Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts

Monday, October 2, 2017

Pakistani musicians get too caught up in what the audience want to hear, says Zoe Viccaji

October 02, 2017 0
Zoe Viccaji is attending an artists' residency in the US and wants more Pakistani musicians to join her


If you've been missing Zoe Viccaji performing around town, that's because the 'Ho Jao Azad' singer is off getting some me-time in the US.
But this is no regular vacation.
Zoe is currently enrolled in an artist residency program at the House of Songs in Austin, Texas. During the residency, she is collaborating with songwriters from around the world to write new music.
"I'm here to develop my songwriting skills some more and work with other musicians," Zoe tells Images. "I'm attending a workshop for 12 days and will soon move on to Arkansas [where House of Songs' other chapter is located]. I'm going to do a couple of shows there too."
Zoe's been enjoying the experience so far because it's allowed her to focus on her signature as a songwriter.
"In Pakistan, we get so caught up in what the audience wants to listen rather than our own creative process. This is a place where you can just create," she says, adding that she's working with House of Songs founder Troy Campbell to bring more songwriters from Pakistan to the program.
There's more on Zoe's US agenda. She will eventually be joined by her sister Rachel Viccaji, with whom she will go on a joint tour soon.
How's that for an eventful October!

Friday, September 22, 2017

'Us Rah Par': Coke Studio pays emotional tribute to Junaid Jamshed

September 22, 2017 0
Coke Studio season 10 may have kick-started on a low note, but it surely knows how to finish with a bang. While this year’s renditions of some of the songs didn’t really work out all that well, (case in point: NFAK’S Dam Mast Qalandar) last night’s finale paid a heartfelt tribute to one of the nation’s most beloved icons Junaid Jamshed and it was oh-so-beautiful.
Watch Here:
Ali Hamza and Ali Zafar’s take on JJ’s famous Us Rah Par was all kinds of soulful and I, for one, is still in an absolute awe. Us Rah Par also marked the comeback of Strings and I have to confess, I have missed Bilal Maqsood’s tranquil voice. Written by the master himself, Shoaib Mansoor, the song never fails to give you goosebumps. Hamza and Zafar’s soft notes complimented the song way too well, and Strings joining in was the cherry on the top.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Strings will make their singing comeback at the Coke Studio finale

September 21, 2017 0

Strings, the executive producers of Coke Studio since the last four seasons, are now ready to take center stage as performers.


The band will be joining Ali Zafar and Ali Hamza for a rendition of the beloved Vital Signs hit 'Us Rah Par', marking their comeback as singers after eight years. Strings last performed 'Titliyaan' on season 2 of the show. The cover has been composed by Jaffer Zaidi, who shares: “When we were recording the song, we could tell there was something missing. I wanted Strings to perform the song and they agreed!" "I feel like it’s an important contribution because they knew Junaid Jamshed and Vital Signs personally and spent time with them. They bring a certain value to the song that I can’t describe. I’m very happy with the song,” he added. The finale Episode 7 will also feature three other songs including ‘Baanware’ by Aima Baig and Shuja Haider; ‘Tera Naam’ by Sajjad Ali and ‘Maula Tera Noor’ by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan. This season was particularly emotional as it paid tributes to legends of the music industry of Pakistan who are no longer with us, including