The past two weeks have been an absolutely ridiculously phenomenally challenging and yet a remarkably enjoyable start to the new year!

3 shows in 4 weeks! People reaching out to us for future shows! Last minute EVERYTHING – my little heart’s all worked up!

Our kickass end of 2011 show at the legendary Velvet Underground….AMAZING…..it even got us another gig! I needn’t say more.

First show of 2012 was Jan 7th with our dear friends Dead Shyre at The Central! They sounded amazing with a tight new lineup – this was one of my favourite shows they’ve done!  Maha Kamal, amazing lady who pushes for social justice through her profession as a lawyer, AND is a phenomenal photographer was at the show too! (She is also the wife of Dead Shyre’s rocking lead singer Ali Rizvi). You need to check out Maha’s photography – it’s amazing. I kinda wish she also had a blog, I’d follow that in an instant (just putting it out there Maha!).

And then Jeez louise!….

I’m still in awe of our show on Friday Jan 13th at Hart House for UofT’s Student Union’s Week of Welcome!

OMG SBS is on the marquee line!!

We opened for The Elwins + The Arkells. This was the biggest show we’ve done to date – about 250-300 super excited energetic university kids and the energy flowing through the room was IMMENSE!  Marco was sweating, Rustom was smiling, and I was singing my little heart out. The audience JUMPED, DANCED + MOSHED with our tunes! I mean they had never even heard of us before and to get that kind of response was

fucking gold.

Hart House a+ UTSU totally spoiled us with our own green room, with food, and booze! Gah! It was one of the most vindicating moments of our professional artistic lives – we were actually being treated like artists! We would have been happy with some water and a push onto the stage!  Hart House, Vita Carlino, The Elwins  -these guys all gave us simply amazing love.  The Elwins even let us borrow their bass player + tuner for sound check – totally awesome guys.  Keep your eyes out for their upcoming CD (releasing in Feb!).   We didn’t have a chance to meet The Arkells in person – but god damn they rocked out that night!   SBS was also joined on stage that night by Karim Rizkallah and his gorgeous Halo (– it’s SUCH a COOL instrument – see video below).  He joined us with only 2 days notice – totally rock’n roll).  Karim & his halo will hopefully also be making an appearance on the album.

Oh yeah – that’s right – We are recording an album in February!  Gah! Crazy how quickly that came up!

This is a year of cutting out the bullshit – and it feels great!!  Cutting out crap (from a diet, relationships, work, etc), has really let the most important things take precedence and receive the attention they deserve.  It feels sooooo good to have put so much hard work into something and to see the energy reflected in your audience.  !!! I WANT TO DO IT AGAIN !!!

Let’s do it again!

(We’re going to do it again on Feb 17th at The Drake Hotel! You should come and do it with us – keep your eyes out for more deets!)

Although we have made plans, I’m not certain what’s in store for the band, the label, or even just little ol’ me in the year to come, but for everything that has been the past year:

Thank you

to all the amazing people who have been working alongside the band, the label, the community to continue to work against the random factors of Life through creating art! Thank you for fighting the good fight.  Your support and love and sheer wild bewildering believing has provided our little band with a beautiful community, a stunning audience at our shows, and the joy of performing.

To have you come to a show, post your thoughts on our Facebook page, hangout with us on Twitter, send us an email (see below), talk to us about your thoughts on music, life, love, community, change – we have been very privileged to engage with you.  Thank you for sharing in our music!

Our last show of the year is Friday Dec 16th at the legendary Velvet Underground in Toronto - it will be loud and lovely.  If you are at the show we would love to have your thoughts on the new songs!!! We will definitely need your feed back on songs!!!  (see below)!  SBS + Friends are then heading away to the Hart House Farm to write, and record demos for the upcoming album due out Spring 2012.  We will be sharing demos in late December an early January.

Every day is a new year – not in a shmultzy kind of way – but in the way that love, joy, merriment, peace and resolutions can be had at any time! Don’t sweat the insanity that is supposed to be “The Holidays.”  Besides – The End is Nigh! Which means we get to begin again.

Much love,  your band always,

SBS

New Music

SBS is writing, writing, writing, rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing, playing, playing, playing, deleting, deleting, deleting, and then writing, writing, writing again. We’ve played 2 amazing shows in October already!

This is Hush a new song inspired by South Asian mothers who don’t want to let go of their sons.

11.11.11
An amazing coincidence of a day! And we’re playing a show with our friends Dead Shyre at The Central on Fri Nov 11 from 6-9pm!SBS will be doing a rare  acoustic set -likely with some experimental material.  It will still be high energy  (I don’t think SBS knows how to do a low energy set)…. but it will be a little more vocally oriented. (You’ll be able to hear the lyrics to the songs this way!).

Facebook is Purple
We’ve updated our FB Profile to include MUSIC + VIDEO care of Reverb Nation.

If you are already a fan click on the    Band Profile  link on the left hand side of the SBS FB Page.  If you aren’t a fan already – check out the beautiful new layout here!

Men are Rad
Men are Rad and need to be healthy! (Because we love you and need you to be healthy too!)
Our darling Marco is donating his face to Movember in order to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues. He’s shaved off his beard and is starting from scratch to grow out the now famous Movember moustache!
Check out his page to see his mustachio growing progress + maybe donate some funds too on his Movember page!

UPCOMING SHOWS!

New York I’m coming: Nov 17, 18 + 19
I’ll be in NYC to check out Tisch’s ITP program in action!
While I’m there I’m hoping to hop into an open mic or two!
Any suggestions for places to eat, things to do, spots to check out or spaces to play are all welcome!

San Francisco I’ll see you soon: Nov 20 – 27
After NYC I’ll be flying to the West Coast to see friends + family (it’s been 10 years since my last visit!)
While in San Fran I’ll be finding a cool open mic spot to play – any leads let us know!

The Velvet Underground
Stoked to be playing the legendary Velvet Underground in Toronto on Fri Dec 16th (presented by WOAH Music).
Keep an eye out for the FB Event with details!  In the meantime – here is a link to the “BitterSweet Symphony” by the band – The Velvet Underground (you know – just cuz).

HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS.

that is all.

• Daniel Trinh came by and took some GORGEOUS photos of the band last weekend and we now have some amazing photography for the site. It’s soo easy working with Dan and we are soooooooooooo excited to do a formal, stylized photoshoot in the coming months.

• We have SHOWS booked! Hooray! Sat Oct 15th at Smiling Buddha with Dead Shyre and Samer Shahid Khan.  It’s going to be an awesome party at a relaxed venue downtown.  We also have a show booked for Sat. Dec 16 – more details tba for that one!

• Our website is still in the works! I made it a bit more difficult than it should have been for our website producer, Chris Mallon, by not transferring some name servers recently……SO SORRY CHRIS! But he’s on it and the first version of the site should be up very very shortly. Had a great Mobile meeting with Nik Papadakis – omg – so super informative. Mobile is a medium that is definitely on our radar.

• We are so lucky to have some amazing mentors/advisers and we had a chance to chat with Fleur Leslie, at Small World Music (Chair of the Board of Directors).  She sat down with us and helped talk us through some business planning with engaging teams, building robust contact database and focusing what our core business will be and how it might expand in the next 3 -5 years (always daunting especially when you’re only really 2 months in – but vision helps steer this creative ship!).

• We have a real space to work out of at the Centre for Social Innovation down at Queen and Spadina.  AMAZING energy and people in that place – super stoked to be working out of there!

Which brings us to the time for Marco’s vlog – we’ve met with our growing MineOwn Media team over the past month and Marco wanted to send out some love – in song form and highly inspired by Romperoom – “and I see Timmy and David….”  they never saw Bandana or Tanuja or Nik Papadakis for that matter – but in Marco’s vision of the Romperoom Shout Out – he sees us all!

Wrote this in 2008 for the North Shore Writers’ Festival Short Story Contest  

In Mumbai, skies would gape open and bare teeth. Taxis would awaken from slumber, their drivers clutching wheels like guns, ready for battle in the streets. Crows would descend, operatically unafraid, into the wet jostle for space and survival. And Mohan would open his eyes and walk to the window with a grateful pace.

‘Dr. Mo, will this hurt?’, and once again Mohan was exploring the metal laced mouth of Tim Stewart, who had the talent of being a thirteen year old comfortable enough in his own skin to talk at all times, to anyone, anywhere, and even with motionless lips. Tim’s utterances, however many, however nasal, were unforced, sourcing from some deep well of expression within him. Mohan thought about his own words, how they tended to meander, river-like, hugging curves of thought but never spilling honestly onto the shore. All the levies might break under all that pain, and that hope that held him prisoner to dreams, that shackled him here to this dentist’s office where his own name sounded foreign. ‘We’re actually done…you can close your mouth.’ Tim’s eyes had widened. ‘Are you okay Dr. Mo?’, and then unexpectedly, due to the youth of the inquirer, ‘Do you miss home?’. It was motherly, the intuitive concern, the complete lack of conceit. Perhaps, for once, Tim’s words deserved a response that matched their true worth. Mohan nodded truthfully, feeling as if the crows had suddenly burst into the office, as if the monsoon itself had released its blessed rains.

First month down – 17 to go……September is a new year for many students – but really aren’t we all students of in the school of life?  (hahahaha)….September has always felt way more like the beginning of a New Year to me than Jan 1st- and in that regard here are some of our new school year resolutions……

New songs, New shows, New website.….NEW FULL LENGTH ALBUM!!!!

Check out the “vlog” (video blog) below for details!  VIDEO DISCLAIMER:  I am almost always in “muppet mode” when on any kind of film based medium – photos, videos, etc… it’s a known fact.  You will notice many a “muppet moment” throughout the video.  Enjoy! (This is the first one – so it’s fairly ranty/rambling…but it’s full of rainbows and unicorns with a low dose of marshmallow bananas).

It’s been 1 month since we’ve have moved into project mode.  I had an amazing chat with Marco Adamovic (our fantastic drummer) – and he’s also on board to help build the label – how very very exciting!!! He’s simply an amazing dude with a great history in youth facilitation and artistic programming.  So we are soooo stoked.

We’ve finally come up with some real launch dates for our upcoming works!

• Sept – New Band Photography!
• Oct 1  – New Website!
• Sept/Oct – Questions and Answers (we have tons of questions about how you interact with music and really would love to get your thoughts and ideas on distribution, shows, videos – details coming in the next post)
• Nov – Shows in the US!
• Mar 13 2012 – New Album Release Date! (Hazah!)

We’ve got a lot of stuff going on and it’s all being brought to you by the letter W.  Well no, it’s actually being brought to you by a set of helping hands (Christine, Tanuja, Daniel, Chris, Nik!).  Live events, websites, grants…this team is going to rock some socks this fall.

Oct 1st will be the launch of a new website as well as Marco’s  turn to do a Vlog – his Vlog will be soooooooo much more together because he’s a pro!

Over the next 18 months (Aug 1 2011 – Feb 2013),  I’ll be working with an amazing team to build a record label that integrates commerce building and community building in order to continue building my own musical career.  Growing up with punk+alt rock in the 90′s that whole DIY thing kinda got stuck inside my mind.  If an opportunity does not exist – make one.

Yes – I’m pretty much insane to be leaving a full time job to attempt to build a competitive business in what is essentially a failing industry.  But there seems to be potential….and I find the allure too tempting.  This adventure is going to be really really hard and very trying (not only for myself but my family and friends who are providing their love and support).  Who knows – at the end of the day,  I could have very little – but – in the end I suppose I will have a story to tell my own children, (in particular daughters) one day – “that’s right sweetheart, mommy tried to be a rockstar back in the day……”  I never want to say to my future unborn children (and anyone else for that matter)   you can live your dreams without at least attempting it.

Needless to say – I need help (in so many different ways…but let’s start with the practical stuff no?)……

We are building a team.   Maybe you are interested in the music, the industry or the idea of being part of a social enterprise, but if you’re interested in giving some of your time, energy and talents to this endeavour that would be soo totally rad    Even if you have NEVER tried any of these things but have a huge interest and passion – please don’t shy from contacting us! (Lord knows I’ve never tried this before….)

There is a short list of potential ways you can get involved – if there’s something else you think we need, or that you could help out with – or are interested in pursuing – totally let us know!!  We are located in Toronto – but you don’t have to be.  We are all about building a team that’s engaged and excited by music, culture + community and good times.

THE LABEL: Building a viable social enterprise,  (commercial business that is steeped in community based values) to ensure a safe and accessible studio space, as well as development and promotions support to amazing community based artists!

THE BAND: Building Sing Bandana Singh, writing new music (alt rock), gaining more exposure, doing more shows!

Support that the Band + Label will need:

• Marketing Team: these would be people who are interested in helping to create electronic marketing campaigns (integrating Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, Fanbridge) that are meanginful and not spammy!
• Members of a Community Team: team members who talk to as many other people as they can about the music and upcoming events the feel and how others can get involved; this may also include going to amazing events all over the GTA to learn about other like-minded artists.
• Founding Team:
• this is a core group of maybe 4 people or so – who would create the working vision, with a strategy to execute to build the organization.   This would be a team that would also be focused on how to turnover interactions with the music and media into revenue and profits in order to create a sustainable organization.
• A concert booking agent: maybe you’re just really interested in working in music and events – we’d LOVE to talk to you!
• A publicist (or publicists):
• Artists – do you play? Or know someone who does?  The band is always interested in collaborations and live events and if you want to pitch some arty music ideas – we’d love to hear them!

Out there – in the deep dark void that can be scary and mean and just not nice.  Sometimes out there is even better than you could have imagined.  I suppose you just can’t know.

This weekend I was hanging out with a great friend and were discussing (like we always do) the inertia that fear creates in our lives.  Every once in a while, fear is a truly important flag keeping us from being really hurt.  Most times it’s just in the way.

Who knew that one of the world’s most prolific street photographers never shared a single photograph during her lifetime and her brilliance was found out by accident through an auction of her belongings after her death (we found this story via TVGawker.com- once you get past the cliche announcer it gets pretty good):

Whether or not she was a brilliant photographer doesn’t even matter – look at how gorgeous her perspective is in the photographs!  So stunning – some of them are lovely stories in a single frame. But think about the hundreds of photographs that were ugly and awful – the shots that came between the beautiful ones.

You have to give yourself a shot no?  I mean – seriously – wouldn’t it be better to benefit from your efforts while you’re still alive – instead of waiting for someone else to acknowledge and benefit from your efforts once your dead?  (However, it’s obvious that Vivian Maier was an extremely private person and artist – but you have to wonder whether it was fear or privacy that drove her to keep her story for herself).

Just give it a try! That’s what everyone keeps telling me.  A wise man once said- inertia’s a bitch.  The tortoise in me is moving one step at a time.  But I have to keep moving.  I have a ton of entrepreneurial friends whom I really admire – they just do stuff! Even if they’re not quite sure what it is they’re doing….they are willing to give it a try.

Also, you have to do the stuff you’re not so great at over and over again, until you get really good at it.  As a musician, at first I always found recording to be really scary – I mean it’s going to be recorded forever!  But then, after recording little by little, it’s now easy-peasy!  But currently, shows are really scary, but they’re exhilarating too! A great show can really make you feel like you are a part of a story – or – that you would like to share your story. I’ll be doing my best going out there and doing these scary things – feel free to join me- it’s nice to have company when you’re scared. 

—————-

Sing Bandana Singh performs Thursday January 13th at the El Mocambo (464 Spadina Ave. Toronto).  Doors at 7pm.  Performance at 7:30pm  $10.  19+.

Music: http://myspace.com/singbandanasingh

Twitter: http://twitter.com/bandbandana

A Heroic Entertainment Production.

Thursday Jan 13th at the El Mocambo in Toronto - It seems to be a very enigmatic place.

I always like doing shows/events in unusual places – now El Mo (as it is lovingly called in Toronto) is not an unusual place per say – it is a licensed bar that hosts live music.  BUT – it’s been around FOREVER! It was the first bar to get a liquor license in Toronto!

The history of the building goes back to 1850!  This is crazy for a city that is infamous for having very few historic buildings. Oh – and you know a little band called The Rolling Stones played and recorded Love You Live at the El Mocambo back in 1977.  No biggie.

But what I find most intriguing is the current owner.

Now – I’m getting all of this information from the El Mocambo website, Wikipedia and newspaper articles – so take it as you will.  Abbas Jahangiri, the owner of the El Mo is a serial entrepreneur who has taken a vow of poverty.   His previous professional history includes leading an engineering team, CEO of a real estate development company as well as being a principal for a national dance company  (when you are on the El Mo site – click on History and Owner).  In 2003 he took a vow of poverty and has dedicated his life to helping the most vulnerable in society.  Including daily 2am-6am service and distribution of food and survival needs for hundreds of Toronto’s homeless. Very intriguing no?

I’m most intrigued by his conviction in his change of lifestyle.

Rock n’Roll isn’t a selfless industry – it is fueled by narcissism and vanity……..

Shameless Self Promotion

…..so it’s super interesting to come across people who try to find balance with the rock n’roll attitude and the gravest societal needs around them.  These are two extremes and Mr. Jahangiri seems to live at both ends.

I wonder if he will be at the show?  It would be awesome to grab a conversation with him – what couldn’t you talk about?!

Music is about great stories – I have a feeling that the El Mo has more than a few good tales to tell.

—–

Sing Bandana Singh performs Thursday January 13th at the El Mocambo (464 Spadina Ave. Toronto).  Performance at 7:30pm  $10.  19+.

Music: http://myspace.com/singbandanasingh

Twitter: http://twitter.com/bandbandana

A Heroic Entertainment Production.

I’ve been letting the things I can’t control, overwhelm me – so instead – here is a little short story that’s been in my books but hasn’t gone anywhere – if you want to add to it, change it, insert characters – please feel free to do so (just link back here please!):

————–

There are nights when you remember things long forgotten. What is this sensation of remembering? It is not always regret, nor fondness. Memories run away with us occasionally and take us to a time that never actually existed; we forget how memories can be hyper-complete: hyper-coloured, hyper-emotional, hyper-beautiful, hyper-real. But no – they are only memories. He has only memories and they are rotting his mind. If he were to let go and make new memories he would be sure to regret them. The future merely becomes the past – the past merely interrupts the future. What is a mind to do?