Rohail Hyatt, Farhad Humayon & Faisal Rafi's reaction to the end of NAPA

The industry puts it weight behind NAPA

When The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) was asked to vacate Hindu Gymkhana by the Ministry of Culture, it sent shock waves through the industry. NAPA has become a part of Karachi's cultural landscape and is a hugely vibrant part of it.

When Instep spoke with various people associated with the arts the reactions were strong...


Rohail Hyatt

I totally support NAPA and what it stands for. But if the foundation is built wrongly than it has to be corrected. I don't know if NAPA stands on a land that has been taken over from a certain community and if that is the case than it should be rectified.

However, NAPA should be given an alternative location. They shouldn't be evacuated to the roadside.

There is a huge area behind Arts Council or any other location that will work for the students and everyone involved. NAPA should be facilitated first. The fact that there is such a hurry makes it seem like there is an agenda. And it shouldn't be politically motivated because NAPA is a hugely important institution.

Benazir Bhutto was a big promoter of arts and culture so the government must keep that spirit alive.


Farhad Humayoun

Farhad didn't know about the NAPA controversy but when Instep told him bout it, he was shocked.

"It's the sole performing arts institute in the country and Zia sahib has worked so hard to make it progress. He is the only credible person in our country who could have handled such an institute and take the task of training people in his hands," says Farhad. "All the issues should have been solved before giving the place to NAPA because now when it's well reputed, there is no point of bringing it up."

"In fact, I was so looking forward to perform in their theatre one of these days. It's such a shame that it might not be there for long."


Faisal Rafi

Our government is visionless. NAPA means a lot to the artists' community and to the students who've been studying there. It is an important institution.

That said, Arshad Mahmud and Zia Mohyeddin don't form the best management. They roam around in their expensive cars and air conditioned offices while student facilities at NAPA are zilch. Musharraf granted them millions so how is it that they don't provide students with instruments? Three to four students of NAPA are working with me and they weren't provided with instruments.

Most of the (music) students have stayed at NAPA because of Nafees Ahmed and Bashir Khan. As for moving NAPA to another location, it just goes to show
how the vision for the future doesn't exist

Source: Instep Magazine

“Why should I give a press conference?They’re all the same!”, Ali Azmat

Ali Azmat becomes a rebel with a cause as Klashinfolk

is released and the only cause he knows is music.

Muniba Kamal

Karachi

Ali Azmat has done the unthinkable. He flew out to the US just days before his album Klashinfolk released on August 15 to play shows to project his album there. Meanwhile, if you are seeing him quite frequently on your television screens

Ali Azmat may be in the US but Klashinfolk is out in stores now!

Ali Azmat's new album has hits stores today while the singer is in absentia. He's in the US playing shows with Omran Shafique in tow. Ali's current Facebook status reads "Ali is in a New York state of mind."

However, the 'Gallan' video has started playing on music channels and speaks volumes about Ali Azmat's legendary sense of fun. A crazy caper brought to life by the mega-talented Zeeshan Parwez through claymation, it is a first in Pakistani video history and is right up there with 'Teri Parchhaiyaan'.

Warid's Summer Club Night– A return to live rock

Concerts may have become a rarity in Pakistan, but Warid's Summer Club Night brought back some of Pakistan's best talent to the stage, in a live show that musicians and audience alike were full of praise for. It brought back memories of days where concerts happened regularly and provided young people with entertainment and music at its best. By Usman Raza Jamil

Growing up in Lahore during the mid nineties we, as alternative and rock music loving adolescents, would throng to concert halls and auditoriums to enjoy underground and rock bands in Lahore perform live and unadulterated versions of our favorite international and local rock songs. Back then it was all about the music. As times have progressed and with the injection of corporate entities in Pakistan, the scene has changed whereby nationally recognized pop acts play corporate events at hotels, where audiences are more prone to soullessly enjoying the performances from their tables rather than moving to the music. Last week changed that. Warid hosted Summer Club Night, held at the Royal Palm Country Club, Lahore featuring acts such as Mauj, Ali Azmat, Zeeshan Parwez and Caramel and in the process, gave around 500 of us a musical experience which we wouldn't soon be forgetting and would transform us back to the good old days of Al-Hamra Hall One. This time the setting was much more like a club abroad, where the live music featured was mind-blowing, the ambience enriched the experience and the audience wanted more even after the lights went out on the event into the wee hours of the next day! Once the club began rocking with live music, there was absolutely no looking back. And everything about that evening, from the ambiance to the great sound certified that. The marquee at the Royal Palm was transformed, dividing the area into a dance floor on ground level and a lounge on top. The place was surrounded by an illuminating purple light set against a black backdrop. As we neared the end of the platform, the view of where the magic happened became even more prominent.

Atop the stage was the illuminating sign of 'Warid Summer Club Night'; the gigantic speakers surrounding the stage; the effective lighting and the dance floor with smoke machines in tow, for all those like us who enjoy being up front and close to the musicians. The event itself was organized by Elements, who in collaboration with the team at Warid did a great job in making sure that the event was branded subtly rather than an "in-your-face" way and for creating an environment which catered to the needs of the sophisticated yuppies and of the dedicated live music lovers such as myself! Before the first act came on stage, DJ Muhammad Agha gave the audience some great house music to get us all pumped up for the performances to follow. With the smoke machines on the floor already bellowing out the mist and with large sections of the crowd making their way down to the floor in anticipation of wrapping their heads around some great live music, the ever-charismatic Ahmed Ali Butt came up on stage to enthusiastically introduce Mauj as the first act of the night. With the House music played by the DJ fading out, Omran Shafique, Sikandar Mufti, Sameer Ahmed and Hamza Jafri got us all going with an awesome jam. With the release of their much awaited album still being hotly anticipated, we were treated to a set which included songs like Awaaz, Khayaal, Mona and the crowd favorites, Khushfehmee and Paheliyan. Omran Shafique, as the frontman for the band, seemed at ease, getting the crowd involved, belting out lyrics and shredding guitar solos for everyone to enjoy. It was a musically tight performance, which sounded great and set the tone for the night. Next up, Ali Azmat was welcomed onto the stage by cheers and loud applause by the audience. Joining him on stage was the mercurial drum genius that is John Louis Pinto aka Gumby and the sensation tehno spinning wizard from Peshawar, Zeeshan Parwez; Omran Shafique on guitar and Kamran Zafar on bass. Churning out hits such as Mein Challa, Neend Aati Nahee, Dosti, some new numbers from his upcoming album Klashinfolk and an absolutely mind-blowing rendition of Garaj Baras, Ali Azmat - the showman and the musician - showed that he still is very much a force to be reckoned with. It was perhaps one of the best live sets ever to be heard to date, and it even got the 'oldies' in the crowd moving and shaking.

Following Ali Azmat came the dynamic duo that makes up Caramel - Kiran Arshad and Adnan Chaudhry, well supported by Fahd Khan, Muhammad Agha, Farhan Albert and bassist Atif - who performed covers of dancefloor hits such as 4 Minutes and Hit the Road Jack amongst others, that got the crowd dancing away into the night. Caramel lived up to its reputation as being true entertainers and performed their set with their trademark gusto and high energy, to which the audience responded to very enthusiastically. To top off what was already a memorable and absorbing night of great live music, a 'supernova' of the musicians in the shape of Gumby, Zeeshan Parwez, Sikandar Mufti and Omran Shafique collaborated to produce a unique jam of electronica, live drums and guitar that provided the audience with something fresh, new and different to really appreciate. It was indeed a crowd pleaser and a highlight, which showed the versatility of talent that our country has to offer! Needless to say, the event was a success. It was a night where a recognized corporate entity gave the power back to music and gave credit where credit was due. It was a night that allowed different musical talents to combine as one and showcase their unique qualities. It was a night where people came to enjoy live music and show their appreciation and support of such well organized events, in view of the scarcity of such offerings in Pakistan. It was night where live music lovers like myself could not help but think that the best is yet to come and that what we witnessed as teens in the mid-nineties in Lahore, is truly back, but is bigger, better, stronger and meaner! What the musicians had to say Ali Azmat: "This was by far the best time we had playing a gig in a very long time: the sound, the atmosphere, the crowd, the stage and the people who organized this event. It was a breeze of fresh air. And I speak for the rest of the band too. Fun fun fun! All concerts should be done like that" Zeeshan Parwez: "It was nicely done, especially the planning and the concept of bringing musicians together on one platform in a great setting. The venue was good, the sound was great. I personally enjoyed a lot performing with Ali Azmat and Gumby." Gumby: "Club night was probably one of the very few shows where both the musicians and audience enjoyed thoroughly. I must say, very well arranged and an outstanding ambience. It was a pleasure being a part of the event." Omran Shafique: "It was an amazing experience. The sound system, the lighting and overall setup was very impressive. It was definitely one of the best shows we have played. Big thanks to Warid for doing this, and having us on board!" Sameer Ahmed: "The crowd and ambiance provided a great setting for a live performance. I hope we get to play more shows like this."

Young Voices of PAKISTAN

Shafqat sings with Fuzon for the national anthem!

Geo TV's taping of Pakistan's national anthem, which is being touted as the revival of the national anthem – was held on August 5 with a large number of singers in attendance. While the recording brought together stars from all musical genres ranging from Ustad Hamid Ali Khan to Shahida Mini, it also united the split up members of Fuzon.

Shafqat Amanat Ali and his ex-band mates from Fuzon, Shallum and Immu, were all together on the same stage to perform the anthem. One would have expected fireworks, but both Shallum and Shafqat came across as being cordial and happy about working together with each other. "It feels great to come together with Shafqat again, he's a great guy and accomplished singer." said Shallum.

On being asked if they plan to work together again, Shallum said "We might do a project together in the next few months, and we're looking forward to it."

Shafqat, on being asked about his feelings about working with Fuzon diplomatically stated, "I'm a singer and an artist and I want to work with everyone." Stay tuned for news of if this project does make it to the light of day!

Source : Instep Today

Hotsteppers of the week : Shehzad Roy

This week's undeniable hotstepper has to be Shehzad Roy. While Shehzad has been in the limelight since the 90s as one of Pakistan's most popular singers, he has made a second coming this year with the launch of his album - Qismat Apney Haat Mein. While the album was launched at Karachi's Juvenile jail for an audience of young prisoners and media personnel, it's the first video - 'Laga Reh' that is really making waves. Directed by Ahsan Rahim, the video had endorsements by noted columnist Ardeshir Cowasjee and sportsman-turned philanthropist-turned politician Imran Khan. The video puts a spotlight on all the issues in the country that make headlines on a daily basis, with a rather sarcastic take on how Pakistanis deal with the issues. The words 'laga reh' define that mentality all too well! Ali Azmat, Mani, Faisal Qureshi (keep an eye out for his flying sequence!) and director Ahsan Rahim.

Quite a few firsts for Shehzad are coming about! Shehzad has turned his hand to songwriting for the first time in his career and penned the entire album himself, which features a number of social commentary songs (check out 'Quaid-e-Azam' and 'Qismat Apney Haat Mein') as well as Roy's signature romantic songs. The album also features a duet with legendary singer Abida Parveen!
Shehzad also appeared on Geo TV's show Capital Talk, which named its show 'Le lo qismat apney haath mein' (take destiny into your hands), which is rather rare he is the first singer to be invited on the show. We predict Shehzad Roy will be one of the hottest artists this year, simply because this is an incredibly relevant album for the times we live in. Kudos to Shehzad for going ahead with launching an album that could easily be perceived as uber-controversial (sponsors declined to touch it!) and for teaming up with Ahsan Rahim for the 'Laga Reh' video. We can't wait to see the next video, also to be directed by Ahsan Rahim, and the buzz that generates!

8th Lux Style Awards In Lahore Cancelled!!!

Pakistan's Only International Acclaimed Event - Lux Style Awards - Was Expected To Celebrate This Year In Lahore, Pakistan.But Now The Event Has Been Cancelled Due To Some Reasons.The Artists Were Ready And Waiting To Participate In This Mega Event Of Pakistan But Due To The Worse Political Situation And Hiking Prices Of Basic Necessities The Organizers Decided To Cancel This Event. According To The Organizers,They Have Informed All The Artists About The Cancellation Of This Event And They Can't Organize It In A Situation Where People Are Running After Food.

Artists Which Were Preaparing To Perform In The Award Ceremony Are As Follows:
Shaan,Reema, Meera,Iman Ali , Atif Aslam, Annie , Strings , Ali Azmat & Others.

Read This News In Urdu

Read This Instep Article For More:

LSA 2008 cancelled for now due to security situation

Another event bites the dust thanks to the security situation… leaving those who are cribbing without a ceremony to boycott!

Muniba Kamal, Karachi

So the Lux Style Awards have been cancelled now. The notice was circulated by Unilever recently that: "Following last year's highly acclaimed event in Malaysia, the intention was to hold the 7th Lux Style Awards in a befitting manner this August in Lahore. Regretfully however, it is not appropriate to proceed with this when millions of Pakistanis are confronted with unprecedented inflation and the country is faced with tough economic and security conditions."

It's a sad announcement. One of the biggest nights in fashion has come to naught. Just like Karafilm last year and the Carnival De Couture. The security situation in the country has made us all go into terminal depression and the very things that make Pakistan colourful and vibrant stand cancelled. There is a lot to be said for nights that everybody looks forward to and goes to, to honour and to be honoured. There is something special about those evenings, the anticipation of who will win and who will perform. And the LSAs have been resurrecting icons. Who can forget Runa Laila's fantastic performance two years ago, or that of Naheed Akhtar last year? To think that this year won't throw anything our way, there will be no moments of magic that are recreated, no legends will be honoured. Khuda Kay Liye won't get its night of glory, even though the film came and created history last year. It's been honoured in Egypt, but it won't be right here in Pakistan.

No Lux Style Awards for Lahore

This year would have been historical for both the Lux Style Awards and Lahore. The biggest show in Pakistan held in the country's most historical city would have been a sight to behold. I for one was quite thrilled when the LSAs announced that instead of flying out to Bangkok, the show would be held in Lahore. There is a vibe to the Lux Style Awards being in Pakistan that isn't there when they fly out the show internationally. More people turn up and there is more of a buzz here. It would have been so interesting to see the LSAs in Lahore, especially after the controversies that raged around them all year. After all, despite one hearing the refrain that Lahore has been sidelined this year from the fashion community, most nominations in the fashion categories are from Lahore. As indeed they are in the music category too.

­Of cribbers and sore losers

And yet, one can imagine quite a few people who will be happy with the cancellation of the awards. They are the cribbers and (rather sore) losers. The cribbers are those who have been nominated and yet are finding fault with the awards and the jury. The first is Umar Sayeed who has gone on and on about how the jury is unfair because he as been nominated and his friends haven't. There is Shamoon Sultan who is upset that Khaadi Khaas didn't get nominated even though Khaadi has and there is Deepak Perwani, who though he got nominated for Best Menswear Designer is upset that he wasn't a nominee in the Best Pret category for his women's wear.

One has always wondered at the logic these fashion designers follow. All three designers have historically been a part of the Lux Style Awards and all three of them have taken awards home. To cast aspersions on an awards show of which many trophies sit on their mantel pieces at home is ridiculous. It's a very simple decision to make. You decide either be a part of the process or decide not be a part of it at all. And more worrying is the attitude of designers who insist that they deserve to be nominees. How anyone can claim that “I was the best last year”? How can people think of judging themselves the best no matter which walk of life they are from?

They should look at Aamir Khan across the border who took on all the award shows in Bollywood. He made a statement against the awards and has since then, stuck to his guns. He doesn't attend Bollywood award shows, even if they are honouring him. After that initial statement, there has been no rancour from his side. He simply doesn't bother with them, all the while making films like Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par that are so good that they end up being nominated. While his cast and crew go to these shows and accept their awards, Aamir never does. He refuses to acknowledge them and therein lies the seriousness of the stand he's chosen to take… the man means business. He isn't jumping on the horse when he's winning the race and off because he is losing.

Meanwhile, here, the legions of designers complaining about the platform, jumping on the platform when it suits them and jumping right off when it doesn't is puerile. While Aamir Khan takes a stand on a matter of principle, our designers seem to be whining about not being nominated, and those who are nominated are complaining about the fact that their friends weren't. It's a sorry state of affairs… fashion politics in Pakistan seems to be as sad as our politics.

Fashionable boycott

A popular theory that is going around after the LSAs were cancelled is that they have been shelved for the moment because the people were planning on boycotting them. The camps who found themselves left out in the cold weren't planning on attending the ceremony. These include some big names from the design world. Contrary to popular belief, one doesn't think that a couple of designers missing from the awards would harm the show at all. Let's face it, fashion designers are only icons for the elite in this country if that. It is performances by the likes of Atif Aslam and Ali Zafar make the awards show. Let's face it, the stand up comedy by Rauf Lala and Veena Malik last year went down much better for the mass audience than the fashion segments. Fashion has historically been the weakest link in any Lux Style Awards ceremony. Honouring the nominees is fine, but showing collections up on stage doesn't really cut it. Fashion's impact is on the catwalk or the red carpet. On a stage as big as that of the LSAs, fashion gets diluted.

The show must go on

The heartening part about the LSA cancellation announcement is the statement that Unilever has "every intention of honouring the nominees and going ahead with the LSA scholarship scheme that we started this year."

This is precisely what should be done. The ceremony should be scaled down, but it should happen. After all, the Oscars did go ahead after 9/11. The ceremony was toned down, there were few musical performances and everyone wore black, but the show did go on. Similarly, India has faced trying times like frequent bomb blasts but that hasn't resulted in the cancellation of Filmfare Awards in recent memory. The show goes on and more importantly, for a platform to become an institution, continuity is important.

Here's hoping that the Lux Style Awards do happen even if it is a closed door ceremony. It needs to happen for the record and for posterity. And since LSA is a made for TV show, the organisers don't need to worry about those who chose to boycott the ceremony. The great thing about the camera is that its lens only captures who is there. Those who are not there simply won't matter in the greater scheme of things.

link: The News International - No. 1 English Newspaper from Pakistan - Saturday, December 30, 1899

Abhijeet Bhattacharya's Anti Pakistan Views

Abhijeet has expressed outspoken views against allowing Pakistani singers in Bollywood, pointing to the lack of reciprocity from the Pakistani film industry. Together with ghazal singer Jagjit Singh, in 2003 he formally requested the government to ban Pakistani singers. In an interview in 2003, he attacked Pakistani singers Adnan Sami and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

In July 2007, he physically attacked a film-employee Union leader, accusing him of being a "pimp of Pakistani singers". The fracas was related to Abhijeet's alleged non-payment of dues to a lyricist. (Mumbai Mirror July 25, 2007) Abhiijeet has also recently attracted controversy for negative comments on rival singer Bappi Lahiri. The two men are judges on rival TV talent shows in 2007, with Lahiri's show including Pakistani contestants. In 2008, he made fun of Ek Se Badhkar Ek contestant Aneek Dhar for singing a hit song of the year sung by Pakistani singer Atif Aslam 'Pehli Nazar Mein' from Race movie. He stated he will give Aslam a zero, but aneek full marks(He gave him 7/10 eventually). Recently, he was ousted from a reality show after he insulted a Pakistani contestant and refused to judge his singing. Abhijit believes in giving work to young talents in india, rather than helping other rival countries. Abhijeet told the Mumbai Mirror, "I've given up Rs. 50 lakh only because I am fighting for a cause. Why should we promote Pakistani talent, when there is so much good talent in our country?

Source : WikiPedia

Zeb & Haniya New Video Chup To Be Directed By Babar Shaikh

With their album and video being talk of the town, musicians Zeb and Haniya are hardly staying quiet. Teaming up with director / musician Babar Shaikh they’re already working on a follow up video to Aitebaar.

“The girls approached me because they had seen what I had done with Paheliyan (by Mauj). It was something different, very vibrant and colourful.”

The director has a knack of envisioning unique and stylistic videos, while his last offering was taking Mauj for a haircut; he has a very interesting idea up his sleeve for the dynamic girl duo. “I’m going to be directing the video to Chup. It’s going to be quirky, funny and different. A sort of sarcastic look on the materialistic views society has these days.” Babar went on to say that they’re hoping to shoot first week of August — with Muneeb Nawaz doing the details on styling and wardrobe — and then roll out the video soon after. — Khaver Siddiqi

Hotsteppers Of The Week: Zeb & Haniya

With the release of their debut album, Chup, which has made waves in the music scene, Zeb and Haniya are Instep's hotsteppers of this week.

Zeb and Haniya, two very talented young musicians, have proved to be professionals at what they do. Their debut album was sold out at the very day of its release and that didn't come to us as a surprise. After all, the duo is the only female musicians around.

With Zeb being trained under the guidance of Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan, it isn't a shock that the singer has greatcontrol over her vocals. Haniya, on the flip side, is a guitarist and that too, a very original one. Chup is a classic album and has proved to be a must buy for all and sundry.

These two have managed to create soft pop and folk music that defines originality. Their first video 'Aitebar', can be frequently seen on television and is directed by Saqib Malik. It consists of a couple dancing away gracefully and is shot at the very house of the director. 'Aitebar' focuses on expression through body language and has been immaculately executed.

Shafqats sings Tishna Tishna For New Bollywood Movie "Zindagi Tere Naam"

A new bollywood number has been just released from the movie “Zindagi Tere Naam” sung by our own Shafqat Amanat ali. After having have shown his versatality in Mitwa, Yeh Honsla and then Tu hi Tu, this song is more a high beat number you can dance on. This is a duet song sung together with Sunidi Chauhan and Shafqat has clearly left her far behind. Normally a lady´s voice can touch the higher pitch relatively conveniently than a male vocalist but in this song Sunidi knew whom she has as her co-singer.

Call the Band Talking About Their Second Album & Bollywood Venture

Calling out again

'Laaree Chootee' has put Call in the limelight once again with an LSA nomination and the band is back with new verve after their first concert in the US of A!

Aqsa Hussain, Karachi

It was in 2002 when Call debuted on the scene with their album, Jilawatan. With massive hits like 'Nishaan' and 'Pukaar', the band heralded by Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan aka Xulfi quickly established itself as one of the best rock bands in Pakistan.

In 2007 came their trump card and it was 'Laaree Chootee' for the Indian film, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local. The film failed to make a mark but the song became a monster hit in and outside Pakistan.

This year Call have picked up a nomination in the newly-introduced category of Song of the Year at the Lux Style Awards for 'Laaree Chootee'. The band that has been AWOL from the spotlight and recently surfaced with their first overseas show in USA. Instep Today caught up with Call to find out where they are headed next and when their second album will release…

Instep Today: Tell us about your show in the United States of America?

Xulfi: It was an amazing experience. Playing rock in a place like USA, where rock has actually evolved, was quite a satisfying experience.

Plus, it was really nice to see how the audience had welcomed us. The Asian diaspora really waits for such events. Mainstream bands and artists that they see on TV channels, singing in their native language, makes the people living abroad nostalgic. It links them to their home. That's how music can actually bridge gaps between us and our people living abroad.

Sultan: And very importantly, playing alongside a fabulous foreign drummer, Albert, was quite a great moment for all of us. Wasn't it?

Xulfi: Definitely! He's one of the best drummers I've played with and the interesting thing was that his style of drumming actually went perfectly with our style of music, even though we had just two hours of jamming. From the fun we had over there, as a trip, to the concert, it was really great. The goras were very courteous towards us. In fact, we were pretty impressed with the way we were treated. Even if we went anywhere where people didn't know us, we never felt discriminated against.

Instep Today: Where did you guys perform?

Junaid: It was a one-off concert tour. The rest were interviews and photo shoots that we did for a magazine. In a nutshell, you can say that it was a concert plus a promotional tour for us. The concert happened in Fairfax, Virginia at the George Mason University. We never expected the crowd to actually sing all of our songs, but that actually happened, so we were pretty happy with everything. There wasn't any other mainstream performer, but there were a few Urdu singing bands (based in USA) who performed at the show.

Instep Today: 'Laaree Chootee' has been nominated in Song of the Year category at the LSAs. What do you think of your chances are of winning?

Xulfi: We are definitely excited. Everyone waits for the Lux Style Awards, from the fashion industry to the music and entertainment industry. I am pretty happy that a new category has been introduced to honour the song of the year for 2007. I know it's a pretty big achievement being nominated and I hope for a fair draw in the awards. There is strong competition obviously. Some of the top songs released last year have been nominated. And yes, we are hoping we will win. Being optimistic never hurts.

Instep Today: What about your upcoming album? It was supposed to be out in April...

Xulfi: We wanted it to be out in April, but that plan had to be delayed because of a few reasons. Firstly, the seldom upward and the more often downward trend of the political situation in our country did not really let the people focus on music during those days. So, if the audience wasn't geared up for listening, then neither were we as a band. Besides, it was a stressful situation for us. Besides being musicians, we're also citizens of Pakistan. We couldn't bring ourselves to really focus with so much going on in Pakistan.

Right now, the album is still in its recording phase. This time around, the album has live drums that we've recorded at Farhad Humayun's (Overload) studio in Lahore. It was fun engineering the drum sound with Farhad. I think we have come up with a drum sound that will hopefully be a benchmark for future albums coming out of our music scene.

Instep Today: Who has produced the album?

Junaid: Xulfi has produced the album, and the recordings are taking place at Xth Harmonic, Xulfi's studio. The drums, though, were recorded at Farhad's studio, and were engineered by Xulfi with help from Farhad.

Sultan: The interesting thing about the album is that a variety of drummers have played on the album. We have Farhad (Overload) playing on four of the tracks, Fahad Khan (Mekaal Hasan Band, ex-Fuzon) playing on a couple of tracks, and Kenny (Akaash) playing on three tracks. So there is diversity even in the style of drumming in the album as every drummer brings his own flavour while playing.

Xulfi: The album is lyrically and compositionally complete. The recording is more than half done. So in a month's time, we'll probably have it ready in our hands, which is good news for all our fans. Because the sooner we get it completed, the sooner it will release, hopefully!

Instep Today: Any upcoming videos?

Xulfi: The video for 'Yeh Pal' is going to release later this month or the first week of August. For those who don't know, 'Yeh Pal' is our next Bollywood venture, after 'Laaree Chootee'.

The rest of the videos, from the album, are probably going to be released near the album release. We are still deciding on which video director should direct which song's video. Whenever that's final, the video shoot, and consequent release dates would be announced.

Instep Today: Have you signed up with any record label as yet?

Xulfi: We're talking to with the major ones. We'll come to a conclusion soon enough.

Instep Today: It's turning out to be a big year for Pakistani music. Strings and Atif have already released their album. In the pipeline are albums from Ali Azmat, Mauj and Mekaal Hasan Band. Competitition is tough...

Xulfi: I won't make tall claims about our album. All I can is that this album is an honest, creative work of art, both musically and lyrically, that has evolved with time. Personalities grow, one comes up with new ideas, breaks old ones, moments happen that influence life in the most weird, and sometimes in the most beautiful of ways. Hence, one is inspired to write more intensely. Doing things to outdo other musicians isn't really the aim, because all artists are striving hard for a better music scene.

Source: Instep Today

Shafqat Amanat says it's just a matter of time before we're technically at par with India

"Technical facilities aren't the same but we're moving ahead rapidly and it's just a matter of time before we'll be at par with India," said Shafqat Amanat Ali at the music launch of Mehreen Jabbar's Ramchand Pakistani in Karachi. Shafqat has lent his vocals to the background score of the film and a video film of one of his songs - Phir Wohi Raastey - was played to the delight of the audience. Shafqat's vocals, combined with Anwer Maqsood's thoughtful lyrics and the extremely poignant music composed by India's Debyagoti Mishra (music director for Raincoat and Choker Bali), were indeed haunting enough to send a shiver down the spine.

"I felt the same way when I heard it first," Shafqat shared with Instep Today exclusively. "When I told my friends in India that we were working on a film called Ramchand Pakistani, they just couldn't believe that a Pakistani film could be this sensitive."

We guess they will be proved wrong as this film will be a cut above the flicks being churned out of commercial cinema. Back to the music score, it also includes the strong vocals of Shubha Mugdal, who unarguably adds to the depth and quality of the soundtrack.

Shafqat added that Pakistani music's strength was its pop music industry but that would change once films started gaining ground.

"Our pop music has flourished in the absence of films," he said. "And that's a good thing because it has continuously generated exceptional talent. But that will change once films take off because movie music reaches out to another level of listeners. The market is huge, in comparison with pop music."

Source : http://thenews.jang.com.pk/instep_today.asp

"My new album will be refreshingly different." Says Faakhir

It's been three years since his

last album Mantra released,

but recently in Karachi for

the LSA press launch,

Faakhir promises he will

be back with his next

this September

Anum Opel

Karachi

Faakhir, popular for his soft melodious vocals, is aiming for a comeback into mainstream music this September, as he prepares to launch his next album. It's been three years since Mantra was declared hugely successful, but since then the artiste has restricted his appearances to concerts and tours outside of Pakistan. Instep Today caught up with him in Karachi, where he disclosed that the forth coming album would be "extremely diverse" and would perhaps help him break out of the mushy-love-song mold that he is popular for.

Instep Today: Your fans have been looking forward to your new album. When is it due to be released?

Faakhir: My upcoming album is in its creative process and its taking time because I'm not compromising on the quality of it. The beauty of music is to take time with it, it is an art. One should never work, keeping a 'goal' in mind. Goals never work out and I wanted to take time with this. But I can promise that the album will be in your hands by Eid.

Instep Today: Other pop bands – Strings, Roxen, Atif Aslam – are doing so well in Pakistan and India these days and the scene has changed in the past three years. Where do you think you stand today?

Faakhir: There is no doubt that these boys are good at what they do, but it shouldn't be forgotten that there is a demand for everything in the market. One has got to have a music market that offers all kinds of music genres.

Instep Today: What is your genre and how is it different from what other bands are creating?

Faakhir: My latest creation is easy going, smooth and swift. It's hard core entertainment; one can indulge himself in the album as it focuses on the experiences we all go through in life. There are no lectures involved, mind you, just pure entertainment.

Instep Today: How would you compare your new album with your previous work.

Faakhir: What I have produced is the exact opposite of what I have done in the past. It's as important to mix and master music as it is to build concepts. This time around my work will be an entity on its own. It will be refreshing and different.

Instep Today: How will it be different?

Faakhir: My new album focuses on intricate sensitive relationships and circumstances and situations attached to them. Anything and everything life has to offer is what this album is about, from love to forgiveness, accepting changes, moving on, romance and all the bitter sweet experiences we all go through.

Instep Today: The concept sounds a lot like what you have been doing. So how do you say this album is different?

Faakhir: This time around, I have experimented with new words and phrases which I thought I would never use! They might have sounded odd in the past, but I'm willing to bring it out in the open as they don't seem all that odd anymore!

Instep Today: Are you planning the videos for your album as well? Mahi Ve, was an award winning video; do you think the new ones will be anything like that?

Faakhir: I have a few ideas but haven't really thought over the videos all that much. Plus, video execution is not up my alley. It's all in the hands of the art and creative directors just as long as they suit the song. The visuals should be what the audio represents. I departed from the 'Mahi Ve' style ages ago and the new videos will certainly be created according to the songs.

Instep Today: Do you think your image needs a makeover as well, since everyone is so image conscious these days?

Faakhir: I laugh at those who say I need an image makeover. Let me make one thing very clear - I don't wear make-up or lipstick for that matter. The slightest bit of puff or powder makes me look overdone, can't help it, that's the way I look. I wear smart casuals and do not believe in running to a designer to make myself feel or look like a star. I think those who are too made up are idiots and no, my image needs no makeover whatsoever.

Instep Today: You have been involved with soundtracks as well. What is the next step here?

Faakhir: Soundtracks, for now, are in the last page of my book. Currently, the criterion is to focus on my new album.

Instep Today: Tell us about your recent tours.

Faakhir: I've had a number of concerts in the States, India and two in Dubai. To me, the audience is the same all around the globe. The Indian market is much more familiar to the Pakistani crowd, but overall, I could relate to all and sundry.

Source : http://thenews.jang.com.pk/instep_today.asp

Instep Profile : Deconstructing Atif Aslam

In a span of just four years, Atif Aslam has released three albums, won countless awards and has developed a massive following in and outside Pakistan. Its not exactly rags to riches and yet his success story remains unique. In this interview with Instep, Atif Aslam reveals all…

By Maheen Sabeeh

A star is born "I always dreamed of being a rock star as a kid," says Atif smiling. At the age of just 25, Atif Aslam is living his dream. With three albums to his credit, in a span of four years, the mess of a break-up (with his former band Jal) behind him and a mass appeal that extends all the way out to India and beyond, Atif Aslam's story is truly unique. He is sitting on a sofa in denims, a polo top and his guitar on his lap when we meet. It's a crisp Sunday afternoon and Atif has a hectic schedule ahead. He is flying back to Lahore and is then heading for a massive US, UK and Canada tour. We meet the morning after the Atif Aslam Lookalike-Singalike contest, where five men, who adore Atif, belt out Atif ditties, imitating his antics, attempting to impersonate the man himself. Atif came to the finale and picked the winner himself. "It was a little bizarre," admits Atif and continues, "but a good effort. Some of those guys were confident, others had a decent voice but Gibran matched my style more than the others so it had to be him." As a person, Atif is friendly, open and confident. What drives him is his ambition to bowl out the world. He doesn't look at Asians as his target market. The world is his stage and he is here to perform and entertain. What sets him apart is his ability to mould himself, that elastic factor. Whether it is through lending his vocals to Indian films or dancing with Aaminah Haq at the Lux Style Awards or going out all-rock on a single like 'Hungami Halaat', Atif is willing to bend and break norms to make his mark. His latest is his new album, Meri Kahani. A sharp, conscious turn from his commercially hit album Doorie, and a return to form, the kind one first witnessed on his debut record Jalpari. Meri Kahani sees Atif don the roles of singer, songwriter and lyricist. But most importantly it sees the various emotions of the man that is Atif Aslam. Not surprisingly, it is a mixed bag. And even though Jalpari remains the best Atif Aslam record, Meri Kahani shows off his skills as an artist and his will to experiment. To make sure that it is his brand of music, Atif brought in Overload men Farhad Humayoun, Shiraz Siddique and Mahmood Rahman to play on the album.
"I did Doorie but afterwards I wanted to do my kind of music. Meri Kahani is just that. It is an album that is filled with personal reflections. I got Overload guys involved because I love their music, especially the Pappu Saeen bit and it was fantastic working with all of them," says Atif. The record comes after Atif received severe criticism for Doorie, the smash hit album that consolidated his position firmly in India and Pakistan. At the same time, it brought out criticism on the fact that the album was purely commercial and Indianised. But Atif has never shied away from criticism. His defense has always been one, breaking into the Bollywood-friendly Indian market. "A commercial album has the power to hit the masses. To me making commercial music is a bigger challenge than anything else. If I'm singing songs that I don't really believe in and are not challenging me as a musician and they become a hit, that to me is an achievement," explains Atif. Today Atif Aslam is more restrained and self-assured than he has ever been before. But this self-assurance has taken its time. Atif may have become a huge star but his beginning was shaky and rather controversial. There was the Jal-Atif controversy which aroused questions about his debut album and the well-known debacle of writing credits.
"That wasn't the only thing. When I began, I wasn't accepted. Back when I was starting out, Noori was huge. I went to Ali Noor and made him hear 'Aadat' and he thought it was crap. I was very discouraged. Gumby then said to me that the song's good. I would go to channels and they would be in a blackmailing mode. If one channel was airing a video, another wouldn't," says Atif of his struggling days. Atif Aslam has had no backing in the industry and neither did he have parents who were dishing out finance to record his album. Coming from a middle-class background, Atif found his groove playing at colleges. 'Aadat' first made buzz through the Internet. 'The video released and a star was born. But no one could've predicted where this star would go.
Jal broke up and Atif went solo. Jalpari was released and soon, Atif rolled with the punches. He was destined for bigger things. Soon India came calling. And from thereon, there has been no looking back for this star. Last year Atif picked up Best Music Album for Doorie at the Lux Style Awards. Among other countless awards that he has to his credit includes the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz award from the government of Pakistan for portraying a positive image of Pakistan abroad. Pros and cons Criticism and stardom, it seems, go hand in hand. Where Atif was singing to packed houses, in and outside Pakistan, there has also been some criticism. And that has been changing to fit the Bollywood mould. Atif has sung for a variety of films like Kalyug, Zeher, Bas Ek Pal and Race but most of the films have been average projects (barring Race) and Atif has been criticized for letting his own compositions go under the knife of Indian music directors. "There have been times when I have sung tunes that I'm not too crazy about. Sometimes directors listen to me and sometimes they simply say no to my ideas. Like Race for instance. I never wanted to sing, 'Meri Bahon Mein Aa.. .'. I wanted those words to be changed but I was told no. So I tried to sing it a little differently. The reason I go for Bollywood projects is simply because they help in capturing a wider audience," justifies Atif. While pure pop and rock loyalists have frowned upon Doorie, that album increased Atif's star power to a whole new level. It was Indian actress Bipasha Basu who vouched for Atif when the star-studded Race was being made. The high profile film is one of the biggest grosser of this year, in and outside India and featured huge stars like Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif, Akshaye Khanna and Sameera Reddy. Atif's single on the Race soundtrack, 'Pehli Nazar' has been a massive hit. A little while later it turned out that the tune was a rip-off of a Korean tune. "I never knew that. I hope that such things don't happen again," admits Atif. But despite the plagiarism bit, 'Pehli Nazar' remains one of the biggest hits of 2008, right here and in India as well. The local scene Right here at home, Atif Aslam remains an unmatchable singer. His vocals have been off-key many a times, but he has improved as a singer and a live act tremendously. The experience of world tours has armed him with the know-how of dealing with different kinds of crowds. And he maintains an image that stands out. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Atif avoids stylists and lets his brother Shabaz Aslam manage his wardrobe as well as career. This team-up has also had its fair share of criticism. "As far as my image goes, I think Shabaz has done a great job. They were some mistakes. He has made some blunders but now he knows exactly what I want, what looks good so I'm pretty happy with that," Atif says of his equation with his brother. On the management front, Shabaz Aslam suffers from a strange reputation. Industry insiders maintain that he is harming Atif's career. But Atif brushes these stories aside. "He has straightened out a lot of people. Shahbaz has created a market for Atif. Making sure that I perform at Royal Albert hall in UK at such an early stage of my career, shows in Norway and Belgium, that isn't an easy task. He plays a bad guy but it doesn't mean he is. We always take money in advance. I don't play for free. And I don't do favours. Why should I charge any less? This is my money and Shabaz has made sure that these rules get implemented and I'm not taken for a ride," Atif sets the record straight. This attitude comes after seeing first hand an industry that is still struggling despite growing in talent for more than a decade. The local music industry still lacks a proper structure. In the last few years, as musicians have gained experience of playing abroad and have understood the importance of doing decent live shows, live concerts here have become scarce. Barring acts like Atif Aslam and Ali Azmat, both of whom do countless shows, more and more musicians are shying away from doing shows here. The reason: lack of proper sound management, engineers, lighting and investment by promoters. "I still try to do shows in Pakistan and not just the three main cities - Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad but others as well. Recently I have performed at Multan, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Sargodha. Nowadays schools and colleges are also facing threats so they aren't doing many live concerts. The change we need is decent sound engineers, lighting. If a show is sounding great on the ground, it shows sound great on television as well. But it us who have to push for that change. I really think it's a lame excuse to use for not doing shows. Look at India, they have made films like Raja Hindustani but make a film like Black today," says Atif emphatically. His frequent visits to India have given him the knowledge to differentiate between the two industries. While they lack a pop industry, they have the infrastructure that has taken its time to develop. Atif maintains that to overcome these issues, the industry has to unite as a single force. On a farewell note "I see myself as a spiritual person," says Atif. He doesn't exactly come across as a spiritual person, in all honesty, but it is his personal belief that is truly surprising. "In this industry I don't find time for myself and my god. The industry is bad, the people part and the business part. It is seductive and completely attractive but I fight that part. I don't fear losing the success and the money that comes with being a star. What I do fear is losing my originality," Atif reveals in a moment of vulnerability. Rumour mills about Atif have been forever going on. His rise to super stardom has resulted in rivalries that go beyond professionalism. "I know people who are threatened by me. I know who they are and I have heard and seen them bitch me out. But it doesn't frighten me. It makes me happy because it is a telling sign of my own significance within this industry," explains Atif. Some might even take this attitude as smugness but to Atif, it is his way of survival. Pop stardom can be fickle and Atif understands it well. It remains unclear what Atif will do next but with his passion and thrust to continue conquering hearts and minds, it is clear that for Atif, the journey has just begun.

Source: http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jun2008-weekly/nos-29-06-2008/instep/mainissue.htm

Announcing Coke Studio

When Coke Studio goes on air, you will be mesmerized by it. But don't forget to thank your lucky stars that you weren't there at the launch!

The Coke Studio promos running on television channels are preparing us for the most ambitious musical project to be taken on in Pakistan. A bit of what Coke Studio is has seen its way into print already, but for the serious music aficionado, nothing will compare to seeing this phenomenon on television, or better yet, holding the Coke Studio Sessions CD in their hands. This brainchild of Rohail Hyatt uses the musical talents of people as diverse our pop artistes like Strings and Ali Zafar, rock stars like Ali Azmat and alternative acts like Sajid and Zeeshan, rock stalwarts like Gumby on drums, Omran Shafique on lead guitars and Mannu on bass and throws them together with maestros like Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Hussain Bakhsh Gullo and Tufail Shaikh. And these sessions were recorded live with back up from Baloch lewa musicians, Abdul Lateef and company. It's the first time I think in Pakistan that someone has managed to bring these influences together on such a mammoth scale. Rohail Hyatt had the vision to do it and Coke had the muscle to back him. And in doing so, one can see the makings of an event that has a similar kind of hold over the public imagination that the Lux Style Awards have come to exercise ever since they were conceived at the turn of the millennium.

The brilliance of the Coke Studio concept is similar to the brilliance of the Lux Style Awards. It is about a corporation using its muscle to give to the industry a strong platform that while helping with brand building goes well beyond the publicizing of a soft drink. The Lux Style Awards have given Pakistan's entertainment industry its only credible awards show that gets written about, talked about, dissected, analysed and so has millions across the country tune in to the grand night. Every controversy makes the LSAs bigger and with every year, they have grown, both in the scope of the show and more importantly the evolution of the jury and process of deciding the nominees and winners. Coke Studio is not about winners or competition, it is about an experience - the live music recording - and it has the potential to get bigger and bigger as the years roll by.

I was lucky enough to witness Coke Studio in the making at Studio 146. Beginning with a rehearsal of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ali Azmat, which the latter had invited me to, the experience had me hooked. I went there every day for over a week, sometimes with colleagues and other times alone. There was the feeling of greatness in the making and though one was not an intrinsic part of it, there was a thrill to witnessing the process that remains embedded in memory. I remember... Rohail Hyatt manning the controls, working through sound with Zeeshan Parwez, Omran Shafique and Gumby who formed the core music group. Selina and Saba, the backing vocal girls trying valiantly to make their vocal parts heard over Rahat's massive voice. Strings redoing 'Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar' with the lewa beat played by Abdul Lateef and gang and Faisal Kapadia rehearsing with Ustad Gullo with both him and Bilal grinning from ear to ear as the maestro took 'Duur' where no untrained vocalist is capable of taking it. The surprisingly easy energy between Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ali Azmat and noticing how when they spoke, it was Ali's who was loud and Rahat had such hushed tones and then when they sang, how Rahat could eclipse even the defeaning sound that is Gumby on drums. I remember getting goosebumps when Ali Zafar performed 'Allah Hoo' with Tufail stunned at how controlled and melodic Ali Zafar is when he's not being the pop prince. And I remember pure pleasure as I grooved to both the funked up version of 'Channo' and most of all to Ali Azmat's 'Main Challa' that saw Omaran Shafique and Zeeshan Parwez go manic in the best possible way. Coke Studio was an unforgettable experience that one is looking forward to reliving via television.

And this wave of nostalgia unfortunately brings me to the launch. With a corporate evening followed by a party, the Coke Studio launch did no justice to the project whatsoever. Looking at the red carpet pictures, one can see that all the world was there and when that happens, it's perceived to be a successful launch. That is simply not the case. A successful launch is one that accurately portrays the project to the invitees. In this case, it was the press. A short segment of Sanam Saeed explaining Coke Studio in English, inviting Rohail Hyatt to say a few words and calling on the Coke Studio core music team to just say hi to the audience didn't do anything to convey the scope or spirit of the project. Looking back, I remember the Pakistan Fashion Week media launch, cleverly conceived by IMG as a talk show where by inviting a series of fashion people on stage, Simon Lock managed to convey the gist of fashion week to the media present. Coke Studio needed to be launched in a similar way, to convey what it was about. Had I not attended the making of Coke Studio itself, I would have walked out of the launch saying: "What are they trying to do?"

Frieha Altaf was roped in to handle the event which she did as she does most launches. Here it must be said that Frieha is one of the most efficient organisers of fashion shows and parties. The problem with Coke Studio is that the project is neither. It needed to have a sophisticated launch tailored to give the invitees a feel of the event. Instead, what one saw was a bad press conference, conducted in English with a media catering to an Urdu speaking nation. No questions were asked, nothing was explained. And this was followed by an influx of the party crowd of Karachi. A group of boys did numbers on the dance floor and slowly, some people around joined in. The dance floor was sleazy, packed with people who one didn't know. It was the Karachi that has just learned to party. It seemed to that everybody there had somehow managed to get a hold of a ticket, because one could see no reason on earth why they would be invited to the launch of Coke Studio or indeed why they would want to come. And so the launch of one of my most sublime experiences in covering the local music scene turned into a free for all for the party animals of the city… and believe me when I say, it's a jungle out there! The climax, which is when one decided to leave was when the dance floor turned onto a stage setting for a disco mujra, when a well known model followed by a dancer made some really raunchy moves on stage, as a crowd around them clapped and egged them on and rolling cameras captured it all on tape. The launch of Coke Studio was as awful as the Coke Studio experience was memorable. Strings left soon after the party had begun. I saw a bemused Tufail sitting with a friend. Rahat was hanging on the fringes of the evening when he disappeared. Omran, Gumby and Zeeshan were at wit's ends. Rohail Hyatt's children were sitting with their friends laughing at the scenario before them. And while, the evening was funny in a "What the hell is going" on kind of a way, ultimately it was no laughing matter. When a project that attempts to bring together the classical and folk traditions of Pakistan together with the best pop and rock acts this country has to offer is launched by an event that shows no regard for the talent, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Coke Studio is a mind blowing concept that deserves better. Here hoping Coke, Rohail Hyatt and Frieha Altaf live and learn. By Muniba Kamal Source: Instep