Recently, Irfan had the pleasure of interviewing one of the best up and coming stars from the desi music scene all the way from the USA, none other than the one and only 'DJ Harmony.'

1) How long have you been on the desi music scene? How did it all start for you?

Basically it all started when my dad gave me my first tabla at the age of 3. From there, I started playing tabla ever since the age of 3 so I always had a natural born talent of music in me. When I was in HS I used to be up in the underground hip hop scene, being an MC and a DJ…After I left that in my senior year in HS I started to create my own music and I started off with remixing songs using my own beats and not using any samples. From there it occurred in me that, because of tabla I am able to play a lot of other instruments and found a new passion in creating original music. So the story begins here with my debut album Club Panjab in the pipeline.

2) What else do you do apart from producing desi music?

I am a full time Computer Science student and a minor in business. I own a web-development firm in San Diego called; WEBZTOGO.COM (haha gotta love the plug) and I now own a record label called, GoldenChild Records. These things keep me pretty busy. I'm just like any other sikh munda, straight lounging it with the crew and you know doing all that Punjabi stuff we won't name ;)

3) A while back Bally Sagoo made some harsh comments about the quality of the DJ's or so-called remixers on the desi music scene in the USA. What do you have to say on his remarks?

I have to agree with Bally Sagoo. I am glad he didn't mention my name haha. But on a serious note, he was totally right. DJ's in the USA are saturating the scene with way to many remixes and these remixes have a lack of originality to it. I don't care if you think remixing is an art form it isn't when your using samples and just slapping a beat over a track. Remixing is taking an already existed work and re-doing the vocals to your own compositions, melodies and or beats. At least TIPS in India and many other labels in India are coming out with remix albums that are done by producers who are using their own beats, so I would say, DJ Poppat Lal from India is hella better than the dj's in the USA who are currently creating remix albums with the Top 10 MTV slapped on them.

4) You are one of a few DJ's that puts his own tracks onto the Internet to download. Over 90% of artists are against the idea of doing this. Do you think that putting the songs up has benefited you? Do you think that others should copy your idea?

I think it has definitely benefited me in a major way. Not only does it reach a global audience much more quickly than a world tour if I were to go on one, but desi people LOVE free Mp3s! haha. That's the reality of it. I embraced the new age technology and decided to release remixes I had done back in my HS days so that I can create a fan following and some awareness for myself, before I launch Club Panjab. On Napster, Kazaa, etc, all these file servers have my files on there so it's a great feeling that people are logging on to mp3.com/djharmony and downloading the free available tracks. I think everyone should copy my idea and give away free tracks for promotional support. It doesn't hurt at all. If you have a passion for music, than you shouldn't grunt at the idea of creating a track for free download rather than thinking your not going to make money off of it!

5) Having visited the USA I can confidently say that it is very difficult to get hold of UK release bhangra albums. What is your view on this issue? Also, what do you think can be done to improve this?

It's a sad story. I am probably the ONLY DJ (occasionally spin for Kamakazi Entertainment) at their parties and I have a 15 min garage set that I play and people afterwards are asking me where and what the hell was that, that I had played. I mean that in a good way of course. I also NEVER play the "raped" out tracks that are currently out there like PMC "bachke" etc etc…I play the latest tracks from the UK albums since I get them available from a bad ass site. But if you wanted to get the latest Dr. Zeus's album from the UK over here, the shop owners would stare at you and than sell you something else because they don't know what the hell Dr. Zeus is. It's a major problem and I think UntouchablesUK the label is starting to realize that there is a huge market for this kinda stuff in the USA and they are starting to market over-seas here. My label will do just that and the only way to get albums here, is if the lazy so called CEO's of the major desi labels in the Uk start to promote in the US. They are just all out for the quick buck, no passion in music. All they have is a passion in making money.

6) What do you think of the use of 'english clips' in bhangra tracks i.e. do you think it is ok or should we produce our own music?

I hate it with a passion. Enuff said, end of story. Just like 311 the band says, "you gotta come original"

7) So what should we expect from your forthcoming release 'Club Punjab'? Is it gonna be available in the UK? Also, what else should we expect from the DJ Harmony in the near future?

Club Panjab is going to be the LICK! The album will contain all original material. It'll have a hiphop, and a track with 100% English lyrics and chorus featuring UK's finest, MENTOR. It'll also contain r&b, track, traditional bhangra tracks of course, boliyans, and house tracks for the raving crew! The artists on the album are, Mentor, Surinder Shinda, Lethal Dholi's, new Punjabi male singers, MC AVI & MC Simran alongside with upcoming rapper from the USA, FlexSingh, myself and many more artists!
Club Panjab (right) will be different because we have covered most popular genre's of music all into 1 album. So if you like hip hop than you have a hip hop track, if you hate hip hop but you love desi traditional bhangra, we have that too. So we are going by this formula. Club Panjab will be available in the UK since that is our target audience. We'll be one of the first labels and album from the US to be released FIRST in the UK and than the USA last. That is for obvious reasons.
As for DJ Harmony, you can definitely expect me guest producing track(s) on many other albums in the near future. I think after Club Panjab is released and I am happy if it is a major hit, I will just sit back and do guest tracks on other people's albums rather than doing a follow-up since creating an album isn't a walk in the park….that Shit takes time! Music is just a hobby of mine, but it has been dreams of mine to create a successful album so here I am with Club Panjab everyone watch out for Club Panjab!

8) Your forthcoming album is releasing on the 'Golden Child Record' label. You guys are on the lookout of desi talent. With me, Irfan, being the official UK representative. Just tell the people what they need to join the crew at Golden Child Records. I mean what sort of people are you currently on the lookout for?

9) Do you have any final message for the thousand of desitunes4u.com visitors worldwide?

Specially to my UK massive, the fit gals….all the rudeboys…put your hands up and get ready to bounce to Club Panjab when it reaches. I'll need everyone of your support for the album when it hits in your local shops. I like to thank all my fans and family and
DJ Harmony	friends for all the support you have given me throughout the years and put up with a lot of my shit! Specially to the fans online who keep yapping bout me to get the word out and specially to the people downloading my music from the Net, without you, I wouldn't be talked about at all. So keep doing your thing and I got nothing but love and appreciation for that! If you want to drop a quick whats up, or wa'gwaan for you UK heads, drop me a line at djharmony@hotmail.com I answer all my e-mails so keep them rolling in! Lastly, thanks to Irfan of Desitunes4u.com to give me a spot up interview. Again, without your continue'd support Irfan, this project and myself,
could not have been possible! Much love n respect! Now its time for me to ghost on out….CLUB PANJAB! Log on to GOLDENCHILDRECORDS.COM for more information!!!

That concludes the interview, so if you make sure you check out the Club Panjab Album when it hits the shops near you. It's gonna be mad; remember you've been warned!