Friday, May 06, 2005
The Burka Blues
Via RConversation, I found this crazy story/link about the first all girl band in post-Taliban Afghanistan. I can't decide though whether the burkha is worn out of necessity or for effect. Atatak has the background story.
In the course of the workshop Saskia gives some drumming instruction. A young woman called Nargis who just happens to be present is so enthused, she decides to learn the drums. Played on a drum, which had been hidden from the Taliban for over 6 years by another indigenous musician, the Burka Blue beat is the result. The vocals are written to the track’s rhythm and are recorded on a cassette recorder in what usually serves as a kitchen in the Institute. Nargis reads the vocals aloud and realizes a name for Afghanistan’s first woman’s musical group, the ‘Burka Band’ as the Afghan answer.
You can listen to their most popular track, Burka Blue or even listen to the remix version (by Barbara Morgenstern). Okay, so it's not Exile on Main Street, but at least you'll smile. And yes, Rebecca, the Internet is a wonderful thing :)
In the course of the workshop Saskia gives some drumming instruction. A young woman called Nargis who just happens to be present is so enthused, she decides to learn the drums. Played on a drum, which had been hidden from the Taliban for over 6 years by another indigenous musician, the Burka Blue beat is the result. The vocals are written to the track’s rhythm and are recorded on a cassette recorder in what usually serves as a kitchen in the Institute. Nargis reads the vocals aloud and realizes a name for Afghanistan’s first woman’s musical group, the ‘Burka Band’ as the Afghan answer.
You can listen to their most popular track, Burka Blue or even listen to the remix version (by Barbara Morgenstern). Okay, so it's not Exile on Main Street, but at least you'll smile. And yes, Rebecca, the Internet is a wonderful thing :)
