Mandippal Jandu
Mandippal Jandu is a 23 year old rising music star based in Toronto, Canada. One of the first and few rising stars of Indian/Punjabi origin that has entered the Acoustic/Indie music genre (rather than Bhangra, Hindi, or Hip Hop). Indiscover writes,
Born in Leyton, London, England, and raised in Canada, Mandippal Jandu is an East-Indian breaking out in the independent music scene in Toronto, Ontario. Straying away from the traditional Indian folk music, he has focused solely on his own BLEND of poetry and pop/rock, and at only 22 years of age, has already made a lasting impression in the booming singer-songwriter scene.
The Groove Kitchen states,
Mandippal is making a lasting impression in the singer/songwriter scene in Ontario. Shows with major label acts like Jully Black and Sarah Slean and beloved indie acts like Justin Nozuka, Craig Cardiff, Pat Robitaille, and Peter Katz have allowed Mandippal to develop a solid fan base, proving he can hold his own among the pressure of more established artists.
History
Originally born in Leyton, East London, his family relocated to Toronto, when he was very young.
Mandippal attended Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, Ontario from Fall 1999 until graduating in Spring 2003.
Discography
He has been cited as a MusicAL star to watch out for in the future. He has received a Toronto Independent Music Awards nomination in the "Best Indie Rock" category in 2006 and 2007. He has also been featured on OMNI TV (South Asian Newsweek & Ishtyle TV), TorontoIndie.com, Brit Asian Magazine (UK), CJIQ FM (Conestoga College), CIUT FM (University of Toronto), IndieLove.ca, IndieCan Radio, Qatalyst Magazine (Kitchener/Waterloo), Tambourine Magazine (Toronto), along with two consecutive showcases at the S.C.E.N.E. Music Festival in St. Catharine's in 2007 and 2008, a showcase at the 2007 COCA Regionals, and a coveted slot at 2008's NXNE Music and Film Festival.
Bhangra scene and family
Mandippal comes from a family of poets and musicians, and the most famous of them (his Great Uncle), Harbans Jandu (Jandu Littranwala) is considered a living legend in the Bhangra, and Punjabi music scene. He is also related to musical maestro Talvin Singh.