Sounds of peace in a troubled land

A group of musicians from both the East and West have come together to seek a better future for the people of Pakistan

Mark LeVine
Al Jazeera

Calling themselves the Sonic Peacemakers, rather than just sit on their hands and watch the world sink further into violence and disrepair, a group of musicians have decided to come together and put their music and even their bodies on the line to remind people around the world, from the US to Pakistan, of their common histories, dreams, and future. (more…)

The following are Video Making pictures of the song “We Will Rise Again” featuring Atif Aslam, Todd Shea and Lenny Cordolla of “Guns n’ Roses” . The Video is a part of Pak American Peace through Music Project.

Todd Shea — the mastermind behind “Peace through Music” Project

Todd Shea is an American Musician who first came to Pakistan in 2005, to help the earthquake victims. Since then, he has explored & loving Pakistan and now he wants to tell the world that Pakistan is not what is being portrayed in the West or shown in the Media

By Danish Mughal

danish@pakium.com

A month ago, we found some pictures of Atif & Co. jamming with the American Legendary Band “Guns’n’roses”. This was quite shocking yet amusing news for many Pakistani Fans. Everybody knew about Atif’s popularity, but no one could imagine about his collaboration with Guns’n’roses. For this joint project, Mr. Todd Shea should be credited the most. First, Let’s take a look at who Todd Shea is and how he was impressed with Atif Aslam’s music which resulted in the inclusion of him in the American Project.

Who Is Todd Shea?

Basically, Todd Shea is an American Musician & Social Activist, who first came to Pakistan in 2005, to help the earthquake victims. Since then, he has been exploring & loving Pakistan and now he wants to show the world that Pakistan is not what is being portrayed in the West or shown in the Media. It has far most good things and here people are caring & loving. He was also impressed with the Music of Pakistan & also wished to introduce Pakistani Music tunes with his country fellows.

Atif Aslam tells the background story of “Peace Through Music Project”

While talking to a local magazine correspondent, Atif tells the background  story that he got the very first call from Todd Shea in which Todd told him about how & when he started listening to Atif’s tracks. Todd listened to his song while driving, and doing relief work somewhere in Northern Areas of Pakistan. He loved his voice & instantly became his fan and started researching about him and then Todd found out that Atif is quite popular among Pakistanis.

On a question, which song of yours impressed him so much that in return he decided you to invite America & do project? Atif’s answer was, “He didn’t point out any single song, but I guess he was impressed with “Aadat” & “Doorie”.

Atif further adds up, “When Todd told me about the project, I instantly accepted this offer. Later on, he introduced me with most famous Director Lanny Cordola, then I was invited to America where a song was recorded in which Matt Sorum, Gilby Clarke & my band members Sarmad Ghaffoor & Sameer Shani was included”

After reading this, one may get the idea about the role of Todd Shea, in organizing such a great project that will fill the gap between the two countries — United States & Pakistan.  This project will also help the vulnerable children in developing nations, and help create a better, safer world for all the Humanity.

Get more details about “The Pakistan American Peace through Music Project ” &Todd Shea here.

The Pakistan America Peace Through Music Project is a Musical Journey to Peace, Freedom and Understanding (A Collaboration of The Sonic Peace Makers and SHINE HUMANITY)

Background:

Mention Pakistan today and what comes to the minds of most Americans is terrorism, poverty, and hopelessness. That’s all they see in the news. But Pakistan also has one of The World’s most diverse and rich cultures, equaled only by its spectacular natural beauty as home to part of Kashmir, the Khyber Pass and high mountain peaks like K2. Once upon a time in the not so distant past, Texan gun enthusiasts brought their prized antique revolvers to Peshawar’s gun smiths to make copies, actor Robert DeNiro posed for pictures with restaurant owners while vacationing in Chitral, and Mick Jagger tested his dance skills with Lahore’s most well-known Mujra dancers. And many of Pakistan’s greatest musicians and singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan regularly collaborated with their counterparts in Europe and America such as Peter Gabriel and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. (more…)