Written by: Nayha Jehangir Khan
Posted on: June 02, 2020 | 
| 中文
Haniya Aslam (far right) Recording Audio for a Short Film in Toronto, Canada
Readers may know Haniya Aslam as the soulful, guitar-wielding half of the group Zeb and Haniya. Born in Karachi, Haniya spent her formative years moving around Pakistan with her family and is currently based in Islamabad. After completing her higher education in the USA and UK, she earned an Audio Engineering Diploma (AED) in Canada, while maintaining a studio practice to enchant her listeners with melodious compositions and guitar playing.
Haniya Aslam's Trio Toronto
The singer-songwriter and music producer is back solo, with a new single called Ayi Re. The song instantly connects the listener to an emotive wave of nostalgia, wanderlust and nature. The music video leads us through familiar nomadic landscapes within a whimsical film reel of animations. Upon the video’s release, Haniya spoke to Youlin Magazine about her experiences, musical journey as an artist and her creative processes:
HA: I’m not sure if I started pursuing music or music started pursuing me! I’ve always been really into music, almost to the level of obsession. I vaguely remember wondering how all the musicians fit inside a cassette tape when I was 4 or 5. I remember trying to compose nazms (songs) in my Urdu book in grade school. I would sneak under my chacha (uncle)’s bed to play the tabla he hid there. When I learned how to record my voice on cassettes, I pretty much ruined most of my parent's favorite tapes.
I started to work on my guitar playing skills, and tried songwriting during my undergraduate degree. In 2001, the song Chup, which was a collaboration with my cousin Zeb [Bangash], became viral, which led to a long term collaboration with Zeb. We recorded our album with the best musicians in Pakistan, toured, traveled, worked with Rohail Hayat and AR Rahman.
Zeb and Haniya at the NYC Sufi Music Festival
After playing around the world for six years, I realized that the life of a touring musician wasn’t what I wanted. I returned to school in 2013, to study AED at Trebas Institute in Toronto, Canada. Since then, I have been producing music and working in audio post-production for Web, TV, and Film.
HA: I started writing this song in 2015. It began as a bass line, slowly grew into several guitar riffs, until I finally landed on the main chorus melody, and the lyrics took another year to develop. The strong melody made songwriting a challenge, as finding the words that would do it justice was a struggle.
Haniya in Klez Kanada, playing the mandolin (right)
My musical identity includes elements from Pakistan, South Asia, Canada, Islamic motifs, and Asian styles, but what I really feel a connection to is a minstrel, a wandering musician known as bakhshi in our region. A bakhshi is not only a musician but a storyteller, a traveler, a healer, a historian, a spiritual guide, a shaman. I’m not saying I’m all of these things, but I am some of them, and I aspire to be the rest. Music has been my life’s purpose for over 15 years, leading me to adventure beyond anything I could have dreamt of. Ayi Re is a reflection of my journey, capturing the feeling of joy and freedom that music has gifted me.
HA: Community ensured self-growth for me as a person and a musician. Connecting with other musicians like Gumby and Mekaal Hassan, I felt as though I had finally found my tribe. The recording of Chup was an incredibly exciting time for me, because we jammed with world-class musicians, and recorded ideas in a professional studio. At the time, I barely even knew what chords I was playing in some songs. Everyone was incredibly patient and answered all my questions. It wasn’t until I started my AED that I realized how much Mekaal and the others had taught me.
Oslo Mela with Noori
On my return to Pakistan, I’ve found a new generation of musicians, more women entering the field than before, uncompromisingly doing what they love. I’m inspired by them and offer my knowledge and resources as support. My “crew” is a group of female musicians, producers, and filmmakers. I love working with women, and it makes me happy to see them being passionate about their work.
HA: Oddly enough, my life in quarantine hasn’t been so different from my life otherwise. I’ve always been a quiet person; I do like to be around people but not too much. Last year, I spent 6 months working on a TV series, and the only time I left home was to go to the gym. When the pandemic began, I noticed a lot of people struggling with this new reality. Since I have 40 years of experience in semi-isolated living, I thought I should help those who don’t know how to handle being alone. Music has helped me survive a lot of difficulties and trauma, and I wanted to reach out and offer this to others.
Haniya on Coke Studio Season 11
HA: The plan is to release another few singles this year, a short-form album or EP. I have 3 songs that are almost ready for recording. I've separated my music practice from commissioned project work, which allows me to have an independent and sustainable music practice. I value my autonomy as a musician to freely create, compose, and produce my own music.
All photo credits go to Haniya Aslam. You can watch the music video for Ayi Re here.
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