In this second installment of our deep dive into musical excellence, I sit down again with Pete Ware to trace the high-stakes migration of Bhangra from London to the Midlands. Pete pulls back the curtain on the "Golden Age," revealing the technical grit and creative freedom that defined a generation of British-born Indian artists.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:

🚀 THE BIRMINGHAM REVOLUTION: Why the shift to the Midlands created a "golden move" for Pete as the London scene began to feel stale.

🥁 THE "MACHINE GUN" DHOL: The psychological tricks and compression Pete used to make speakers replicate the raw, head-bending impact of a live Dhol.

🎸 ENGINEERING 'BOMB THE TUMBI': The hilarious origin of the Shakespearean intro—"Tumbi or not Tumbi"—and the bold decision to put Boliyan at the start of the album.

📀 THE SECOND ALBUM SYNDROME: The "damned if you do, damned if you don't" dilemma of following up a massive hit like Signature or Bomb the Tumbi.

🍀 CULTURAL CROSSOVERS: Pete’s parallel life producing 18 albums in the Irish music scene and the surprising similarities between Punjabi and Irish cultures.

🤝 INDUSTRY BROTHERHOOD: A moving account of the bond between Pete and producer Sukhpal Sukh, who stepped up for Pete’s family during a major health crisis.

This episode is a masterclass in the "120% effort" required to bridge cultures and technical boundaries to create something truly iconic.

In this landmark 51st episode, we are joined by a true pioneer who redefined the sound of a genre: Peter Ware.

As the producer and orchestrator behind the music that took Bhangra into the mainstream, Peter’s influence on the industry is immeasurable. In this rare and deep-dive conversation, we explore the origins, the technical precision, and the incredible journey of the man behind the mixing desk during the genre's most transformative era.

In Part 1, we explore:

• The "Essex Boy" Roots: Peter reflects on his 1957 beginnings in Ilford and growing up in a traditional academic household.

• The Architect of the Sound: A deep dive into Peter’s pivotal role as the orchestrator for Heera, including the behind-the-scenes story of creating the legendary Diamonds from Heera—the album that set a new gold standard for Bhangra production.

• A World Exclusive: For the first time in years, Peter opens up about his unique position at the heart of the UK Bhangra movement and why he has chosen this moment to share his story.

• The Journey of Musical Excellence: Insights into the discipline and craft required to arrange and produce the tracks that defined the sound of a generation.

This is a masterclass in musical excellence, featuring a guest who rarely grants interviews. Join us for a journey through the life of a true industry pioneer who helped build the foundation of modern Bhangra.

Subscribe to the podcast for Part 2 coming soon!

In this landmark 50th episode of the Raj Kaul Podcast, I sit down with KYSN, a talented producer and rapper who is quickly making waves in the UK music scene. KYSN shares his incredible journey of being mentored by the legendary Rishi Rich, from learning the "old school" way of production on Studio One to shocking the veteran producer by recording his tracks in just one take .

We dive into his early influences, his experiences around icons like Hunterz and Panjabi MC, and how he is blending classic sounds with a fresh, modern vibe . Whether you are an aspiring artist or a fan of the UK Asian music legacy, this episode is packed with industry insights on "musical excellence" and the power of passion over fame

Special Offer for Listeners 🎙️

This episode is brought to you by Rupinder Kaul Speech Therapy, covering the West Midlands for preschool and school-age children.

• The Offer: Mention this podcast to receive a FREE phone consultation and a 20% discount off your first block of sessions.

  
  

• Contact: WhatsApp 07400 131351 to get started .

What does it take to go from tapping on a school desk with a pencil to playing on stage with the biggest Bhangra stars in the world?

This week, Raj Kaul is joined by dhol maestro Simon Singh. Simon shares the incredible story of his self-taught career, beginning in the small town of Darlaston and leading to international tours across Dubai, Australia, and the USA.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the evolution of the UK Bhangra sound, the intense discipline of the DCS live sessions, and the unforgettable moment he had to save a tour in the US by going "undercover". Simon also shares his philosophy on "Musical Excellence" and why the soul of the music must always come from the heart.

Key Topics:

* Teaching yourself dhol via VHS and cassette tapes.

* The transition from the wedding DJ scene to international band tours.

* Working with legends like Balwinder Safri and Shin DCS.

* The future of music in the age of AI.

Episode 48 continues the powerful conversation with Harvey Sahota, diving deeper into the realities of the Bhangra and Punjabi music industry — from early success and industry setbacks to reinvention, live musicianship, and finding relevance in a fast-changing digital world.

Harvey opens up about:

• Why timing can matter as much as talent

• The harsh economics of live gigs, bands, and promoters

• The difference between studio singers and true live performers

• Building (and losing) bands — and why excellence has a cost

• Winning Best Band, going viral, and being signed by Kiss Records

• How COVID, social media, and consistency reshaped the industry

• Why Punjabi pop is quietly coming full circle

• What musical excellence really means in today’s world

This is a raw, honest, musician-to-musician conversation about resilience, craft, legacy, and why the journey doesn’t end just because the industry changes.

🎧 Essential listening for artists, producers, and anyone serious about music beyond hype.

In this emotional and revealing episode, Raj Kaul sits down with Danish Veer, the youngest son of Punjabi music icon Ustad Sabar Koti, to share a powerful story of identity, loss, resilience, and finding his voice as an artist.

Danish Veer opens up about:

• Being raised by his aunt in Amritsar and growing up away from his father

• Seeing Sabar Koti more as a legendary artist than a parent

• Learning tabla in a gurdwara and developing his craft through self-guided training

• Reconnecting with music after his father’s passing

• Moving to Canada and adapting to a completely new culture

• The viral reel that brought him into the spotlight

• His debut album The Origin blending Punjabi and Bollywood influences

• What musical excellence truly means to him

A raw, inspiring, and heartfelt episode that shines a light on the person behind the legacy — not just Sabar Koti’s son, but Danish Veer, the artist.

👉 Follow Danish Veer on Instagram:
@danishv.ig

This episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast is brought to you by Apache Indian Brands 🍹
Use code BOOM4U at checkout to get a special discount — valid until 31st December!

In this exclusive Q&A Special, UK legend Apache Indian returns to The Raj Kaul Podcast to answer YOUR questions — unfiltered and straight from the heart.

From Boom Shack-A-Lak to Om Namah Shivaya, from Handsworth roots to Hollywood soundtracks, Apache reflects on his journey, legacy, and the state of the UK Asian music scene.

🗣️ Topics include:

• The truth behind “Boom Shack-A-Lak” and its Hollywood success

• Collaborations with Asha Bhosle, A.R. Rahman & Shaggy

• Apache’s take on the decline of UK Bhangra’s infrastructure

• How reggae, community, and Handsworth shaped his sound

• Exclusive fan Q&A — unreleased collabs, memories & lessons

🎙️ Subscribe for more real talk on music, legacy & creativity.

#TheRajKaulPodcast #ApacheIndian #UKBhangra #BoomShackALak #PunjabiMusic #Reggae #DesiMusic #RealTalk #RajKaul #MusicLegacy #Podcast #ApacheIndianBrands #BOOM4U #TheSpiritsClub

In this explosive episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Lightnin MC sits down with Raj to share his untold story — from his early days in the UK Bhangra scene to his claim of being the first Punjabi rapper.

He opens up about the early RDB days, the evolution of Punjabi rap, his creative rivalries, and the personal reinvention that’s brought him back to music today.

🎙️ Expect honesty, controversy, and nostalgia as Lightnin MC reflects on a journey that shaped UK Punjabi music before it became global.

👇 Chapters & Topics
00:00 – Introduction
03:15 – The birth of Punjabi rap
10:45 – Working with RDB and the UK scene
18:30 – Legacy, rivalries & creative differences
27:50 – The evolution of Lightnin MC
36:20 – Reinvention and return to music
45:00 – Final reflections & advice for new artists

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.
📱 Follow @rajkaulmusic on Instagram, TikTok & YouTube for clips and updates.

#TheRajKaulPodcast — Where Music Meets Mastery.