Imaad Wasif is an Indian singer, guitarist and songwriter whose music combines elements of psychedelic folk and rock. Wasif’s music has been described as "unbelievably intense with sparkling, raga-influenced guitar and a mystic bent."
In 2006, he started releasing solo albums. Also during 2006–2008, Wasif played with
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O (born Karen Lee Orzolek), guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complem ...
for the Show Your Bones world tour playing acoustic guitar, bass and synths. He performed as the supporting act for most shows. He stopped touring with YYY's in 2008 to focus on his own music. Wasif assumed more of a collaborative role, writing songs with Karen O for the soundtrack to ''
Where the Wild Things Are
''Where the Wild Things Are'' is a 1963 children's picture book written and illustrated by American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, originally published in hardcover by Harper & Row. The book has been adapted into other media several tim ...
'' (2009), most notably the song, "Hideaway."
His first self-titled solo album was released in 2006 on
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and Tinuviel Sampson, and based in both Olympia, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, but was originally know ...
. The record featured minimal, acoustic songs with psychedelic influences, reminiscent of
Skip Spence
Alexander Lee "Skip" Spence (April 18, 1946 – April 16, 1999) was a Canadian-born American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was co-founder of Moby Grape, and played guitar with them until 1969. In the same year, he released his only s ...
’s ''
Oar
An oar is an implement used for water-borne propulsion. Oars have a flat blade at one end. Rowers grasp the oar at the other end.
The difference between oars and paddles is that oars are used exclusively for rowing. In rowing the oar is connecte ...
'' and
Syd Barrett
Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett (6 January 1946 – 7 July 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, and musician who co-founded the rock band Pink Floyd in 1965. Barrett was their original frontman and primary songwriter, becoming known for his ...
’s ''
Opel
Opel Automobile GmbH (), usually shortened to Opel, is a German automobile manufacturer which has been a subsidiary of Stellantis since 16 January 2021. It was owned by the American automaker General Motors from 1929 until 2017 and the PSA Grou ...
'', and was recorded by Mark Nevers in
Nashville
Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and the ...
, TN. This record introduced Wasif’s primary lyrical themes; love, madness, transformation, isolation, and spiritual influences, which continue through his subsequent albums.
Wasif’s second album, ''
Strange Hexes'', was recorded in Los Angeles and self-released in 2008. The album is a "tense, trippy collection of songs that become fiercely emotional explorations." The songs incorporate Eastern modal tunings and drones.
Wasif’s third album, ''The Voidist'', was released in 2010 on
Tee Pee Records
Tee Pee Records is an American independent rock music record label in New York City, prominent for releasing music by Sleep, Witch, Graveyard, Earthless, High on Fire and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. It has housed many stoner rock bands.
R ...
. Recorded in Los Angeles, ''The Voidist'' is at once "regal and exuberant. Its unique sonic tapestry is sprinkled with ragas, blues rock, and something totally new that exists at the apex of these varied influences."
Influences that Wasif has cited include
Paul Bowles
Paul Frederic Bowles (; December 30, 1910November 18, 1999) was an American expatriate composer, author, and translator. He became associated with the Moroccan city of Tangier, where he settled in 1947 and lived for 52 years to the end of his ...
,
Gérard de Nerval
Gérard de Nerval (; 22 May 1808 – 26 January 1855) was the pen name of the French writer, poet, and translator Gérard Labrunie, a major figure of French romanticism, best known for his novellas and poems, especially the collection '' Les ...
,
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian-American singer and songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, joining Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills, Richie Furay ...
,
CAN,
John Fahey,
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet (; born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. Conducting a rotating ensemble known as Th ...
,
Jimmy Page
James Patrick Page (born 9 January 1944) is an English musician who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Page is prolific in creating guitar riffs. His style involves various alternative ...
, and
Vilayat Khan
Ustad Vilayat Khan (28 August 1928 – 13 March 2004) was an Indian classical sitar player.[Karen O
Karen Lee Orzolek (born November 22, 1978) is a South Korean-born American singer, musician, and songwriter. She is the lead vocalist for the indie rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Early life
She was born in Seoul, South Korea, the daughter of a Ko ...]
on the song "Poet Of The Damned".
Film
Wasif played the role of a British musician named Dean in the 2002 film ''
Laurel Canyon
Laurel Canyon is a mountainous neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills region of the Santa Monica Mountains, within the Hollywood Hills West district of Los Angeles, California. The main thoroughfare of Laurel Canyon Boulevard connects the neighb ...
'', directed by
Lisa Cholodenko
Lisa Cholodenko (born June 5, 1964) is an American screenwriter and director. Cholodenko wrote and directed the films ''High Art'' (1998), ''Laurel Canyon (film), Laurel Canyon'' (2002), and ''The Kids Are All Right (film), The Kids Are All Right ...
. The film starred
Frances McDormand
Frances Louise McDormand (born Cynthia Ann Smith; June 23, 1957) is an American actress and producer. Throughout her career spanning over four decades, McDormand has received numerous accolades, including four Academy Awards, two Primetime Em ...
&
Christian Bale
Christian Charles Philip Bale (born 30 January 1974) is an English actor. Known for his versatility and physical transformations for his roles, he has been a leading man in films of several genres. He has received various accolades, including ...
.
Discography
Solo albums
* ''So Long Mr. Fear'' (Sonic Ritual, 2022)
* ''Great Eastern Sun'' (Nomad Eel Records, 2018)
* ''Dzi'' (Grey Market, 2017)
* ''The Voidist'' (Tee Pee Records, 2009)
* ''
Strange Hexes'' (World In Sound, 2008)
* ''
Imaad Wasif
Imaad Wasif is an Indian singer, guitarist and songwriter whose music combines elements of psychedelic folk and rock. Wasif’s music has been described as "unbelievably intense with sparkling, raga-influenced guitar and a mystic bent."
In 2006, ...
'' (Kill Rock Stars, 2006)
Solo contributions on compilations
* "We Give Our Lives" on "Ye Are Gods" by Sabbath Assembly (Svart Records, 2012)
* "Go Insane" (Doors Cover) on ''Beat LA Compilation'' (Narnack Records. 2011)
* "The Fire" (ft. Lykke Li) on ''L'Aventure (remake of the 2nd Television album)'' (Aquarium Drunkard, 2010)
* "Not Immune" on ''RAISE Hope For Congo Compilation'' (Mercer Street Records, 2010)
* "Ecstasy" on ''LA Collection 7"'' (IAMSOUND, 2010)
* "The New Year" on ''Kill Rock Stars Winter Holiday Album'' (Kill Rock Stars, 2006)
* "Other Voices" on ''The Sound the Hare Heard'' (Kill Rock Stars, 2006)
Bands, collaborations, and guest appearances
* ACID - "Romance" (Narnack Records, 2021)
* ACID - "Science Fiction with Acid" (Narnack Records, 2021)
* ACID - "Persona" (Narnack Records, 2021)
*
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...
& Karen O - Under Pressure, (BMG, 2020)
*
Karen O
Karen Lee Orzolek (born November 22, 1978) is a South Korean-born American singer, musician, and songwriter. She is the lead vocalist for the indie rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Early life
She was born in Seoul, South Korea, the daughter of a Ko ...
-
Crush Songs
''Crush Songs'' is the debut solo studio album by Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead vocalist Karen O. It was released on September 5, 2014, by Cult Records. "Rapt" was released as the album's lead single on July 29, 2014.
Background and recording
The songs w ...
, (Cult Records, 2014)
* Sabbath Assembly – Eno Ot Derotser (Svart Records, 2014)
* Grim Tower - Anarchic Breezes, (Outer Battery Records, 2013)
* Electric Flower – EP lI (Narnack Records, 2012)
* Electric Flower – EP l (Narnack Records, 2011)
* ''
Where the Wild Things Are: Motion Picture Soundtrack'' (Interscope, 2009)
* Lou Barlow – ''Goodnight Unknown'' (Merge, 2009)
* Yeah Yeah Yeahs – ''Its Blitz!'' (Interscope, 2009)
* Yeah Yeah Yeahs – "The Love I’m Searching For" (AOL Exclusive, 2007)
* Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Mississippi Studios: Live, Vol. 3 (2007)
*
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O (born Karen Lee Orzolek), guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complem ...
– Live Session EP (iTunes Exclusive, 2007)
*
Lou Barlow – ''Emoh'' (Merge, 2005)
* Alaska! – Kiss You/Pink Frost, CD Single (Altitude Records, 2005)
* Alaska! – ''Rescue Through Tomahawk'' (Altitude Records, 2005)
* Alaska! – Five Songs (self-released, 2004)
* Alaska! – "r u listenin" on ''Tracks & Fields'' (compilation) (Kill Rock Stars, 2004)
*
The Folk Implosion
The Folk Implosion is an American band founded in the early 1990s by Lou Barlow and John Davis. It was initially a side-project started by Barlow to explore different territory than that being canvassed with his primary band at the time, Sebadoh. ...
– ''
The New Folk Implosion
''The New Folk Implosion'' is the fourth studio album by the Folk Implosion. It was released on iMusic in 2003. In Europe, it was released on Domino Recording Company. The album was the group's first release without co-founder John Davis.
Critica ...
'' (iMusic, 2003)
* The Folk Implosion – Pearl, 7" (Domino, 2003)
* The Folk Implosion – Brand of Skin, 7" (Domino, 2003)
* Alaska! – "In My Time" on ''The Fold Comp'' (compilation) (Credit Records, 2003)
* Alaska! – "Lost the Gold" on ''Speed of Sound'' (compilation) (Flying Nun Records, 2003)
* Alaska! – ''Emotions'' (Flying Nun Records, 2003)
*
Alaska!
Alaska! is an indie rock trio from the United States. The band was formed in San Francisco by Russell Pollard (formerly of Sebadoh and later of the Folk Implosion), Imaad Wasif (also later of Folk Implosion), with Lesley Ishino (formerly of the ...
– Four Songs (self-released, 2001)
*
Lowercase
Letter case is the distinction between the letters that are in larger uppercase or capitals (or more formally ''majuscule'') and smaller lowercase (or more formally ''minuscule'') in the written representation of certain languages. The writing ...
– ''
The Going Away Present'' (Punk in My Vitamins, 1999)
* Lowercase – "Surefire Solvent" on ''Multi-Vitamin Compilation'' (Punk In My Vitamins, 1998)
* Lowercase – The Open Sea / Don’t Cry No Tears, Mail Order Freak Singles Club #1–4, 7" (Kill Rock Stars, 1998)
* Lowercase – Imbedded In Ice, 7″ (Punk in My Vitamins, 1998)
* Lowercase – "Ringbleeder" on ''AmRep Equipped'' (compilation) (Amphetamine Reptile, 1997)
* Lowercase – ''Kill The Lights'' (Amphetamine Reptile, 1997)
* Lowercase – ''All Destructive Urges…Seem So Perfect'' (Amphetamine Reptile, 1996)
* Lowercase – "My Shame Your Shame" (compilation) (WIN Records, 1995)
* Lowercase – Cadence, 7″ (Amphetamine Reptile, 1995)
* Lowercase – Brass Tacks, 7″ (Xmas Records, 1995)
* Lowercase – Two Songs, 7″ (Punk in My Vitamins, 1995)
References
External links
Official Site2006 articlein
No Depression
2008 article in LA Weekly2008 interviewin
L.A. Record
''L.A. Record'' is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In Mar ...
2009 interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wasif, Imaad
Living people
Canadian folk musicians
Canadian people of Indian descent
Canadian rock guitarists
Canadian male guitarists
The Folk Implosion members
1977 births