Kissmet is the vision of two Indian Sikh brothers, born and brought up within the multicultural melting pot of the UK with a very traditional Eastern upbringing in a very Western social environment. As children, their Dad ran the local Indian cinema so at home, they were learning all about Indian music. Simultaneously, they were immersed in Western Rock music at school with their English friends. They listened to Mohammed Rafi and Fateh Ali Khan with the same enthusiasm that they listened to Genesis or The Police.
Subliminally, they were absorbing music from both East and West on a daily basis. This dual exposure laid the foundation for their unique musical journey.
When it came to learning to play and writing their own songs, they realised that they could seamlessly blend elements from both worlds. This cross cultural inception, coupled with the energy generated by Bhangra and Rock, meant the band had something spectacular and unique in their hands.
Not only does the band possess the musical dexterity to seamlessly blend Bhangra and Rock with Raags and Funk, but they also sing in English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Sanskrit. Furthermore, the band’s visual presentation is equally captivating. The three Indian Sikh brothers, proudly displaying their Sikh heritage by wearing turbans, share the stage with their Caucasian spiritual brothers, creating a powerful visual representation of cultural diversity and harmonious collaboration.
Brothers Ron and Buzz Singh, the founding members of Kissmet, emerged from the vibrant UK Bhangra scene of the 90s. While deeply rooted in their cultural heritage, they yearned to explore new horizons, pushing the boundaries of Bhangra music. As members of the Bhangra band “Sabras” (signed to BMG Records), they began experimenting with fusing Punjabi and English lyrics, laying the groundwork for Kissmet’s unique sound.
“We were fortunate to grow up in a multicultural environment,” recalls Ron. “Our home was filled with the sounds of classic Indian films like Mother India, Heer Raanjha, and Madhumati, while our school introduced us to the world of Genesis, The Police, The Stranglers, and Led Zeppelin. We absorbed these diverse influences without consciously realising the impact they would have on our future.”