Mellow tunes, vibrant colors, beautiful voices – this just about sums up the indie music scenario in Pakistan. Over the years, this genre has found its way on top of playlists especially with the young generation. Although the journey has not been easy, the independent artists have not given up. They have worked hard to keep on producing music even with very low budgets. The biggest turning point for these artists is Coke Studio. Chand Tara Orchestra and Sounds of Kolachi are two examples that have garnered a substantial fan base in recent years because of their appearance in Coke Studio Season 11.
Another major platform that has helped indie music stay afloat is Patari. An exclusive app that features all Pakistani artists, Patari has allowed musicians to get their music to the public. This is a very difficult thing to achieve in Pakistan where content is very scattered and fragmented. One outstanding name that jumps to my mind is of the indie band, Janoobi Khargosh. Their interesting sound, mixed with their funky artwork, brings out the best in their tunes. If you haven’t already, go check them out!
Independent music in Pakistan will never have it easy. Much like in other parts of the world, indie musicians have to go through many lows to get to some highs. They have a small fan following and no one is willing to sign them. They have to work on their own production, editing, and video making which is a lot of work. However, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and for these musicians, YouTube and Patari are a sure way to get noticed.
