YouTube video of the day: Fire Fly by Usman Riaz

Usman Riaz is a percussive guitarist who recently released his first album via EMI Pakistan


Shaheryar Popalzai February 28, 2011

Usman Riaz is a percussive guitarist, based in Karachi, who recently released his first album Flashes & Sparks via EMI Pakistan.

The song Fire Fly is the first single off his album and is a very refreshing track with eastern classical influences. Riaz occasionally shifts to using the body and the neck of the guitar as a percussive instrument, a unique style he developed when was 18.

The video has been directed by Bilal Khan and Shayan Agha, who have also done the Hum Na Rahey video by Aunty Disco Project.

Video rating: Two thumbs up!

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COMMENTS (8)

God | 13 years ago | Reply I am devastated at the standard of talent in thiscountry, this kids technique is first of all, NOT unique by any way and probably 20% of all guitarists use the technique of slapping the guitar body A's a percussive instrument. Usman riaz CAN utilize this technique, but even in that he is at the beginner level of that technique. He tries to look cool by bringing his hand on the other side of the guitar.. Even MAB knows that's outdated and very cheap because it's a show off thing and very easy to do. Secondly, I am an experienced guitarist, usman's picking/legato/tapping techniques are at an extremely low stage As he is very sloppy and is missing 90% of the notes. Now days anyone can fool a pakistani with a hi def camera, and good sound quality and by doing aomethin which a common Pakistani had no idea of. A good society appreciates real talent.. A decaying one like Pakistan unfortunately evidently is at a very low stage of music awareness...
Zara Norris | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Shaheryar Popalzai, thank you for you review. Just wanted to add that the "Firefly" film-piece itself was premiered on February 28th 2011, already calculating a staggering number of over 4000 Hits in less than 36 hours of releases! Its been three days since and the number of hits are still growing phenomenally. This just proves that real talent and genuinity out-shines all that isn't, and deserves all that it is. And we are excited and looking forward to see Pakistan boom in this regard. Thank you for your support & Good luck!
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