Interview with Shakila Ahmed

Published in The Saturday Post, Issue 192

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

A brilliant singer with splendid vocals and superior classical training, Shakila has really proved herself with her soft and melodic voice. Her versatility comes with her classical, light and pop singing. Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Shakila came with some wonderful songs like Toota Jo Aakey, Tumhara Ishq, Aao na Pyar, Khwab Todd do Gey, Bekhudi, Chori Chori and Sehra.

Her multilingual singing in Urdu, Punjabi and Bangla adds more maneuver to her singing. Besides music, writing and painting are two of her passions, but her inborn music knack supersedes other talents.

Tell us something about your childhood, education and background.

My birthplace is Dhaka, Bangladesh. I have done my Masters in mass communication and journalism. Besides these, I have also taken music lessons at The College of Music, Nazrul Academy and Chayanaut; and all three are very celebrated institutes of performing arts.

When and how did you get interested in music?

I was born with a great love and vivid interest for music, and with time I became more passionate about it.

At what age did you start singing?

I started singing in concerts and radio programs as a child artist at the very young age of eight. My teachers realized the potential and selected me for music competitions, where I always returned with trophies. I have been under the pupilage of Gulam Ambia, Sanjeev Dey, Ustad Mohammad and Dilshad Khan.

What were your initial projects? and what languages can you sing in?

I have been singing in Urdu, Bangla, English, Hindi and Punjabi, but I love singing in Urdu and Bangla. In 1990, my first album of Bengali pop songs, namely Hridor Binar Tare, was released by the record label Sargam. At the annual music competition of Dhaka University, I competed with contestants from all over the country in classical music. In 1994, I was invited by Ustad Zakir Hussain to sing a small piece for Little Buddha. Besides this, I also sang some mini Alaaps for the same movie, composed by Ruichi Sakamoto.

How often do you jam?

I believe in jamming all of the time; that’s why I believe I can adjust my vocal cords to every genre of singing. Whether it’s classical or pop, I have no problem. I manage to sing both the genres of music with equal ease and creativity. I have also sung pop songs, my album Kisise Na Kehna is a true representative of western pop music in Urdu.

What is your source of inspiration?

My source of inspiration is nature. I love writing, singing, traveling, reading and discussing philosophy.

Out of all the songs that you have sung, which one is your favorite?

It’s a difficult question; I simply cannot say which one I like the most. I love all of my songs.

What is your record company?

There are many that I have worked with. Sargam is a record label that released my album of Bengali songs; Lips Records released my album Nayee Baat, which received a very good response. I signed up with BMN for two albums, a ghazal and a pop album.

Do you like live performance or studio sessions more?

I like live performances because I find them more exciting and I get an instant feedback, I also find live sessions to be more challenging.

How many concerts have you done so far?

I have done hundreds of concerts all over the world.

What was the first instrument that you learnt playing?

I learnt playing Tanpura and harmonium at the age of twelve. I had a passion for music from the beginning that I couldn’t ignore. Besides continuing my studies, I took music lessons at a very young age.

What is the influence of your music?

I believe my music is influenced by love, poetry, and universality.

Is there any upcoming project that you are working on?

Yes, I am currently working on an album that has a mixed genre of music. I have recently shot a video of a single called Bekhudi which is a hot favorite in the fm charts. What I can say about my next album is that it will have a myriad of flavors of music I feel within me.

What are your favorite bands and musicians?

My favorite bands are Santana and Abba. I admire all of the legends from the east and west.
What is your motivation?
It is to create and embrace. That’s it.

What is your desire and expectation?

I have a great regard for humanity and art. Being an artist, my desire is to live and let live. My biggest expectation is to be loved by people.

Whom have you worked with and, are currently working with?

I have worked with Hariharan (vocalist of Colonial Cousins), Ruichi Sakamoto (the Oscar winning composer of The Last Emperor), Zigsworth, Ustad Sultan Khan and Bhure Khan. I am currently working with Larry Davis and Mike Nathaniel.

How do you take criticism?

I take it positively and as a tool to correct myself. I believe in the value of criticism and its importance. For artists, criticism is something very important. I take it as a lesson to get myself corrected.

What is the genre of your music?

It’s basically Indian classical, ghazal and pop, and this time fusion as well.

How do you define music?

I define music as the best high. For me, it’s everything.

What would you have been, if not a musician?

I cannot imagine not being a musician. It has been, and it is my first priority.

How do you perceive future of music in Pakistan?

I hold an optimistic view on that. I think the future of Pakistani music is very bright, one must see a light ahead to carry on. I hope for the best.

Lastly, what is your message to readers of The Saturday Post?

Keep learning things: The greatest joy lies in learning because it leads to ecstasy. Read, listen, discover and live a good life.

Interview with Zeeshan Hayat

Published on www.koolmuzone.com, under Interviews & Radio Shows category, on 22nd Nov, 2009

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

Sadaf Fayyaz speaks to upcoming musician, singer, song writer and producer Zeeshan Hayat of “Feedback”, about his latest song “Aankhon Mein” and explores some interesting facts regarding his music.

Q1. Tell us something about your background and education.

Zeeshan: I have done my B.com from Islamia College and hold a fine arts degree too. Besides music, I am an interior decorator too and have worked on some official projects as well. Basically I am Urdu-speaking. I have my own café in Defence too. Besides this, I have also worked as sound engineer. I have my own studio too.

Q2. When and how did you get interested in music?

Zeeshan: It’s more than eleven years that I have been in music field. Since my childhood, I have been interested in music. When I was a child, my grandmother gifted me a keyboard, with which I did some mischief (laughs). Music has been my inspiration and I have been experimenting with it since I was a child. I used to experiment a lot with my keyboard and learnt many things experimentally. I have also worked with some very talented and skillful people from music industry, I learnt a lot from them too. I believe that practice is the best of all instructors. The more you practice, the more you learn. Jamming is very important for a singer or musician.

Q3. What is your inspiration?

Zeeshan: I am a great fan of Late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. My inspiration list is huge, but I am inspired by Deep Purple, Nickel Back, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, U2, Bryan Adams and Guns n Roses.

Q4. Who writes lyrics for you?

Zeeshan: In fact I write lyrics myself. Besides composing music, I am also involved in production and direction. Digi Pro is my company, and I spend most of the time there working many hours a day. At times things are so hectic that I do not even go home and spend time in my studio. The video of “Aankhon Mein” is even directed by me. Music is my passion, I cannot live without it.

Q5. Tell us something about your band Feedback. How many active members are there in it?

Zeeshan: In fact, after “Da Rubber band”, there was another one formed with the same name. The whole story goes like this, that mine was formed much earlier than Ahmed Ali Butt’s Rubber band, who also happens to be a friend of mine. Fans were quite confused mixing up the two bands and some problems arose regarding the names. A video by Farhan Nadeem was even banned, so confusion led to many problems. I changed the name to “Feedback”. I had formed another band called “Razam” in late 90’s, which gained popularity because of Umair Tareen who used to wear masks. I joined as a lead guitarist and later as a drummer in it. I have also formed a band “American idol” in US where I play the role of a drummer, but its unofficial now. Adeel and I are as permanent members, plus Sherry Khattak is also there.

Q6. What is the basic theme behind “Aankhon Mein”?

Zeeshan: The theme or idea just strikes my mind and things come in flow. It’s not something very specific that I keep on thinking about. So it goes like this.

Q7. What music genre your music lie in?

Zeeshan: It depends. Some of the works I have done come under rock ballad, and some under alternative rock. I would say “alternative rock”.

Q8. What are your hobbies /activities besides music?

Zeeshan: In fact my life doesn’t give me much time for any activity. (Laughs) I love painting, interior decoration and playing soccer. I have already mentioned that at times, there are days of overwork when I have to sleep in my studio. I used to play play station games but don’t have much time for these now. My life is quite busy and hectic. At times I keep on running, arranging different things. So, little time is left for any activity. I am directing some videos too; hopefully they will be released on Eid. So, I hardly get any time for any other activity.

Q9. What are your favorite bands/singers/musicians?

Zeeshan: (thinks) Hmm, I like late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan a lot. Abida Perveen is an existing legend. I have done a song “Jazba” with Shafqat Amanat Ali and he is great. I like Ali Azmat; his vocals are balanced and measured. Assad Ahmed has been a friend and I find his bass very inimitable. Whatever song he has played, has a unique touch to it. “Karavan” is my favorite band. I like Amir Zaki as well.

Q10. What initial difficulty, you think; every new singer or musician goes through in Pakistan?

Zeeshan: The biggest problem here, is of much increased competition and poor PR. First of all, you need some money to invest. The second part comes as the promotion, which is difficult. Video making needs money, and gone are the days when musicians used to get sponsorships. Now companies are scared of sponsoring and taking risks with new singers. Yes, promoting music is the most difficult thing here.

Q11. Define music in your own words.

Zeeshan: Anything good to listen, which is soulful and attractive.

Q12. How do you take critics?

Zeeshan: I take criticism positively since it tells me how to improve. For example, people have been telling me about my vocals that they are meager. I think vocals get improved with the passage of time. I like positive criticism but I feel distressed when people who have little knowledge about music say bluntly, “wow its bad”. I do not mind critics but shallow criticism is never cherished.

Q13. What do you think about remixes and tributes?

Zeeshan: I think it’s good that we have started paying tributes to our legends. Strings have really done a wonderful job with “Titliyan”. Abbas Ali Khan has come up with a tribute to the legends too. I think remixes are fine, if they have some different touch of music to them than the original ones. Since the original music cannot be re-created.

Q14. Any message for our readers?

Zeeshan: My message is that try to promote and appreciate good music. May Allah have his blessings on our country and its people.