In a nutshell..
First of all, l’d like to share my thoughts on Runway Pakistan as to how it’s an amazing addition to the array of lifestyle-centric publications in our country. It sure i a big step forward. So thank you Runway Pakistan!
As far as my personality is concerned, it’s just very constraint. I live in my own world. If someone tries to tap in or I try to get out of my own shell, it usually leads to interrupting the creative humdrum twirling in my head.
I am in my absolute element in the wake hours of night meeting dawn – 3 to 4 am that is Also, . I need to be technically aware of the skills I need to carry out my creative process because I am an electronic producer apart from being a musician/singer. So, if I am not technically aware of what’s in the box or a computer or laptop then it becomes a problem and you have to have a flow of work. If there’s an interruption, then the entire thing collapses and that’s where you just lose it.
And music happened…
That was when I was injured. I was a sportsman, a batsman. I wanted to become a cricketer actually. I got injured yet kept on playing with the injury for four years. Then when there came a point where I simply couldn’t carry on with a such a physically demanding profession, I had to quit and seek other means to get going with life. That’s when I started attentively taking keen interest in some marvelous works of some mega-talented musicians around me and bboooommm…I caught the creative virus!
I love the darkness of electronic music. Though I don’t quite like the metal honestly as it merely revolves around electric guitars and distorted baselines. Electronic music on the other hand has far more to offer and calls for some solid sound designing which is exactly what my area of interest is.
There are countless instruments to experiment and play around with and to express your inner demons. Dark music is what my father too did for 50 long years as a vocalist. The other day I was listening to Kameez Teri Kali – I kept replaying it and absorbing it all the more. I realized in its essence ‘Kameez Teri Kali’ is way darker than anyone would think it is. I sat down with my father and said this is just what I feel.
When Pressure Got to You…
At the Coke Studio, when I was stood vis a` vis Esa Khelvi, Shuja Haider, Strings and House of Bands for a one-take song with zero room to err. If any one of us was to fall of track, then the entire song was to shot afresh. So a couple of days before the final recording, I thought to myself I’d ingest every ounce of my energies & efforts I have so far so why not just enjoy it from now onwards. This is what I did.
Experience at Coke Studio…
Staggering! It was just amazing. Such thorough professionals behind the scenes from sound engineers to videographers, everyone conducted themselves so professionally and their share of work in such a structured manner, even though they were working for 17-18 hours for three weeks until we took it further up by getting breaks just for 5 hours in a day! The result is right there for everyone to rave about. They are worth every bit of hype they get.
Runs In Your Blood…
Well, it’s hard to answer. Since a very young age, I vaguely recall having had the musical germs in me. My mother was an actress, father, a singer as you’re aware, my sister is a renowned VFX artist in Hollywood and my brother is a filmmaker.
My sister is more of an inspiration to me than my father I’d say. It’s because I have seen her grow as a person and an artist to what she is today unlike my father’s journey which I may not have witnessed as closely or from the very beginning per say. It is relatable to me as it unfolded right in front of my eyes and boy, has she worked hard or what! She made her mark in Hollywood at age 19 having worked on Chronicles of Narnia, 10,000 BC, Need for Speed and Godzilla etc. She’s currently working on 3rd Netflix series. The person she is working under is the guy from Interstellar and Inception. Imagine! J
So, the drive to make some wicked music has always been. It was there when I was playing cricket, it was there when I was up to engineering and it was there when I got singing.
God Gifted?
Yes, voice is God gifted but unless you work towards polishing your skill and working really hard, your voice alone won’t get you any further than a mere 5% of your success. 95% of it comes down to one’s devoted struggle towards the art.
Favorite Song Sung by Dad…
It’s a long list. I mean he has done 500 albums so it depends.
Kameez Teri Kali is a haunting number. When sad I listen to Ishq Ne Mara, and his numerous Siraiki songs that are so captivating. I mean Siraiki is so articulate! One word can express so much more than any other language can I feel. If you pick an entire sentence in any other language, it’s not going to be able to express as much as a single ‘Siraiki’ word would.
Future projects with your father…
I am going to get him into EDM *Laughs*. Infact I am trying my best to complete a track by Sunday and if it’s ready by then, it’s going to be on the other side of the scale. Not sure if my father is ready for that. *Laughs*
I am planning to do a video as well but right now the soundtrack is more of my concern, it’s more of my forte. I want to end up doing something that the Pakistani audience also relates to. By Pakistani audience, I mean people from Mianwali, EsaKhel or that part of the world. If I have got a helium sound, the new generation is going to be able to relate to it. This is how I did my CokeStudio. The song list is my idea behind it and if you noticed the first song my father did was completely different from what he did this season. I don’t think that not only EDM he’ll be able to fit into. I think he can become a great rock star. With his vocal texture, he would hear all the rockstar’s vocal textures. They have huge cinematic voices if you listen to most of them. And, I think you won’t get any bigger than what my father has in terms of his vocal texture. So, yeah this is how I intend to do but my first goal is to be able to come up with a track that compliments my legacy. At the same time, it also relates with people sitting abroad in different skin colors in different countries. So this is my idea.
Transcending across borders…
I would sure love that kind of outreach but it is not my utmost goal to hit. If someone enjoys the rhythmical side of it and not the other side – its fine, if the lyrical side – fine, if the darker side – fine, if the sound design sort of approach – fine. At the end of the day, one person that really matters the most to me is I.
Your Kind of Vocals…
The teacher right now I have is from Nigeria. He is my vocal trainer and he has been working with Amy Whinehouse, Brain Mcfadden. I learn speech level and power singing through him. I am still exploring myself. I am really fascinated by our semi classical heritage – the folk music. At the same time, I would say playback. I would like to spin it into western approach as well where I could do RNB and soul music.
Fusion Factor…
Collaboration in its true essence is not easy. If I am looking at soul singing in western music, there has to be a different side of sound. If I am looking at playback, it’s going to be a different side of sound. The techniques that are required to carry out one are very different from the other.
When it comes to English, I will have to keep in mind the mood lyrics are setting, how it should be pronounced, and the diction etc. because if I sing it with the same mindset, I would end up sounding all off.
Future Aspirations…
I intend to take this career forward but I want to grow as a musician. When I say grow, I don’t know which way I would head. I don’t know what collaborations I am looking at, I don’t know what languages I may explore. My brother-in-law is Spanish, so he wants me to sing in Spanish. The album I have released in April is formulated by a Spanish music producer in Barcelona and was mixed in London. I did the composition. All the rest – the violins and orchestra, drums and guitars, everything was recorded down there. Somehow I was able to relate to them in my Urdu, Punjabi, Siraiki language and they were interested to work with me. So if somewhere down the line, they want me to sing in a different language I would definitely do that. But in the next 5-10 years I don’t know what will happen. The only thing I want to be sure of is to be able to make music continuously. I want to be out there every once in a while with a new track or album or something. That’s my idea.
You and the British Films…
It was initially crazy because I had to put in a lot of hours. I personally don’t have a long history of working with them. I just worked with them for a couple of projects. That’s pretty much it but then I realized singing is enough – too much to handle and I was again inspired by my sister. I told her to get me in there, she said okay. And, then later I said get me out of it. *Laughs*
Singing with Dad…
Torturous, in a sense when he finishes a line, then it’s my turn and I have to maintain that feel. That aura – I’d rather put a gun on my head and shoot myself. It’s hard, it’s not easy. This is what I came across when I was doing Coke Studio. The only answer I could get or the method to get through was to be myself and enjoy.
People & Their Expectations…
It was there before the song came out. People, singers, musicians, family, everyone that I came across, 95% of the people said “You have to do something like your father. You have to carry out folk the way your father did. And you have to not do something else.” I said If I have a shawl on my left shoulder and I dress up like my father and I have vocals like my father, even then you wouldn’t accept me so let me do what I can do . Not that I need your thumbs up, I’d still do what I want to do. It would be very nice of you if you are standing right next to me. This is what my sister faced but she ended up doing what she had to do. It is a long way to go. I am still trying to find my feat. and what I can contribute towards Pakistani music and to my father’s legacy so it’s just that I am still trying to find out.
Your Idea Of Happy…
Seeing my parents happy and my siblings reaching places!
Future Projects…
I am working with Shuja Haider. It’s going to be Seasons – both television and live; this is what makes it different. Normally people can hear it but not see it live. The other one I have lined up is EDM – electronic music and have given myself the next three weeks to wind it up and asked my father to be a part of it.
Advice for Young Musicians…
Find your inclination first as a musician- where you are, where you belong. You might think you are a singer and instead end up being an amazing bassist or EDM player or whatever. For musicians, it’s important to explore everything. Technology lets you do that so there’s no excuse.