In this episode of the Aleph podcast, we sit down with Faran Khan Bhatti, a former aviator and the proprietor of an event management company, a travel and tours company, and a design agency. He is also a storyteller and an advocate of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai's writings. Faran was born to Abdul Ghaffar Tabassum, a renowned Sindhi poet whose work ins…

In this episode of the A for Aleph podcast, we had the honour of welcoming Natasha Baig, a versatile Pakistani singer-songwriter from Hunza Valley, celebrated for her powerful vocals and known for her unique blend of Sufi rock and folk styles. Despite having no formal music education, she grew up listening to mainstream artists like Abida Parveen a…

In this episode of the Aleph podcast, we are in conversation with Zair Zaki, a young Pakistani musician and rhythm guitarist for the alternative rock band Kashmir, formed in 2012. The band gained fame after winning Pepsi Battle of the Bands Season 2 in 2017. Zair has been instrumental in the band's success, contributing to popular tracks like "Kaag…

In this episode of the Aleph podcast, we had the pleasure of having Zohaib Kazi in the studio - a versatile producer, director and author who has gained prominence for his innovative approach to music and storytelling. Zohaib’s journey into Pakistan’s music industry started when he joined Frequency Media working under Rohail Hyatt, this production …

In this episode of the Aleph podcast, we dive into the story of Saif Samejo, best known as the founder and lead vocalist of the sufi band The Sketches, and also as the founder and force behind the Lahooti Melo festival. He has been instrumental in promoting Sindhi culture and language through his music. He is also involved in various cultural, soci…

In this episode of the Aleph podcast, we dive into the story of Taha G, short for Taha Gurwara, a Pakistani singer and songwriter who has gained significant popularity amongst the Pakistani and Indian youth in recent times. He is known for his work in the genres of pop, indie, and hip-hop. His music often revolves around the theme of his "lover boy…

In this episode of the Aleph podcast we had the pleasure of hosting Mehdi Maloof, an indie Singer/Songwriter originally from Islamabad whose pen game is undeniable. Mehdi Maloof stands as a leading figure within Pakistan's independent music landscape, renowned for his captivating and thought-provoking songs that delve into the depths of human exper…

In this episode of the Aleph podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting the exceptionally talented Emad Rahman. With over 30 years of experience, Emad is a renowned figure in the Pakistani music industry. He has made his mark as a composer, producer, sound designer, record producer, songwriter, saxophonist, keyboard player, lyricist, background film s…

In this episode of Aleph Podcast join us in a captivating conversation as we dive into the life and music of Nabeel Nihal Chishty - best known for his role as lead guitarist and musical composer for the band Aaroh. From his early days in Saudi Arabia to his musical odyssey in Pakistan, Nabeel's story is one of passion, perseverance, and unwavering …

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Yousuf Masood a key member of the band Songs of Petrichor. He is an aspiring guitar player and also played bass on his band's music. Yousuf, along with Shaharyar Hamdani and Omair Soomro, forms the trio that creates a unique fusion of 70's prog, 90's grunge, and South Asian classi…

In this episode of Aleph Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Schumaila Rehmat Hussain, an inspiring Dubai-based singer and composer, known for her deep voice and haunting melodies. Schumaila has enriched several film soundtracks, with notable works in films like "Manto" and "Azad". Schumaila shares insights from her musical journey, her upcomin…

The momentous 50th episode of the A for Aleph Podcast celebrates and honours the esteemed luminary of Pakistani rock music. Asad Ahmed, a virtuoso guitarist and a colossus within the industry, graces the podcast with his august presence. Far from a mere performer, Asad emerges as a polymathic creative dynamo, distinguished in his roles as a produce…

In this special episode of the Aleph Podcast, we delved into the world of Schehzad Mughal—a virtuoso whose talents span across singing, songwriting, guitar playing, composing, and acting, making him a standout figure in the Pakistani music scene. Born in 1965, Schehzad's musical voyage truly began to gather momentum in the late '80s, but it is his …

In this Episode of Aleph Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting the multitalented Faraz Waqar Haider, also known as Faraz Haider. He was the lead singer of the band "Andher". In 2010, he began his solo career in music and released his debut album 'Andher' followed by 'Naya Jahan' in 2014. His latest album 'Playroom' came out in 2021 which is heavi…

In this Episode of Aleph Podcast, we had the opportunity to trace back time with Rizwan Khan - Lead guitarist from the band FINAL CUT, the leading band in Karachi’s underground scene in the late 80’s. Rizwan was considered to be one of the best guitar players in the local circuit of Karachi and was at the forefront of the musical renaissance in Pak…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar sits down with Music Composer/Producer, Ahsan Bari. Bari is considered a mainstay in the musical zeitgeist for his unorthodox and contemporary style of music writing, which can be seen through the work of the ensemble he founded "Sounds Of Kolachi". Join us as we explore the journe…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar is in conversation with singer and song writer Ahmed Zawar, from the Karachi indie rock band, E-Sharp. E-Sharp were the finalists of Pepsi Battle of The Bands (2019) with two nominations on The Lux Style Awards, With Ahmed Zawar as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player. Notabl…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar had the pleasure of inviting national sensation, songwriter and singer, Asfar Hussain from the band “Bayaan”. Asfar shot into the public eye after appearing in the first season of Nescafé Basement, 2012. The conversation is about Asfar’s journey from Chitral into the Pakistani musi…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar is in conversation with Irfan Ali Taj. The conversation is about Irfan’s journey into the music industry starting from his childhood to what he is doing currently. Umair Dar gets into the details of Irfan’s musical endeavors, inspirations, achievements and how it’s been for him wor…

In this episode of the Aleph podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar sits down with the phenomenal Sarangi virtuoso Gul Muhammad, son of Ustad Akhtar Husain, and grandson of Ustad Ghulam Muhammad of the Hoshiyaarpur Gharana; representing the seventh generation of musicians in his family, Gul carries a monumental musical heritage on his shoulders. Cu…

In this episode of the Aleph podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar hosts renowned musician and actor, Junaid Khan. During the third year of his Engineering degree from UET, Junaid was auditioned by and then recruited by the band ‘Call’, after which they released their first song, “Nishaan”. The success of the single catapulted them to instant star…

In this Episode, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar invites award winning Filmmaker & Musician Nadir Shahzad to our podcast. He is the frontman of Sikandar ka Mandar - An indie folk rock band from Karachi known for being at the forefront of the local indie music industry. He has also been the Producer of the indie music show Lussin TV which ran for four…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar had the pleasure of inviting the legendary, Jon J. Saville. The conversation is about Jon’s journey into the music industries starting from his childhood to what he is doing currently. A for Aleph Founder, Umair gets into the details of Jon’s musical endeavors, inspirations, achiev…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar is in conversation with the multi-talented Film-maker, Screen writer and Music Producer Jamal Rahman of True Brew Records fame. Over the past decade and a half, Jamal has worked with a number of bands, and on various films, documentaries and commercials as a music composer and prod…

In this episode of The Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar invites a man that is considered one of the most important guitar players and musicians in Pakistan's History, Faraz Anwar. Faraz Anwar started his music journey at the age of six, when he saw Yngwie Malmsteen, the Swedish guitar virtuoso on the TV for the first time. This led him …

In this episode of The Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar has the pleasure of hosting, Muhammad Aizaz Sohail; singer, educator and composer, of the highest order. Born in 1987, Karachi, Aizaz started singing from a very young age and has developing a keen understanding of the intricacies of music. Aizaz is a trained singer in eastern clas…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar is in conversation with the very talented Filipino-Pakistani, singer/song writer Maria Unera. Inspired by her mother, Maria's interest in music began early. She took piano lessons when she was about 8 years old and started learning the guitar by the age of 13 and it was the regular…

In a special episode of the Aleph Podcast with A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar, we had the privilege of featuring the exceptional Kamran Khan, also known as Kami Jee, the celebrated Keyboard Player, Music Producer, and a pivotal founding member of the band Aaroh. Kami Jee's story is one of passion and determination. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, he nur…

In the latest installment of the Aleph Podcast with A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar, we were thrilled to welcome the exceptionally talented Zahid Qureshi. As a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, music composer, and advertising expert, Zahid has carved a distinct niche for himself in the Pakistani music industry. He first caught the public…

In the latest episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar had the privilege of featuring Waqas Hussain, a distinguished seventh-generation sitar player from the esteemed Senia Gharana. Immersed in a rich heritage of classical music, Waqas was meticulously trained by his father, the acclaimed sitar virtuoso Imdad Hussain. He has admi…

In our latest episode of the Aleph Podcast, A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar welcomes Waqas Ahmed, recognized as one of Pakistan's most formidable guitar players. Waqas's musical journey is deeply rooted in the Lahore underground metal scene, where he made a significant impact with the legendary bands Orion and Odyssey. More recently, he has been capt…

Join us in the latest Aleph Podcast episode where A For Aleph Founder Umair Dar delves into the musical universe of Waleed Ahmed, better known as Janoobi Khargosh, a true maverick in the Pakistani music scene. Waleed’s musical voyage began in his teens, initially through the genres of death metal and progressive rock with his bands Dionysus and Loh…

Join us on the Aleph Podcast for an insightful episode featuring the multi-faceted Umnia Iftikhar, a prominent figure in the Pakistani music industry. Host and A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar engages with Umnia to unravel her extensive journey, starting from her early career days to her current influential role. This conversation sheds light on her m…

Dive into the musical essence of Shallum Asher Xavier, a guitar virtuoso, renowned studio musician, and the creative force behind the celebrated band 'Fuzon', in this special episode of the Aleph Podcast. This session unfolds Shallum's illustrious journey, delving into his early influences, significant projects, and his exceptional achievements in …

Welcome to an engaging episode of the Aleph Podcast, where A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar had the honor of hosting Ali Hamza, from the celebrated band 'Noori'. Known for their chart-topping hits like 'Manwa Re' and 'Meray Log' from the album 'Suno Ke Mein Hun Jawan', Ali Hamza has carved a significant place in the heart of Pakistani music. Born in 1…

Join us as Host and A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar explores the musical realm of Nasir Zaka in this episode of the Aleph Podcast, where we delve into the life of a multi-faceted artist who has significantly impacted Pakistan's music scene. Nasir is a producer, composer, guitar player, and the driving force behind Pepsi Battle of the Bands Season 4 w…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar sits down for an exclusive conversation with Imran Momina, widely known as EMU, a foundational pillar of the iconic band FUZON. In this episode, we explore EMU's multifaceted journey in the world of music, from his early beginnings to his current ventures. Discover how EMU's passio…

Immerse yourself as A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar dives into the captivating world of Jasir Abro on the Aleph Podcast, where we delve into his multifaceted journey through music and film. Hosted by A for Aleph founder Umair, this episode offers an intimate look at Jasir's early life, his initial forays into the arts, and his current endeavors. Disc…

Join A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar as he steps into the world of Mohsin Raza Shah in this episode of the Aleph Podcast, where we explore the journey of this exceptionally talented session guitar player. Mohsin's musical roots, nurtured from a young age, blossomed into a love for classic rock and led to the formation of his first band, Darvesh, a no…

Dive into the dynamic world of music streaming with Khan FM on the Aleph Podcast with A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar . As the Artist & Label Partnerships Manager for Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh at Spotify, Khan FM is at the forefront of revolutionizing the music scene. His pivotal role in integrating Pakistani music with the global audience …

Join us on the Aleph Podcast as host and A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar sits down with the exceptionally talented singer, composer, and producer Zara Madani. This episode is a deep dive into Zara's musical voyage, tracing her evolution from a classical music enthusiast to a celebrated figure in the music industry. Zara’s journey in music began in ch…

In this episode of the Aleph Podcast, host and A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar welcomes Sherry Khattak, the vibrant force behind Lahore's alternative rock band Karakoram. Known for their eclectic sound that ranges from soul-stirring rock to more mellow tunes, Karakoram has carved a unique niche in the Pakistani music scene. This episode offers an int…

In an engaging new episode of the Aleph Podcast, host and A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar Umair Dar is thrilled to welcome the incredibly versatile Saad Hayat, a musician, audio engineer, composer, producer, and voiceover artist whose career spans over two decades in the industry. This conversation delves deep into Saad's multifaceted journey, offeri…

In this enlightening episode of the Aleph Podcast, host and A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar sits down with the multi-talented Babar Sheikh, whose artistic journey weaves through the realms of music, filmmaking, and impactful education. Babar, renowned for his contributions to Pakistan's metal scene and his pioneering work in film and audio-visual art…

In this enlightening session of the Aleph Podcast, host and A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar founder Umair Dar engages in a riveting dialogue with the dynamic Faran Pervaiz, also known as Faran P, the visionary behind Karachi's vibrant hub Club 432. This episode is a deep dive into the creation and impact of one of the city's most influential music, c…

In this episode of Aleph Podcast, A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar welcomes Haroon and Usman Sheikh of AAG the band, the duo that has struck a chord with fans across generations. Host Umair leads a deep and insightful conversation that begins with an introduction to the roots of AAG, painting a picture of the Sheikh brothers' early connection with mus…

In this episode of Aleph Podcast, A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar had the great pleasure of having Haniya Aslam at our studio who is a Pakistani singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music producer. She is best known as one-half of the folk-rock duo Zeb & Haniya. The duo gained popularity with their soulful melodies and blend of various regional and West…

In this Aleph Podcast, A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar had the pleasure of having Adnan Afaq—a maestro whose jazz and modern fusion expertise has set him apart in Pakistan's music landscape. Having collaborated with leading artists like Sajjad Ali and Fakhr-e-Alam, Adnan's musical journey is as inspiring as his mastery is profound. From his early day…

Join host and A for Aleph Founder Umair Dar on the Aleph Podcast as he sits down with the pioneers of Pakistan's independent music, Sohaib Lari and Hamad Khan from Bigfoot Music. In this engaging session, they unravel their personal journeys, recounting the evolution of Bigfoot into a powerhouse for emerging talent. Dive deep into discussions about…

On the closing day of Le Guess Who? 2023, the festival features the first international performance of Ndox Electrique, whose music is inspired by an ancient ritual of the spirit-world originating from Senegal’s n’döep ceremonies. Here, Atiyyah Khan, an arts journalist, researcher and DJ from Johannesburg, introduces the group and provides context …