Haniya Aslam, Natasha Noorani and Anam Abbas discuss what music they’ve been listening to lately.
The more access we have, the more exposed we are to music of all sorts. Even a luddite would agree technology has made it so that never before have we had such access, be it bootleg tapes, Korean music or anything completely unknown to us, the listeners.
A recommendation or introduction from a musician, however, generates curiosity almost automatically.
This week, Instep talks to three female artists about what 5 artists and/or songs they’ve been listening to (and why).
Haniya Aslam (singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, sound designer)
“1. Tigran Hamasyan - A Fable
Hamasyan’s an Armenian virtuoso pianist and composer. He mastered jazz in his early teens and then turned his hand to Armenian folk, which is some of the most complex and hauntingly beautiful music I’ve ever come across. The first track of his I heard was ‘Kars 1’ from his album Mockroot, which is stunning. This album, A Fable, is solo piano and the pure unadulterated magic of Hamasyan’s playing shines bright and true in it. Everyone should hear this album at least once.
2. Alfa Mist - Antiphon
I first heard about this artist on Toronto’s Jazz FM radio station, which is online and one of my standard go-to places to discover new music. Alfa Mist started out as a hip hop and grime producer and is now making stunning ambient and contemporary jazz music. Antiphon is an exceptional album and I listen to it often when I’m on my own.
3. Half Moon Run (HMR) - Sun Leads Me On
HMR are a Montreal based indie rock band. Montreal has a thriving music scene, and it’s one of the few cities that is still producing very interesting indie and psychedelic rock. This band has a way of merging the feel of classic British rock with modern indie rock, which I really, really like.
4. Kolektif Istanbul - Krivoto
I came across Kolektif Istanbul randomly on Facebook, and have been addicted to their sound ever since. They are an Istanbul based Turkish-folk brass band with a joyous larger-than-life sound which can lift me up no matter how low I’m feeling.
5. Vanessa da Mata - Sim
A friend introduced me to Vanessa da Mata and Ben Harper’s collaborative track ‘Boa Sorte’ last year. After listening to more of her music, Brazil-based Vanessa da Mata comes across as an incredibly versatile songwriter, and this album showcases her talent comprehensively for those who are new to her music.”
Anam Abbas (One half of music group Garam Anday; filmmaker)
“1. OCEA - OCEA aka Samya Arif is brilliant and my current obsession as a fan and also as a filmmaker, working on some music videos for her tracks RN. I think ‘Fast girls’, ‘Kitty Party’ and ‘Badmasht Dulhan’ are ICONIC and will be on my granddaughters playlists for sure.
2. Ama Lou - Her 3-track release DDD is everything. I’m so into these young women who are producing their own music, directing their own videos, so cool and her vocals are so confident and sensual and powerful. She’s 19! On repeat till death.
3. Noor Jahan - ‘Abh Yahan Koi Nahin Ae Ga’ from the 1963 film, Baji. I was introduced to this song by Sabeen Jamil who runs Mantiq of the Mantis with Mehreen Murtaza, and OMG found my desi goth icon, please watch the excerpt from the film – it’s so EXTRA.
4. - ‘Cellophane’ by FKA Twigs. As always jaw droppingly good and masterful and emotional and I can’t even. I’m not one for sad love songs but damn.
5. Fkj - ‘Vibin’ Out with ((( O )))’ - Good chilling [song] forever. A YouTube comment says: ‘This song makes me wanna plant my water’.”
Natasha Noorani (Biryani Brothers, co-founder Lahore Music Meet, solo artist)
1. The Sound of Wonder
The Sound of Wonder is a compilation album featuring Naheed Akthar, M. Ashraf, Runa Leila and Ahmed Rushdi. This music from the ‘70s seems experimental even for today’s Pakistani music scene. It’s a strange but delicious snapshot of what pop music entailed 50 years ago.
2. ‘Pied Piper’ by BTS
I’m a huge BTS fan (thanks to my elder sister). The Korean music industry fascinates me especially when it comes to BTS. They’re so tight in terms of their hooks, live shows, production and choreography. It’s hard not to love it all. To start off, I’d recommend ‘Pied Piper’ by BTS. Blackpink, Exo and Taemin are excellent K-pop acts to check out as well.
3. ‘Kamzor’ by Cheeems
It is a really lovely song that feels airy and dense at the same time. Might be that chunky bassline and Cheeems’ vocals working together. I generally love his work as a solo artist but this one is my favourite track so far (also because it has a fantastic music video directed by Noor Naina Zafar).
4. Hive Mind by The Internet
The Internet’s Hive Mind is one of my favourite 2018 albums. The R&B super-group really hone in on their signature sound on this record. ‘Come Over’ is a good track to get a glimpse of Syd’s gender-bending songwriting and Steve Lacy’s allure.
5. ‘More’ by Flying Lotus feat. Anderson Paak
This song sounds like beautiful chaos to me but that’s because of what a behemoth collaboration it is. I’m a huge fan of both these artists and this song is just a fantastic blend that I didn’t know I needed in my life.”
