Welcome back Casey [Warning: LONG ASS POST!!!]

[Casey]

So yeah, I'm official back after over a month! LOL, not that anyone probably cares but whatevs. I thought I'd hit you up with one of my trademark "long ass posts" and let you know what's been going down the last few weeks. So if you don't give a fuck, leave now.

OK!!! So first up....before I even get into anything....

Click the picture of MJ to read my tribute that I wrote to him, on my blog. If you care at all, that is, I realize that some people don't. I don't want to get into it on here and tell you about how I've been feeling like I lost someone in my own family on June 25th. You're only ever going to relate to how I've been feeling if you were a true, lifelong MJ fan as I have always been, and perhaps my blog will help you to understand where I'm coming from.

Now let's rewind!

Last month, the day before we left for Canada, we had a show at BBC White City. White City is the main BBC building where the majority of TV and radio that the BBC create are made. It's the main hub. It was a charity event for BBC World and was broadcast on some international BBC channels. There was about 4 other acts on the bill, including legendary UK soul diva Mica Paris (who I chatted with afterwards, she actually did a track with Prince back in the early 90's so I obviously asked her a few Q's about that), and The Proclaimers were also on the bill (the ones who did that song "I would walk 500 miles", I'm sure some of you know it).

Anyhoo, we tore it up. Don't have any video footage of that yet but here's some pics:

If you wanna see more you can become a fan of us on Facebook here - Swami | Facebook - there's a ton of pics there.

The BBC put us up in a nice hotel right by Heathrow Airport, so we didn't have to travel far the next morning, which was good because we had a really early flight.

After 8 hours of breathing in recirculated air and people's farts, unsuccesfully trying to sleep and watching the new Street Fighter movie and "The Wrestler" (both dope) we landed in Toronto at some point on Thursday and recuperated at the hotel for a couple of hours before heading to a nice Italian restaurant with the promoters of the Festival that we were headlining at on the Saturday.

Then we went straight to a rehearsal space. This space was sorted out by the promoters daughter, it belonged to a band of a friend of hers. It was the most ghetto rehearsal spot ever! It was in an attic, there was some beat up sofas, a bunch of keyboards, and a drumkit, empty beer bottles and spliff ends everywhere, a cupboard full of stripper clothes (belonging to the cousin of the person who's spot it was, she was apparently a stripper, believe it or not), and a tiny ass bathroom with some gothic stuff like skulls and candles in it. It was pretty fucking grimy but it got the job done. If you go to the aforementioned facebook link there's a couple videos of that place in there. I'm not in them though, and here's why:

The following day (Friday), the rest of the band went back to the spot to rehearse, but I had other shit going on. For the three day duration of the festival, the aforementioned promoters daughter was running her own event - Rock The Coliseum - an event put on in the area's coliseum amphitheatre to showcase local and upcoming bands, mostly rock, indie, metal stuff. I had previously asked her a few months ago if I could perform there and premiere some songs from my solo project, and despite it not really being an event geared towards hip-hop, she agreed. So after enlisting a rapper friend of mine in the area to be my hypeman, and finding a DJ, I tore up the spot there and did 5 songs from my upcoming solo album alongside a crew of 4 breakdancers. It went great, despite it being a mostly metal crowd they were digging it. "We Got Some Breaking Up To Do" and another track I've done called "Electric Man" got the best response.

 

[Casey]

After that, I headed back to the rehearsal spot for an hour or so of rehearsal then we went out to this place called Spring Rolls to chow down before heading back to the hotel and hitting the bar.

There was a massive mall right by our hotel so on Saturday morning I got up real early and went for some breakfast there and bought some clothes for the show that night. Then we went to soundcheck and did some press interviews before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the show..

But as we were getting ready.....it started raining. Damn it. Obviously, not good for an outdoor festival. But still, we went on stage and did an hour long set and tore it up regardless. There was probably abot 1500 people there despite the rain, which surprised the promoters. They said it would have been about twice that if the weather had been good. The crowd was really responsive and a lot of them were familiar with our bigger songs and sang along. Always nice. We riled them up by throwing out some brand new Swami T-Shirts we had made. You can buy them at www.desirock.com if you're interested.

The last drum hit of our final song was timed to kick off some onstage pyrotechnics and then a fireworks display after that, which was pretty dope.

Here's some photos from that show:

As before, hit up the Facebook for more.

We ended up signing autographs and taking photos with fans for about an hour after the show finished, before hitting up a bar for a bit and crashing out.

 

[Casey]

Sunday, we had a show in downtown Toronto, a short set as part of the the North By Northeast Festival. In stark contrast to the previous dat, it was BLAZING HOT!!!! In fact it was so hot that my cousin's laptop started overheating and wouldn't start the sequence for one of the songs! (We play fully live but run some synth sounds and percussive parts through a Pro Tools rig). Well, we bought some time by talking to the crowd and then got some sound engineers to bring us some crates and wood to shade the laptop from the sun. GZA was playing the same event later that day so there were a lot of Wu-heads in the crowd. We played a short, heavy, rockier set than usual without our female singer, Liana and it went down a blast. Here's some photos (that's me in the yellow shirt).

We headed back to the hotel after taking some photos with fans and signing some shirts. Then we came back later and checked out GZA's set which was pretty dope. Went out to eat after that somewhere in downtown T-dot before heading back to the hotel.
Monday, Tuesday, I don't actually remember what we did. I think we hit the mall, went sightseeing in and around Toronto, bought a bunch of stuff, went to some bars, hung out with friends and just had a good time. Actually on Tuesday we visited the offices of the clothing company that we have partnered with for our own clothing range (we're testing the waters with the first few shirts). They have a massive warehouse and do everything from the design, printing, shipping, in-house. They don't out-source anything. We had a great chat with the two brothers who own the company, and towards the end they took us into a massive stock and display room and said "You guy can have anything you want". They had some killer designs, shirts, caps, hoodies, jackets, everything. I made off with about 6 different T-Shirts, a couple of caps, some longsleeveed shirts and some other stuff. That's one of the coolest things about being an artist, people give you stuff for free lol

Wednesday was a killer day. Deal was completed to release our new record in Canada which was pretty cool. Then we went out to eat at this superdope Sushi bar called Ki. The tofu there would make Drake say it was the best he ever had. It was some of the nicest food I've ever eaten. We met up with some industry people there and just talked business. Then in the evening we went out to a bar owned by one of the guys from the band Rush. There was a reggae band on and we got pretty wasted on vodka and beer, before heading to another bar which I don't remember the name of, but it was in a proper expensive area. I hung out with our drummer, his cousin and her friend and one round of vodka's for the 4 of us cost like $45 or something! It was a very exclusive/socialite kinda vibe, I'm sure there was some people there who were probably famous sports players in Canada etc etc. One of those type of places. There was a house band playing all types of funk music, the singer was excellent, he sang some Prince songs and some Michael Jackson songs and did them justice. We were all hella drunk after this and went to get Indian food at like 4AM.

 

[Casey]

The next day (Thursday) we got up early because we were changing hotels, going to one closer to downtown. The new hotel didn't have wifi, only ethernet, and I didn't have a laptop with me so I wasn't connected to Twitter and therefore was unaware of what was going on, until my phone started blowing the fuck up, texts, calls, all kinds of shit, all along the same lines:

"Is it true that Michael is dead?"
" Have you seen the news?"
"OMG what the fuck is going on, Michael is in hospital"

etc etc etc. I of course immediately turned on the news and watched the events unfold over the course of an hour or so, in tears. I was literally in shock. We decided that it would be best to go out and not dwell on what had happened, so we went to get some food and walk around Toronto for a while, before hitting up a bar. We heard this one bar playing "Rock With You" from across the street so we went in there and stayed there for a couple hours.

When we got back to the hotel we decided that we wanted to do a tribute to MJ at our headline gig the following day in downtown Toronto. It was the same location - Yunge-Dundas Square as the previous Sunday's show, which is basically like the Times Square of Toronto. So, the next morning my cousin grabbed his acoustic guitar. We ran through a few different songs including "Rock With You" but eventually decided that we would sing "The Way You Make Me Feel". We arranged the vocals pretty well - I did the first few lines of the verses, "Hey pretty baby with the high heels on/You give me fever like I've never ever known".... etc, then our other singer Sups comes in for the next part, then our female singer Liana does that last part, and we all sing the chorus. We were pretty happy with it.

Here's where it gets crazy. The promoter calls us, and tells us that word has spread over the internet to do a massive Michael Jackson dance flashmob, at the same location where we'll be performing, from 8.40pm-9pm. He asks us if we'll play two separate sets, one from 8.10-8.40 and one from 9pm-9.30 so to accomodate the flashmob in between. Of course we agreed, and so we decided that we would open the SECOND set with our MJ tribute.

Here's what happened - We play the first set. There's about 2000 people there loving it. We finish the set and head backstage to relax for 10 minutes.

The MJ flashmob starts. Michael's songs start playing through the massive PA system and we're listening from backstage. "Wanna Be Startin Somethin", "Thriller", "Bad", "PYT", "Billie Jean".

We head to the side of the stage to check out what's going on. HOLY FUCK! About 4,000 more people had showed up within 10 minutes! Apparently the news of this flashmob had circulated via Facebook etc like wildfire. There's about 6,000 people here now, and there's dance circle going in the middle with some poppers and breakdancers all doing the MJ dance routines.

We come back out onto the stage at 9PM and the MJ songs stop. Suddenly there's 6,000 people staring at us. We say who we are and talk about Michael for a couple of minutes and how much he influenced us all, then we say "If you know the words, sing along" and launch into "The Way You Make Me Feel".

Damn near every one of those 6,000 people was singing along! It was an insane experience. If I could go back and tell 10-year-old-me that one day 6,000 people would be singing along while I sang this song he would have lost his damn mind with excitement. Present-day-me was feeling the same way

The crowd roared their approval after we finished the song. There was a brief moment where I wondered if maybe all the MJ fans that had showed up would leave once we started singing our own songs. They didn't! We did about 5 of our biggest songs and the two new songs "Sugarless" (with some crowd participation) and "Tonight" and the whole crowd was just loving it. On one of our songs which has an electro feel, we invited the MJ dancers to come up on the stage and they were popping and locking to our track. Then we asked if any girls wanted to come up - about 20 girls did and the stage was full! It was madness and insane, they were all grooving to our sounds, just a killer vibe!

Here's some pictures:

 

[Casey]

and here's a review I found on a bhangra blog about the gig:

Let it be known, that I have seen Swami perform three times now, and on Friday June 26, 2009, I witnessed the best Swami performance.

Swami weren’t going to let the flash mob that was poised to do their thing deter them from performing at Dundas Square, in fact the band seized the opportunity to make some new fans.

The group ran the same set twice, kind of odd, but it worked in their favour. As they took a break between sets, the Square became alive with MJ songs being played over the speakers, and an already large crowd became larger.

Kicking off the second set with Swami’s own tribute to Michael Jackson, by performing “The Way You Make Me Feel,” the crowd’s attention was quickly diverted to the stage, as Swami introduced to the masses of people their style of music.

The group went on to perform tracks from “Desi Rock,” “Equalize” and their two new tracks “Sugarless” and the even newer track “Tonight,” which will be featured on the “53431” compilation.

Even though the diverse crowd was vibing to everything, definite crowd favourites were “Electro Jugni/She’s Mine,” “Desi Rock,” “Sugarless” and “Hey Hey.” Personally, I have a new live favourite in “Don’t Hold Back,” - and Sups sings it better live, compared to the original vocalist Jagz does on the album - the chorus makes a person just get into it.

“Picheh nehio hatna, DON’T HOLD BACK! Asa picheh nehio hatna, DON’T HOLD BACK!”

“Tonight”

“Tonight” is the second of two new original songs that will be on 53431. I’ve heard it live three times now, and I have to say that the percussion on this track is bloody wicked. Wait until you hear the blend of the dholak, dhol and the tabla high drum.

The “Sugarless” download post, has quickly become the second most viewed post on the blog, but I like this track more than Sugarless at the moment, as the lyrics are a bit deeper.

Moving on from the songs, I have to publicly state that Sups (the lead singer) doesn’t get enough props with his vocal talent. You put this guy up against any other UK based singer in his age group, and I say he can top them with vocal range, and in live performances. He uses no backup recording! The man is a great showman, walking into the crowd whilst singing, as well as taking people’s video cameras and filming himself - and the crowd - is something I don’t see enough of these days from singers.

As in any band, each member brings something specific to the group, and with this group that is largely evident. Diamond drew huge cheers from the crowd for his guitar solo during “Tonight.” Liana was cheered for her ability to perform the Hindi lyrics in “She’s Mine” without faltering, along with being able to carry her notes in all of the other songs. S-Endz’ reception was great as well for his rhymes and energetic jumping and gesturing across the stage.

I must admit, it was a bit of a downer not seeing Bobby Panesar (the Dholi) here this year. According to the group, he had some business to take care of in the UK, and could not get the schedules to work out. I’m glad however, that the group decided against not bringing in another Dholi to take his place, because Bobby P’s skills on a dhol are EPIC.

The Next Step for Swami

I’m not sure I know how to break the news to you guys, because it came as a shock to me as well, but the 53431 album will be the last of it’s kind. I have been made aware that the compilation album not only celebrates the last ten years of Swami, but it also signals the end of an era. Future projects involving Swami will be an all-English affair. As you read this, I’m sure the group is putting the final touches on the lyrics of the English version of “Sugarless.”

Back to the gig. The band performed for just under two hours, and within that time slot, they made a bunch of new fans. Just from where I was standing, I had people behind me asking to clarify what the new album name was, as well as another lady asking me for translations. But I think the biggest compliment the group could get, was when a young man came up to me to ask if this was Bhangra music? As I told him it was, he lit up and said, “this is [expletive] sick!”

I got to mention that during “Intoxicated,” Sups and Liana called upon some girls to come onto the stage to dance, as well as a guy named “Future” from the crowd. This guy was breaking all over the stage, and he ripped it!

All in all, I’m glad the evening worked out for the group on all fronts. I want to add that thundershowers were forecast for Friday evening. Swami have had some bad luck with inclement weather over the past year here in the GTA (It even rained during their Mosaic Fest performance the previous week.) But it looked like the Music Gods shone down on the group, and I’m glad they did, because like I said, the energy the group brought to the backdrop of the bright billboards of Dundas Square that night was uplifting.

Here comes a perfect end - as we headed backstage after finishing, a guy comes up to us holding a massive expensive video camera. He tells us that he works for CTV (Canada TV?) and hands us a disc, telling us that he filmed our performance in HD and we can use it for whatever we want!! Unfortunately, upon returning to the UK we've found that next to nowhere has the thousands of pounds worth of equipment needed to convert it. I even took it into the BBC and they didn't have the equipment. But they've given me a phone number of a place that can do it, so hopefully we'll be able to upload this video footage soon.

The post-show gets better. Remember the clothing company I mentioned before? Well, they'd arranged a massive company party for this same evening, and had come to see our show as part of their itinerary. Well, they had hired a HUGE luxury tour bus for their party! So after coming off stage, we signed autographs and took pictures for 30 minutes and then jumped straight onto this luxury bus, and as we got on, they were blasting our previous album and immediately handing us shots! Then they took us to another exclusive Toronto club, where we partied it up on the VIP top floor which was an outside terrace with a view of all the skyscrapers. Bottles and bottles of vodka later, and after much dancing to Michael Jackson songs, we headed back to the hotel to get about 2 hours of sleep before getting up to get our flight back to London.

Despite my heartbreak over Michael.....this was probably my favorite tour I've ever done and definately one of the greatest experiences of my life! Oh, and while we were gone - 'Sugarless' was blowing the fuck up here in the UK WAYYYYY more than we anticipated. People in the industry like DJ's and journalists, people who have supported us since the beginning are saying it's the best thing we've ever done. Which makes me especially proud as I wrote more of this song than any Swami song previously including the main female chorus. It's re-energized me as a songwriter, and it's become so popular that we have no choice but to shoot a video for it, which we're going to do next week.

Anyway, if you've read all of this, thanks! I appreciate it. I know some of you were wondering where I'd been for the better part of the last month. Well now I'm back and should be posting more again Where all my peeps at?

 

[Stred]

I'm here. Cogratz on the tour, souds like you had a sweet time.

O and the new Street Fighter sucks! I had to turn it off within 30 minuets of it starting.

 

[Freedom Froggy]

nice.. whose your female friend

 

[Da_Funk]

No drugs? No alcohol? No groupies? Sounds boring. Nah i'm just kidding, I read bits and pieces (I'm lazy) but it sounds like a cool experience.

 

[Snowman]

Nice MJ tribute blog Casey, i wound up reading all that. i'll read all the other stuff in the morning tommorrow.

welcome back my friend

 

[ImmortalTech]

hahah yes Mil, glad u enjoyed t.o

... I see u rocked in sauga too!

 

[Casey]

No drugs? No alcohol? No groupies? Sounds boring. Nah i'm just kidding, I read bits and pieces (I'm lazy) but it sounds like a cool experience.

Lots of good Toronto weed my friend (I've smoked everywhere in the world and Toronto defo has some good herb) and probably a whole case of vodka over the course of the trip. As for groupies - there were plenty available and I did flirt with a bunch of them, but I restrain myself for the sake of my marriage lol.

 

[Flipmo]

Smoke MTL. Quebec herb. It pisses on Ontarian weed.

As for the groupies, you should have referred them to me, and told them I'm a producer of some kind. lol.

Anyways, I read bit and pieces, looks like a great time, and the crowd seems to be into it.

 

[Da_Funk]

Lots of good Toronto weed my friend (I've smoked everywhere in the world and Toronto defo has some good herb) and probably a whole case of vodka over the course of the trip. As for groupies - there were plenty available and I did flirt with a bunch of them, but I restrain myself for the sake of my marriage lol.

lol you are a good man. Just wait until you go out to B.C. and smoke their weed.. you're in for a nice treat. Now hurry up and reply to my Marilyn Manson thread!

 

[Casey]

Smoke MTL. Quebec herb. It pisses on Ontarian weed.

As for the groupies, you should have referred them to me, and told them I'm a producer of some kind. lol.

Anyways, I read bit and pieces, looks like a great time, and the crowd seems to be into it.

The promoters brother who was our driver, lived in Montreal. He was always going on about how awesome it is lol. Hopefully we'll play a show there next time. I can't pass groupies your way unless you actually come to the show, damn it.

lol you are a good man. Just wait until you go out to B.C. and smoke their weed.. you're in for a nice treat. Now hurry up and reply to my Marilyn Manson thread!

I don't think I smoked any bud last time I was in BC, but I've smoked in Seattle and Portland....I imagine the bud there probably comes from B.C, and yeah it's some proper high grade stuff, I loved it.

I didn't see your MM thread, I'll go look for it right now. I just copped the new album 'the high end of low' a couple of weeks ago.

 

[S O F I]

Initially I wondered how this thread gained 13 replies until I saw that 6 of them were yours. It all makes sense now.

 

[Lil KaMiKaZe]

Initially I wondered how this thread gained 13 replies until I saw that 6 of them were yours. It all makes sense now.

loooool

 

[Shadows]

Initially I wondered how this thread gained 13 replies until I saw that 6 of them were yours. It all makes sense now.

lmao.

Anyway, Welcome back Casey. Nice to see that you are doing your thing and being successful.

I'm also glad someone surpassed SiGh's longest post ever.

 

[Jeremy]

Congratz on your success.