In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their collections. This week, ahead of Dialled In festival, Daytimers’ Gracie T spotlights breakthrough sounds from the new South Asian underground
This Saturday, 9th April, marks the return of Dialled In, a London festival celebrating South Asian music, arts and culture. Having launched in September 2021 with a much-hyped debut event, the festival – a collaborative project by the Daytimers, Chalo and No ID collectives – will celebrate its second edition at EartH, Hackney between 12pm and 10pm, with an afterparty scheduled to take place at Village Underground from 10pm onwards.
DJs confirmed to play the festival include Four Tet, DJ Mag Best of British Breakthrough DJ 2021 award winner Yung Singh, DJ Mag artist to watch for 2022 Mixtress b2b Maleek, NTS resident anu, former Swing Ting party-starter Samrai, QTIPOC club crew PXSSY PALACE and Manara. Works Of Intent, SUCHI b2b D-Lish and Rohan Rakhit are on the bill, while live performances will come from artists including Grammy-nominated sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar, Paul Institute affiliate HIRA, Jitwam and Shivum Sharma. You can see the full line-up here.
Also set to play is Sheffield-based DJ Gracie T, who will go b2b with DJ Priya, closing out The Hall stage from 9-10 PM with what promises to be a spectacular set. Gracie T has made waves on the scene in the past 12 months. As a member of the Daytimers crew, a resident at hallowed Sheffield club Hope Works, and as co-founder of The Beatriarchy collective for underrepresented people in electronic music, they have built their name as a fiercely talented DJ with a high-energy technique and even higher-energy, genre-hopping selections – just check their b2b with Chandé from Yung Singh Pres. Daytimers Boiler Room, or their recent Keep Hush stream. They’ll also play Bristol’s Thekla with Off Me Nut Records on Friday 15th April. Tickets for that are available here.
Ahead of Dialled In, Gracie T has stepped up for our Selections series, spotlighting various artists on the festival bill, as well as members of the Daytimers crew and other breakthrough artists thriving in the new South Asian electronic underground. Dig in below.
“SUCHI is the one to watch. Her debut EP is ethereal but edgy with some gorgeous Indian elements. Plenty of breaks to feed your soul!”
“Works of Intent says it best: ‘An organ plays in an abandoned church. A car blasting ‘90s era jungle drives past. Someone lobs a bottle of Irn Bru at you from 150m away and lands it right on your dome’. A vibey jungle number for your earholes.”
“A high energy club DJ and beautiful singer-songwriter, Shivum Sharma’s new release ‘Overload’ is a song he has chopped and changed little elements of as he worked on it with Alex Burey over a long period of time. The final result is just gorgeous.”
“Darama released his debut EP on More Time with some highly-sought-after gems that have been dubs for far too long! One of my fave producers ever… and now one of yours too.”
“An incredible artist, Nahi Mitti has produced a beautiful album influenced by dance, R&B and Gidha music(s). This is a full body and spirit experience released on Mutualism.”
“At the start of lockdown in 2020, Zar, Mandeep Singh, Kevin Fox and Leanne Sedin put together this lovely exploration of isolation commissioned by the BBC. Enjoy the full release here – my favourite tune is ‘Can’t Catch My’.”
“King Monday, or king of the dubs as we call him, is back with another fresh original release. ‘Sleepwalker’ premiered on Mornings w/ Chandé on Melodic Distraction on Friday 8th April. Look out for his full album dropping soon!”
“Yourboykiran is exploring as many genres as he can, coming at you from every angle with his fresh takes on dance music, drawing particular inspiration from the Asian Underground. This one is his first venture into UKG, with an old school sound to get you in the summer mood! Trust me he is one to keep an eye on.”
“Rainmann recently dropped the first single off his upcoming South Asian infused tech-house EP. ‘10 Beans At The Sangeet’ gives the listener the euphoria that the title suggests, as he provides an accessible bounce that any listener could get behind.”
“This is not just your average music release: this is music, literature, film and art all wrapped up in the story of being a third culture kid. Look out for the full album dropping soon but enjoy the first single ‘Emergence’, giving you ambient meets 2-step meets jazz.”
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