Koolmuzone: Pakistani Underground & Mainstream Media

Posted: 14 May 2012 07:46 AM PDT

Ever spent so much time listening to your favorite song, only later finding out how fast time has flown by? That's what it feels like with Coke Studio, because it's now Coke Studios 5th Season. The onslaught of talent has come and gone but in the recent season, we see brand new faces in the Studio showing the world what Pakistan has to offer.

A new but familiar face can be seen in the first episode in which renowned Punjabi rapper and producer Bohemia brings something new to the table, spitting the lyrics in "Paisay Da Nasha" ("Greed For Money"). It's the first-ever rap number in Coke Studio history (unless you class Akhtar Chanal Zahri's vocals in "Nar Bait" as rapping). Moving on, the song highlights how money doesn't really buy you happiness. So behind the smooth bass slides and hip-hop-style drumbeats, the song has a greater meaning. Bohemia's vocals are effective in highlighting the message.

And we don't even need to look far to see how effective Bohemia is because even in the video, the backup singers seem transfixed at his powerful yet smooth gangster style, giving him a glance here and there. The track is one of the best tracks in the episode, but sadly, it's the shortest in length.

We've seen Pakistani pop/rock SYMT rising through the Pakistani music industry, featuring in various live sessions as well as starring in their own dazzling video of "Zamana". SYMT are now stripped back away from the flashing lights, and are given the opportunity to shine in the song "Tum Kaho" ("If You Ask"). That they do. Vocalist Haroon Shahid for a start, let's his unique vocal range shine throughout the song as members of SYMT and the in-house band sing and play behind him. The song begins with strumming acoustics but escalates to a more energetic love song. For those already familiar with SYMT's music, the song reminds us of the love song "Dil Ki Ankhon" played in Levi’s Live Sessions. Nevertheless, this number is one of the best in the episode.

It was a surprise when it was announced that Pakistani music legend Hadiqa Kiani was set to perform on Coke Studio with "Kamlee" ("Crazy"), with lyrics taken from the famous Sufi poet Bulleh Shah. It takes a while for the music to kick in (you have 7 minutes 50 seconds so take your time Coke Studio), but Hadiqa takes the listener to the world of their own. After a slow buildup, the song begins with slippery bass slides and hard-hitting drums that bring Bulleh Shah's poetry alive in the modern age. We couldn't really imagine anyone else singing with such spirituality, heart and soul other than Hadiqa herself.

Coke Studio also shifts from the contemporary genre with Hamayoon Khan singing "Larsha Pekhawar Ta" ("Go to Peshawar"), a melodious folk song. The way the music and lyrics describe Peshawar, really makes me want to actually book a flight right this minute but I'll wait till I finish the review. Hamayoon's voice really shines whilst the in-house music oozes in the background (especially the stingy sound of the rebab instrument). At the end of the day, you don't even need to understand Pashto to love this groovy track.

Popstars and rockstars don't always mix, but the two combinations of Atif Aslam and Qayaas allow them to bring some sweet music to the table in "Charkha Nolakha" ("The Priceless Spindle"). No part of the song is the same and it adds to the entertainment factor. The music infuses both classical sounds with more contemporary sounds. The most prominent features are the vocals of Atif and the lead vocalist of Qayaas, Umair Jaswal. Both vocals blend perfectly, perhaps one of the best duets in the history of Coke Studio (the Youtube hits prove the duo's likability). We even get the treat of listening to Umair's screams like how he does in Qayaas's "Shehrezade". The producers were strategic in putting both personalities into the song, because it ends up being perhaps, the best song in the whole episode.

We'll see Atif in upcoming episodes, as he'll be in the Studio again (as ever). Let's see if he stills reps the turban.

As I've highlighted before in a previous season review, Coke Studio is doing what it does best and its outreach is continuing to grow. Coke Studios fanbase is growing in numbers whilst Youtube videos are being viewed to death. And its not only Pakistan who love Coke Studio. Nevertheless, many fans will be thinking of Coke Studio when they listen to the lyrics in "Charka Nolakha",

"Mera jeona kehre chajda ve"
"What good is my life without you?"

Seriously.

Coke Studio Season 5 Episode 1 [Review] is a post from: Koolmuzone

Qayaas Share Their Coke Studio Experience [Interview]

Posted: 14 May 2012 06:26 AM PDT

Qayaas, hands-down the best performers of the first episode of Coke Studio Season 5, talk about their first ever experience of performing on a stage where creativity is at its peak. Their single, “Charkha Nolakha” (performed with Atif Aslam) has been released last week. Here, we talk to them about their feelings on performing in CS for the first time.

How do you feel about your performance on Coke Studio. What kind of reaction are you expecting from the audience?

It was an amazing experience at Coke Studio. They manage everything really well and in terms of both audio and video have state of the art equipment. Our performance at Coke Studio went very smoothly. We were very happy with the end result and are confident that it is going to sound great. In terms of the audience, we are expecting them to enjoy the music as much as we did while recording it at Coke Studio.

Tell us something about the songs you’re performing?

All the songs that we did are unplugged and it adds to the flavor and environment of Coke Studio. The first song Charkha Nolakha was aired in the first episode of Coke Studio season 5 in which we are collaborating with Atif Aslam. Charkha Nolakha was first performed by the legendary Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and then Rahat Fateh Ali also did a rendition. Our version leans more towards the rock side with defined acoustic guitar parts and drum patterns.

This is your first experience at the CS. How did it go?

This is our first time in Coke Studio and it definitely was a great experience. Rohail Hyatt manages the whole thing in a very professional and at the same time very friendly way.

Tell us about some of the magical moments you had while shooting Coke Studio.

The whole experience was magical to say the least. The whole recording process was fun and then hanging out with the house band and the other artists was great. We had a lot of old musician friends among them and it was great catching up with them.

I don’t think anything can go wrong when such great artists work on something together. So, how was it to make the songs with the house band?

The presence of the house band in the songs adds a new dimension to the songs. It was a pleasure working with them.

Tell us about some unseen moments that probably the fans might not get to see on the show.

Hanging out with all the artists in the lounge chatting and eating away, giving the interviews before and after the performance, getting our photo shoot done and afterwards listening to other artists perform and record.

Whose performance touched you the most? Do you have a favourite song in the season?

We only got to listen to Atif Aslam's performance and it sounded very good. He is a great improviser and you will get to see that this season. We have not heard much as far as the other artists in this season are concerned but our favorite is Charkha Nolakha that we collaborated on with Atif.

What are your thoughts on the future of live music, and the challenges the industry faces moving forward.

Challenges will always be there. You need to be positive and also need to believe in what you are doing. Being persistent is the key. This is the only way to move forward.

When you mix the genres tastefully I think the end result always come out something new and fresh. Did you experiment with your music or did you hone in on one type of sound?

Of course, we did experiment making sure that whatever we are adding to our sound enhances it and does not take anything away from it. We are a rock band and our sound will always remain as such but addition of backing vocals, keyboards and dholak added a new flavor to our sound. Moreover, we did unplugged versions of our songs and they sound great.

What motivates you in this musical journey?

It is your passion in what you are doing that motivates you and that is the case with us as well. We are very passionate about what we do.

What do you think the biggest differences were between the last season and the new one?

Coke Studio always brings something fresh every season. There will be more bands featured in this season.

Qayaas Share Their Coke Studio Experience [Interview] is a post from: Koolmuzone

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012