Nadir Shehzad Khan, originally from Karachi and presently living in Islamabad, is not just the frontman of the fan favourite indie-rock music group Sikandar Ka Mandar. He’s also the founder of Lussun TV (which ran for four seasons and went onto feature Mole, SKM, Orangenoise, Natasha Humera Ejaz, Khumariyaan, Ali Suhail and Shajie Hasan, among others).

The multidisciplinary Nadir is a terrific music video director and filmmaker as well. As nearly every member of SKM started pursuing solo musical careers in addition to their SKM avatars, we wondered if Nadir Shehzad Khan, the band’s chief singer and lyricist, would also join them. By releasing a solo effort called ‘Atomy Event’, he has. The narrative of music video, according to Nadir is, “through the perspective of the TV/human hybrid person who is from post-apocalyptic time.”

Running for over three minutes, apart from being innovative and relevant, the song is sung by Nadir in his typical, inimitable manner. Apart from the sci-fi element that is visible and with other elements that makes this a nuanced production, the song itself is not like an SKM song. If it picks up on myopia and division, it also offers hope with the clever wordplay such as the line: “Tu Akela Nahin”. This is less synth pop and more guitar-rock tune that adds to the direction the song is taking. With nearly every SKM member also pursing distinct solo careers, it was perhaps a matter of time before Nadir Shehzad Khan followed suit musically and now that he is, we hope we will see more of his individualistic sense of music and lyrics.

Junaid Khan on his musical career

Junaid Khan has made a cameo here and there in Pakistani films but his real skill as an actor reflects in his work in TV drama serials. All that will change soon. He now appears in Kahay Dil Jidhar (KDJ) with Mansha Pasha who portrays a journalist, while Junaid Khan has taken up the leading role of a cop. This turn of events does bring up the question: what will this leap to cinema mean for Junaid Khan’s musical career?

Junaid Khan is the front-man of Call, spearheaded by Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, aka Xulfi. The group comes together for electric live shows, but only when they all can.

Junaid Khan has also charted his own territory by doing solo music when not acting. At a recent press event in Karachi for his upcoming film (KDJ) Junaid Khan confirmed as much and revealed what fans of the singer/actor should expect.

“I’ve worked with Jalal (the director) before, for a music video so it was much easier for me to do this,” Junaid Khan told Instep, referring to the film. Addressing the question of music, the rocker told Instep, “The music is happening in an aggressive fashion. Just recently, I released a solo song called ‘Takdeer’. There was a branded song I did for Free Fire called ‘We Are Survivors’. There’s a song I shot two years ago, ‘Jeenay Ka Chaska’ which is planned for year-end release. And I’ve made a lot more music. So expect a bunch of solo tracks,” he said.

Live music events kick-off: Flamin’
Hot Soundfest attracts audience

After a moratorium on concerts due to the global pandemic, vaccinations have made live music events a reality. In Lahore, the Flamin’ Hot Soundfest brought celebrities and audience alike on Saturday, Nov 27. The line-up featured Umair Jaswal, Shamoon Ismail, Hasan Raheem, Maanu and Taha G to the centerstage at the beautiful Oasis Golf & Aqua Resort in Lahore, and the audience delighted in the opportunity for entertainment which finally presented itself. Among stars spotted at the gig were Ayesha Omar, Ushna Shah, Kubra Khan, Saheefa Jabbar, Mikaal Zulfiqar and Talal Qureshi. The public gig, said to be a success, isn’t the only one to appear in recent months. Gigs featuring Ali Noor (in Karachi & Lahore), Sounds of Kolachi (paying tribute to A.R. Rahman) in Karachi, Cosmic Fluid’s interactive gig in Karachi are some of the major live music highlights. Asim Azhar, one of Pakistan’s most popular names in music with a terrific band now, has also been performing in multiple cities. The events require vaccination cards and follow SOPs. It seems that as December descends upon us, more music as well as live events will follow.