“You’re once in any
lifetime/I’m going a
million miles an hour.”

– ‘Higher Power’ by
Coldplay

Bilal Maqsood (formerly of music group Strings) believes that the age of music groups is over, citing examples of bands such as U2 and Coldplay who are both struggling with their present batch of music. The age of the solo artist is here to stay, for now anyway - alluding to why Strings called it off as a band.

They are not the only ones. Some bands are not breaking up such as Kashmir, who arrived in the spotlight with Pepsi Battle of the Bands and are now working on their second album, with a slew of songs released.

However, what Bilal observed is true in a sense. Some music groups are not changing but transforming as some members stay and others take the solo route. The same can be said for Sounds of Kolachi, which is still being spearheaded by Ahsan Bari with Quaid Ahmed no longer a part of the troupe.

In a statement, Ahmed had explained his reasons for leaving the group. “After eight incredible years, with a heavy heart and loads of memories, I would like to announce the end of my time with Sounds of Kolachi (SOK). Ahsan, Gul and Nimra will continue the ensemble as core members, and I look forward to the upcoming concerts and their second album scheduled to release later this year.

In a conversation with Instep, Quaid further said, “The creative portrayal that you wish to put out may not always be something that appeals to other members even as you cajole them to see that point of view. Sometimes you don’t agree on the same things. I compose, write lyrics and wish to focus on my solo career now. I thought it was high time I distanced myself from SOK and every other platform to pursue my solo career as a composer, with respect to my next album, plus some web content I’m thinking of for my channel.”

Quaid Ahmed in his solo musical odyssey first dropped an EP called Sunlo featuring songs such as ‘Shamein’ and the music available on all major platforms.

When the late Lata Mangeskar passed away, we asked Quaid his favourite song by the iconic singer, and he shared that it was ‘Hum Pyar Mein Jalne Walon Ko’ from Jailor.

As he spoke to Instep recently, he revealed his projects included the re-recorded version of the National Anthem and why he said yes to it, in the first place.

“I was a part of the re-recording of the National Anthem in Islamabad which was followed by a trip to Muzaffarabad for a concert. I appear on Hasna Mana Hai, the Tabish Hashmi show on Geo where I am the official singer and as part of it, I write political, satirical comedy and sing with guitars.”

“I was a part of the re-recording of the National Anthem in Islamabad which was followed by a trip to Muzaffarabad for a concert. I appear on Hasna Mana Hai, the Tabish Hashmi show on Geo where I am the official singer and as part of it, I write political, satirical

That’s an interesting segue for Ahmed who has dabbled in other facets of performing arts including acting.

Quaid Ahmed, who wishes to make a mark as a multi-talented artist, revealed that he is releasing new music in September 2022.

“The tentative date for album launch is September 16, 2022. InshaAllah, the release will be followed by a massive announcement. I want to do gigs that are related to entertainment after the album launch. The music will continue to release.”

Ahmed has no qualms in admitting that he is a huge Shah Rukh Khan fan and as the Indian actor with a global following finished 30 years in the cinema business, Quaid hoped to do something that would pay a sort of tribute to the actor, in the form of a gig.

“I’m in talks with District 19 (Karachi) to do a gig at the space where the idea is to perform both nostalgic and present songs of the celebrated actor. It will be a set of 20-30 songs which will include electronic set as well as live set. I plan to rope in other singers as well. Apart from talking to District 19, another show is being planned for PACC and maybe a third one as well,” confirmed the singer-songwriter and composer.

“You could change your life/You just might change your mind.” –

‘Lost Art of Murder’ by Babyshambles

Quaid Ahmed was also a part of the re-recorded National Anthem. “This recording is the official recording so from different countries to wherever Pakistan is represented, to the cricket ground, this version of the National Anthem will replace the previous one. Arshad Mahmud and Rohail Hyatt were producing it in association with the government and ISPR. The one before this was recorded in 1953 or 1954. It features 140 singers from across Pakistan including different regions, different sects and different religions. It features people across demographics.

“This initiative took off somewhere in 2021, and it was taken forward and funded by the current government. People from across the industry as well as curation of people from around the country had taken place for the anthem. We were all invited to Islamabad and it went on very smoothly. We thoroughly enjoyed working with this team,” he concluded.

As Rohail Hyatt later told Instep, the idea was representation of all people who called Pakistan their homeland and not restrict it to a certain class or religion but make sure that it puts minorities front and center along with the majority.

While the spirit behind the song is well and good, it goes without saying that Pakistan is once again, to loosely quote Shehzad Roy, at a nazuk mor, and we take our joy as it comes. That is to say, like Quaid, we would all do well to create and receive art, love, and positivity, when we can.

– Quaid Ahmed on his evolution after breaking away from Sounds of Kolachi