Kissmet was originated by Ron and younger brother Buz Singh in the latter part of the 20th century. Two Sikh brothers, they had a strong allegiance to Bhangra but their eyes were looking further than that single shored horizon, across the seas to a new shore not ventured to. They had flirtations fusing English and Punjabi songs together but now wanted to write their own original material. The first few songs though were all in English. Ron recalls, "The first song I ever wrote was Catch the Sun. Can't say what it was about but it all stemmed from wanting something you couldn't have but in the end, you throw caution to the wind and let it ride and see where you end up. After that came Just don't walk away, Baby you were mine, Here to stay, Light of my life, etc, etc
"We were happy with the material and decided it was time to bite the bullet and record some. So, we searched far and wide to find someone we could entrust with the job of producing what we hoped would be the beginning of a new era for us. And boy, did we find the kiddies! There was a little sports centre in Cardiff and on the top floor of the complex were John Lenny and Ian Gully running a small studio. We booked in a couple of days to work on "Just don't walk away" and "Light of my life", just some of the stuff we'd written together in the freezing cold of the garage bang smack in the middle of a bleak midwinter. What can I say? We jelled really well with John and Gully and they loved what we were trying to do and the material, well, that speaks for itself. "Just don't walk away" and "Light of my life" are absolute classics and held true to our wish of subliminal fusion. JDWA has Nagin integrated so well within its structure, you'd think it was as charty as anything you'd hear on the radio, but Asian people know... As soon as they hear it, their ears prick up and they realise where we're coming from.
We had so many encouraging responses to the material that we decided to form a band to take our sound to the masses. We started off by asking Max, our older brother and steadying hand to take care of the Tabla section for us. He agreed so long as we bought him some new tablas!
Then, John our guitarist came onboard. I'd worked with him on some rocky stuff we'd done, calling ourselves Peanut Butter Sandwich ('cause I was the nutty brown one in the middle), so I knew he was out there on his own with his axe. He's an absolutely fantastic musician and we'd be drowning in a deep dark sea without him so he was straight in. Also, he's one of the nicest blokes I've ever met.
We stumbled across Marc (bass) and Thorin (drums) by one of those strange twists of fate or something. Marc's dad lived around the corner from Buz and Buz and Marc's dad were just talking in the street one day when Buz mentioned he was in a band looking for a bass player.
Marc's dad said he'd ask Marc if he was interested and, if he was, there was a drummer who might come along too. Talk about finding honey in the Antarctic! Marc may be young but he plays with a flair and passion way beyond his years. And Thorin, well, an awesome drummer who's as much into the Indian drumming as Buz is.
The rest, as they say, will be history..."
Pleased to hear you are playing at Wychwood Festival this year 30th May - 1st June - let your friends know that I have a pair of weekend tickets available as a prize to GondwanaSound listeners.
Listen to the show this Wednesday 21st May from 10 - 12 noon or listen to the podcast for the question and competition instructions.
There is no monetary equivalent for the tickets and the winner of the pair of tickets must be able to collect them in person from the festival office with the relevant winner's password.
thanks for the add fella's I have moved to Turkey...any plans for heading this way? Can't wait till your album drops lemme know. You guys rock loved ya in Edinbourgh on New Years.
Hey Kissmet, thanks so much for adding us. Our album is out just before Christmas and features a truly eclectic mix of musicians. All profits will go to Sue Ryder Care, Thorpe Hall Hospice.
Hi guys , hope the gigs are going great .Just to let you know of Kwame D's latest news. We now have a further two members of the band. Zoe Killcross on flute, and Dave Willacy on bass guitar. Thet produce a realy full and exiting sound, blending African & Reggae rhythms,with soul and funk.Giving music that you just cant help dancing to ! Catch them at their first major performance at The Bradford Mela, Peel Park Bradford, West Yorks . on Sunday 8th July 1.45 pm or check out the website / myspace for full gig list. thanks. see you soon . Jackie. www.KwameD.com
Thanks for being our friend, Kissmet. Much appreciated!
RHYTHM FESTIVAL 2007 - only 2,000 weekend tickets left... Alabama 3, Seth Lakeman, 3 Daft Monkeys, Levellers, Joe Bonamassa, Prince Buster, Ike Turner, Hothouse Flowers, John Mayall, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel... and loads more. The Festival of the Year 2007. Don't miss out!
Details from click here for info/tickets or our myspace page.
Hi guys - greetings from Swansea.
Thx for the add. Great set at Pontardawe last year - the tent was really jumpin'. Hope you can get back here soon.
Cofion/Regards
Brilliant to have you all as my friends, I hope to catch up with you at one of the Festivals again this year, if not I'll sulk for 10 years!!! Love what you do - keep that beat going for all of us out here. Love, Light and Laughter
Thanks for the add - it is a pleasure to meet you -
Please visit John's book site http://www.trafford.com/robots/03-1791.html
"How NOT to Make it in the Pop World" ( Diary of an almost has-been)
( A bitter sweet / humorous diary of my quest for unlimited fame and fortune in the fickle world of pop )
JOHN is one of the journeymen of pop music. In a playing career that spans more than twenty years he has been lucky enough to have played recorded and toured with world name artists that include:
BOY GEORGE / CULTURE CLUB / THE FUN BOY THREE / IGGY POP / MUSICAL YOUTH / THE SWINGING LAURELS / JERRY DAMMERS / THE CLASH / RHODA DAKAR (THE SPECIALS) / CRAZYHEAD / THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH / BANANARAMA/ IST
'Tis the end of the year and it's finally time to decide...are you a Prince or a Pauper? To celebrate the coming of a brand new year, Lost Vagueness, master of provocative glamour and eccentric entertainment, will be hosting a hedonistic concoction of delights, as they present The Night of The Prince or the Pauper, weaving together a mixture of live bands and intoxicating cabaret at their London residency the Coronet, a hidden wonder in the urban metropolis at the Elephant and Castle, London.
Click on this flyer to visit our website:
Click on this flyer to purchase tickets:
We’ve also had a problem with our mailing list, so please subscribe with your regular email address HERE
Saw you guys at Leicester and you were a definite highlight. You had the whole crowd dancing (including my pogoing mother) at 2pm! Come to Liverpool! I'll make sure all my friends are there!!
hey you guys were awesome at summer sundae! i met one of you after and you said you were coming to london in october but there's nowt on your website! please come and see us! x
