Delhi 2 Dublin formed for a one-off show in 2006, not even realizing that this performance would lead to others. Cut to six years later, and the band is fully realized and are certainly more than just a one-off party band.
Doug Simpson, the director of Vancouver Folk Fest, was in charge of putting together a Celtic Fest in Vancouver and got in touch with Tarun Nayar, who was a DJ at the time.
“Because there wasn’t much Celtic electronic music out there, Simpson suggested that I create some and blend it with Indian music,” explains Nayar. “I thought it sounded fun, so I got in touch with people I knew of through the music industry and we put together a 20-minute set.”
Nayar claims their first live show was terrible, but people were into it and there was a great energy. Shortly after that performance, Delhi 2 Dublin were asked to play other shows and ended up becoming a band.
“Our main ingredient to our success has been hard work,” says Nayar. “We perform 150-200 shows per year, which means lots of travel, sleepless nights, and time in the studio.”
When Delhi 2 Dublin are on the road they listen to a huge variety of music, because they are all into different styles. Some of the regulars that circulate their sound systems are Lana Del Rey, Fat Boy Slim, Manu Chao, Asian Dub Foundation, and lots of ’80s classics.
Their travels have taken them to place like Brunei, Bali, Ireland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Germany. Delhi 2 Dublin have made it to every continent except Africa and Antarctica.
“Before every show we get together, like in a football huddle, and dedicate the show to an inspirational musician,” says Nayar. “Each time it’s someone different, so I have no idea who we’ll dedicate our next show to, but our last show was in Quebec City so we dedicated our show to Roch Voisine.”
Nayar says in the band’s six years together they are getting better at expressing themselves, their synergy has increased, and audience response has helped them shape a more bass-heavy sound.
“Even though Vancouver is grey for a large percentage of the year, we try to keep our music vibrant with shades of melancholy,” he says. “With the way the world is at the moment, our next album will be voicing more opinions because during these crazy times. It’s hard to not say something.”
Delhi 2 Dublin
Thursday, March 1
Club 9ONE9, $19.50
delhi2dublin.com