Sada-e-Watan Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Open Invitation to attend Red Cross Charity Song Recording Function
Date & Time: Sunday,
22nd June, 2008 Time: 1200-1900
Location: Everland Studios, Suite 11
36 Ralph Street, Alexandria Sydney NSW
For Further Information, Please Contact: Mahmood Khan Mob:0402-011-815
My name is Mahmood Khan.
I'm a singer songwriter and I arrived in Sydney in August last year to study at
the Sydney Film School to develop my skills as a Music Video Director. I've
already had an international “hit record” with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I was born
in Pakistan and grew up in the USA.
Within weeks of being in Sydney I realized this is a very unique city. It was
full of excitement and energy like I had never experienced before. Sydney really
inspired me. The more people I met here, the more I began to see the beauty,
tolerance and understanding of this unique diverse culture. So I decided on a
musically inspired plan that could only be implemented by the beauty of the
people here in Sydney.
The plan was to:
1. Record a song with Australian Artists.
2. Give the proceeds to charity.
3. Shoot the video of this song.
4. Empower the Independent Artists.
5. Share with the Artists in Australia story of my struggle and make them
realize the potential of this land down under through my perspective.
So I named it "Project Down Under"
I had no idea how I would make this happen since many things like time,
resources, challenges of a new city, new people, fear of blending in and the
culture shock working against me, but I also had this feeling being brought on
by the good intent of the people.
I emailed a bunch of local artists and luckily songwriter/artist Amanda Easton
was one of them. She replied and a few days later we met and discussed the
project. I had lyrics to the song but Amanda thought it would be best to modify
and I agreed. That same week she had returned with modified lyrics with the help
of another singer songwriter Tania Murray. We recorded a rough demo which Amanda
sent to other singers.
I sent the demo to The Red Cross saying I wanted to donate the proceeds from
this song to go to them. They heard the song and replied positively and that
literally shifted my paradigm and I felt blessed.
Soon Amanda had Artists Jo Elms, Yolanda Thomas, Tania Murray, Evelyn Duprai and
Snez all interested and Everland Studios listened to the song and liked it
enough to sponsor the entire studio time for the final recording. Joe Elms then
introduced me to Rosie Henshaw an amazing talent who is set to play a Sitar solo
in the song.
Australia's got talent let me tell you!!!
Matt at Everland studios is a beautiful person and a gifted musician and having
him say yes to the project was a big win for me and he also brought in Artists
Melanie Griffiths and Ellen Arthur.
I then went to visionary Ben Farris the director of the Sydney Film School with
my plan. Ben liked the idea and promised me full support. I started developing
the concept for the music video with help from my teachers Leslie Oliver and
Peter Galvin. I also did some research and discovered Sebastian Chase who heads
MGM Distribution. Sebastian was kind enough to give me some of his time and we
both solidly agreed that Independent Artists of our times powered with the
Internet can definitely create, manifest, be heard and contribute.
Never before has an Artist from my region traveled across the world to record a
song with Western Artists. Never before there has been a charity song out of
Australia released digitally. Thank you Steve Jobbs!!!
Powered with this understanding I then approached Panavision, Panalux, Cutting
Edge Film Studios, Itunes and Neg Lab. Panavision donated all filming equipment,
Cutting Edge all film grading time and Itunes is doing a special story on the
song.
Cameron Darcy, an upcoming film producer and skilled film colorist, donated time
needed for post production and Neg lab promised to develop the film at a low
cost. I also spoke to the Suzuki Music School wanting the students there to
perform an orchestral version of the song and it surely will happen. I'm in
discussions with Emirates Airlines to carry the story as a special feature in
their In-flight magazine.
Right after I developed the concept of the video with fellow student, Zsolt Nagy
(Hungarian), I contacted Jose Brito (Brazillian) a brilliant film maker and DOP
and ex SFS student and discussed the project. I also approached production
designers Marie Schlemier (French) and Pia Dulu. Soon I had a team of 14 amazing
people ready to shoot the video and participate for this cause. Just as this was
happening we had a rehearsal of the song and I was blown away by the energy and
devotion of the Artists so I came up with an idea to maybe record not only one
but 10 songs to make an album.
Each of the 10 songs from album can be donated to different charities.
So this weekend (Friday 20th/Saturday 21st/Sunday 22nd) we are recording this
amazing song and shooting the music video. We will be shooting on Sunday 22nd
from Noon to 7pm at Everland Studios, Suite 11/ 36 Ralph Street, Alexandria
Sydney. About 40 artists will be together on Sunday to record the song and shoot
the film clip.
Now where in the world can one gather such support in such a short time and I
have lived a lot of places so let me tell you not many. Thank You Sydney and God
Bless your spirit. If the readers of Sada-e-Watan need any more information
please feel free to call me.
Mahmood Khan
(Mob:0402-011-815)
