Karavan

Karavan is a rock band formed in 1997 by former Awaz lead guitarist Asad Ahmed with the help of his friend, bassist Sameer Ahmed, in Karachi, Pakistan. The band were soon joined by drummer Allan Smith and ex-Wet Metal lead vocalist, Najam Sheraz. Karavan has been a successful rock band in Pakistan. The band became an instant hit among the young population in the country as they have revolutionized the Pakistani music scene by fusing eastern percussions and melodies with a modern rock sensibility.

They have released four full length albums to date, the latest, Saara Jahan, which was released on April 26, 2010. Their first album featured Najam Sheraz on vocals who later left the band in 1998 and was replaced by Tanseer Daar. In 2005, the band released a live album on the internet via their website which had over 150,000 downloads.

History

Formation and early years (1997-2000)

In January 1997, Asad Ahmed, lead guitarist of Karavan, parted ways with Awaz after having a very successful career releasing three albums with the band. Asad started working on an untitled project with his longtime friend and bassist Sameer Ahmed. In February, after a marathon audition session featuring over fifty singers-inwaiting, the duo decided that Najam Sheraz, previously the lead vocalist of the band Wet Metal, was the best choice for this project. Najam Sheraz soon teamed up with the band and in two months time, the trio made their national debut, Karavan was formed as they opened up for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at the Channel V concert in Karachi. This was the very first time the band performed on a stage together.

Soon afterwards the band started working on their debut album and recording of the album started at Asad’s home studio. After eight months of rehearsing and strenuous work, the band finally finished recording their debut album in August. In November, the band released their debut album, Rakh Aas, which was a huge success and was being compared with great debut albums like Vital Signs 1 and Awaz, even though Assad Ahmed played on the latter. Although the band’s first single video premiered was banned by PTV due to the band sporting long hair and outlandish, loud clothes. By the end of year drummer Allan Smith marked his first appearance with the band, taken on the support of the band on tour with a live drum sound.

Karavan starts off the New Year by playing a sold out concert at PACC in Karachi. Their first single video, “Rakh Aas”, passed the censor board, after a lengthy wait, and was finally aired on PTV. In May, Karavan performed at the Karachi Club which was the last show by Najam Sheraz as part of the band. Interestingly the band Circle, which opened for Karavan that night, had Tanseer Daar as their lead vocalist. The band once again started auditioning for a lead vocalist. On December 31st, Karavan announced Tanseer Daar as their new lead vocalist.

In March 1999, Karavan is approached by Pepsi-Cola to record a song for the Cricket World Cup album. The song Umeedain is recorded and released as the single for the World Cup album. Meanwhile, Tanseer finally makes his live debut with Karavan by performing at the Pepsi World Cup concert. After releasing their single for the World Cup Karavan started working on their second album and recorded their second full length album, Safar, from June till November. On December 31st, Safar was released and the first single “Beqarar” from the album was shipped to different radio stations in the country. In January 2000, Karavan toured extensively to promote their second album and shot an one hour rockumentary on the making of the album, “Safar – A Visual Evolution”. The rockumentary was aired on PTV world into two parts. The global satellite broadcast was carried to 36 countries, and over 40 million people witness the beginning of a change in Pakistani musical trends. Karavan continued to tour behind Safar as sales of the record started to increase.

Gardish (2001-2003)

In February 2001, Karavan re-released Rakh Aas and Safar with new covers and new tracks. In June, the band starts writing new material for their third album named, Gardish and by August they recorded the third album in a barnstorming, 15-day session. The mixing of the album was done by next year in January till February.

In March, Karavan shot the video of the first single from their third album, “Aagey Hi Aagey” and the single made its debut on a new music channel, Indus Music in April. The single was a certified success as Karavan played for a record-breaking 30,000 people at the Dreamworld Resort and later playing some new songs in front for a crowd of 10,000 at the PAF Museum in Karachi. The band released Gardish in August. With the release of their third album Karavan toured three major states in the USA going to Houston, New York and Chicago in June 2003. By November, the band played at the UN World Food Program Show held in Islamabad. In December, Karavan released the second single from their third album, “Yeh Zindagi Hai”, along with a video of the single.

Mainstream success (2004-2008)

In February 2004, another single, “Dil Ki Pyaas”, was released which became an instant hit due to using still photography in its music video. After the release of the third single Karavan soon collaborated with a major ISP to tour all major cities of Pakistan to promote their album. In July albums, Rakh Aas and Safar, are remastered and re-released again for the second time with new artwork. In March 2005, Karavan headlines a major rock festival in Dubai at the Global Village Amphitheatre which was attended by more than 6,000 music fans. On the Independence Day, Karavan played at the unveiling of the largest national flag at the national stadium, sponsored by Shell Pakistan. In November, Pakistan Tobacco organized a rock fest with Karavan as headliners playing to a 2500-thousand-strong crowd in Islamabad. In December, the band was nominated for the “Best Live Act” at the 2005 Lux Style Awards. In 2005, the band released a live album, Unplugged and Unleashed, on the internet via their website which had over 150,000 downloads.

In January 2006, “Shoure” video is released and was the fourth single released of the third album. In July, at the very first ARY Musik Awards Karavan was nominated in four categories and Sameer securing the Best Bassist Award. In December, Ufone launched Urock series of concerts across Pakistan to promote music and Karavan was one of the leading acts at these shows. In 2007, Karavan went on the to promote their third album internationally at the International Gardish tour by playing to a packed audience at the Global Village Amphitheatre again and embarked on a tour encompassing interior cities of Punjab and Sindh taking their music to the masses.

In March 2008, Karavan played in front of full crowd at the Al Nasr Arena in Dubai. Karavan began writing songs for their fourth full length sutdio album. Allan Smith and Sameer Ahmed lay down basic rhythm tracks.

Saara Jahan (2009-present)

In March 2009, Karavan enters Shahzad “Shahi” Hassan’s studios, the former Vital Signs man, to start working on the guitars and vocal tracks. By June till August the mixing of the tracks is finished and the album is named Saara Jahan.In October, Karavan signs up with the ARY Musik Records.

On March 4, 2010, the first single, “Kaisay Mumkin Hai”, from Karavan’s fourth studio album was aired on ARY Musik. On March 30, the band was welcomed at Play TV show “Girl Power” with DJ Sanam talking about the new video and album. On April 10, Karavan performed at TIP College and the band debuted “Kaisay Mumkin Hai” for the first time live on stage. The band also featured at Radio One FM 91 on Dino’s show. On April 26, 2010, The Muzik Records released Saara Jahan nationwide and promos of the album were launched on television for the promotion of the album. Later the same month Karavan were featured on ARY News.

On May 1, 2010, Karavan performed live at FAST University. On May 15, 2010, the lineup for Coke Studio confirmed that Karavan will feature in the third season along with many well known artists and bands like Noori, Aunty Disco Project, Entity Paradigm, Abida Parveen and many other successful musicians.On June 6, 2010, the band performed “Yaadein” at the Coke Studio third season first session, ‘Reason’. On July 18, 2010, Karavan performed “Kaisay Mumkin Hai” at the third season of Coke Studio fourth session, ‘Form’. On July 22, 2010, Karavan released the video of their second single “Tu” from their fourth studio album.

Band members

Current

• Asad Ahmed – lead guitar (1997-present)
• Sameer Ahmed – bass guitars (1997-present)
• Allan Smith – drums (1997-present)
• Tanseer Ahmed Daar – vocals, backing vocals (1998-present)

Former

• Najam Sheraz – vocals (1997-1998)