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Strings (Bilal Maqsood & Faisal Kapadia)

“We are touring these days. As we speak we are in India. We played a concert in Bangalore along side Indian Ocean (band) then at the Windsong Festival in Goa and another gig in Delhi.

We just recorded two brand new songs for a new music show: Sajni and Jeevan. Faisal Baig, Sheraz and Farhad have produced them. Did another song, Hum Se Bada Nahin Dekha, with the band Indian Ocean. It’s very tongue-in-cheek and it talks about the current Pakistan-India relationship. The song is all done and we’re now in the video stage.

Apart from some shows in India in January and February, we are all set for a USA tour which is starting from March. Finally, we will start work on our album, which we never thought we would, in June. Fingers crossed.”

Faakhir

“I am not good at making long-term plans — I know it’s lousy but that’s the way I am. To be honest it’s really been ‘so far so good’ till now.”

Haroon

“I have three music videos ready. I’m waiting for the right time to release them. I have also developed an animated TV show, which has a 10-song original soundtrack. Look out for it in 2013.”

Shehzad Roy

“There are many surprises coming up. First, I travelled across the whole country and recorded a show (I even travelled on bike). It is going to go on air early next year. Second, there are two signature songs coming up which would convey solid messages. Also, there are tours to come.”

Falak

“My video shoot is now complete and the new video, Mujh Mein Hai Tu, has been released on my birthday, Dec 27. In the first week of January, I will be travelling to London for the shoot of a new song, Chikni. Furthermore, in 2013, T-series will be releasing two songs in upcoming Bollywood films: Mera Mann in Nautanki Sala starring Ayush Maan and Judaai in I Love New York starring Kangna Ranawat.

Herbie Sahara of Sahara (UK Bhangra band)

“New single coming out very soon in January and I will be touring Pakistan with it.”

Xulfi of Call the Band

“New videos and a concert tour with Mustafa Zahid on vocals. We will also be starting work on Call’s third album, which, trust me, will rock you.”

Omran Shafique of Mauj

“I am setting up my audio studio and jam space. Starting to record the next Mauj album. I still haven’t found a permanent space… but slowly getting all the gear together… and preparing to have it all installed soon. It will be a commercial studio for projects and a high-end studio for bands and artists… also a space for us to work on our own various bands.”

Shallum of Fuzon

“Fuzon is going to have a happening year ahead. There are international tours and collaborations. Also, we will be recording our new album. On the solo front, I have a variety of projects lined up which I would convey in due course of time.”

Junaid Younus of Siege

“My future plan is to release our new album, Sufiyana, consisting of Sufi kalam and hardcore folk and classical singing, and my work as the peace ambassador with a Norway-based organisation called 14 August Committee. Also, the new video is ready to be released in January.”

Asif Sinan

Asif Sinan has had quite a year, having performed with international artists in 2012 like Stooges Brass Band (New Orleans), Peter Weniger (Germany) and Kailash Kher (India) amongst others.

However, the work he is most proud of is his rendition of the National Anthem of Pakistan that was released on 14th August this year. Currently, his interpretation of Naddiya is playing on Turkish and Canadian FM radio channels and he is also a featured artist in a Canadian documentary being made on Sufi music.

Asif says he is planning to concentrate more on the local and Indian music markets next year, and will be releasing three new music videos. His tour of the US is also lined up and he has also been invited to perform in Mexico by the end of 2013. But perhaps the most exciting news will be the official unveiling of his guitar, Jazzical. This is a special guitar that Sinan has modified and made it into a unique fretless instrument on which he plays his signature style of music with ease.

Zohaib Kazi

“Trying out put out my album in collaboration with a radio channel. Me and Zoe have also done a track for my album: Large Zodron Collider. It is an electronic number Daft Punk-style. Having its video done these days which is all animated and set in a futuristic world using a technique where an artist draws every frame by hand.”

Inteha

“Our new album, Inteha-i-Rock, is going to release early in 2013.”