It’s a terrible year for a lot of things such as the resurgence of terror that has led to immeasurable losses.
It’s a terrible year for a lot of things such as the resurgence of terror that has led to immeasurable losses. But if there is one silver lining in this apathy-ridden country, it’s that artists are doing what they do best: making music and playing it whenever given the opportunities.
A case in point is singer-songwriter Zoe Viccaji whose rise is punctuated by several solid projects. Having impressed us with charming pop efforts like ‘Jaanay Do, ‘Ho Jao Azad’ and ‘Ishq Kinara’ in as many moments, Zoe is currently in the United States where she is participating in the 31st edition of the prestigious South by Southwest Music Festival that is held in Austin, Texas annually.
According to reports, Zoe’s showcase at SXSW 2017 is an exploration of “the different languages and styles of Pakistani and South East Asian music.” During this tour, Viccaji has been pairing up with “local musicians from Austin, Texas” in a bid to “collaborate in creating an exciting new sound.”
While Viccaji is turning heads with her collaborative performances across Texas, another participant from Pakistan to showcase their verve at SXSW 2017 is the band Qawalistan that features Imran Aziz Mian (son of Qawali legend Aziz Mian), Zeejah Fazli and Allan Smith. Playing a blend of qawali merged western ethos and a band that believes in “making friendships through music,” the unit is giving one of America’s biggest music festival plenty to talk about with their unmatchable performances. Past performers from Pakistan to feature at SXSW include names such as Mai Dhai, Poor Rich Boy, Khumariyaan, Mekaal Hasan Band and Overload.
