Diljeet Kaur Bhachu - Double Lives

The physical version of this album is a 12-inch sleeve printed using recycled card and plant-based ink. Inside the sleeve are three double-sided art inserts and a Bandcamp download code, but *no vinyl record.*

A richly textured meditation on self through hypnotic layers of flute, electronics, poetry and Hindustani vocals - Double Lives is the stunning debut album from the multi-talented Glasgow-based artist, poet and activist Diljeet Kaur Bhachu. Recorded with producer John Cavanagh at his home studio, the album is set for release on 25th January 2025 via Doughnut Music Lab - a brand new art and research collective that draws on ideas from ‘Doughnut Economics’ to imagine what shape musical life might take in a post-fossil fuel future.

A classically trained flautist, Diljeet’s work has developed over the last decade through a focus on live performance and improvisation. Her open and exploratory approach includes solo performances that mix improvisation and pre-composed pieces, as well as collaborating with performers from across a wide variety of disciplines. Working in community arts through Paragon Music saw her creating and performing music to accompany dance. In late 2023 she formed a fully improvised flute quintet as part of a commission by Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra. She regularly works with acclaimed singer-songwriter Kapil Seshasayee, featuring on his albums A Sacred Bore and Laal, and performing in his live band. She’s collaborated with poets, composing music to accompany the words of Roshni Gallagher and Lisa Fannen. Also an accomplished poet herself, much of the poetry that features on the album was written during Diljeet’s time as part of the BBC Words First cohort.

For this debut album, Diljeet introduces the influence of Hindustani classical music into her practice, studying in recent years with teacher Ranjana Ghatak. The songs focus on ideas of ‘selves’ - past selves, fragmented selves, whole selves, and possible alternative selves. Diljeet uses this as a way to process and reflect on her relationship with herself, with her ancestry and heritage, and her experiences growing up in the Indian diaspora. She says:

“I’ve been fascinated by family histories, ancestry and identity for years, and started writing poetry to explore this.”

Autobiographical in a unique, deeply personal way - each song represents different aspects of self and identity. The album is sequenced to tell the story of Diljeet’s journey to being her whole self, culminating in the epic 10 minute closing track ‘Whole’.

Double Lives also marks the first time Diljeet has recorded her own material in a studio setting.

“As an improviser, I’ve really leaned into being in the moment and not trying to document my gigs - part of the joy and beauty of those experiences has been that once it’s happened that’s it. So it’s been a big milestone to take the plunge and record.”

Helping take that plunge was John Cavanagh, who recorded the album at his home studio. Having worked with John at performances he curates at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre in Glasgow, he felt like the perfect choice to help guide the album into existence.

“John has previously done sound for my sets at Sharmanka, which is quite a collaborative gig to do, so I felt there was a creative alignment. We recorded in John’s home studio, a room I’ve played in before, so it was nice to return. There were lots of magic moments, and many where I had an idea for an effect but didn’t know how to make it happen and John was able to get inside my head and then realise things perfectly.”

The album Double Lives is released through Doughnut Music Lab - a brand new Glasgow-based art and research project that explores how music could be created and consumed in a post-fossil fuel future. The collective experiments with non-traditional album formats as a way to spark discussion and suggest more sustainable practices. This release features a combined digital download and paper-only 12” sleeve format, featuring artwork by Malini Chakrabarty (Art of Birdie Studio) on recycled card using plant-based inks. The conspicuous absence of a physical record avoids the use of oil-based PVC plastic - one of the most environmentally hazardous plastics there is.

Tracklist:

1. Karam and Rattan's Journey 
2. Immigrate. Educate. Assimilate. 
3. Another Life 
4. India is a Mother, Twice Removed 
5. Educate. Assimilate. Disintegrate. 
6. Whole