The DA Method: Making Way for Progressive Music in Pakistan
The D-A Method Band in Concert
Written by: Sadeem Shaikh Posted on: February 16, 2016 | | 中文
The D/A Method in Concert
Karachi has witnessed promising endeavors in either of two extremes of contemporary music within the last few years. Some underground bands have experimented with indie folk, while others find themselves more inclined towards the heavier side of rock n’ roll. With a number of popular Western bands successfully spearheading the progressive rock movement in many parts of the world, some in Pakistan have tried exploring a similar avenue. One example of the latter is The D/A Method. Driven by inspirations from a multitude of Western progressive rock bands, this four-man Pakistani band, consisting of Umair Dar, Talha Alvie, Usama Siddiq and Istvan Csabai, took stage for the first time at the Alliance Francaise in Karachi this past weekend.
The event was organized by Aikman Road Studios, an event management and digital productions company, and was promoted by Salt Arts, an entertainment agency that recently arranged similar platforms for Sounds of Kolachi and Zoe Viccaji.
(Photo credit: Salt Arts)
While the audience eagerly waited to hear these unique sounds for the first time, a young musician by the name of Ali Suhail set the mood with a performance of some of his original songs. Suhail is widely recognized in the underground indie scene, and is also the lead vocalist for Sikandar ka Mandar. Aided by an acoustic setting that included keyboards, bass guitar and Cajon, Suhail shared a host of songs with the audience such as Return and Celebrity.
Forty-five minutes into the evening, The D/A Method took center stage with a charged performance of their single, Angels & Djinn. They mixed up a highly diverse set list, introducing songs from their recently released album, ‘The Great Disillusion’, which includes some powerful instrumentals that seamlessly echo the foundational characteristic of progressive rock music. Halfway through the performance, the Sitaar and Sarangi players of Sounds of Kolachi made a guest appearance, accompanying the band in their singles Darvaish and Alvida. This fascinating blend of eastern and western sounds enabled the audience to connect to the performers at a deeper level. Other songs on the set list included Janissaries, Hope Lives and A Night in September (studio recordings of The D/A Method’s newest album are available on their website and SoundCloud page).
With most modern Pakistani bands restricting experimentation almost exclusively to either indie or heavy rock music, The D/A Method provides a breath of fresh air by challenging this bifurcated stand-off and breaking the rhythm in what has been something of a stalemate in recent times. Their music may well hold the potential to initiate a wider exploration of an unplumbed sub-branch of progressive music in Pakistan.
As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.
Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.
Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.
YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.
Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.
Nong Rong
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
January 2021
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.
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