Punjabi by Nature

This article is about Canadian bhangra band. For UK-based producer and artist known as PBN / Panjabi By Nature, see PBN (producer).
Punjabi by Nature
Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Bhangra
Years active 1993 (1993)–1998 (1998)
Labels Westpark
Past members Raffa Dean
Paul Dhanjal
Chris Hess
Tony Singh
Tesfa Campbell
Jason Filiatrault
Shameema Soni

Punjabi by Nature was a seven piece bhangra band founded in Toronto in 1993.[1] They were nominated for a 1996 Juno Award in the Best Global Album category for their album Jmpn For Joy.[2][3] The band played many festivals throughout Canada, opening for acts such as the Beastie Boys, Bass is Base, and others.[4]

Punjabi by Nature were unique in the bhangra band genre in that they were emphatic in that their target audience were not ethnic Indo-Canadians but people of all nationalities and ethnic groups. According to songwriter and vocalist Tony Singh, "We consider it to be Canadian music–I mean, what is Canada? Canada is diverse. So this is true multiculturalism. Our band members are not all Indian. We're also trying to prove a point–that you don't have to be Asian to like this kind of music. You don't have to be white to play rock music. You don't have to be black to play reggae. We're always trying to send a message across, to be against prejudice. I think the Asian people should really realize that prejudice is not just outside. It's within the community. If you don't open your door to your neighbour, then why should he open his door? Our community tends to stay within. You have to break the barriers and get out there. We don't care who's in the audience, or how they're dancing. They don't have to dance in a certain way, or look a certain way. We just want everyone to have a good time."[4]

Tony's newest music project, Sirens of Shanti, made its first stage debut in 2015. This time it is destined to go global, with more heavy guitar and beats fused with organic Indian instruments. This time lyrics are in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, English, French and Hebrew. (www.sirensofshanti.com) (https://www.facebook.com/sirensofshanti?fref=ts)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rump Shaking Rhythm from Punjabi By Nature, John Terlesky (The Morning Call) http://articles.mcall.com/1998-08-15/news/3212645_1_volksplatz-musikfest-dance
  2. ↑ "1996 Juno Awards Database". metrolyrics.com. MetroLyrics. Retrieved 22 October 2011. External link in |work= (help)
  3. ↑ "Juno Awards Database Punjabi by Nature". junoawards.ca/database/. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 1 November 2011. External link in |work= (help)
  4. 1 2 Aujla, Teena (8 July 1996). "Punjabi by nature". The Peak. 93 (10). Burnaby: The Peak Publications Society. peak.sfu.ca. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
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