The Vancouver Symphony, and Dreamtime Continuum. He regularly tours nationally and internationally and has performed at the Vancouver Jazz Festival, Vancouver New Music Festival, the Vancouver Sacred Music Festival, and the World Sacred Music Festival in Japan. He is also the founder of the Bamboo-In Shakuhachi Retreat Centre on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.
Andrew Kim is a Korean musician who has performed in China, Africa, Thailand, and has studied sitar in India. He has played with Spearhead , Chinese superstar Dadawa, as well as Delhi2Dublin. He also performed for the Prime Minister, the Mission Folk Fest, Stan Rogers Fest, and the Halifax and Vancouver Jazz Fests. Expanding on the capabilities of conventional musical instruments, he has invented unique hybrid creations including his 9-Stringed Violin/kalimba, Electric sitar , Morrocan Hockey Stick, Spoon Fiddle and homemade theremin.
The highly charged music is driven by a virtuosic rhythm section that consists of the legendary bassist Cameron Hood (a Juno and Jesse award nominee) and drummer Shambunata Daniluk (formerly of the Zimbabwean band Feso). They are available to perform either as a dynamic four-piece or a more meditative two-piece ensemble.
Contact: Diana Stewart Imbert (agent) - (604) 253 6292/diananzboys@shaw.ca or
Andrew Kim (604) 524-8101
Track “Putiri” from my new album “Arenaria” is this week on the player of Radio Basile. To listen just click on “Putiri“ on the player of www.myspace.com/radiobasile Enjoy Listening!
