D'ARCY
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D'ARCY

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"The rising music stars of tomorrow"

See the original here:
http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/music/1072

Signature sound: Think Travis at their most soaringly melodic, having a kick-about with bluesy funk combo Sly and the Family Stone.

Ashish says: "The dream for every band is to sign a record deal with a major label, but this takes time and we weren't prepared to wait," declares the frontman, explaining the reason behind the band's decision to release their first single through their own imprint.

"We have a lot of material that we want to get out so people can listen to us and we can develop a fanbase. So we decided to take matters into our own hands and set up Cheam Records. Any success is more rewarding because we have all put so much of our time, effort and money into it."

On the subject of ingenious ploys that the band have devised to get themselves noticed, Ashish gleefully reveals: "We bluffed our way into the BBC and left a CD and press release on the desk of every producer and DJ at Radio's 1, 2 and 6music. Also, before our Marquee gig in April, we plastered 200 bus shelters in Central London with D'ARCY stickers."

Displaying an enterprising zeal laced with good old-fashioned bare-faced cheek, he adds: "I once blagged my way backstage at a Travis gig and left CDs in the dressing room for the band."

"I don't think it directly influences the music but it's nice to draw upon more than one culture because I can pick the best of both," muses the Hendrix fan, on whether his roots have shaped D'ARCY's sound. "It's also good to be doing something different that hopefully can inspire a new generation of British Asian musicians and prove that you don't have to always conform."

We say: After rapturously-received gigs at Soho's legendary Borderline and Guilfest, the guys are set to embark on a full UK and US tour. An album produced by Sir Elt and Ash cohort Rainmaker, plus a slot on Desi DNA are also in the pipeline. With singer/songwriters strumming wistful guitars flavour of the month, D'ARCY's indie-pop oeuvre could be hurtling towards a chart near you.

Time will tell, though, whether they can rein in the polite Travis-isms and unleash their funkier side. - Asians In Media magazine - 24 August 2005


"Indie band D'ARCY launch single with London gig"

See the original here:
http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/music/910

Indie-pop-rock band D'ARCY, from Surrey, will release launch their debut single Oxygen on Friday 29th April.

The event will be marked by a gig at the legendary Marquee Club in London's Leicester Square.

The band is fronted by British Asian singer and songwriter Ashish Dharsi, 28, who founded the bandwith fellow rocker Tristan Evans in 2002.

They started off as an acoustic duo and played regular gigs at London venues such as 12 Bar Club, Kashmir Klub and Sound, expanding their numbers to four by the following year. By that time they moved on to bigger venues such as the Metro Club and The Water Rats.

D'ARCY herald from the the town of Cheam, in Sutton. Confident of their own talents, the group have started their own record company, Cheam Records, which will publish their debut single.

The band draw their inspiration from diverse musical sources like Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Coldplay, Roachford, and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They say their music is a "acoustic indie-pop-rock with a funky edge, underpinned by a blues-soul groove".

Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ashish Dharsi says the music is very much British: "I don't like sterotypes. People like to pigeon-hole artists, and if you're a Jay Sean or a Raghav or Panjabi MC and you use your Indian cultural references in your music, that's fine but just because you are Indian doesn't mean you have to conform and play 'Indian' music.

"D'ARCY is British pop music played by one Indian and three English guys - I don't think this should be important when you judge the music," he adds.

Their debut single Oxygen was recorded and produced by Rainmaker, who have worked with Ash, Elton John, and even the Sugababes, after Ashish sent a demo recording of the track to the production management company.

The band has had some success already in getting themselves heard. A cover version of Ash's Girl From Mars, recorded for Xfm, was picked up by actor James Nesbitt who phoned Ashish personally to say how good he thought the cover was. The Guardian previously described them as 'Maroon 5 meets Travis via Squeeze'.

Ashish adds: "We're looking forward to this gig - it's our biggest one so far. And there will be a lot of Britsh Asian people in the crowd but hopefully for all the right reasons - the music!"

Released on Cheam Records, D'ARCY headline at the Marquee in London on Friday 29 April. - Asians In Media magazine - 23 April 2005


"D’Arcy in UK Asian Music Awards"

See the original here: http://uk.pulserated.com/news.aspx?mode=item&id=319

D'Arcy have been nominated for Best Unsigned Act in the UK Asian Music Awards.

The London based three-piece are one of three acts shortlisted in the category. The winner will perform a live set at the Awards, which take place on Wednesday 6th December at London’s Hammersmith Palais.

“We’re very very very excited,” said D’Arcy vocalist Ashish Dharsi, “It’s great just to be nominated but obviously it would be even better to win.” - Pulse Rated Radio - 30 November 2006


"D’Arcy on Radio 2"

See the original here: http://uk.pulserated.com/news.aspx?mode=item&id=395

D’Arcy are to perform three live tracks on BBC Radio 2 this week on The Janice Long Show.

The London three-piece – who were nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best Unsigned Act’ in the 2006 Asian Music Awards – join Janice in the studio this Thursday at midnight for a live session and interview.

Fans can choose the songs for D’Arcy’s forthcoming session by visiting the band’s official website and to vote for their three favourite tracks.

The three tracks with the biggest number of votes will be played by D’Arcy on Thursday night’s show.

Listen to the show on 88-91FM from midnight, or online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/long - if you miss the session, you can listen again in the sessions archive on the Janice Long show page. - Pulse Rated Radio - 07 February 2007


Discography

'The Say So EP' 2003
'Oxygen' debut single release 2005
'The Unconditional EP' 2007

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

D'ARCY'S epic pop journey started in 2002 with two socially dysfunctional young men from the suburbs who, holed up in a semi-detached in Cheam, Surrey, began crafting the finest songs ever written in Cheam, Surrey.

Ashish and Tristan - armed only with two acoustic guitars and one husky larynx - proceeded to rock the London circuit, with regular gigs at the 12 Bar Club, The Troubadour and the Kashmir Klub.

The duo transmogrified, bass players, drummers and a viola player came and went, mostly on good terms, and D'ARCY played bigger London venues like Dingwalls, The Metro Club and The Water Rats, recording a 5-track EP on the way.

A demo of Ash's 'Girl From Mars' recorded for London radio station Xfm found its way to actor James Nesbitt who personally phoned the band to say he thought the cover was "f*cking brilliant!"

After a demo was picked up by Stephen Budd Management, D'ARCY recorded their debut single 'Oxygen' with Rainmaker (producers who have worked with Ash, Elton John and even the Sugababes!) Released on their own label, Cheam Records, 'Oxygen' received its debut airplay on the BBC Asian Network on the Adil Ray show.

D'ARCY played more gigs at In The City Manchester, The Borderline, The Marquee and GUILFEST, and received favourable press from Eastern Eye and AIM.

So far in 2006 the band have recorded a new EP, completed a tour of Canada, played live on BBC radio and Sky TV, and featured in Asiana magazine's 'Ones To Watch in 2006'.

D'ARCY have been nominated in the 2006 UK Asian Music Awards (AMA) for the Best Newcomer and Best Unsigned Act.

D'ARCY start 2007 with a request from Janice Long to play a live session on her BBC Radio 2 show in March.