“The legacy is here, it’s time for us to recognize it,” says Sanjay Seran, lead vocalist and founding member of Delhi 2 Dublin. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the group brings their signature fusion sound—Bhangra, electronic, hip-hop, reggae and Celtic—to Surrey Arts Centre on March 28. 

“We‘ve been told we’re ahead of our time for so long, now we’re here,” Seran says. “This is our time. We don’t care if you tell us we’re ahead of our time or not—we’re going to see what we can do.”

The group has pioneered what they call “subcontinental pop”—a global bass sound with different cultural influences. They have also welcomed Kal Mattu, producer, keyboardist and tabla player. 

Pioneering a new genre

Seran recalls being told that there was too much Punjabi in their songs. Or that the radio “is not ready” for this sound. In contrast, Indian labels thought there was too much English in their lyrics. 

“Where do we fit in? And that’s the immigrant problem,” he says. “We’re just expressing who we are.”

Seran and fellow founding member Ravi Binning (dhol, percussion) describe their sound as “subcontinental pop” and a “global bass party”—walking the line between bass and pop music. 

“When we went to India, that line of pop to electronic [music] was very prominent there, and it’s been going on for a long time,” Seran says. 

The band originated from a performance at Vancouver’s 2006 CelticFest. The festival hired Beats Without Borders—a collective of DJs interested in global bass, Asian underground music—to make electronic Irish music. 

“We played the Thursday night club show, and it was a 15-minute performance on this club night called ‘Delhi to Dublin,’” says Seran of the DJs’ interest in creating Irish-Indian electronic music. “And, it basically organically took off.” 

A year later, the band—Delhi 2 Dublin—was officially formed, following a performance at Salmon Arm’s Roots and Blues festival where their CDs sold out. Their first album was released in 2007. 

While neither Seran nor Binning were familiar with Celtic music at the time, they were interested in fusion sounds. Seran recalls knowing of different music groups bridging the Dhol—a traditional Indian percussion instrument—with Irish traditions. 

“In the U.K, there was a lot of playing of the Dhol with bagpipes that would happen at weddings,” Seran recalls of the fusion music scene 20 years ago. “We started to see that in Vancouver at that time.”

Partying in the theatre

Over the years, Delhi 2 Dublin has evolved. Originally a five-member group, their sitar player has retired. The group has also worked with different violinists; Serena Eades has been with the band for over a decade. 

“I feel like the biggest growth has been in this last year,” Binning speaks of their sound’s evolution. 

Seran adds that, as new members joined, their expertise shaped the sound. For him, the band’s music has “morphed”—even beyond the original focus on Indian Irish fusion. Their newest single, “Smooth Operator,” reflects their signature drum and bass sound. 

“You can look at the show and be like, ‘Yes, that’s totally Delhi 2 Dublin,’ it’s all there, [including] the Irish elements,” the lead vocalist adds. “Each album is very distinct.” 

The audiences, according to Seran, have responded in similar ways to their live performances, regardless of culture, age and location. He recalls them dancing and having a good time—creating a “magical” experience that “is bigger” than the band. 

“You realize what you’re doing in this world is way bigger,” Seran shares. “There’s a difference being made there—when you can create that energy with people.” 

“It’s not just catered for one group of people—it’s for everybody,” Binning adds. “You’ll see a crowd with multiple different cultures in it, and everyone’s enjoying it, everyone is smiling.” 

While their Surrey show takes place in a theatre setting, the group will play as if they are at a festival—bringing their signature party dance music. Seated audiences, Seran says, often find themselves dancing in the theatre. Both Seran and Binning grew up in the Lower Mainland.

“We bring the high energy party to Surrey, and we’re hoping that people come watch it and experience this thing that has been cultivated for 20 years in their neighbourhood, in their backyard,” Seran says. 

For more information on the upcoming concert, see https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/events/delhi-2-dublin. 

For more information on Delhi 2 Dublin, see https://delhi2dublin.com/. 

To listen to “Smooth Operator,” see https://open.spotify.com/album/4ti8cTbTkLnYTtL9BRarXX?si=OvGtCEDmSdCkIU0d1lYA0g&nd=1&dlsi=db6dba05b5274635.