Wikipedia

DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid

DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid is an American DJ duo, formed in 2000[1] in Portland, Oregon. The duo consists of Anjali Hursh (DJ Anjali) and Stephen Strausbaugh (The Incredible Kid). In addition to appearing at various venues in Portland's nightclub scene, the act has performed in numerous music festivals and resident nights including Sasquatch! Music Festival and Basement Bhangra and is credited with helping to bring South Asian and Latin dance music to the club scene in Portland and the greater Pacific Northwest. Together they host Tropitaal, a "Desi-Latino Soundclash"[2] and Andaz, the longest-running Bhangra and Bollywood dance party in the United States.[3][4] The duo was awarded first place in the "Best DJ" category of "Best of Portland" by Willamette Week readers in 2016[5] and 2017.[6]

DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid
Background information
OriginPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Genres
Years active2000–present
Members
  • DJ Anjali
  • The Incredible Kid
Websiteanjaliandthekid.com

History

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Hursh and Strausbaugh first crossed paths in the late 90's when they both became involved in union organizing while working at Powell's Books.[7][8] At the time Strausbaugh was playing sets at private parties and providing entertainment at pro-union events.[9] After collaborating on several such events, the two formed a partnership and made their first foray into the nightclub scene in 2000, hosting a successful new years party at Medicine Hat.[10] This was followed by brief stints at The Blackbird and Lola's Room,[4] until 2002 when they took over a monthly night at Fez Ballroom, the venue that would become home to their Andaz party for the next 7.5 years. Since departing from that venue in April 2010, editions of Andaz have been held at Star Theater, The Analog, and The Liquor Store and have routinely drawn crowds of 300 people.[11]

In 2003, they teamed up with DJ E3 to form Atlas, a dance party that combined their South Asian format with a more broadly international sound that included Dancehall, Reggaeton, Baile Funk, and other genres. The series lasted 10 years. At the time this was the longest of any resident night ever at Holocene, and it played host to many national and international touring acts such as Toy Selectah, Poirier, and J Boogie. It was at the end of this run that they launched their new series, Tropitaal at the Goodfoot Pub & Lounge in Portland's Kerns Neighborhood. The night is described as a "Desi/Latino Soundclash".[12] Hursh and Strausbaugh have taken Tropitaal on the road, holding editions of the series in Seattle[13] and Oakland.[14]

Reception

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The duo's unusual career path has attracted attention from the international press, with coverage in The Times Of India[15] and GQ India.[16] Reviews note the contrast between their parties and the more mainstream Indian dance club events found elsewhere, pointing out the greater emphasis on bhangra and the queer-friendly, mixed-race audience.

In 2021, Anjali's likeness was featured on a bus wrap affixed to TriMet buses as part of a campaign to celebrate Portland's AAPI history and leaders.[17]

Festivals & Guest Appearances

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References

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  1. ^ Binder, Melissa (January 10, 2014). "7 things you probably don't know about Portland's music history". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Singer, Matthew (September 13, 2016). "Needle Exchange: A DJ Questionnaire with DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid". Willamette Week. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (July 19, 2017). "Hooray for Bollywood: Dance Party Turns 15". Portland Tribune. Pamplin Media. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Dornfeld, Ryan (April 8, 2019). "DJ Anjali". Eleven PDX Magazine. Portland, Oregon: Eleven West Media Group, LLC. Retrieved March 18, 2021..
  5. ^ "Best of Portland Reader's Poll 2016: The Complete List of Winners". Willamette Week. Portland, Oregon. July 16, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  6. ^ Kilts, Alie (July 12, 2017). "Here are the Winners of the Best of Portland Readers' Poll 2017". Willamette Week. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  7. ^ Kennedy, William (August 1, 2017). "The Selectors". Eugene Weekly. Eugene, Oregon. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  8. ^ Sunny S (May 21, 2013). "DJ Anjali hits Chicago for Memorial Day Weekend". Chicago Now. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  9. ^ Baer, April (host) (December 7, 2018). "DJ Anjali And The 18-Year Party". OPB's State of Wonder. OPB Radio.
  10. ^ Day, Gregory Druker (host) (November 21, 2016). "WWeek's Best DJs 2017: DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid". The Portland Podcast.
  11. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (July 31, 2010). "Bhangra music -- and dancing -- is getting big in Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  12. ^ "November First Thursday with DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid". Portland Center Stage at The Armory. Portland Center Stage. November 7, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  13. ^ "TrOPITAAL! Desi Latinx Soundclash: Anjali The Kid +Papi Fimbres". The Stranger. Seattle, Washington. January 17, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "Tropitaal: Desi Latino Soundclash @ Starline Social Club, Bay Area". Fusicology. November 11, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  15. ^ Ghura, Jasleen (March 23, 2015). "American DJs, desi tunes". The Times Of India. Chandigarh, India.
  16. ^ Harwin, Kerry (May 19, 2017). "The incredible story of how desi parties are keeping Portland weird". GQ India. Mumbai, India. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  17. ^ "Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander History and Leaders". TriMet official website. Government of Oregon. May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
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