Mishti Dance #7

After over a year away, Mishti Dance proudly returns with more sounds from and inspired by the Asian Underground. A line up headlined and co-curated by singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist, Shay Khan, and featuring grunge infused folk duo, Naz and Ella, plus standup comedy from Erinn Dhesi. Also featuring b2b DJ sets from Mia Manoji, Geiger and Mishti Dance founder, DJ Isuru, playing the best in Asian Underground and related genres. Think Night Club meets Art Gallery taking inspiration from the legendary Anokha and Swaraj club nights.

COVID protocol for this event

Upon the artists’ request it will be mandatory, unless medically exempt or under the age of 12, to wear your mask for the duration of the performance.

We would politely request that all attendees complete a lateral flow test prior to arriving at the venue (and if proof can be provided of a negative result, that would be preferred though is not compulsory).

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Shay Khan

Shay Khan is a British South Asian artist currently based in Hackney. As a musician, visual artist and actor, Shay’s creativity is raw and innovative. Spanning an eclectic range of genres, they channel the spirit of rock legends, such as Tom Waits, Jeff Buckley and Prince, as well as the Indian classical multi instrumentalist Allaudin Khan. Growing up in London, Shay’s music is influenced by the rave and jungle electronica scene. Shay’s punk and grunge energy has also cultivated a sound comparable to Sonic Youth, emulating new wave experimentalism. As a natural storyteller, Shay was personally invited by American folk legend Ani DiFranco as the main support on her European tour of Spain, Italy, Amsterdam France & the U.K in 2014. This tour established Shay’s place in a well renowned folk music lineage that connects directly to Bob Dylan. With an ever evolving sound, from psychedelic pop to space folk, Shay’s most recent release of ‘In Love^2’ will take you on a magical meditative trip of love and trance-like daydreams. Right now, Shay enjoys throats singing, putting on grassroots DIY shows with other musicians, and one day hopes to debut a South Asian queer musical. @shaykhanartist

Naz and Ella

Fusing a gritty, grunge-infused aura with traditional folk-inspired musicality, Naz & Ella channel their anger and frustration at the world through tightly wound harmonies and intricate guitar riffs.

Their second EP (DE)HUMANISE, released in May 2021, sees the duo continue to share their social commentary and perspectives on issues including internalised queerphobia, normalised sexual harassment, the exotification of women of colour and the hypocrisy of speciesism. Blending influences such as The Cranberries, Nirvana and PJ Harvey, the north London-based duo’s raw and intimate sound captivates listeners, with their delicate but defiant vocals front and centre.

Naz & Ella have been dubbed as ones to watch by Soundsphere Magazine and have received plays across BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio London and Radio DIVA, including a performance live on BBC Introducing Beds, Herts and Bucks. @nazandella

Erinn Dhesi 

Erinn Dhesi is a writer and performer whose work often focuses on the effects of social media in everyday life.

Her one-woman show Wigs Snatched, Perceptions Destroyed’ premiered at Vault Festival 2020, earning 4 Star reviews (A Younger Theatre & Broadwayworld.com) and was awarded Show of the Week (Week 5). Her short plays Sesh (2019) and The Walk (2019) premiered at The Curve Theatre in Leicester and her first full length play #Adjustment received a rehearsed reading The Belgrade Theatre (2017). She has previously been a part of the Soho Theatre Writers Lab, the Tamasha Theatre Playwrights group (Year 5), the Kali Theatre Discovery Programme and the Belgrade Theatre’s Critical Mass writers group. @10mmballpointpen

Mia Manoji

Mia Manoji will take you on a journey through a fiery mix of South Asian infused hip hop, rap, electronica and desi pop.

Mia Manoji is a freelance journalist and DJ based in West London, interested in music, art, philosophy , fashion and culture. In Manchester Mia was a member of the Thirsty Girls DJ collective, made up of queer women and non binary. Since moving back to London after lockdown, Mia has been working on a Sri Lankan themed zine featuring music reviews, playlists, art and recipes. The zine is called ‘Kalu Mala’ which means black flower in Sinhala – an ode to how creativity can bloom in darkness. @mia_manoji

Geiger

Earthly, Bass-heavy rollers interweave with breaks, ambient and spoken word in Geiger’s sets. You will be moved, you will be grooved, you will be rejuvenated.

DJ Isuru

The alchemist and founder of Mishti Dance will be playing Asian Underground classics