Zeb & Haniya
Zebunnisa Bangash and Haniya Aslam, a female duo who have evolved from two college kids experimenting with music as a hobby to artists who have created one of the most anticipated albums of 2007. Zeb and Haniya was conceived circa 2000-2003, the girls’college days in the United States. Chup, their first song, came to life in sessions at an abandoned café in the basement of Zeb's dorm. After a tremendous response from the college community, Zeb and Haniya recorded a rough version of Chup and another song titled Yaad with Mekaal Hasan (of Mekaal Hasan Band). Once again, the response was remarkable. The songs were a hit. They spread on the internet and soon found their way onto Pakistan’s City FM 89 radio waves.

Zeb has been singing since age eight and has been training as a vocalist since 1998 with acclaimed Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. Her fellow musician and first cousin, Haniya, is a guitarist, vocalist and a songwriter.
9 of their debut album’s 10 songs are original compositions. Produced by Mekaal Hasan, the accompanying musicians on the album read like a ‘best of’ list in the national music scene: former Noori drummer, Louis 'Gumby' Pinto on percussion, Shallum Xavier of Fuzon on lead guitar, bass by Kamran 'Mannoo' Zafar, Mauj’s Omran Shafique and CoVen’s Hamza Jafri show up on two tracks with lead guitar. Finally, the accomplished Norwegian jazz trumpeter, Hildegen Øiseth, makes an unforgettable appearance in some tracks.


After the success of Chup and Yaad, Zeb and Haniya’s climb up the music industry ladder began with live performances. The first was commissioned by the American Consulate in Islamabad (2005). This was followed by the first full-length Zeb and Haniya concert in Lahore (2006). Sponsored by Levi’s, the gig established the duo as a solid live act delivering a first class performance of originals and covers in both English and Urdu.

In addition to recording their first album, 2007 has been marked by a rising tide of publicity and acclaim, including two appearances on Dawn News TV’s The First Blast and a live performance on MTV Pakistan. Zeb and Haniya were selected as part of the grand finale line-up for the Rock Your Shanakht Festival, Karachi, held on the 60th anniversary of the nation’s independence. Radio spots include interviews with City FM 89 and Radio One FM 91 from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Zeb and Haniya have also graced print media, with multiple appearances in the Instep supplement of The News and the Images supplement of Dawn, including an August 26th 2007 cover story.

Zeb and Haniya have matured from the underground to the national scene, where their ascent continues today, on the eve of the release of their debut album. Their songs bring a spectrum of style, instrumentation and influence. Some tracks ring with the cheeriness of pop while others capture the evocative richness of Pashto and Farsi folk traditions.

Their sound is not confined to one genre, and has been described as Alternative, Art Folk, Ethnic Blues and World Music.

Their influences are many, including pioneering pop and folk from Pakistan, 60s and 70s folk guitar-based music from the US and UK, classical South Asian music, classic Jazz, delta Blues. The artists skim across decades, genres and borders to produce a truly innovative sound. Their songs seamlessly mix blues grooves and jazzy rhythms into complex melodies grounded in local traditions. Finally, we have a sound that touches the brilliant kaleidoscope of language, history and culture that is Pakistan.


Zeb & Haniya performing at the Levis concert

Zeb and Haniya are Lahore based, but travel to Islamabad, and Karachi extensively.