Qawwali is a traditional Islamic song form linked to the mystical sufi devotional tradition dating back to 13th century North India and Pakistan. It was introduced to the west on a large scale in the late 1980s and 1990s through recordings and performances of renowned Pakistani qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Considered one of the greatest singers ever recorded, Khan possessed a six-octave range and sang at a high level of intensity over the several hours qawwali "party" sittings typically require.

Inspired by Khan and having studied the Hindustani Shastriya Sangeet classical vocal tradition, Sonny Metha formed Austin's Riyaaz Qawwali in 2006. Metha and his fellow musicians build on the intensity of complex rhythm cycles played on double-headed dholak drums and the clapping of hands. They sing improvised passages from ancient spiritual poetry of love, devotion and longing for the divine that are closely accompanied by violin and the harmonium. Featuring bellows and keys similar to the accordion, the European harmonium entered the qawwali in the 19th century and today no qawwali party can be without it!