Instep speaks to Saakin, Adil Omar and Omran Shafique on what they’ve been listening to lately
As listeners, fans and (critics), we spend a great deal of time listening to our favourite local artists. We assume or try to interpret what a song is about or when a new song is coming but what we don’t always know is what artists are listening to and or/are inspired by.
In this week’s mixtape, we asked Adil Omar, Omran Shafique, and the best emerging band of 2018 – Saakin sans band member Ibrahim Akram (IBA) – what five songs or artists they have been listening to and why. Here are some of those answers…
Adil Omar – Rapper, producer, songwriter, composer and one half of SNKM (with Talal Qureshi).
Speaking to Instep, Adil Omar revealed five songs and his fascinating listening habits:
“Jordan Rudess – ‘Tarkus’ (One of my favorite musicians of all time. The music speaks for itself. Get your mind blown).
Nine Inch Nails – ‘The Background World’ (Trent Reznor is my number one musical influence of all time. Amazing song. Healing experience from start to finish. Pure genius
TV On the Radio – ‘Will Do’ (Great band. Great production).
Moderat – ‘Let in the Light’ (More great production. A lot of feelings) and Erik Hassle’s ‘No Words’. Good friend of mine and my favorite pop songwriter. An artist worth exploring for anyone reading this,” concluded Adil Omar, who is set to release Mastery in 2020 with two singles having been released so far.
Saakin: “It’s interesting how we all listen to such a wide range of music and have our own influences.”
Of the five Islamabad-based members, Instep tracked down four of them to reveal artists they’re listening to at present. The result is extraordinary…
Ali Hamdani
Tigran Hamasyan, Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Robert Glasper, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Homayoun Shajarian and many more.
Varqa Faraid
Jacob Collier, Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Moonchild and Tom Misch.
Usman Shakeel
Mark Guiliana, JD Beck, Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, MonoNeon and Chick Corea.
Parham Faraid
Taksim Trio, Mohsen Ebrahimzadeh, Ilyas Yalc ntas, Lamb Of God, Mohsen Chavoshi and many more, of course.
Omran Shafique (guitarist, composer, songwriter, producer)
“‘What Love Can Heartbreak Allow?’ by Ben Caplan (Came up randomly on my playlist. The voice drew my attention. I love the simple yet powerful approach.”
“Rammstein - Self-titled New Album – I was never a huge fan of the band. But they seem to be a band for the times. Caustic visual imagery, vaguely political, mixing EDM elements in to their industrial sounds. Fun Stuff.”
“Instagram Guitarists - Mateus Asato et al – The new guitar heroes are not found playing on songs. They are all found on Instagram.”
“Secret Chiefs 3 – YouTube wormhole – Bethak with musician friends. Rediscovered my love for all projects Mike Patton related. This is a band from his ex-bandmate Trey Spruance. Heavily inspired by RD Burman era Bollywood music, he mixes esoteric Sufi themes with surf, jazz and rock grooves.”
“Paul Gilbert – ‘I Own A Building (Behold Electric Guitar)’ – Paul doesn’t break any new ground, but his wacky personality and his love for the electric guitar comes through loud and clear, just like his guitar tone.”
