By

Sadaf Fayyaz

The second episode of Coke Studio 3 aired on June 20^th. The episode featured five tracks out of which only two proved to be extremely amazing. Coke Studio is famous for maintaining its style of fusion and diversity in music, this time flavored a bit experimental and mind-numbing. It was nice to see EP performing together but they could not maintain the real essence of the beautiful song “Bolo Bolo” by Sajjad Ali.  A very famous song from hit album “Babia” of Sajjad Ali, which was released in early 90’s, had “Bolo Bolo” as the second most favorite song, after “Babia”. The vocalist Fawad did little justice with this legendary and gorgeous song of Sajjad Ali. The bona fide quintessence of the song wasn’t felt at all. Upon asking Ahmed Ali Butt about the Coke Studio sessions, he shared, {Read More…}

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

After “Paimona”, Zeb & Haniya steal the show with their highly applaudable “Bibi Sanam”, with Dari derivation and saccharine Dari accent. The Coke Studio sessions are really worth appraising and hold a touch of classy knack to them. The original song, sung by Wahid Qasemi (Vaheed Kaacemy; Persian) sounds with a different set of tune and harmony. {Read More…}

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

The coke studio season 3 is all in the air and a hot topic these days. The exciting season marks with Noori, Meesha Shafi, Karavan, Arif Lohar, Arieb Azhar, Abida Parveen, Zeb & Haniya, Saba Shabbir, Zoe Viccaji, and Sanam Saeed. Sanam and Zoe could be seen as the backing vocalists this time. Abida Parveen outshines the show with her mystical and deeply enriched style in “Ramooz-e-Ishq”. One cannot comment or critique on her performance and chic. She sounds miraculous every time. {Read More…}

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Sadaf Fayyaz

He knows what to make music about. We see something rocking this time by this startling guy. All we are talking about is the brand new video “Go Saabjee Go”, from his album “Haroon ka Safar”. Whether it is a patriotic song like “Dil Se Maine Dekha Pakistan”, or romantic song like “Jao Tum”, or a typical family kind naughty song like “Mehendi”, Haroon has really done something remarkable this time. Remembering his “Mr. Fraudiye”, that reflected societal loopholes and social deceptions. Haroon has come up with something quite avant-garde this time. The stimulus behind the video is wretchedness and daily life problems of an ordinary local citizen.  The eccentric and unfathomable maestro Haroon is a true enigma. {Read More…}

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

Q1. Tell us a bit about your background, education and childhood.

Umer: I was raised in Multan in a very traditional family. I grew up in fortunate circumstances,  with a strong yet intimate man as my father, three amazing younger siblings, and my mother and two aunts (who also lived with us) altogether providing thrice the usual intensity of motherly affection afforded to people. This provided a foundation unlike any other.  After O levels, I went to Aitchison College for A levels, learned from the challenges of living in a hostel, and then went to USA to continue my studies. There, I encountered amazing teachers, colleagues, and disciplines, and fell deeply in love with philosophy, film, religious studies, psychology, and music. Now I live and work in Philadelphia, USA. {Read More…}

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

Q1. Tell us a bit about your background, education and childhood.

I actually stopped going to school this year. Didn’t feel like it anymore. For now, I’m taking a year off just doing what I do, which is being a bit of a hermit and making music. I have a few things lined up regarding music related projects, hopefully those will work out.
As far as my childhood goes, I had an interesting childhood. Think of it as “Animal House” meets “The Sopranos”.

Q2. Tell us something about your musical training.

What musical training? – I picked up everything I do on my own. I have been writing, recording, mixing and making the occasional beat myself.

Q3. What message does your music reflect? Is it peace, love or any other? {Read More…}

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Sadaf Fayyaz

Q1. What was the experience with the pilot during the Media Flight?

Amanat: I really enjoyed watching Mehreen take off in the plane, but was glad I was not in it! The pilot, Sergio Pla, was so patiently explaining everything to Mehreen before he took her on the flight.

Mehreen: It was a once in a lifetime experience and when I came back down to earth, I felt exhilarated and like a new person! The pilot was so very good at what he does and made me feel very calm before I took off with him, and during the flight. {Read More…}

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

Q1. Tell something about your education and background.

Asad: I was born in Kharian Cantonment and was raised in four different cities as my father was working in the army and we got posted after every three years. We finally got settled in Rawalpindi and that became my home base from where I got most of my education from college to masters. I have an MBA degree with a specialization in marketing.

Q2. Tell something about your mission and vision statements. {Read More…}

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

Education: Master in Economics

Inspiration: It comes from listening to good music or an instrumental or may be a good artist.

How got interested in music? Used to recite Qiraat at school and always heard my parents listening to good music. {Read More…}

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

The film’s title is definitely inspired from Dulal Goha’s 1975 film “Pratiggya”, starring Dharmendra and Hema Malini. The song was sung by late Mohammad Rafi and shot on Dharmendra and Hema. Samir Karnik intends to record a remix version of the Mohammad Rafi hit, has introduced a new composing duo Nouman Javaid and Rahul Seth. Upon asking Nouman Javaid, he replied,

“Samir Karnik, who is the director of the film he heard my songs and he approached me and asked me if I wanted to do the film as music director as he was looking for a new fresh sound. He loved my past songs “Dard-e-tanhai” and “Mein chala” plus he loved the voice texture I have so he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. {Read More…}

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

Education & Background:

CA for a year and then switched to the International Foundation Program affiliated to the University of York this September.

Inspiration:

Nirvana, Pantera and things I wanted to become.

How got interested in music:

I used to be this shy, chubby kid who was glued to his video games for weeks. My parents thought it would be good for me to join some kind of club or class in the afternoon to get out more. Luckily, there were some guitar lessons available in my school. That’s how it all began. I still remember how I reluctant I was with the whole idea back then. {Read More…}

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

Education and Background:

Currently studying at Bahria University Islamabad, doing Business Management, last year of graduation.

Inspiration:

Outlandish, Nas, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Big Pun, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Junoon. Acting: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci & Edward Norton

How I got interested in music:

Well I’d been writing poems and was good at writing essays and stuff so it inspired me for writing songs and that’s how I got into songwriting. Later, I started rapping my written verses and then I figured I could sing too after I started doing some home-recordings and stuff. Then I got to meet Asad Kamal one day, I was 15 at that time and I recorded my debut single “Kar De” at his Studio 051. That’s just about it {Read More…}

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

While having a small session with Asad Qizilbash (Vocalist/founder/composer) of band Swaras, he announced very animatedly about their debut song. “It is our great pleasure to let you all know that our debut song “Aag Kuch Aysi Lagi” has been selected to be a part of “Canadian Heritage” at “The National Library of Archives” in Ottawa Canada. We are very proud to achieve this honor as a Pakistan-Canadian band on our first composition.” Asad declares very excitedly.
“Swaras was formed in June 2009 in Toronto, Canada. The whole idea of our music is based on amalgamating “World Music” with eastern vocals which was never done before. Swaras’ first single “Aag Kuch Aysi Lagi” on Nov 27th during Eid-ul-Azha’s time through our website, {Read More…}

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

After a long hiatus, Hadiqa Kiani and Irfan Khan have come up with a beautiful and soulful Pashtu melody Jaanan. With a glamorous Pashtu makeover by Khawar Riaz and wardrobe by Munib Nawaz, Jaanan has a typical Pashtu touch to it. Hadiqa has a totally changed and fresh look with her traditional style, which is entirely different from her extremely westernized “Sohniya” looks. The male model looks like a typical Pathan with his Swati Cap (Pakol) and shawl.

Being a very simple and beautiful video, Jaanan has captured the hearts of many people, mostly Pashtu community. Apart from the male model, the female model looks gorgeous too, with her heavy jewelry and weighty dress. With a remarkable directorial attempt by a new comer Jovi, it’s a glitzy attempt. The transition from a very modern and westernized make over to a complete traditional one seems a bit strange, but much better this time. Hadiqa possess a supernatural ability to adapt her vocals to diverse accents. Remember her “Bohe Barian” in Punjabi, “Az Chashme Saqi” in Persian, “Living This Lie” in English and “Mane Di Mauj” in Kashmiri, all brilliantly prove this. Hadiqa herself speaking about Jaanan {Read More…}

Pleasurable Time for Fringe Benefits’ Fans

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

These are good news for the fans of Fringe Benefits. Fringe Benefits was a renowned band in early nineties with two good-looking young boys. A two member group with vocalist Shehryar and Keyboardist Mohemmed Ali, did a marvelous job with two of their song “Tanhai” and “Yeh Zindagi”, aired on Ghazanfar Ali’s Music Channel Charts. After Vital Signs and Awaz, the two most influential bands of Pakistan, this was a time when some new and fresh bands started their music. Many singers started their journey with Music Channel Charts. The band also did a peace song “Pyar Diyan Gallan” with Arid Zone and Fakhr-e-Alam. The album “Tanhai” did pretty well in the mid- nineties. After so many years, the band has decided to do some music again. There was a small session with Shehryar Kureshi of the band. {Read More…}