They were scheduled to play at the Sunburn festival Pune this year-end. But Jahan Yousaf and Yasmine Yousaf - the Pakistani-American sisters who make up the electronic dance music duo Krewella - were denied visa by India because of their “Pakistani heritage”. They had performed earlier in India in 2014.
Krewella performs the world over and has been headlining festivals ever since their EP Play Hard rose to #1 on Billboard’s Dance Radio Airplay chart, and it’s a shame we missed them.
Let’s get to know the sisters a little better.
Desi Does It!
Yasmine and Jahan Yousaf grew up in Illinois, US. Their father is Pakistani while their mother is German. They went to an Islamic school and grew up on Bollywood music among other genres. The duo dropped out of school to form Krewella in 2007 along with producer Kristopher “Rain Man” Trindl. Their debut album Get Wet released in 2013.
The Musical Journey
Krewella’s music is inspired and influenced by house, dubstep, hardstyle, techno, electronic rock and drum and bass. Krewella has headlined at EDM festivals around the world and won the 2012 International Dance Music Award for "Best Breakthrough Artist” for their live performances.
The “Rage” Factor
Krewella members have matching tattoos, which say "6.8.10", to mark the date they decided to dedicate their lives to the band.
The sisters, known for their “raging” on stage, quit drinking once they realised it was messing with their performance. They also claim never to have done drugs.
Trindl quit Krewella in 2014 following an ugly legal spat and has charted his individual music career since.
Going Against The Flow
The girls have also stood up against sexism and bullying.
I think generally, as women, if you’re an up-and-comer — performer, entertainer, DJ, whatever you are — the hardest thing is battling the assumption that you don’t actually work.Jahan Yousaf in an interview to Teen Vogue
Check out how they took on bullying and online trolls:
We sure hope we get to watch Krewella perform live in India again soon!
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