Kabul Dreams – Afghanistan’s First Rock Band
This is music from Afghanistan, of a kind seldom heard before, but now produced by a trio of young men.
The band, Kabul Dreams, is made up of vocalist Sulaymon Qardash, bass player Siddique Ahmad and drummer Mujtaba Habibi, who claim to be the country’s first and only rock and roll group.
“One year ago in December we decided to create this band and since it was happening in Kabul, we thought Kabul Dreams is a good name,” says the 19-year-old vocalist, who bears a distinct resemblance to Liam Gallagher of the British band Oasis.
“It’s a real dream to play indie rock music in Afghanistan.”
Watch the video of The dream of all my life below:
Catching on fast
I caught up with the three-piece in Delhi, where they took part in the South Asian Bands Festival, which seeks to promote regional cultural ties.
Qardash – who likes indie fashion – grew up listening to Britpop bands like Radiohead and Travis.
With the political turmoil which gripped Afghanistan in the 1990s, all three members sought refuge in the neighbouring countries of Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Iran, where they were influenced by the Western music they heard.
“During the years of the Taliban, we were away and one positive thing for all of us was that we had an opportunity to learn music and have good facilities where we could practise,” says Ahmad, who lived in Pakistan for 10 years and played with bands producing new music.
While original Afghan music is closely associated with traditional instruments like the rubab and dombura, indie rock is still a new genre – but it is catching on fast among Afghan youth.
Exposure
“Lots of young people are listening to rock music,” says Ahmad.
“Because we don’t have any rock music, they listen to international bands and music from neighbouring countries like India and Pakistan.
“We thought it was about time for Afghanistan to have its own rock band.”
The group mixes Afghan rhythmic patterns with rock and roll music.
And what’s more unusual, they sing in English.
“Since the three of us come from three different parts of Afghanistan and speak in three different languages – Pashto, Dari and Uzbek – we thought it would be a good idea to sing in English,” says Ahmad.
Habibi, on drums, feels they will also get more international exposure with a language that is spoken widely.
But first things first: the band has yet to release an album.
So far the trio have only performed for a niche group of expats, non-governmental organisation workers and educated young Afghans familiar with the new genre.
But the continuing security threats in the country have placed restrictions on public gatherings and their performances.
And in the absence of an organised music industry, new bands like Kabul Dreams face difficulties in financing and producing their music.
“Other bands around the world have lots of opportunities and facilities, but we have to do everything ourselves,” says Ahmad.
“We have a video shoot, we have to take care of everything. There is no production house that we could go to.”
Provocative
The 27-year-old studies during the day and works with Habibi in a recording studio.
Qardash is a presenter with a private TV and radio station. Much of their salaries is invested in Kabul Dreams.
Despite the challenges, the trio want to bring a musical revolution to the Islamic country, where playing rock music is considered too Western and provocative.
“Playing rock music is a risk but we want to play in Afghanistan,” says Qardash, as he tunes his guitar.
“We love our country and we want to change our young generation, we want to make something new.”
Ahmad points out that Kabul Dreams is truly multi-ethnic, consisting as it does of an Uzbek, Pashtun and Tajik.
“The reason we formed this band was to give a message to the Afghan youth, a message that they can live together,” he says.
BBC News
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(6 votes, average: 4.17 out of 5)
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Hello -
I live in the States and heard you guys on the radio (an interview on National Public Radio). I liked your sound. Where can I purchase a CD or Band T-Shirt?
- Tyler
Great work. good on you all. That is fantastic to see that you are exploring other music than the traditional Afghan music.
All the best,
K
afghan rock ??? i thought i’d hear afg lyrix but i hear english lyrix…. wth
hekmat from california you guys rock! I been living in the usa since 1979 .and i might be twice your age and for music there is no age. when it comes to music were all the same age.i’m very proud to call my afghan brothers. good luck &keep up the good work.rock &roll boys.
Salaam to all of you.
i am very happy to see that we have the tallent,
proud to be afghani,.
From china I wanna say alllll the besssst and i just luv you guys
HEY BUDDY I LIKE YOUR SONGS
Hello
Kabul Dreams is the best rock bond, LOVE YOU GUYS.
salam,i am very happy and proud of you guys you are the best…
(From the greatest Afghanistan)
first afghan rock band, rocks, where can I buy your CD?
Am afghan in london jst i wana say plz study dnt lost ua time
Am afghan in london jst i wana say plz study dnt lost ua time wd net
Great to see a good rock band from Afghan. WELL DONE
As you stated some people only see fighting. That is all we see on TV. They forget there is real people living and trying to live a good life in Afghanistan. I wish you all the best in your promotion and marketing of your good work. I am from UK, There will be a lot of people wanting your CDs in UK. Rock on Boys spread the word to others to lift the Afghan visions.
Salam
I saw you guys on BBC Persia and really liked your sound. As an iranian i find lot of similarities between your music and iranian indie rock bands that sing english as well. I am happy to see that despite all the hardships and brutalities of that region, the music lives on. Keep it up!
very nice ……..
I love your Team i hope to see your photos and your songs in every were i hope you all the best this is my iia
heyyy guys coOL !! you roCKS! my hope also lyk dat . hope to . . . . . we’ll c f . . . . . ;
hey niCe , i’d like to contact to you , may i’ve your email ??
but listen up amigo ! try lil to mix afgani in song .. people wil lyk , actually i lyk but anothers ewww :s wont , any ways ThUmBs Up 4 YoU GuYzZ Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee : Farzad NasirY!
JoHn.199359@yahoo.fr contact me :p add me or email me John_emo_cute@arzu.tv ill have some talks!
Man az en band baseyar khosham meyyad khale dosteshan daram**************************
iiiiiiii love kabul dreams love love love
hi stars i love it fantastic i wana have cd from guys
hi i live in Iran but i’m afghan and i really like your team as i watched in bbc persian this is so nice that you guys sing in English and i wanna say just keep it up i wiil absolutely buy your albums.thanx alot
Tags: afghan rock, afghan rock band, afghanistan rock band, kabul dreams, Mujtaba Habibi, rock n roll, Siddique Ahmad, Sulaymon Qardash
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