Texas is known for a lot of music festivals and bands. In Austin, Texas, one band creates a different kind of music for the ears to hear. The group is named Riyaaz Qawwali, and their sound is like no other. They are well known for being quite the unique lot.
While Qawwali music is traditionally muslim, the group itself is hardly so. A mix of several ethnicities- Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Afghani- make up the groups members. Religion wise, the group is composed of Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, agnostics, and atheists as well. As an added message, the group members prefer to be referred to by their first names only to have people focus more on their music rather than religious background.
The group leader, known as Sonny, drew his inspiration from the famous Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He'd listen to his music on cassette multiple times a day. The group weaves, Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim musical elements into the groups songs.
The musical tradition of Qawwali extends back 700 years in time, lasting from the Persian Empire to the regions of India and Pakistan. Such is what Riyaaz Qawwali began their journey with, and unlike other practitioners of Qawwali who water it down and conformed, the band keeps its ancient roots alive and well.
Speaking on geographic themes, the group- largely Middle Eastern- resides in Austin, Texas in the American South. In a place and region that truly appreciates all genres and tones of music, they fit in just fine with the groove.
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