Thursday, February 18, 2010

How was the Valentine's Day?

Many of my friends messaged or called and asked how did my Valentine's day go. Though i normally tell them that i spent the day with my family or in some social work initiative. But since i was so pissed off at how the media campaigns were run this year and wrong messages were sent to the youth of our nation most of the time, this year the reply was a bit different and loserish. 

"Mera Din Aisa He Guzra Jaisa Aik Shareef Single Shakhs Ka Guzar Sakta Hai."


Tuesday, February 02, 2010

GunKali - A Fresh Breath for Pakistan Music Industry




If there was one album that I was waiting for since long apart from The Rising’s, it would definitely be “GunKali” by Kaavish. I have been following this band from the day it released its single “Bachpan” on some Pakistani music websites. Moreover, I have listened to all their songs done for different plays as well the jingles for various advertisement campaigns.


The album, GunKali was released on 15th January 2010. Thus I recently got hold of a copy and frankly it doesn’t disappoint you. Jaffer’s mature vocals complimented by Maaz’s music have truly created wonders in this album and it is extremely difficult to figure out the best song. All the songs are fantastic, up to the mark and not ones done by learners and amateurs. That is why the album is selling like hot cakes. Hats Off to Jaffer and Maaz for producing such awesomeness in the tough times as well as Fire Records for believing in them. I can surely rate “GunKali” amongst the best albums of this year.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

The decade long affair with pakistani underground music finally pays off





Wednesday, January 27, 2010    09:51 PST

Mobile Phone starts beeping.

I wake up cursing the developers that I told them that I am going to sleep at 6 a.m.  Can’t they just let me sleep for few hours? As I see the cell phone screen, the call is coming from an Indian number not in my phonebook. Yawning, I take the call.


Friend: “Hey, Rafaeel there?”
Me: “Yes, who’s this?”
Friend: “Dude, I am ******** (name not being mentioned deliberately). How have you been bro? Seem busy with your new ventures.”
Me: “Hey, whats new? I am good. What about you?”
Alah Blah Talking ……..
Friend: “Hey, I called you because I need a favor.”
Me: “Ofcourse, I know you have some work. Else tum itne achay jo you’ll give me a call.”
Laugh (both ends)
Friend: “So now that you have figured out, can you tell me when we can have a talk on Skype?”
Me:  “At anytime convenient to you. I am not that busy guy. BTW give me an idea what’s the issue?”
Friend: “I have now joined this Media Group, (name not published) as an Associate Producer and we’ll be doing an underground battle of the bands here in India.”
Me:  “Oh! Great!”
Friend: “Well there are large numbers of entries, like 200+ and I want you to be part of our International Screening Panel to shortlist them.”
Me: “What?  Me?”
Friend: “Yes.”
Me: “Dude, I am not the right guy for this. First of all, I am not a musician. Secondly, I don’t have time. However, I can refer few good people to you whom you can contact for this.”
Friend: “Listen! I don’t need them. I need you. Regarding you not being musician, I don’t care. All I know is that you were the first guy from whom I got to know about Noori, Jal, Roxen, Call and the band of your close friends, The Rising. BTW where are The Rising people? :D    Its been quite some time that you are promoting underground bands and I know your opinion would not be biased because if I only take in musicians, they’ll be inclined towards their own genre. I know you listen to all types of music, so you are perfect to be part of our panel. Your second excuse is quite lame. I know you always have time for good music. Hope things get better and in coming years we'll organize Indo-Pak Battle Of the Bands. Any more questions?”
Me (reluctantly):  “Fine! Details?”
Friend: “On Skype. I’ll ping you. Amongst the 8 screeners, 4 are outside India. You all would have to judge the bands on the basis of music maturity, lyrics and image etc. I’ll send you the evaluation sheet. We’ll either upload all the 209 demos or courier you the DVDs.”

I woke up analyzing why God is pushing me back into the underground music scene one way or another while I have kept quite a distance from it for last couple of years. There were few other signs in last few days as well which led me to go into my old room (now a store) and open the things that I abandoned long ago. I captured few shots with my camera few of which I am uploading to show my craze for music in my teenage life. At that time, internet was all on dialup and CD’s market was still emerging. Also PMR, J4Jumpy, UMR and other music promotion sites were just starting up. I used to download the songs from some local website at 2.3KB/s :P and then manually record them via "Line In" on empty tapes so that they can be played on home and car music systems. I marked every cassette with the RMC number. RMC stood for “Rafaeel’s Music Library” but now these audio cassettes filled in almost 5 bags RIP due to my busy schedule and the new gadgets & computer systems.


Audio Cassette Line In System - 1 (Speakers still used. Cassette playing abandoned)



Audio Cassette Line In System - 2 & 3 (Totally Abandoned)



Music CDs


 RMC Collection Image -1



RMC Collection Image -2



RMC Collection Image -3



RMC 8: Indus Music Album featuring Ahmed Jehanzaib's first song



RMC Collection Number 5:  Top Underground Songs (perhaps 2003) including Noori and EP 
                                                    

These things took me back into the memories that how SHODA I used to be after making people listen “Ali Noor and Ali Hamza” songs in early 2000.  Aadat by JAL was actually released in late 2004 and I remember how me, Hamza (Aitchison, Hammy’s friend) used to sing it during A-Level days on Acoustic in Summers of 2003. EP’s “Hamein Azma” and “Kahan Hai Tu” and then how I used to make people listen “Yaadein” by Roxen in 2005 before its release. Basim in the college life used to say me that “Tu wohi ganay sunta hai jo koi naheen sunta and baad mein wohi 2-3 saal hit ho jatay hein and har koi sun raha hota hai”. :)  Also few of my friends used to say “Why you do all promotions for free? You should charge for such promotions and making us hear this crap. Nothing is FREE in this world. There are always strings attached.” So I feel today I have been paid up for promoting these underground bands (now the stars).

Lets see how things turn up in future. I have listened to 7 demos and 2 of them are covers of Pakistani songs  :D.
Saturday, December 12, 2009

Is Haftay Ke Aap Beetian - اِس ہفتےکی آپ بِیتِیاں

It should have been a progressive week as planned but as Sir Aftab Alam says “Planned things mostly don’t end up as planned” so was this week for me.

On Monday, I was informed that my driver’s mother has passed away and he would be on a week’s leave. The same afternoon I was informed by one of the employees that there are some personal issues, he needs some cash and leaving for his city. All I could say was “Fine”.

Since the final exams were about to start so I anticipated that Salman & Shigrif won’t come to office either and I would be having a FREE week sleeping with all my enthusiasm to make a difference, on my bedside table.

But the week had more to it.  Few of my friends are getting hitched this week so I planned to buy Gifts & Wrapping Sheets for them but postponed the plan for the next day due to the unavailability of driver. Allah Mian wanted to save me from the Moon Market Blasts that occurred on the Monday Night at the same time I normally do my shopping. Perhaps this is the reason my driver went on a leave.

The blasts were shocking and I didn’t feel like doing anything till Tuesday evening. Called up Sunny and he told me that we’ll be going for the PEC Registration tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. so get your documents ready.I went to the market for my photographs and prepared all documents overnight. Went to a two hour sleep around 9 in the morning on Wednesday.

As soon as I woke up, I had few messages in my cell phone to tell me that some people don’t consider me as their friends so I shouldn’t comment on their fb posts. This obviously did hurt me a lot considering the times I have taken their side in last few years. All I could say to myself was “FINE”. What more bitchiness this week has for me? Bring It On. Called up Sunny to confirm the plan and he told me that Sabih didn’t get the attestations done so the plan has been postponed till tomorrow. I threw my cell away and tried to sleep in the GARAM GARAM RAZAI in frustration. But my nani amman can’t let me in peace of mind. She came that your cell is ringing time and again. How can it be ringing? It’s always on vibration. Checked it and it was the message of my CTO “Where are you?” He wanted me to come online asap.

Nokri Kee Tay Nakhra Kee. Picked up my lazy ass and went to office. The CTO Sb. had an email in my inbox with many people in loop

"Rafaeel, Here you go with your first project. Please design a technical scoping document and share with all. Deadline: Tomorrow EOB :-)"

Thank you for mocking and making that smily at the end knowing that I don’t know a shit what you are talking about. Can you please tell me, “WTF is a Technical Scoping Document and what does EOB means?” Isn’t the client very clear in his email what they want from us? Anyways, I was just about to start that the Office Ke Safai wali maasi came with her dukhraas. I felt like sitting with her and sharing my dukhraas in return. I needed a strong dose of caffeine to concentrate so went onto making a cup of strong tea and I was welcomed back by my dad who wanted to get few of his documents typed, scanned and emailed. As soon as I got rid of them, my dad invited few of my uncles in my office who were insisting that I should go for Masters and I can’t study later. “Beta, Backup rakhte hein, Country Ke Halaat Ka Kaya Patta”. “Experience Lo Job Karke Aap.” “Mera Beta Yeh Karke Aaya Hai, Yeh Dekhain Inka Beta Masters in International Business Management Kar Raha Hai”. All I could do was to nod my head in accepting all facts & figures they were narrating. "Chalo Beta, Jao Baahir. Mein Aata Hoon Phir Kisse Din Aapko Guide Karne."

After seeing them off, I felt like killing myself. Back to desk and the colleagues asks “How much progress have you made on the document?”  I politely ask them “Can you please tell me what is a technical scoping document and send me the company document template?” If Arslan would have been online, I would have asked from him but he’s never online when you need him. Anyways, the CTO is good enough to send me the company document template and the sample document which had absolutely no relevance to the project. Somehow, I managed to write something in 2 hours, emailed and went to sleep once again at 9 in the morning.

Dad sent back the driver at 10 after reaching office so I could go for my PEC Registration. As soon as the driver came, nani amman woke me up :S   Can you just let me sleep? :(  Nevertheless I woke up, took a bath and thought I should get my Office Phone repaired as well as get my driver’s license renewed before going to PEC Office.

After a waiting time of 15 minute, the lady at WorldCall Service Care tells me that there are no batteries so the phone can’t be serviced. I told her that I have been visiting for the last one month or so. If they don’t have the required stuff, why are they publicizing it after every 10 minutes at all their cable channels. Frustrated, I leave for the Motor Licensing Authority Office in Liberty to get my Learner’s License renewed. The duty wardens are absent and would be coming in the evening and one of officers tells me that it would not be renewed from here, you would have to go to Katchehry and get some other chores done. Didn’t shaggy tell me that it would be renewed from where it was issued? I call up Shaggy and as usual he doesn’t pick up. Alhamdulillah PEC Registration goes smooth.

I am coming back SARRA hoa and the CTO tells me that the document has some issues and I have given extra information and should minimize stuff. Straight into the office, modified and sent. At the same instance, IEEE GOLDies start asking me why i am not organizing GOLD events these days and why didn't i attend International GOLD events lately? I ignore the IM windows and get off to take the much needed sleep.

Friday dawns with lots of messages from friends. “You are invited to my birthday party tomorrow. Be there at 5:00 p.m. sharp”. “You’ll have to be in my wedding Mr.CEO else I won’t forgive you for the rest of my life”. Best way to blackmail people. “You didn’t still confirm if you’ll be attending Kiss Away 09”. The country is burning and you are partying. Kiss My Ass 09 times i say. I leave my cell at home and leave for office.

In the evening, Dad’s driver starts asking for 2 days leave as it’s his cousin’s wedding over the weekend. Dad is furious as he has to attend a Cardiology Conference and few dinners in next two days. He hushes up the driver as the other driver is also not available. Dad's driver is going back with sad face. I walk up to the dad and convince him to give him the leave. "We’ll pick and drop you. Let him go." I go to my elder brother and ask him to accompany me to my friend’s wedding tomorrow. He replies “Mein Apnay Doston Ke Shaadi Par Naheen Gaya Pichlay 3 din se, tumharay saath jaaon?” Anyways, I tell him the issue and convince him too.

Today as I go to sleep on this Saturday Morning, there are birthdays of 7 friends and other 3 good friends are getting married with their weddings planned on different corners of the city. Happy Birthday to all my lovely friends and best of luck to those who are getting hitched today. I am not sure how this day will end up and if I’ll be able to make up to your event or not but you very well know I care for you and am happy for you.







ZzzZZzzzz!!!
Saturday, December 12, 2009

Homecoming 2009 Kay Mundarjaat

Alumni Homecoming par gaya tu socha tha ke kutch logon ke shakayat duur ho jaeygee and na milne ka shikwa dam torega but shaid us maqsad mein kamyaab naheen ho sakka. Aaj jab Wahab Butt Ne Istafsaar Kiya  “Aur Janab Kahan Ghaib Hein? It’s been a while” tu ehsaas hoa ke kutch likh dena chahiyeh takay sinad rahay aur bawaqt-e-zaroorat kaam aye.

Homecoming Se Aik Din Pehlay, Kutch Career Changes aayen. Sab logon ko SMS karke mutalah kiya laikin phir bhee har aikne poochna tu tha hee “Haan Jee, Aur Ajkal Kaya Kar Rahay Ho?”  “Sunna Hai Masters Ke Liye Nikal Rahay Ho?” “Yaar Kabhi Mil He Liya Kar”. “Barra CEO Ho Gaya Hai, Ab Hamein Kahan Lift Karaega”  jaise jumle sunanay ko mille. Jabke Jinke kehnay par Homecoming mein shamooliyat ikhtiyar ke, unhon ne nazar andaaz kiya ya phir baishtar ne shirkat karna he munasib na samjha.

Hamza Rana Ka Itna Barra Fan Naheen Hoon, Laikin Irfan Bhai and Ahmed Bhai Ne Jab Saath Chalne Par Israar Kiya Tu Socha Ke Is Azeem Hastee Se Bhee Mulaqat Kar Leni Chahiyeh. Hamza Bhai Se Goh Ke Pehli Daffa Milla Laikin Unke Aik Jumlay Ne Sharminda Sa Kar Diya. Woh Jumla Jo Bhee Tha Meri Zaat Se Mutaliq Tha, Meray Faislon Ya Career Path Se Naheen. Aur Sirf Mujhe Ussi Jumle Se Ehsaas Hoa Ke “It really is Homecoming”. iShukrofyYouRana
 
Asim aur Aqeel Bhai Ke Saath Bhe Acha Waqt Guzra Aur Phir Meinay Is Mehfil Se Ruksat Leina He Munasib Samjha. Saood Ka Shukriya Jo Usne Mujhe Wapsi Par Sawari Dee Aur Meinay Apne Driver Ko Zehmat Dena Munasib Naheen Samjha.

Ghar Aa Ke Sabse Pehlay Un 120 business emailon ka safaaya karna shruu kiya jinka mein pichle 2 hafte se jawab na de sakka tha aur thaana ke Monday Se Aik Naey Walwalay se zindagi ka aghaaz karoonga.