We’ve known for some time now that Pakistan’s most enduring music group, Strings (featuring Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood), have been working in the recording studio, in addition to playing live music gigs across various cities.
We’ve known for some time now that Pakistan’s most enduring music group, Strings (featuring Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood), have been working in the recording studio, in addition to playing live music gigs across various cities.
Since announcing their amicable departure from Coke Studio last October after producing four successful seasons, the band has truly been busy.
And now Strings have confirmed that as they celebrate a landmark of three decades of playing music together, they will do so with the release of eight singles, with the first two songs being ‘Sajni’ and ‘Urr Jaon’.
In the lead-up to the release of these two songs, the band has also unveiled a sublime teaser that brings to mind the strong aesthetics for which they are known for. And yes, a music video is in the pipeline as well.
The story of Strings remains remarkable for many reasons. For one thing, in Pakistan’s music scene bands don’t have longevity. From pioneering bands to the promising crop of groups that emerged in the noughties, far too many music groups have called it quits. Those that do exist remain a shadow of their former self or have ‘reunited’ after years of antagonism. Others are pursuing successful solo careers. Whatever the reason, the result is usually the same.
It remains to be seen if any band from the present (and there are some promising ones in the indie community) can and will survive for as long as Strings have and that too with a collective body of work to show for.
Strings, of course, have nothing to worry about. Not only have they been around the block but during this existence, they have released five studio albums, produced four seasons of Coke Studio, released a number of iconic videos as well as several prolific soundtracks without letting go of their musical identity.
Together since the late eighties, we cannot wait to see what they do next and perhaps this bold decision to release eight new tracks will encourage other mainstream artists to follow suit. All in all, this is good news, not just for fans but for the industry at large as well.
–Maheen Sabeeh
