Galitcha
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Galitcha

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The best kept secret in music

Press


"Ottawa Xpress"

THE OTTAWA XPRESS - November 7 - 13, 2002 Issue **** (four stars)

GALTICHA SATRANG (Independent)
Hearing the intricate pulsating sway of Galitcha is like savouring the flavour of an exotic dish: there are too many ingredients to pinpoint each one but their combination is overwhelming. The versatile trio ­- Kuljit Sodhi, Chris MacLean and Linsey Wellman - whips up a striking cultural stew with Satrang - a first-rate collection of East Indian folk songs and sparkling instrumentals meticulously fused with tasteful elements of jazz, flamenco, Celtic rhythms, Chinese classical, and a host of western and world flourishes. It sounds complex on paper: saxophones, banjos, harmonium, and flutes side by side with tabla, cello guitar, fiddle and dulcimer to name but a few of the instruments on desplay. But Galitcha - not to mention the fine supporting cast - is always precise and purposeful in its creative presentation, allowing the burning passion of the songs to take centre stage.
- Steve Baylin


Discography

SATRANG - November 2002 - Independant
Radio and Online Radio Play:
Shama Ainya, Shetti Shetti Wug, Tujay Dekha, Ik Ludki Diwani, Dervish's Taal, Holi Rung Lai, Raag Yaman in Kingsfold

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

From heartfelt devotional and love songs, to compelling lively dance tunes, Galitcha takes audiences on a musical journey from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other. Incorporating traditional East Indian styles with western influences, Galitcha manages to bridge the cultural gap between East and West whilst offering listeners an informative and entertaining experience.
An ensemble which integrates the traditional musical styles of India with the sounds of popular western and other world music. The songs are mainly sung in Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi with explanations in English and/or French. Galitcha’s instrumental presentations and improvisations are refreshingly original and natural. Instruments such as harmonium, saxophone, flute, guitar, ud, banjo, dulcimer, violin and mandolin form a culturally diverse but distinctly Canadian sound.
Based in Ottawa, Canada, they have appeared at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, The Ottawa Folk Festival, Canadian Tulip Festival, National Capital Canada Day Celebration (2001, 2002), The Black Sheep Inn (Wakefield Quebec), the National Arts Centre, The National Library Auditorium, Hugh’s Room (Toronto), Ontario Centre for the Performing Arts (Oswego NY), private receptions, conferences and have conducted workshops in schools. In 2001 they were showcase artists at The National Folk Alliance Conference (Vancouver) and The North Eastern Regional Folk Alliance Conference (Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania). The core Galitcha members traveled to Morocco (July 2002) to perform at Festival de Rabat and the International Festival de Tetouan. Galitcha was chosen to showcase at The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference (Oct 2002) and at The Ontario Arts Council’s Ontario Contact (Nov 2002). Galitcha was chosen to showcase in Toronto’s Winterfolk festival in February, 2003.
Galitcha’s premiere full-length recording entitled “Satrang”, released in November 2002, has been doing very well on radio across Canada. Their official CD release on Nov 9, 2002 was recorded for CBC radio’s Bandwidth and Global Village (airing sometime in 2003). The CD has been featured on stations such as CIUT in Toronto (top 10 world charts for 5 weeks running), CKCU (Carleton U in Ottawa), CBC (featured interview on “Sounds Like Canada” as well as play on various regional stations and shows), Village 900 in Victoria, BC (#5 on world music chart March 2003) and CFBX, Kamloops, BC (#5 on world music chart April 2003).
Continuous creativity and performance excellence are the primary goals of Galitcha. With a solid base in Ottawa and the launch of “Satrang” Galitcha is ready to reach out to a wider audience. In Canada Galitcha will tour extensively - the East and West coasts, the prairies, Ontario, Quebec and the north. In the US the group is touring the North Eastern states during April 2003 (including concerts in Oswego, Philadelphia and New York City) and will work at building in-roads to the south and west. From contacts made before and during their Moroccan tour, the group is developing opportunities in the Mediterranean, Europe and Great Britain. National and international collaborative performances will include sharing the stage with artists such as Harry Manx and Oliver Schoer. In the summer of 2003, Galitcha will be performing at festivals across Ontario, Quebec and in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
Kuljit Sodhi - lead vocals, percussion
Galitcha's lead singer, dancer and tabla and dholki player, Kuljit Sodhi has extensive experience playing percussion with various musical styles. Born in India, he emigrated to Montreal at a young age, where he grew up listening to East Indian, Greek, French Canadian and Latin music. He became an accomplished East Indian folk dancer, choreographer and dance teacher. From a young age, Kuljit performed devotional songs in the temples and studied classical and folk music of his Sikh tradition. His love for the traditional East Indian folk music prompted him, in 1996, to start his own band, which evolved into what is now called Galitcha. The original tunes in the Galitcha repertoire are composed by Kuljit. He continues to develop as a vocalist, studying under the renowned Indian classical vocalist, Vinney Bidhe.
Chris MacLean - harmonium, guitar, dulcimer, vocals
With a silvery voice Chris MacLean draws from depths of emotion that transcend linguistic barriers. Her ability to connect with an audience make her a compelling addition to the tapestry of Galitcha musicians. Chris studied piano for 10 years and started playing guitar and writing folk songs at age 13. Her musical experience spans over 20 years of singing, songwriting and performing folk, bluegrass, old time and world music. She has performed alongside various artists including Mae Moore, Jennifer Noxon, Beth Ferguson and Ian Tamblyn. She has one album of original songs to her credit, Learn to Be Loved, released in October 2000.
Linsey Wellman - flute, soprano and alto sax, vocals
Linsey complet