‘Coke Studio 4’ concludes

Published: July 18, 2011

Featured artists share their inspirations, perspectives and experiences.DESIGN: ESSA MALIK

KARACHI:  The fourth season of  “Coke Studio” ended with its fifth episode featuring breathtaking performances by Asif Hussain Samraat and Fareed Ayaz, and Abu Mohammad. The voice of Asif Hussain accompanied by the house band on a fast-paced track was a treat for listeners, whereas the qawaali duo made magic once again. This time “Coke Studio” comprised only 22 tracks, but it is said that there will be more releases after Ramazan.

Akhtar Chanal Zahri
Where I come from, the only two things a child knows right from his birth are how to sing and cry. Music is a part of us from the very beginning.
Komal Rizvi
The germs [for music] were there from the very beginning and my relationship with music has always been personally rewarding.
Bilal Khan
I don’t see failure the way I used to. Now, if I fail, my response will be to write a song about it.
Jal
We got a positive response with the new line-up with Farhan on our very first performance and the rest is history.
Faraz Anwar, Mizraab
I would listen to bands like America, Rush and Kansas from a very early age and people would be amazed at  how a child could understand music like that.
Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammad Qawaal
A good musician learns and unlearns throughout his life.
Asif Hussain, Samraat
I am in love with these tunes. They are like my beloved.
Ustaad Naseeruddin Saami
We all feel the effects of music. But in going a step further, in understanding the effect that music has, is the key to a greater truth – one that can enable us to bring about tranquillity in our heart, body, mind and soul.
Sketches
What we eventually created was a little different. Our individuality is the developed taste of Sufi and pop, a merger of East and West.
Mole
We are influenced by friends, family, children and childhood to the comfortably introspective feelings, peace, love, God, the universe and seamlessly on to art, anime, video games, space travel, fantasy and supernatural existences. And, of course, lots of music.
Quratulain Baloch
I’d quote Frederick Peris: ‘I do my thing and you do yours. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations and you are not in this world to live up to mine.’
Attaullah Khan Eesakhelvi
I tried to describe to my parents what happens inside of me when I sing… I begged them. Maybe they would have brought themselves to bear it. After all, they were my parents. But the system, the rules and traditions of where I come from would never have allowed it.
Sanam Marvi
It was at the dargahs of Sachal Sarmast, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Shahbaz Qalandar, amidst hordes of people and fakirs that I learned how to sing. I still go there and sing for them, and give my haazri, because, of course, the Lord has given me more than I deserve.
Rohail Hyatt, producer ‘Coke Studio’
At the start of every season, I am as unsure as anyone else when it comes to predicting what lies ahead. The process of recognising a potential discovery is so instinctive that it is only once the “Coke Studio” experience has been lived, discoveries shared with the world and a response shared in return that we are able to evaluate what has passed. We do know that the love that we send out to our audiences and the love that each passing season elicits in response are closely balanced, and there can be no greater reward. For this we are grateful.
Kaavish
Jaffer Zaidi and Maaz Kaavish emerged on the Pakistani music scene in 2004 with a remarkably mature and articulate band called Kaavish. The blend of sweet nostalgic melodies, richly mellow musical arrangements and subtly perceptive lyrics, has since become the band’s trademark sound.
Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali started singing when he was seven and released his first album Master Sajjad Sings Memorable Classics in 1979 when he was just thirteen years old. Propelled by the momentum of his success, Ali wasted no time in recording and releasing an album. Titled Babia ‘93, the album contained three hit singles – “Babia”, “Bolo Bolo” and “Kuch Larkiyaan” – and made Ali into a household name.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2011.