Music

Salman Ahmed is a busy man. He launched his biography, Rock ‘n’ Roll Jihad, last month and is currently caught up with a book tour and holding talks on music, Sufism and jihad. En route to India, he stopped for a very short while in Pakistan, and took time out to answer some questions.

The founder, lead guitarist, (now) solo vocalist and front man for one of the biggest rock outfits to come out of Pakistan’s music industry, Salman Ahmed has come a long way in the 25 years since the band first came into existence. From playing in a friend’s garage in America to becoming a goodwill ambassador for the UN, collaborating with Morten Harket and Mellissa Ethridge on a song, and lecturing at a university in New York, Salman Ahmed’s life has been far from ‘predictable’.

And he’s documented all of it in his biography. ‘It took me four long and lonely years to finish (writing) this book,’ he said, adding that, ‘Through (out) my life people have wondered why I chose passion over profession, music over medicine and led an unconventional lifestyle. I felt that Rock ‘n’ Roll Jihad would set the record straight… at least for now.’

Considering that this is the first book to come out of the mainstream music industry in Pakistan — where proper documented information on the industry itself isn’t readily available — and differences of opinion, regarding facts and/or version of events quoted are bound to happen among the artistes, was he concerned about the kind of feedback he would receive from the community? ‘Not really,’ Salman responded, ‘I’ve always followed my heart and my book tells stories of musical kinship, a spiritual quest and cross-cultural journeys. It’s a wide-angle view of Pakistan, India and America and I’m playing the role of the literary view finder… people can interpret the book as they wish.’

‘So far I’ve gotten some very encouraging responses from diverse people,’ he adds. He mentions Stanley Wolpert (author of Jinnah of Pakistan) and Krist Novoselic (of Nirvana) who ‘has reviewed it for The Seattle Weekly while Deepak Chopra has recommended it on his website.’

The book is also currently available in bookstores in Pakistan. Salman hopes that ‘young people will find the book inspiring, encouraging and uplifting and are encouraged to follow their dreams with an uncompromising passion.’

There were several questions that came to mind when reading the book regarding Salman’s projection of the artistes he has worked with. But when responding he prefers to skirt the specific issue being questioned and gives a very vague response.

For example, in the book he mentions discovering Ali Azmat as a ‘wedding singer’ when the crooner was a part of a band called Jupiters. In the book we are given the impression that Salman mentored Ali but when asked specifically that whether the time Ali spent with Junoon helped him to evolve into the artiste that he is today, Salman responds, ‘God gave us all the opportunity of following our passion for music. I hope that we have all evolved for the better, both as artistes as well as human beings. It’s important to live a holistic and balanced life and be at peace with the world and ourselves.’

Wise words, but they don’t give an indication of what he thinks of the crooner’s artistic capabilities.

Also throughout the book, we only see how Salman helped shape Junoon. Rarely has he credited any of the other band members (Brian O’Connell and Ali Azmat) for doing any of the songwriting or composition for the music the band released. ‘That’s because the memoir isn’t based on Junoon’s story, it’s looking at how music shaped my life and world view,’ responded Salman.

True but around 70 to 80 per cent of the book is about Junoon and follows the band’s evolution and growth along with Salman’s. Keeping that in mind, it seems unfair to push aside the contributions made by his band mates.

Interestingly, while Brian and Ali have not been mentioned with regard to Junoon’s music because the book is based on Salman’s life, they are mentioned when it comes to quoting personal incidents in their lives, especially related to love and marriage.

Salman was also very vague when giving his reasons for parting ways with the first mainstream band that launched his career, the Vital Signs.

While every other incident which led to Salman’s decisions that shaped his career is mentioned in vivid detail, his stint with the Vital Signs is mentioned in roughly four pages and we are given the impression that his departure from the band occurred over not only creative, but also ideological and monetary issues. But unlike other major events quoted in the book, we do not know what particular incident led him to part ways with the band.

When faced with this observation, Salman simply responds, ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Jihad tells the stories of key people I came across on my journey — it’s not specific to any individual or group.’

It is common knowledge that Ali and Brian parted ways with Junoon a few years ago, leaving the third member of the band, Salman, on his own. Salman continues to tour and perform as Junoon — but since he started the band he can therefore continue to refer to himself as the band.

Does he intend to incorporate other full-time members in the future? ‘I’ve been performing internationally for years without Ali and Brian,’ says Salman, ‘and (performed) most recently with Samir Chatterjee (tabla), Yale Storm (violin), John Alec and Chris Tarry (bass guitar).’

He adds that these musicians performed with him at the UN General Assembly recently and are featured on his upcoming Sufi and rock album named after his book.

Considering the difficulties that musicians have to face when pursuing music as a full-time profession — piracy, lack of proper infrastructure and socio-political turmoil that affects large-scale concerts — does he feel that musicians today have to wage a jihad in order to follow their profession in Pakistan?

‘All of us have to rescue the word “jihad” from the terrorists and understand its true, positive meaning. Jihad means to strive against our ego and our limitations; to uplift ourselves as well as the poor, needy and downtrodden on our planet. True jihad will help us find our God-given purpose in life.’

These are no doubt words spoken out of sincerity and good intent, but true to form the artiste-turned-writer evades giving an unequivocal answer.

As you all know Atif Aslam recently sang couple of songs for a Bollywood movie named “Prince” which starts Vivek Oberoi. 

One of the song “Tere Liye” sparked up a huge controversy, TIPS and Atif Aslam released their official verdict on the situation. Arun Nair, who represents TIPS marketing team made it clear that they would recall the first lot of CDs that have been dispatched for re-mastering.

They lived up to their promise and the lyrics of the song “Tere Liye” have been changed. Atif Aslam recently was in Mumbai and took the time to record the whole song. The whole album has been released and you can have your first listen right here.

Listen to the songs below:

Tere Liye:

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O Mere Khuda:

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Aa Bhi Ja Sanam:

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Entity Paradigm will be shooting the music video of the song ”Shor Macha.” All of the EP fans are invited to take part. “Shor Macha” is the voice of the young of Pakistan

Please contact Mr. Sikandar (production Manager) on 03224006482 for venue location and other details

For More Info – Facebook Event Page

Although the band’s album launch video of the single Chall Bulleya came out in September 2008, the Mekaal Hasan Band (MHB) have recently launched their album in Pakistan via The Musik Records (TMR). The record label seems to be headed for a comeback this year as they plan to release albums by other major bands, such as Overload and Karavan, this year as well.

The album launch concert took place at the Commune Artistes’ Colony in Karachi where the set had been done up to reflect an industrial look. The band performed singles off their new album which included the massively popular Jhok Ranjhan as well. Some of the other songs that they performed included Chall Bulleya, Albela, Sanwal, Waris Shah, Huns Dhun, Andholan, etc. all singles from Saptak. Their performance also included an acoustic set in which they performed three songs.

MHB is slated to tour internationally following the launch of their album. Saptak comes after a hiatus of five years from their last album, Sampooran.

The very talented boys from the band Kaavish who have had people mesmerized for years now have finally released their long-awaited and much delayed album, Gunkali. Their first single ‘Bachpan’ had gotten everybody talking about how people so young could come up with a tune and words so melancholy and ‘Chotee Khushiyan’ hit a chord with the shiny, young side in listeners.

‘Bachpan’ has been reworked for the album and it resonates with a depth that surpasses the tune from before.

The other two Kaavish singles, ‘Chotee Khushiyan’ and ‘Tere Pyaar Mein’ have been reworked in the studio for Gunkali as well, which has been produced by Faisal Rafi and released by Fire Records.

The first video from the album ‘Moray Sayyan’ has hit the airwaves and features television stars Samina Peerzada and Faisal Qureishi. Kaavish’s last video ‘Tere Pyar Mein’ was an impressive one that played with the idea of showing the making of a video. The tune, already beautifully melodious, has been worked upon further, while maintaining the original melody.

Whether you are a Kaavish fan, a Nayyara Noor fan, whose son Jaffer Zaidi is, or simply like acquiring new music, Gunkali is an album that must be bought and listened to right now!

Prince – It’s Showtime is an upcoming Bollywood movie directed by Kookie V Gulati. Vivek Oberoi plays the title character in the movie and Nandana Sen, Niroo Singh and Aruna Murty are the actresses.

Our very own Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has sang couple of tracks featured in the movie including “O Mere Khuda”..

Check it out!

The movie is scheduled to be released in 26 March 2010

The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & The late Jeff Buckley

I’ve been listening to this tribute for such a long time..  I thought i should post this special tribute by the late American singer/song writer Jeff Buckley who gave a small tribute to the legend in 1993 at one of his concerts.

Listen to the tribute:

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NEW DELHI: Performing in India for the first time after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks last year, Pakistani band Strings said the terror attacks have not affected their popularity here nor did it affect the sale of their music albums. “The terror attacks did not affect the response of the people towards us,” Bilal Maqsood, the main member of the pop band, said before its performance at the picturesque Purana Qila in Delhi on Friday night.

“Music has no boundaries. Once you hear a song, it is the melody of that song that captures your heart and you forget the divide between Pakistan and India,” he said.

Faisal Kapadia, the lead vocalist of the band, added: “We have been getting a tremendous response for all our albums from the Indian audiences and we hope it continues that way.”

Hugely popular in India, Strings has given a number of performances here. Among their well known numbers are Duur, Dhaani and Koi Aane Wala Hai.

To avoid any repercussions of the 26/11, the band called off one of its concerts in Pune last December, right after the attacks in Mumbai that left 166 people killed.

“Though we did have a concert on December 1 last year in Pune, we decided to cancel it since we felt the atmosphere was very tense and people were not in the frame of mind to enjoy the music. The wounds of terror attacks were still very fresh,” Faisal said.

Deeply affected by the terror situation in their own country, they are now composing a patriotic song on the theme.

Bilal, who has penned the lyrics of the song, “Humko khudi kuch karna padega”, said: “It’s the whole region, including Pakistan, that has been inflicted by these terror attacks and our song tries to encourage people to take the string of their destiny in their own hands without blaming other people for the mess around.”

The song will be composed with Atif Aslam, another popular Pakistani singer, in the next few months.

Dispelling myths that it’s only qawwalis and Sufi music that interests people in Pakistan, the duo said that 90 percent of the music playing in the television there is either pop or Bollywood.

Talking about their music, Faisal said the main reason their songs catch on with the crowds is they are honest.

“Our songs are straight from the heart. You can have a lot of thumping and banging but ultimately melody is the king. Along with meaningful lyrics,” Faisal said.

“And the signature sound of the band which is so unique. The harmony that we have amongst us is ultimately translated into the sound that we create and that attracts people. Our performances are very spontaneous, according to the mood of the audience,” he added.

Saad and Lumia take swing of fun around with people in Dubai, highlighting/visit shughal places, meet interesting people in Dubai. In this episode they visit Pakistani pop sensation “Sajjad Ali” and get updates about his life.

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Haider Hashimi the former lead guitarist of Aaroh band has recently released his debut single called “Nahin”. 

The news of  Haider leaving the band has been confirmed when Haider responded to one of his fans with these words on his official Facebook group

“This is not a project. I plan on launching my own music.”

When we asked Haider about the details, he told us that he just moved on and didn’t mention any band conflicts.

 ”Yes I have left. I just felt its time to move on,” he said.

We haven’t been able to get words from anyone from the Aaroh yet. If we get to hear anything, we will keep you posted. We wish luck to both Haider and Aaroh for the future projects

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