MEET ALI
MUSICAL MILESTONES
Ali Ashraf’s MyCityJam is a show about songs, stories and people of Pakistan.
Following the release of the well-received first episode, singer/songwriter Ali Ashraf has released the second episode of season 1 of his musical travel show, MyCityJam.
MyCityJam is a show about songs, stories and people of Pakistan, and this episode, called Music Mela, is shot in picturesque Hunza where musicians converged to celebrate music.
Talking about his experience shooting in Hunza, Ali Ashraf says, “The stage is where music takes a whole new life and meaning for any artiste. And when the stage is at an elevation of 2,438 metres, nestled among the highest peaks of the world, the epic Passu Cones – the entire experience is elevated to a whole new level. Combined with the warmth of the Hunzai people who hold music very close to their heart and culture, this entire journey is one of my most memorable ones.”
Future episodes will travel to Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar while featuring artistes such as Ali Azmat, Arif Lohar, Strings, Sajjad Ali, Saeen Zahoor and the like.
“As a storyteller, I want to discover the soundscape of Pakistan. Its musicians, their stories and inspirations. Our diverse landscape and culture also resonate with soulful sounds and melodic people. So I have picked up my camera and my guitar to go look for some jamming tunes!”
Watch episode 2 (season 1) of MyCityJam at: https://youtu.be/zVb-y0CXo0U
Name: Ali Ashraf. Ali means exalted or elevated. I have no idea why I was named Ali but I love my name.
Currently: I’m working on MyCityJam which is an endeavour to combine my two passions of filmmaking and music. The idea is to explore cities and towns through their musicians. Get them to share stories and inspirations of their songs and people around them while we jam on some of their songs.
Favourite colour: I have recently fallen in love with the entire colour spectrum. They are all extremely meaningful to me. Orange, the colour of sun; blue, the colour of sky; green, the colour of life; and everything in-between. I try and wear them all every day. No, I don’t dress like a clown.
Favourite outfit/designer: I have no idea. I go by taste.
Favourite Bollywood stars: Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Kareena Kapoor.
Favourite Hollywood stars: Brad Pitt, Scarlett Johanson, Tom Hanks, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr, Jennifer Lawrence.
Favourite movies: Tropic Thunder, Tenacious D and many, many more. All Avengers series, The Godfather, all Jack Black movies.
Favourite singers: Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Junaid Jamshed, Ali Azmat, Axl Rose, Michael Kiwanuka and plenty more.
Favourite song: Wish you were here.
Favourite TV shows: The Boys, Good Omen, Friends, The Big Bang Theory.
Favourite ice-cream flavour: I love strawberry ice-cream! Instant mood changer.
Favourite cuisine: Pakistani/Desi.
Favourite restaurant: Recently I was in Quetta and went to a roadside restaurant called Tuka-Tu Nights. Had the best chicken karahi and fish.
Favourite sport: Cricket.
Favourite sportsperson: Wasim Akram.
Favourite activity: Singing.
I hang out: With my band and friends at my studio, playing music.
I’m freaked out by: Eyedrops.
I need: To travel and see the whole world, cultures, music scene, other galaxies and meditate timelessly.
I want to be: Unlimited.
My role model: Anyone who is joyous.
Tips to save the planet: The planet doesn’t need us to save it. It was here before us and will still remain after we are gone. It will only wipe us out the way we are treating it and continue living on. What we need to understand is that we are not here to consume this planet, its resources and life, rather we are a part of each and every element of design of this organic creation as much as any other life form. We need to be inclusive and respectful of all life forms and show reverence for mother-nature.
In a perfect world: There would be no stress. Just harmony.
The episode Music Mela was shot in picturesque Hunza, at an elevation of 2,438 metres, nestled among the highest peaks of the world, where musicians converged to celebrate music.