Coke n' Roll people! It's that time of the year again...

Two thumbs up to the Coke people and Rohail Hayat for proving once again that we too have a history to up-keep... of Arts and Culture and all that wows the senses in ways unimaginable before... through the mist of bad politics and a failing economy, there's little that is left for us to scrape our pride off the rusted archives with... and what better way to show off what was once rich and pure about us than to bring it to our younger selves along with faces they know and relate to...

I know it gets tough to slice out each element through the explosion of stimuli that are orchestrated in each performance, and the best way is to probably sit back and let it all in... wait for the re-runs to experience a different texture or a flavor... But what I'm personally looking forward to is the new addition to the house band: Asad Ahmed. Now, Omran Shafique, though young, has not proved to be any less qualified (with his mild touches of swing and blues to the original compositions in the last season)... but it will be fun to see another twist on the respective performances from a Pure Rock guitarist's perspective.

Mannu and Gumby form this juggernaut of the rhythm section that shows how seasoned musicians could make every note matter with their own mastery of accents and off-notes. And since they are confident that the men up-front are capable of holding up to the storm, they get to be themselves for a change (Yeah!).

Also, can't wait to see Javed Bashir's renditions to this project, since he's probably the only ustaad who can stands on both sides of the line. With years of training in traditional music and an extensive portfolio of collaborations with mainstream, Indian and western folk artists; he may be most comfortable with fusion music, and that's where an artist truly thrives, where being great comes naturally... musicianship is not in question anymore... and artistry gets to explore newer dimensions.

Picture courtesy: Madiha Syed, Coke Studio, Gumby's official website

Kolachi Quartet - Swingin' the Karachiites at Shanakht Festival

Jazz, to me, would be any genre that I don't really get... but perhaps it's time to be inspired and educated by our very own Gumby, Khalid, Immu and Abbass Premji... coming together every year or so, under the name Kolachi Quartet, to test our taste buds with a serving of their very own "Contemporary Western Jazz with Ethnic Folk" hot plate.
I saw their live session on TV (Shallum also joined the gang for this one) but didn't know this would turn out to be a regular thing. These guys are pros, and all they do is a jam or two to bring together a whole new set. Now we have a chance to witness these maestros once again, Live on the last night (12th April) of Shanakht Festival here in Karachi. Hoping to score the tickets. Long live Rockn'Roll... err... or should I say Raag n' Roll...

Picture courtesy: Madiha Syed

"I Sold My Mercedes to Build a Village with 60 houses"

I just watched this inspirational story of an English millionaire Dylan Wilk on TV, whose Phillipino friend once said to him that she felt guilty for buying a first class ticket when people in her country were dying in slums... and this was the guy who after six weeks of buying his Ferrari had gotten tired of it and thought that if this doesn't make me happy, then what will...

" I learned to know the difference between pleasure and happiness"

Soon enough, he sold his software business to help an NGO Gawad Kalinga working to eliminate violence and poverty in the country.

“My story is a love story of the rich to the poor. We have to rise to the challenge and be heroes”

Track Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson

People say I'm the life of the party

Because I tell a joke or two

Although I might be laughing loud and hearty

Deep inside I'm blue

So take a good look at my face

You'll see my smile looks out of place

If you look closer, it's easy to trace

The tracks of my tears..

Originally written by Smokey Robinson back in 1965, it goes to show how timeless good music can be... covered in a recent episode of American Idol by Adam Lambert, whose range is compared to that of Steven Tyler (although its clean/without distortion in this case)... only in this cover, he goes to show another extreme in the falsetto register (softening high notes, without screaming), proving that he has more than just one trick up his sleeve:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BvO9m1itEg

Global Election - Make a difference with a Flick of a Switch

VOTE EARTH: YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

How You Can Help...

My World

They say, " You must immerse yourself in an unfamiliar world to truly know your own"

And so now, I'm not afraid to claim mine...

Bon Voyage!

Grammy Night Fever... Plant goes POP!

1. Victory of a Greater Loss:
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss grabbed five Grammys, including the night’s biggest award, Album of the Year for Raising Sand. “In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it’s a good way to spend a Sunday,” Plant said while accepting the show’s final honor. The Led Zeppelin front-man and bluegrass singer also won Record of the Year for “Please Read the Letter” and Best Pop Collaboration for “Rich Woman,” both tracks from Raising Sand.

I haven't heard the album, but the live performance, frankly, was a disappointment... the guitar player-cum-producer guy screwed up more than a few chords... and Plant didn’t show off any of the vocal dynamics that he so used to be known for. Plant also thanked Krauss for "...Teaching me how to sing in straight lines rather than all that twirly stuff...". And this used to be the vocalist that even Sebastian Bach (Vocalist: Skid Row) once found hard to cover!
2. Rockn'Roll!:

Dave Grohl (Vocalist: Foo Fighters, Ex-Drummer: Nirvana) wowed the audience by rocking the drums one more time, and this time behind Sir Paul McCartney on a Beatles' Rockn'Roll track “I Saw Her Standing There” that was an absolute delight!

3. Livin' It Large:

Miley Cyrus did a little acoustic number with Taylor Swift… lending the higher notes to the latter’s soft tone… A bit teensy for me, but more importantly, both show promise of some good stuff as they mature.

The Jo Bros rocked out with Stevie Wonder… and although they aren’t as mature musicians to pull off such a big live set, and one of them did freeze just for a sec, but all was forgiven by the audience who definitely got one of the fun-nest performances of the night.
4. Vivi-La-Pirate?

Legendary guitarist Joe Satriani filed a lawsuit against Coldplay… before their Grammy win for the Best Rock Album (well… arguable, but still respected in their own right) and Song of the Year… with alleged stealing of parts from his song “If I Could Fly”. Apparently, the hook to “Viva” is almost exactly the same as the guitar lick in “If I Could Fly”.

The Rain Song

Part of growing up is learning to deal with grief. And to understand, that sometimes we need to go through certain emotions to see things in life that we would have otherwise passed-by laughing.

If there's one song that truly defines the worst nostalgic feeling that I'm glad to have had, it's "The Rain Song" by Led Zeppelin. Composed and produced by Jimmy Page in response to George Harrison's (from the Beatles) comment that they never made any ballads, and as a tribute to Harrison the opening notes were taken from one of Harrison's own ballads. Finally, Plant added some lyrics to it, keeping the mood intact. Throughout the song, nothing is rushed through, Page takes his time with every chord and arpeggio, with John Paul's keyboard and the violin effects pushing the slightest breeze in the background, and Plant, with his rare quiet demeanor in this song adds just enough so as to not over do it:

I've felt the coldness of my winter
I never thought it would ever go
I cursed the gloom that set upon us...
But I know that I love you so.

These are the seasons of emotion
And like the winds they rise and fall
This is the wonder of devotion-
I see the torch we all must hold.
This is the mystery of the quotient-
Upon us all a little rain must fall.
Just a little rain?
Ooooh, yeah yeah yeah!

I am a Rapist ...

War is when two armies fight... but when unarmed civilians are targeted from a distance like cowards... it's not a war, it's a Mass Murder... How cold have the hearts of these soldiers become that they strike without remorse... how cold are the the world leaders that are on holidays or conveniently quiet when they hold the power to stop this animosity... and how cold are our hearts that we see minute by minute updates of this rape of humanity on CNN and then switch to the movie channel before snoozing off in our safe, cozy beds... are our hearts any less cold than those carrying the weapons? This is the world that we live in... and I am ashamed to say... that I am a rapist... and so are you!

Heroes

I'm one of the few young adults in Pakistan who have been privileged with a university education (as opposed to those who couldn't afford it), have an understanding of the current affairs (as opposed to feudal slaves that follow blindly) and who are disgusted with the economic and political situation... and in fact the resultant social behavior as a whole... but for some reason continue to live here, keeping our distance to all that's wrong around us with our wall of luxuries... with a dumb expression that I don't have time for all this dirty politics...

-----------------------------------

In an un-related story, I saw the movie "Reign of Fire" last night and there was a scene in which Matthew McConaughey had just killed a dragon in a foreign country (losing three soldiers) and the city was celebrating... He addressed the crowd:

"Envy a country that has Heroes?"

[The crowd cheers in applause]

"Well I say... Pity the country that needs them!"

[Silence!]

------------------------------------

Makes one kinda think, eh?

I Want the Gumption!

I recently heard this word in a movie and thought it sounded a bit funny, so I looked it up... and I realized that 'Gumption' (Energy of mind and body, spunk; initiative or aggressiveness) is what I've been looking for all this time... wait, let's rewind and unfold the chain of events that ended up leading to this realization...

The day that I realized that music is the only thing that can help us relate to our emotional selves... without any baggage or expectations, any lies or deception, any hope or agenda... I knew that's all that I wanted to do in life. But I couldn't ignore my father's advice and not work on a career either.

So I started a dual life... a student by the day and a learning musician by the night... finding gaps in between to make up for lost sleep. Most full time musicians that I know have day-to-day decisions like, whether to buy dinner or that high E string that just broke off their guitar... then going for the string and puffing on their last cigarette before they get back to practice. My mentor tells me that "You have to live the life of a Malang (hippy musician) to bring out the feel in your music. The place where you practice your music, that's where you should sleep, starve and restrain from your worldly needs... and the energy that is music... will flow into your body... and you absorb music even as you sleep". While this might be true, and trust me I've tried it, but that's not a life that I could get used to. I've had a good life so far and I'm at my best when I'm warm and cozy.

Anyways, the point being, that the hectic university life taught me that I'm capable of things greater than I used to believe I was. Tonnes of extra/summer and repeat courses to increase my GPA, presidency of a student committee and packed-auditorium events... and on top of all that, never said no to partying! And the fun part is... that I like being busy. So maybe I could get the best of both worlds.

But I can't sail the seas alone. Most talented musicians, I find, are ego-driven (Or maybe it's the other way around, those who covet the spotlight more than their love for music... work the hardest for it!)... and the nice guys would mostly settle for less... when I work with someone, it's fun in the beginning to take things in my own hands, 'cause I get more say in things... but with time, it gets tiring... and I do realize that flying solo does not get you to great live musicianship. So a trade off seems inevitable... but being as overly optimistic as I can sometimes be about people... I wish from them... I want the Gumption!

Rock On!

The story of every other rock band out there... and not just here in India and Pakistan. Some of the sacrifices that musicians make for their passion are highlighted here. Having a family that doesn't support you... lack of finances... record label's atrocities... things that suck the creativity out of an artist's heart... they're all too common...

Shankar-Ehsan-Loy are big names in the Indian music industry. They're what you might call 'Commercial' musicians. But if you listen closely, their music shows influences of standard blues and rock music (a studio named after Hendrix's famous track 'Purple Haze' should also be a hint ;] ). And the sound production (quality and clearity of the over all recorded music) is ten years ahead of any Pakistani musician, well... the studio equipment that they're working with has more to do with that, but none-the-less, it's good. Also, I especially love the bass grooves that they worked out. Its ironic that an instrument that often gets overlooked in our music scene is one of their strong suites (Indian cinema as a whole), since bass is responsible for filling up the gaps and bringing out the feel.

The music they produced for the featured band named Magic was more pop-ish rather than what you'd expect, especially with the actual underground scene in India bursting out these days (with Farhan Akhter's melow vocals, although he didn't fail to impress in the final concert with the song 'Tum Ho' : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfc5kOGjoyI&feature=related ). But I think it's somewhat of a forgive-able sin, since some of these underground acts were tactfully placed throughout the movie and the background music in the movie was also great. I guess educating an audience in music couldn't be done overnight and this seems to be a good effort in feeding them in small chunks.

There were a few forced instances in terms of direction though, just to make it all come down to the main story board. But overall I'd say it's a good watch, and would help bring out the underground rock musicians to a mainstream market.

Featured Artist: The Material

There are some bands that you fall in love with within the first five seconds of their first song you've ever heard, that's 'cause they've busted their what-nots for it and they know their business.

Listen: http://www.purevolume.com/thematerial

My Fav: "No One Has To Know"

Blog: http://wearethematerial.blogspot.com/

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thematerial

... Chubby Kid Follow Up ...

In an earlier post, I mentioned that I was glad to be a chubby kid, but there were a few down sides to it. Child obesity is now a well known medical condition. Most people would frown at the word 'Medical Condition'. But obesity, especially at a young age could have several adverse effects, medically and psychologically.

First of all, the origin of this disease is not so much medical as it is psychological. For some kids food is a refuge from problems that they might be facing at home or school, or just sheer negligence on the parents' part. In my case, it was opposite, I loved food (well that still holds true :] ) and my family always encouraged nutrient-rich stuff so I'd grow up to be a strong man (grandma would fool me into drinking raw eggs by mixing em in milk shakes... gulp gulp gulp! ... although in my post-Schwarzenegger era, I did that willingly, but the exercise made sure it went to the right places).

There comes a time in the early life when chubby-cum-cute starts turning into over-fleshed-cum-slob. With limited or no participation in sports at a young age, the bone structure doesn't reach to its maximum potential. Also sports and exercise are known to generate hormones in our bodies that are responsible for happier moods and a sense of well being... and accolades and appreciation just add to that. The absence of all this leads to sloppiness and lack of motivation and drive.

Luckily my dad, who was quite an athlete in his day (dedicated body builder and champion swimmer!), inspired me to pick up weight training. The health club that I joined had a load full of activities so I also seasonally took up Circuit Running (A single blast of running at different speeds and interleaved body-weight exercises), treadmill, swimming, boxing and yoga... Phew! talk about a workout... I used to push the weights with cousin and his friends (all of em competitive bodybuilders on regional level) and then I'd go for the respective yoga class or whatev. I had loads of fun, and since I had so many activities to choose from, I never felt bored or tired. I still love working out but I don't beat myself up for missing a session.

This drive to try new things led me eventually towards musicianship and where I stand now: strong willed, confident and content with my life choices.

Moral of the story: expose kids to healthier eating choices and tonnes of sports, so they could stick to at least one and make it a life long habit.

How It All Started...

I started out in the music scene as a drummer. Thanks to my friends Lubz and Zeus, for helping me believe in myself. Not knowing the whats and the whys, crazy as I used to be, I just went ahead and bought a drum kit. For the first month, I didn’t get how to interpret the online tutorials on the actual drum kit. For the next month I couldn’t play much either, because drums are the loudest acoustic instrument, and you could hear me playing from a block down. So I spent that month sound-proofing the room. After several failed attempts, I finally had enough layers of carton, thermopole, towels and even cotton bedspreads from wall-to-wall to bring it to a bearable noise (well… debatably :] )

The next month, I joined a band :D It turns out, that there are very few people who pick up this instrument, because of the cost and unease. So most bands would take you in if you have a drum kit. But what that experience did help me with was my timing and coordination that set the foundation to the knowledge that I use to date.

Going through a series of bands without much seriousness from any of them, I lost the enthusiasm along the way. I didn’t see it going anywhere. Then I met a very talented guitarist, with covers such as Iron Maiden, System of a Down and Metallica. I was constantly being challenged and forced to learn new techniques. I would call the guy in the morning with something like: “Hey I just finished practicing Fuel! (Metallica)”, and he’d show up at my place in less than half an hour and we’d jam the day away.

I wrote the title track for the band that they, to my surprise, went crazy for. This encouraged me to write an entire album for them. But… Due to some conflicts of interest… I had to leave the band. Heartbroken as I already was due to my screwed up social life, this was a big downer for me… but in a way… I was relieved, because for the longest time I wasn’t satisfied with the music that we were making, the strength and aggression that I wanted to show off in the vocals’ department with it was non-existent. I wanted to take charge of the vocals because I couldn’t find anyone to give expression to my words… and now that I was already in the music scene, I knew ways to make it work.

The first song that I had written won in a battle of the bands, held to promote Zaib’s Studio (Zaib bhai has been a teacher and mentor ever since). The winning prize was free of cost recordings for top three bands. The band broke up before the recordings could finish, but more importantly, Zaib bhai himself has had eastern as well as western classical vocals’ training (stuck in the underground scene due to lack of finances)… and so there be my path… No one was happy on my decision to betray my instrument… but for me, it was now beyond the choice between instruments. All that I felt… running though my veins like life itself… was going to waste... with no word or record… so drift I do with these new winds…

"... Off to the land of the ice and snow

from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow...

... So now you'd better stop, and rebuild all your ruins

For peace and trust can win the day, Despite of all your losing..."

Hurt

what have I become? ... my sweetest friend
everyone I know ... goes away, in the end
and you could have it all ... my empire of dirt
I will let you down ... I will make you hurt…

- Johnny Cash

Growing Up...

Growing up as a chubby kid didn’t seem as bad as I now feel about it (more on that later). To me the world was full of candy and cartoons. I felt loved and privileged. I always felt that I was my grandparents’ favorite, but then again, maybe all three siblings of mine felt so (Our parents had to be the discipline enforcers and the grand parents found the luxury of not being the parents in the equation, so spoil us they did :] ).

Our grandparents were an important part of our childhood, even though they passed away when we were young. I remember how my grandfather travelled a lot, many times to Saudia for Haj or Umrah, and every time he returned he’d come with gifts for everyone, but there’d always be a big black leather bag put aside to be opened last, and it was full of nothing but the most exotic candies and chocolates, just for us four kids :]

And my grandmother was the best, there’s a phrase in urdu: ” Pyar mei saat khoon ma’af hotay hain”. It was like that with her. All our little attrocities ended up with us running to her room, which served us as our regrouping grounds, a fort that could not be breached by the evil mom-forces. All our mother could do at the end of the day was give us the stink-eye and go back steaming to the kitchen (That’s where she operated from, all her arsenal like chimta, belan etc came from there).

My earliest memories now depict that I was a bit of a spoilt child. But I still got away with it somehow and was liked by most teachers and uncles and auntys (This is the part where my close friends would say.. OK I see a pattern here… ;] ). Once I got ticked off at something, it wasn’t easy changing my mind for me. Back in nursery class, whenever I got angry… I would open up my shirt, take my shoes off and put ‘em on the table, fold my hands and place my feet on the desk and make a face (tryin’a give every one Mr T’s “Pity the foo…” look ;] ). I don’t remember a time when I didn’t get my way :]

To Write Or...

Gone are the days when I used to stay up reading… and sometimes, writing… I’d be sleepy as heck, dozing off, and suddenly I’d stand right up to switch on the light and find a piece of paper. ‘Cause most writers would relate to the fact that you could have a thought in your mind one second and lose it the next…

They say that writing is good for increasing your brain activity (so the level of dumb-ness that you will grow with age would be slightly reduced :b). But that’s not motivation enough for me. Neither am I the keep-a-diary type (no offense to those who are :] ). Its like, when I had something I’d like to share with someone, but I got distracted and forgot it, then it’s a small part of me lost forever :[ and those who care about me, and would like to get to know me better, will never have a chance to experience that part of me.

Thus I write again… Bon voyage!