Last Sunday night, Instagram converted into a beautiful space where various musicians were going live, some at nearly the same time. Among them were artists Abdullah Siddiqui and Meesha Shafi. They did not sing songs as revealed by them pre-virtual appearance; they were going to talk about everything under the sun, making their virtual IG conversation dissimilar than the rest.

Amongst the things that we learned included the fact that Meesha Shafi and Abdullah Siddiqui have collaborated on a song called ‘Amrit’. The song is in addition to Meesa Shafi’s own debut EP that is tentatively scheduled for 2020. Siddiqui (who released a full length album called Metannoya in 2019) has also finished his sophomoric album in just six months.

With both artists in different locales, their video visual was split in half so we could see both and read comments as well.

Adding to the conversation, Abdullah noted, “I’m in college in America where I am secluded and it’s surrounded by forests and I realized that I made my entire next album while I was there.”

Speaking about Abdullah’s work and her own work, Meesha noted, “The biggest difference is language. I have been singing and writing in Urdu; Abdullah is producing this song I wrote in Urdu and to translate it into English and to discuss it and express its mood and communicate its feel, we looked at several visual references.”

– Maheen Sabeeh

MRKLE to release debut EP

Islamabad-based DJ and producer MRKLE has worked behind the scenes thus far. But his work has already been heard and approved by fans. Some of his tracks as producer include working with Osama Com Laude – who is releasing his new EP called paKING. He also worked with Danyal Zafar on the kickass track, ‘It’s 6 am.’

MRKLE, who produces out of his studio called Stardek, in addition to playing producer to artists, is releasing his debut EP called Everything. This weekend he released the first single from his EP, called ‘Exceptional,’ which is available on digital mediums like YouTube. As for the single, it begins like a lo-fi song, with a subtle bass, before the vocals take over. The one-minute guitar solo is unassuming while the song is part self-reflection and part love song. Another guitar solo follows, which takes us to a soothing ending.

The lyrics need some work, given we are the generation that has also heard English albums from Sajid and Zeeshan, one lyrical album from Mole, and several dozen songs from Adil Omar and Poor Rich Boy. The writing needs to be elevating but the sound is where MRKLE shines. Give it a go; it is interesting for a homeboy.

– Maheen Sabeeh

SOC Films releases six films under  Siyaani Saheliyan

On a constant mission to create meaningful content that throws light on social issues especially related to women, SOC Films - in collaboration with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi - recently released six short films created as part of the flagship program, Siyaani Saheliyan. A six-month long collaborative effort, the program also included workshops on storytelling and filming as well as creating films on mobile phones. With 315 girls on board, over 75 short films were created out of which 40 were later exhibited in Muzzaffargarh, Rahimyar Khan and Bahawalpur.

“It is important for girls to have a voice in society,” Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy stated in a presser. “These workshops encouraged hundreds of young girls to articulate their hopes and dreams. It enabled them to learn new skills and for many it was the first time that they had shared how they felt about their place in society. The end result is a window in their lives, the stories range from human rights and abuse to hopeful aspirations and their dreams.”

The aim was to tackle gender inequality faced by school-going adolescent girls, aged between 9 and 19, in three districts of South Punjab, including Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. SOC Films reached out to over 60 towns and villages including ITA hubs for this program.

The six shorts including The Lone Warrior, My Fight for Women Rights, My Mother My Hero, I will be a Fighter Pilot, When I Grow Up and I Have Confidence are available for viewing on YouTube.