The Pakistan America Peace Through Music Project
A Musical Journey to Peace, Freedom and Understanding
(A Collaboration of The Sonic Peace Makers and SHINE HUMANITY)

Background:

Mention Pakistan today and what comes to the minds of most Americans is terrorism, poverty, and hopelessness. That’s all they see in the news. But Pakistan also has one of the world’s most diverse and rich cultures, equaled only by its spectacular natural beauty as home to part of Kashmir, the Khyber Pass and high mountain peaks like K2. Once upon a time in the not so distant past, Texan gun enthusiasts brought their prized antique revolvers to Peshawar’s gun smiths to make copies, actor Robert DeNiro posed for pictures with restaurant owners while vacationing in Chitral, and Mick Jagger tested his dance skills with Lahore’s most well-known Mujra dancers. And many of Pakistan’s greatest musicians and singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan regularly collaborated with their counterparts in Europe and America such as Peter Gabriel and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. {Read More…}

Instep goes in depth to illustrate the versatile life of Shahi Hasan, perhaps the most elusive and overshadowed member of the pioneers of pop-rock in our country, Vital Signs.

By Amar Ayaz

[Original Post]

In any conversation about music and its origins in Pakistan, one band that would, or should, repeatedly be mentioned would have to be Vital Signs. As their name would suggest, they were the ‘vital signs’ of pop-rock in our country. It would be crazy not agree with that.

That said, any conversation we have about the band, its members and their present statuses, more often than not people mention Junaid Jamshed and his search for fulfillment in his faith. Obviously another name people would mention is that of Coke Studio genius Rohail Hyatt. But one name that continues to fly under the radar since the band mates went their own ways is that of Shahi Hasan.

Junaid, with his good looks and great vocals, was the bona fide front man for Vital Signs. While immensely talented, as is evident now, Rohail was the business savvy member, more likely borne out of necessity rather than choice considering how cutthroat the corporate side of this industry can be. Shahi got on with his business which was music, opting to stay out of the limelight. Even after they all went their separate ways, Shahi remained balanced, keeping grounded with the conservative ways of Junaid and liberal thoughts of Rohail. {Read More…}

Photographer: Tapu Javeri & Fayyaz Ahmed

The book “Shahi Hasan: From Vital Signs to a Music Legend” encompasses the journey of Shahzad Hasan from his days and works during the times VS was active, to his solo music career and contributions. I finished it in two weeks and it was very difficult to write on such a legend like him. Also, some of the facts, I had to research a lot regarding Vital Signs and their active years. The focus of this book is to provide some insight to Shahi’s fans regarding his solo accomplishments and contributions. I initially had a plan to get in print edition, but couldn’t afford it. So it’s online now. I have been getting a very good feedback from people reading it. It is also a collection of some articles that I have been writing the great band of Pakistan. After the disbanding, the group members have shifted their core energies to different fields. Though, I have tried to be as just as possible with it.

Here is the link for complete online edition

Sadaf Fayyaz

‘Raat Yun Dil Mein Teri’ Abbas Ali Khan
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO-1GU9mSnc

There is always a chance that a classic tune will get covered, revamped and re-covered several times through the ages. From Bob Dylan’s ‘All Along The Watchtower,’ which is one of the most covered songs of all times to the Aaroh cover of the Vital Signs hit, ‘Ajnabi,’ most classic songs have been covered and carried from one generation to the next. With ‘Raat Yun Dil Mein Teri,’ Abbas Ali Khan tries his hand at covering one of the best loved pieces of poetry-turned-song from the ’80s. {Read More…}

We all know about the legend Rohail Hyatt for the services he has provided to the music industry of Pakistan since the times of Vital Signs. The Vital Signs which gave us one of the best patriotic songs of the world, Dil Dil Pakistan (ranked 3rd in BBC Top ten list) and Rohail Hyatt which gave us Coke Studio, another reason to be proud of Pakistan. The son, Danial Hyatt continues what Rohail had started. We had seen Danial Hyatt doing the animations and visuals for Coke Studio but this is the first time the music by Danial is coming out and that too for Pakistan. Slackistan is a film by Hammad Khan & Shandana Ayub to  revive the image of Pakistan. The film will be featuring tracks by Mole, Kominas, Adil Omar and Uzair Jaswal. OST of the movie is going to be “Pink Moving Objects” by Mole, a band by Danial Hyatt, Faizan Riedinger, Amman Mushtaq and Habib. The track is amazing and goes to one of my all time favorite tracks. I am trying to get the track for you folks really soon.

Source: Guardian

The title of a recent Guardian article, “Never mind the Taliban – Pakistan’s youth put their faith in rock”, makes it sound as if rock’n'roll has emerged as the saviour of distressed Pakistani youth. But while recent reports would have us believe that Pakistan’s rock scene is enjoying a renaissance, it is actually suffering heavily in the current climate of insecurity.

Contrary to popular belief, rock music in Pakistan has been around longer than the Taliban and the mujahideen put together. In the 1960s Pakistani cities had a hip and swinging jazz/rock scene, fuelled by the wide availability of alcohol and a surfeit of venues, with bands such as the Panthers, the Fore Thoughts, the Keynotes and the Wanderers, which came largely from the Christian community. {Read More…}

Click the Picture to Download TWO Naat Albums of JJ

{Read More…}

Pakistan’s drummer par extraordinaire – John Louis ‘Gumby’ Pinto – has been one of Pakistan’s most renowned musicians for decades now. Gumby, who has played with almost every musical act in Pakistan, from Vital Signs and Junoon to Noori and the Mekaal Hasan Band and the past two seasons of Coke Studio, has emerged as the music industry’s biggest voice. After all, Gumby has kept the concert scene alive in Karachi despite the precarious security situation, by organizing gigs with the Kolachi Quartet and the Munchkins, and recently, with a line-up featuring the likes of Aamir Zaki and Omran Shafique. Gumby says these small concerts – that are packed with energy and bring out true fans to the venues – are the ones he enjoys most, but he takes as much pride in his work with Coke Studio. {Read More…}

Instep takes a look at how Pakistani patriotic music has evolved through the decades – from optimistic anthems celebrating the country to songs tinged with cynicism. The important thing is that the rhythms live on and continue to make strong statements …

By Saba Imtiaz

“D-d-d-dil dil dil…” That opening verse of the now iconic ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ by Vital Signs brings out a world of memories: one of the first patriotic songs of the ’80s-’90s pop movement in Pakistan, it has been associated with everything from national elections to political milestones to most memorably, cricketing wins. {Read More…}

Rap Engineers will be making a guest appearance along with Rocklite (Allan from Junoon & Rizwan from Vital Signs) and Arsalan Asif in battle of the bands at Lok Vira on 9th of August. The event will also feature underground bands in the battle. Discounted tickets for the fans of Rap Engineers are being offered. Contact now: 03435259321

You know, sometimes when there is so much happening, you really don’t know what to blog about first. In the end, you end up blogging about nothing. So here I am, all apologies, getting back to blogging. A lot has happened in the past month, but there is some extremely exciting stuff coming up for ADP. Things are finally looking up for us after a pretty dry run. So here goes.

1) Omar Khalid got married {Read More…}

Best left unsung
by Nadeem F. Paracha

Modern Pakistani pop culture is a cultural extension of the upper echelons of urban middle-class Pakistan. This remains in spite of the fact that acts such as Sajjad Ali, Nazia and Zoheb, Abrar-ul-Haq, Atif Aslam, and to a certain extent, Junoon and the Vital Signs have often managed to resonate some aesthetic and social relevance within the more populist sections of popular culture in Pakistan. {Read More…}

• Download: Thinking About You

• Song Credits:

Lyrics and Composition: Zoe Viccaji
Guitars: Omran “Momo” Shafique and Shehryar Ali Mirza
Strings: Emad Rehman
Bass, drums and Percussions: Shahi Hasan
Produced by: Shahi Hasan {Read More…}

Natasha Ejaz

Natasha Ejaz is also the lead vocalist of Rocklite, a band by Rizwan-Ul-Haq an ex-member of Vital Signs.

Downloads:

• Alone on a Two-seater
• Today is a Place
• Rocklite – Chehra feat Natasha Ejaz

More by Natasha Ejaz

Biography:
Natasha Ejaz is a 21 year old aspiring musician from Islamabad. {Read More…}