Live Review: Karma Sheen at The 100 Club
An epic night at the iconic 100 Club from London’s psychedelic Hindustani rock band Karma Sheen. It felt like being in a movie and it was a night not to be missed, with support from British Tamil art rocker Kapil Seshasayee.
Sym Gharial: Punk Chaos and Cultural Catharsis
In conversation with Sym Gharial about music, identity and the strange allure of the glorious abyss that is punk.
Interview with Kieran Dhanjal, guitarist of Ishtar Terra
Kieran Dhanjal, guitarist and founder of extreme metal band Ishtar Terra chats with Meerat Kaur about life, music and his love for the heaviest of metal ahead of the release of the band's debut EP 'Isolator'.
Interview with Alexandra D’Sa – cast member of new play SILENCE exploring Partition
SILENCE, the new play from Tara Theatre, brings personal testimonies from Partition to life on stage – to break the silence. Swetha Charles interviews cast member Alexandra D’sa about her relationship to Partition and her thoughts on the play.
Interview with Dalit rights academic and activist Dr Suraj Yengde
Leading Dalit rights academic and author of Caste Matters (2019) Dr Suraj Yengde recently featured in Origin, the film based on the life of journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she writes the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Puja Nandi chats with Suraj about the film, Dalit rights and the diaspora’s lack of engagement in conversations around casteism.
Interview Arvin Bancil – Popes Of Chillitown bassist
Arvin Bancil, bassist in London-based ska/punk/dub/reggae band Popes Of Chillitown, chats to WEIRDO ahead of their headline set at Gorilla for Manchester Punk Festival.
WEIRDO Collective at Manchester Punk Festival 2024
“Both Manchester Punk Festival and WEIRDO have given me such a sense of belonging.” WEIRDO Collective members reflect on their time at Manchester Punk Festival 2024 and share highlights from the sets of Saffiyah Khan, Popes of Chillitown, KILL, THE ICON! and King Prawn.
South Asian Women in Rock Music
A non-exhaustive list of South Asian women making rock music. When people ask “where are all the South Asian women in rock music?” send them this list!
Ithaca's Sam Chetan-Welsh on the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in metal
Neil Parmar interviews Sam Chetan-Welsh, a guitarist and a founding member of British metalcore band Ithaca, about how his Indian heritage has informed his music and the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in metal. This interview is part of WEIRDO’s ‘We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji’ series.
“Were we this sick?” In conversation with Rupa Marya, author of Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Justice
Rupa Marya is a doctor and the co-author of Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice. In this interview, Rupa speaks about the core theme in the book: the relationships between our health and the injustices of our political and economic systems, and shares the ways in which she’s dismantling systems of oppression through mutual aid.
Cornershop’s Tjinder Singh on Enoch Powell, how making guitar music was sacrilege and the meaning of ‘Brimful of Asha’
Puja Nandi speaks with Tjinder Singh of the influential British band Cornershop who formed in the 90s. This interview is part of WEIRDO’s ‘We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji’ series.
10 Famous Bands With South Asian Members
South Asian musicians have always been present in rock music. Here’s a list of ten of the most famous and influential bands with South Asian members from the UK and North America.
Pinkshift bring down The Underworld in London
Pinkshift have been non-stop touring in the US and are finally back in the UK for the second time for what they’ve called the ‘Britshift’ tour (plus a show in Belgium). We caught their show at The Underworld in Camden Town, London, with support from The Sex Patels and Just.
'Your Anger Is Rational' - an interview with Dr Nishant Joshi of KILL, THE ICON!
Synth-punk trio KILL, THE ICON! recently released their much anticipated debut EP ‘Your Anger Is Rational'. Naz Toorabally caught up with bassist and frontman Dr Nishant Joshi over Zoom to chat about the EP, the myth of meritocracy and why protest is important (despite what the Sleaford Mods have to say about it).
Desi Pubs – the untold stories of British-Indian publicans
More than just a guidebook, Desi Pubs tells the previously untold stories of resistance underpinning the existence of desi pubs in the UK and the landlords running them. Naz Toorabally speaks with author and journalist David Jesudason about his book, the importance of telling these stories and the impact discovering desi pubs had on him.
Bloodywood’s Rakshak tour - Electric Ballroom, London
Indian folk metal band Bloodywood have been taking the world by storm with their debut album ‘Rakshak’. We caught their penultimate show on their EU/UK tour in London at the Electric Ballroom in Camden and it’s a show we won’t forget.
Maya Lakhani releases new single 'Torn in Two'
Rising British Indian rock artist, Maya Lakhani released her much awaited fourth single 'Torn in Two’ earlier this month - a fierce, energetic alt rock track.
Album review: The whimsical ripple of Imaad Wasif’s ‘So Long Mr. Fear’
Acclaimed Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, Imaad Wasif, released his sixth studio album, So Long Mr. Fear, in August this year via label Sonic Ritual. Zee Ahmed shares her thoughts on the album.