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Khurram Waqar

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

Khurram Waqar
Native name
خرّم وقار
Born (1975-07-23) 23 July 1975 (age 51)
GenresRock
Occupation(s)Musician and IT Professional
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1992–present

Khurram Waqar (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; born 23 July 1975) is a Pakistani guitarist and content creator. He is a member of the bands "Brothers in Arms" and "KW and the Facedown Movement". He also launched the "Guitar Collective" initiative.[1] In 2019, "KW and the Facedown Movement" won Rock Song of the Year for their single "Todi, the Smoker" at the Virtuoso International Music Awards (VIMA).[2]

In 2010, Waqar's band Qayaas won Best Rock Band (Pakistan) at the Rolling Stone-Jack Daniel's Annual Music Awards.[3]

Personal life

Waqar was born on 23 July 1975. He was raised in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. His father is a retired bureaucrat[4] and his mother is a homemaker.

Ventures

Dawn in the Dark (2022–present)

Waqar is a member of Dawn in the Dark, a San Francisco-based musical project formed with his wife, Heather.[5] They released their debut album, Can't Count Me Out, on 19 September 2025, coinciding with their wedding anniversary.

Brothers in Arms (2021–present)

Brothers in Arms is an Indian-Pakistani-American rock band,[6] consisting of three artists:

The band collaborated remotely from their respective countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating that music transcends national boundaries. Their first single, "Khuda Kay Bandey", was released on 14 July 2022.[6]

Guitar Collective (2021–present)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Waqar launched Guitar Collective, an initiative for holding online discussions around the members' experiences as musicians.[1]

KW (2018–present)

The project's first instrumental, "I'll Be with You", was released in December 2018. The recording was independently produced by Waqar, who oversaw songwriting, performance, and video production.[7]

KW and the Facedown Movement (2014–present)

KW and the Facedown Movement is a rock band founded in 2014, with Waqar serving as guitarist, songwriter, and producer, with Solomon on vocals and Kami on drums, respectively.[8] Their song "Todi, the Smoker" won Rock Song of the Year at the 2019 Virtuoso International Music Awards, competing against bands from multiple Asian countries.[2]

In June 2019, the band released its debut EP, Facedown. It features the following original tracks:

  • "Facedown"
  • "Painted Grey"
  • "Into The Light"
  • "Bend It"
  • "Time"
  • "Todi, the Smoker"

Music videos were released for the singles "Bend It," "Time," and "Todi the Smoker."

The EP marked the first instance of a Pakistani band having its music mastered by Ryan Smith[9] and Ted Jensen[10] of Sterling Studio, New York City.[11]

Collaborative ventures (2018–present)

Bazm-e-Rang (2019)

Bazm-e-Rang is a musical project curated by Sarang Latif and Abida Parveen, focusing on contemporary interpretations of Sufi poetry.[12][13][14]

KW & Nikhil (2018–present)

In 2018, Waqar collaborated with Dubai-based musician Nikhil Raj Uzgare, vocalist of the rock band Point of View. The collaboration resulted in the single "Baatein".[15]

With Taimur Khan and Sarfaraz Khan (2019)

Waqar collaborated with Sarangi player Taimur Khan and tabla player Sarfaraz Khan on interpretations of classical Raags, presented through live online performances.[16]

Past ventures

Fantazia the Band (1992–1996)

Khurram's first band was "Fantazia" with schoolmates and close friends Suhaib Kiani, Taimur Khan and Sabih Zaman. The band performed both covers and original music at several performances held in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.[16]

Lahore (1996–2001)

In Lahore, Khurram was part of various rock bands. Initially, he played a few performances with the band Coven, when their guitarist Hamza Jafri[17] left for London. During this time, he befriended Ali Noor, Ali Jafri, and Abid Khan. He briefly played with "Entity" (later Entity Paradigm), featuring Ahmad Ali Butt, Qasim Khan, and Salman Albert, before forming kNuMb with Qasim Khan.

kNuMb played a mix of guitar instrumentals and original songs in performances around the country. In 2001, Khurram left for the US to pursue his graduate studies.[18][citation needed]

Pittsburgh (2000–2002)

While in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States to pursue his master's degree in Information Systems Management at Carnegie Mellon University,[19] Khurram formed an instrumental band, "Cocytus," with a group of fellow students. The band was multicultural and multi-ethnic, with Rodrigo Escobar,[20] the bassist, hailing from Chile; Frank Boukamp,[21] the rhythm guitarist, from Germany; and Ammar, the drummer, an American of Indian origin.

kNuMb (2003–2008)

After returning from the United States, kNuMb reunited with Khurram on lead guitars, Qasim on vocals, Faraz on bass, Abdul Ahad on rhythms, and Sharjeel on drums, who was later replaced by Kami. kNuMb performed concerts in Islamabad and Lahore. kNuMb's setlist included instrumentals and original songs like Anjaani Rahain, Lamhe, and Majhi, while their covers of Audioslave were particularly well-liked. Around this time, a couple of Steve Vai-Joe Satriani-inspired G3 concerts were arranged by fans, in which Khurram performed alongside guitarists including Faraz Anwar, Sarmad Ghafoor, and Zeejah Fazli.[18][22][citation needed]

Qayaas (2008–2014)

In 2008, Khurram formed the rock band Qayaas with Umair Jaswal on vocals. The band received the Best Rock Band (Pakistan) award at the 2010 Rolling Stone-Jack Daniels annual rock awards. In 2012, their song "Charkha Naulakha" featured in Coke Studio Pakistan. The song also featured in a special limited-edition CD of "Coke Studio's Greatest Hits."[23]

Their debut album, Uss Paar, featuring 13 original songs, was released in 2011.[24][25][3][26] In 2013 the band also contributed three songs to the soundtrack of Waar,[27][28] the highest-grossing Pakistani film at the time.[29] Qayaas also composed the single "Vadero Pajero" for the animated show Burka Avengers.[30][31]

In 2014, the band parted ways.

Awards and recognition

  • 2010: "Mera wana" was selected as part of the Metal Asia Compilation of work by rock and metal bands from Lebanon to Singapore.[26]
  • 2010: Qayaas won the Best Rock Band (Pakistan) award by Rolling Stone magazine India in collaboration with Jack Daniels. The band was chosen among more than 25 other nominees from Pakistan.[25][3]
  • 2011: Qayaas won in the following categories at INDIEGO awards:[32]
    • Best Rock Song[33]
    • Best Rock Video[34]
    • Best Rock Vocalist
  • 2019: "Todi, the Smoker" won Rock Song of the Year 2019 at the VIMA Music Awards with KW and the Facedown Movement.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sultan, Asfa (2021-04-03). "'Guitar Collective' to put Pakistani artists on digital map". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "KW & the Facedown Movement win rock song of the year at VIMA Awards". The News International.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Hard Rock Cafe India Blog: JD Awards - Qayaas, Half Step Down & EKA live at Hard Rock Cafe New Delhi on Thursday, 16th December!". Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2014. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2019. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ "Dawn in the Dark". dawninthedark.bandzoogle.com. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Watch Indo-Pak-U.S. Trio Brothers In Arms Deliver Molten Rock with 'Khuda Ke Bandey'". brothers--in--arms.com. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
  7. ↑ Sabeeh, Maheen. "Khurram Waqar unveils new solo single". The News International.
  8. ↑ "kW and The Facedown Movement". Facedownmovement.com. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  9. ↑ "Ryan Smith". Sterling-sound.com.
  10. ↑ "Ted Jensen". Sterling-sound.com.
  11. ↑ "STERLING SOUND | STEREO • SURROUND • VINYL MASTERING | Edgewater / Nashville". Sterling-sound.com. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  12. ↑ "Bazm e Rang". Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  13. ↑ Bazm e Rang | Abida Parveen | Official Promo. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-09. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  14. ↑ Masood, Afrah (May 11, 2019). "Witness Colours of SUFISM with Sarang Latif's Bazm-e-Rang". Pakmediarevolution.pk.
  15. ↑ "Vadero Pajero (Burka Avenger OST)". Patari.pk.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Taimur Khan". Sarangi.info.
  17. ↑ "Hamza Jafri - Artists - Season 7 - Coke Studio Pakistan". Cokestudio.com.pk. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Khurram Waqar". LinkedIn. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Master of Information Systems Management | 16-Month Pathway". Heinz.cmu.edu. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  20. ↑ "Centro de Estudios Internacionales UC". Ceiuc.cl. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  21. ↑ "Dr. Frank Boukamp". Frank.boukamp.net. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  22. ↑ "Zeejah Fazli, Sarmad Ghafoor n Khurram Waqar Live in Islamabad". Pakstop.com. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  23. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Charkha Nolakha | Atif Aslam and Qayaas | Season 5 | Coke Studio Pakistan. YouTube.
  24. ↑ "Qayaas to launch next album in English". Tribune.com.pk. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "'Our titans of rock music'". The Express Tribune. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Islamabad's bohemian revolution:Underground music in the Capital is flourishing... so where's the spotlight?". Daily Jang. Archived from the original on 26 January 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2018. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  27. ↑ Halaak | Qayaas Band | Waar. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-09. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  28. ↑ "To Strike (2013) - IMDb". IMDb.
  29. ↑ "It's official, Waar is the highest grossing Pakistani film of all time". Tribune.com.pk. 23 November 2013.
  30. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2019. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
  31. ↑ "Vadero Pajero (Burka Avenger OST)". Patari.pk.
  32. ↑ Shahid, Ayesha (21 January 2012). "Rock band rocks South Asian music". Dawn.
  33. ↑ "Shehrezade~Awarded Best Rock Song at IndieGo | Qayaas featuring Umair Jaswal". ReverbNation.com.
  34. ↑ "Pukaar~Awarded Silver Best Video at IndieGo | Qayaas featuring Umair Jaswal". ReverbNation.com. Retrieved 3 February 2022.


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