Imaad Wasif

Imaad Wasif

Wasif in 2013
Background information
Origin Vancouver B.C.
Genres Psychedelic rock, alternative rock, folk rock, experimental rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Associated acts Imaad Wasif, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lowercase, Alaska!, The Folk Implosion, EFG, Grim Tower
Notable instruments
Guitar

Imaad Wasif is a 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.”[1]

Wasif was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, but was raised in Palm Desert in Southern California. He began playing music as a teenager and formed his first band lowercase; “a guitar-drums duo that played a weird hybrid of minimal lo-fi pop, post-rock and slo-core.” They were signed to the seminal noise rock label Amphetamine Reptile. In 2001, he formed the psychedelic folk-rock group Alaska! in addition to briefly joining Lou Barlow’s Folk Implosion.

In 2006, he started releasing solo albums. Also during 2006–2007, Wasif played with Yeah Yeah Yeahs 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 (2009), most notably the song, “Hideaway.”

His first self-titled solo album was released in 2006 on Kill Rock Stars. The record featured minimal, acoustic songs with psychedelic influences, reminiscent of Skip Spence’s Oar and Syd Barrett’s Opel, and was recorded by Mark Nevers in Nashville, 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.”[2] The songs incorporate Eastern modal tunings and drones.

Wasif’s third album, The Voidist, was released in 2010 on Tee Pee Records. 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.”[3] Influences that Wasif has cited include Paul Bowles, Gérard de Nerval, Neil Young, Can, John Fahey, Captain Beefheart, Jimmy Page, and Vilayat Khan.

In 2012 and 2013, Wasif completed two self-produced and self-recorded works, "The Dark Water EP" and the album "Great Eastern Sun." Both albums were held back from release.

In 2014, he finished work on his fourth solo record, a concept album titled "Figurehead." The album's release was also halted due to contractual issues.


Other

In 2010, Wasif was peripherally involved in writing the demos for the first incarnation of Sabbath Assembly Band, a musical project based around the occult liturgy and hymns of the Process Church of the Final Judgement, published by Feral House Books.

In 2011, he collaborated on a project called EFG with Josh Garza and Tom Biller.

In 2012, he collaborated with Stephen Mcbean from the band Black Mountain on a project called Grim Tower. They released an album in 2013 called "Anarchic Breezes," on Outer Battery Records.

In 2013, he started a concept project called ACID, with musician Jeff Hassay. They completed three self-released full-length albums, "Romance," "Science Fiction with Acid," and "Persona."

Film

Wasif played the role of a British musician named Dean in the 2002 film "Laurel Canyon" by Lisa Cholodenko. The film featured Frances McDormand & Christian Bale.

Discography

Solo albums

Solo contributions on compilations

Bands, collaborations, and guest appearances

References

  1. ↑ Lannamann, Ned. “Music: Up & Coming,” The Portland Mercury, June 4, 2009
  2. ↑ Lannamann, Ned. “Music: Up & Coming,” The Portland Mercury, June 4, 2009
  3. ↑ http://teepeerecords.com/bands/imaad_wasif/index.php

External links

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