Interview with Joti Dhillon
with Ankur Sood

First off, who is Joti Dhillon and what is he like?

I’m 24, grew up in Toronto. I’m more of a laid back type of person. Okay enough beginning to sound like a personal ad, haha. I’m the A/V director at Planet Recordz and now a producer on the label.

How did you get into the music business and what were your first steps?

It all officially started back in the mid 90s when I met Sarbjit Saroya (owner of Planet Recordz) and the rest is history. I grew up listening to bhangra and Punjabi music so it is a dream come true to be part of it all. I’m really thankful to Sarbjit Saroya for giving me the chance to be part of it all. I have been on the management side of the business for past few years and the role has been gradually growing. To be where we are as a team of Planet Recordz and for me being a music producer it has taken a lot of hard work, dedication and passion. Hopefully everyone appreciates the kind of effort we are putting out to keep the cultural aspect of Punjabi music alive.

You’ve just released your album, what can we expect of it? Where can we find it?

The album is called “Behind the Scenes” and it showcases a variety of talented singers from Toronto & India namely Sukhdev Darapuria, Raj Brar, Soni Pabla, Sodhi, Nirmal Sidhu & Balwinder Lasara. It’s got a remake of the Kuldip Manak classic “Tera Nak da Koka” which is a modern twist of the original & a variety of other styles fused together with the desi sound. You can pick it up at any South Asian music shop around the globe.4. I turn on the radio or flip on the tube and I hear the same dancehall coolie dance riddim sample used in every other song (i.e. Sean Paul – Feel Alright), when is sampling ok to do?

Personally I don’t have anything against sampling as long as it is tasteful and you’ve got the rights to use it. For example one of the biggest bhangra anthems of all time is sampled “Beware of the Boyz aka Mundian ton Bachke” and it is done with class. Then on the other end of the spectrum you could take one of those tracks where all that’s done is the producers do nothing besides throw a vocal on top of an instrumental which he’s downloaded over the Internet or something. I’ve got some samples used on my album which I feel are done with taste.

What are your thoughts about the Bhangra scene at the moment? Where does Canada stand in all of this?

The Bhangra scene has taken a step forward by entering the mainstream market. The quality of the albums being released is getting better. Artists like Panjabi MC, Rishi Rich, Sukshinder Shinda, Dr. Zeus, RDB, Jazzy B, and Raghav (another Canadian artist) have made it big in the UK mainstream market. On the other hand, the scene is quite different here in Canada. I don’t think we are supporting the bhangra scene as it is being supported in the UK. We’ve got top Punjabi and bhangra singers and producers, which have gone from Canada to the UK to explore and venture into bigger things. Jazzy B, Raghav, Manmohan Waris, Kamal Heer, and Harbhajan Mann just to name a few. I believe the scene could be big here, its just that people got to let go of their inhibitions and just let their “inner desi” out, lol, sounds funny but it’s true. I mean the Indian population is huge here and the scene should be a lot bigger. It seems almost as if some of the people here are embarrassed to be desi, which I feel is a real shape considering some of the biggest producers in the world i.e. Timberland & Dr. Dre are looking into the desi scene for ideas. That gives you something to think about.

Bro, I’ve got a wicked voice, which can be compared to that American Idol guy William Hung, have I got a chance and can you produce my album?

Ha ha ha, sure why not I could use a comedy skit for my next album.

How about someone who’s trying to make it in the desi music industry, any words of advice?

Take the time to make your product as best as you can make it, have faith, learn from everything you do and always remember you might have all the equipment in the world but that doesn’t mean your going to make it. It’s not about what you have but what you can do with what you have. Also, you got to have patience in this world, things might not happen right away but if you keep on working hard and have the passion and dedication, you will make it one day.

Let’s play a game. I’ll give you two choices; you pick the one that appeals to you more and give a reason, ready?

1. Slow dance with the most beautiful girl you’ve seen or Bhangra with your boys?
   Slow dance with the most beautiful girl because I can do bhangra with my buddies anytime. The opportunity doesn’t come again and again to dance with the most beautiful girl init!
2. Mum’s homemade pizza or Indian restaurant buffet (careful she might be reading)?
   Mum’s homemade pizza because she makes it so good.
3. BMW M3 or Mercedes Benz SL500?
   Benz SL500.
4. West-end Toronto or East-end Toronto?
   West-end Toronto.
5. Rather be single or attached?
   Ummmmmmmmmmm……. wouldn’t mind either way

Getting back to business, what can we expect from yourself and Planet Recordz in the future?

After this album release I have concentrated on management duties more as we got some huge titles coming out this year. We’ve got Earl Ferns’ (another Toronto guy) “RISE UP” which will be released by the end of the year. We’ve got a single by Nav Sarao featuring Snow, which will be out soon. Also our newest vocalist, DJ Tiger aka Paul Sanghera has got his album in the works. We release a lot of Bhangra titles from India but also release most of the albums from the UK as well. So for more info everyone can visit www.planetrecordz.com . I haven’t got much time to think about my next album at the moment, but within few weeks I will sit down and start putting some ideas together. Just expect bigger and better things from us and watch this space!

Any final thoughts to all of our Mybindi.com readers?

Thank you all very much. It is amazing how much love and admiration all the fans have given me (a bit overwhelming at times). I also would like to give mybindi.com an extra special thank you for taking the time out to interview me and keeping the vibe alive in Toronto and all over!

Check out Joti’s site: www.jotidhillon.com for video’s, music & more information.

Here’s your chance to WIN 1 of 5 of cd’s if you correctly answer:

1. What is Joti Dhillon’s role at Planet Recordz?
2. What is the name of his new album?

Submit your answers to: joti@planetrecordz.com

Please be sure to include your name & email address. Contest runs until Sunday August 15th, 2004 so get your answers in!