For the first time in the history of Pakistani music, the Red Bull Music Academy, a global institution committed to fostering creativity in music, conducted an Info Session aimed at bringing the local music scene closer to the Academy.
The info session kicked-off with Nick Dwyer sharing insights and forgotten tales from over a decade of being involved in Red Bull Music Academy’s worldwide activities.
The session took place in the heart of ‘Lahore’ at the famous Haveli Barood Khana; a perfect contrast of the old and the new.
Nick Dwyer, who hosted the event, has been working with *Red Bull Music Academy for the past 12 years, thinks that Pakistan’s music has a lot of potential. Since 2006 four Pakistanis have made it to the academy including SMAX, Tollcrane and Noahs Heark.
“In Karachi there is an incredible underground electronic scene and communities are being formed. Pakistan’s brand of electronic music is very unique,” says Nick Dwyer while talking to Pakistan Today. “This regions technique is new and people around the world are excited about Pakistani music.”
The process is simple; one just needs to go to Red Bull Music Academy’s website (www.redbullmusicacademy.com) and fill out the extensive application form. The academy not only teaches one about music in its two weeks course, but also how each individual can inculcate his individuality in their music.
“We have an incredible team of music writers and producers who check each application thoroughly. They can tell a lot about you by looking at your application form,” Nick Dwyer told Pakistan Today. The form requires in depth answers and insights on a variety of subjects, other than music.
Tollcrane attended the Tokyo session in 2014 and Noahs Heark the Paris session in 2015.
“I am really excited to be here in Lahore for the inaugural session. The Academy has grown tremendously in the last five years. We are having these sessions all around the world to help musicians understand how being associated with the Academy can benefit them (musicians),” said Nick Dwyer.
The session invited a pool of young talent hailing from different parts of the country. Each of the musicians was given the opportunity to introduce themselves and showcase their style of music to all those present.
Mudasir Sheikh, who was at the session from Karachi thinks that the Red Bull Music Academy is much needed for this region as nothing great happens for musicians here in Pakistan, “I got to spend time with local musicians I didn’t know of before. So even if my application doesn’t make it through, I can jam with the locals back home,” he said while talking to Pakistan Today.
Nick Dwyer was excited to share that good collaborations are expected between the musicians but most importantly the Info Session aims to lead these young artists to learn more about the Academy. “If you are in anyway involved in making music then you should apply for it and hopefully we will see another promising artist representing Pakistan at Montreal this year,’ he said with a confident smile.
“For the past sixteen years there have been more than 1000 musicians representing more than hundred countries and many of those who have experienced the Academy are now shaping the future of music around the globe,” he explained.
‘These unsung heroes make music with their heart and soul. This is one genre that has touched the hearts of global masses. The Academy has grown to be so much more than just a music academy. It brings people from all over the world with no religion or language barrier. The experience reaches a spiritual level,’ said Noahs Heark.
The Red Bull Music Academy Info Session ended with a promise to return with another exciting session in a different city of Pakistan. Also, with a hope to see a fifth Pakistani participant at this year’s Red Bull Music Academy Session in Montreal due to take place later this year.
* The events name had been misspelled in the previous version and has been rectified.