The SoundScape Music Masterclasses offer developing artists and music professionals an opportunity to build capacity and enhance their skills by learning from leading local and international experts.
Date |
1 December 2023 (Friday) |
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Venue |
British Council Karachi |
Masterclass I - Songwriting, Arrangement & Production
- Time: 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm (90 mins)
- Overview: In this dynamic masterclass, participants will dive deep into the intricate process of crafting a song from its inception to its final production. Led by seasoned professionals in the music industry, this session aims to provide invaluable insights and hands-on experience in the art of song creation.
Facilitator:
- Haniya Aslam is a songwriter, composer and producer. Dubbed a “songwriter extrodinaire”, she brings together musical styles and genres effortlessly, “blending the sophistication of jazz and blues with eastern mystical Sufi and folk.” After touring with her critically acclaimed band, Haniya turned to music production and composing for picture. This year, after a hiatus from live performance, Haniya returns to the stage with an acoustic guitar and sublime melodies.
Masterclass II - Art & Music: Setting a Vision as a Recording Artist
- Time: 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm (90 mins)
- Overview: This masterclass delves into the crucial intersection of artistry, branding, and musical direction, offering aspiring recording artists invaluable insights into shaping their unique identity in the music industry. Participants will explore how to translate their artistic vision into a compelling brand, allowing them to connect with their audience on a deeper level. Attendees will learn how to navigate the dynamic landscape of the music business, positioning themselves for long-term success.
Facilitators:
- Sana Nasir is an international award-winning Illustrator and Art Director. She has been pursuing her illustration, art and design practice while working in the fields of music festivals, visual design education, editorial and activism. Acclaimed and featured on platforms such as World Illustration Awards, Communication Arts Awards, Vice, Pen America, Oxford University Press, Border Movement and several local publications, Sana’s work is inspired from folklore and mythology combined with technology and pop-culture. Her recent achievements include creating the visual identity for the global event series Boiler Room for its historic debut in Pakistan and was part of the team that received the British Council New Perspectives Grant in 2022 for which she was invited to speak at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Nasirʼs talk ʻDesign in the Name of Loveʼ debuted at the National Digital Design Conference (ND2C) in 2018 and her talk, Culture Alt Deleteʼ was featured on Islamabadʼs first PechaKucha 20x20.
- Daniel Arthur Panjwaneey known for his work as Alien Panda Jury, Kukido has been a driving force in the Pakistani underground music scene for over 20 years, blending broken techno, breakbeat, two-step, and electro to create a unique high energy sound. Founder of Cape Monze Records and creator of the Oscillations event series, Kukido has also made a mark in the festival scene as the co-creator of the now-defunct Sine Valley, a grassroots experimental South Asian Music festival in Nepal. In 2022, Kukido made history by performing on the first broadcast of Boiler Room and Keep Hush from Pakistan. As a producer, DJ, audio engineer, and curator, Kukido continues to push boundaries and bring high energy dance floor beats to audiences worldwide.
Masterclass III - Spotify For Artists Masterclass
- Time: 3.00 pm – 3.45 pm (45 mins)
- Overview: Deep dive into the world of Spotify where we'll be discussing how the Global Audio Streaming Platform is putting Pakistani Artists & Music on the world map. Understand the tools available to maximise music reach and also how to pitch for playlists. We'll also be covering Spotify Pakistan's music initiatives such as RADAR Pakistan, Equal and more. The session would also focus on how Spotify for Artists is boosting artists careers as well as how labels achieve their goals in the wider music industry.
Facilitator:
- Khan FM is Spotify's Artist & Label Partnerships Manager for Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh. Playing a key role in the expansion of Spotify into these emerging markets, Khan has ensured that stakeholders in these music communities are involved & would be able to benefit from Spotify’s tools & future plans. Previously, Khan served as a Culture Marketing Manager at Red Bull FZE, where he was instrumental in introducing Red Bull’s music programs in the UAE, working very closely with artists & event organizations throughout 2012-2015. Additonal to his role in the UAE events & media sector, Khan was a significant figure in promoting Pakistani arts & entertainment during 2003-09 whereby his role as a TV presenter/producer on ARY Musik provided a platform for several now-prominent Pakistani artists. Khan is an avid music producer & musician holding a certification from Berklee College of Music with various albums crediting his work.
Masterclass IV - Independent Labels: Navigating Production, Promotion & Social Media for Artists
- Time: 4.30 pm – 6.00 pm (90 mins)
- Overview: Participants will delve into the world of independent music labels and learn how to effectively produce, promote, and harness the power of social media for artists. Led by experts with extensive experience in the music industry, this session aims to empower emerging artists with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the competitive music landscape.
Facilitators:
- Amna Zafar is the founder and Chief Vision Officer of Check-Box Media — a strategic communications, artist management and content production firm established in 2020. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Amna previously held high-ranking positions at Lotus Public Relations and Client Management and Coca-Cola Icecek, where she went on to lead the entire Group Corporate Communication portfolio for the 10-country region.As part of her entrepreneurial journey with CBM, Amna has spearheaded the execution of high-impact projects for prestigious organisations and influential public figures — including Pakistan’s Covid-19 response communication, the Punjab Government’s showcase at Expo 2020 Dubai, production of PSL cricket anthems, public relations for Federal Ministers and representation of leading musicians (e.g Meesha Shafi, Faris Shafi, Natasha Noorani and Abdullah Siddiqui).
- Billie George Croucher is the Online Community Manager for UK-based music tech initiative Saffron Records, which takes an intersectional approach to redressing the gender imbalance in the industry. She is also DJ, radio host, poet, trainee psychotherapist and yoga teacher. In all aspects of her life, Billie is interested in fostering spaces for connection, growth and the discovery of new possibilities. Her work with Saffron focuses on educational courses, online workshops, mentoring a global members club and an artist development and label platform. We are building a future industry that is inclusive and diverse.
- Daniel Arthur Panjwaneey known for his work as Alien Panda Jury, Kukido has been a driving force in the Pakistani underground music scene for over 20 years, blending broken techno, breakbeat, two-step, and electro to create a unique high energy sound. Founder of Cape Monze Records and creator of the Oscillations event series, Kukido has also made a mark in the festival scene as the co-creator of the now-defunct Sine Valley, a grassroots experimental South Asian music festival in Nepal. In 2022, Kukido made history by performing on the first broadcast of Boiler Room and Keep Hush from Pakistan. As a producer, DJ, audio engineer, and curator, Kukido continues to push boundaries and bring high energy dance floor beats to audiences worldwide.
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Hassan Ali Effendi, the founder of Laal Series, is a seasoned Multimedia Producer with over 6 years of industry expertise. Holding certifications in Multimedia and diplomas in Film Criticism, Film and HD practical, Photography, and Lighting for Craft, Hassan's journey in the creative realm began in 2009 as a graphic designer at 3i Logic Training & Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. In 2016, Hassan established Laal Series as a record label and artist management company to nurture budding talent. Hassan collaborates with emerging artists, guiding them to prominent platforms such as Pepsi Battle of the Bands and Coke Studio. His diverse skill set spans direction, photography, animation, editing, graphics, and web development, shaping Laal Series into a creative powerhouse.
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Umnia Iftikhar is a seasoned veteran of the production industry in Pakistan having spearheaded some of the largest projects executed in the country. She has over 16 years of experience and has been a producer/showrunner on projects like Coke Studio, Spotify RADAR documentaries, TedX, Re-Recording of National Anthem, numerous TVC’s, Shorts, and Web-Series. With a strong network within the music community and a passion for IP she has facilitated music licensing for various international projects and clients. Umnia is also the co-founder and partner at Aikman Road Studios, a leading audio production house in Karachi that provides turnkey solutions for music and content production. Aikman Road Studios offers a range of services, such as music licensing, A&R, sound design, mixing, mastering, music production, audio/video content, digital content, project management, and production/music consultancy.
Masterclass V - Peshkash: A History of Mid-Century Pakistani Music
- Time: 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm (60 mins)
- Overview: Understanding music ecosystems and trends in Pakistani music from 1947-1980. This lecture aims to provide an alternative cultural history of Pakistan's vibrant sonic landscape and how these learnings could offer insight into developing better practices in the present music industry.
Facilitator:
- Natasha Noorani is a musician, music historian and festival director with a diverse experience as a singer-songwriter, playback singer and voice-over artist. In 2023 she released her debut album, RONAQ, produced by Talal Qureshi, Abdullah Siddiqui and the artist herself. RONAQ references the genres of Pop, RnB, Electronic and Mid-Century Subcontinental music. Her list of collaborations and features include working with the likes of Talal Qureshi on his album TURBO as a songwriter and singer, twice on Velo Sound Station (on the hit songs 'Chamkeela' and 'Baby Baby'), Hassan Raheem’s 'Faltu Pyar', Strings and Nadir Shahzad. Noorani's song 'Choro' is a crowd favourite and she has been showcased on Times Square as part of Spotify’s Equal Ambassador programme and has also been featured in Forbes. Through her work as General Manager at Coke Studio Season 10, Lahore Music Meet (of which she is co-founder and co-director) and overseeing String’s last album release ‘30’ including her ongoing work with the British Council, Natasha has proved to be a critical community manager in the industry. Peshkash is the artist's project to archive and promote 20th Century Pakistani music, insights from which have been published in Dawn and Herald.
Masterclass VI - Film Scoring & Jingle Production: Crafting Sonic Narratives for Visual Media
- Time: 4.30 pm – 6.00 pm (90 mins)
- Overview: Led by a seasoned composer and music director, this session will equip participants with the essential skills to create captivating soundtracks for films, commercials, and multimedia projects. From understanding visual storytelling to mastering the art of jingle composition, this masterclass offers a hands-on learning experience for aspiring composers and music producers.
Facilitator:
- Fahad Anjum is an audio and acoustics engineer as well as audio, video and graphics producer. He studied Communications & Film at York University and later joined Metalworks Institute for Audio Production & Media Business Management. Around that time, he worked in the "The Guvernment/KoolHaus" club doing technical setup and lights for artists such as Armin Van Buren, Carl Cox, Gareth Emery, DeadMau5 and many top acts. In 2013, Fahad started a company by the name of ElectrikRoom Studios which focuses on providing technical training and creative support to media professionals. Fahad has worked with various brands and artists on albums, singles, jingles, and sound design for artists including Ali Azmat, Atif Alsam, Zoe Vicajji, The Tarz Group, Sounds of Kolachi, The DA method to name a few. He has also worked on several documentaries for NGOs and news media organisations as well as films, providing both audio & video services including music composition and orchestration. He has served as a consultant on studio buildings and office designs for many businesses including ChannelTek, Habib University, IAL Saatchi & Saatchi, and even other studio owners. He has vast experience in teaching privately, in group settings as well as teaching 'Audio for Visuals’ at Habib University