DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid : ………………………….dj Anjali…………………………..

………………………….dj Anjali…………………………..

photo by david haines (bikeranger)

With a name like Gitanjali (song offering) you’d think she was born to play records. Made in India, born in Oregon & raised by Marathi banjaras & Cascadian loggers, Anjali started DJing due to her love of dance, in addition to her compulsive record buying & music obsession. After studying Kathak & Bharata Natyam for many years, Anjali hung up her ghungaroo & picked up her headphones. Armed with an impressive collection of Brit pop, glam, modrock, girl group and French gems Anjali always threw in the random South Asian underground track. It wasn’t too long before entire sets were filled with Hindi & Panjabi vocals. From those early days a more urban Asian sound is what you’ll most likely hear, though she is also known for throwing down dancehall, hiphop & drumnbass in her sets.

Since her Portland club debut in 2000, DJ Anjali has existed as the city’s primary advocate (and dance missionary) for the many varied electronic sounds of the South Asian diaspora. Along with her partner, The Incredible Kid, they introduced “bhangra” & “Bollywood” to the dance floors of Portland. Well-known as a dancefloor instigator, you can check her out at one of her continuously monthly Portland party originals: ANDAZ (since 2002, now at Rotture) & ATLAS (Holocene since 2003), as well as her weekly radio show on KBOO 90.7FM, Tuesday evenings 10pm to midnight.

She’s also graced the stage at many other parties including Basement Bhangra (NYC), Skervy, Booty, SissyBoy, Ghetturista, Non-Stop Bhangra (SF), Celebrities, Lick (Vancouver, BC) & Mehanata Bulgarian Bar (NYC.)
dj anjali
photo Yasue Tennyson