“The point of teaming up with American musicians is that there is no better way than music to let people from both sides know what each thinks about the other.” – Atif Aslam jams with Guns N’ Roses
Shahzeb Shaikh INSTEP TODAY, Karachi
As if being a huge success in Pakistan, India and desi communities across the world weren’t enough, Atif recently touched another milestone by collaborating with popular American rock band, Guns N’ Roses, a gig he landed through Todd Shea, who has been a fan since he heard Atif sing while driving up North a few years back. Instep Today considered it essential to get in touch with the pop icon regarding the project details. And that’s not all; Atif shared with us his candid thoughts on various music related subjects such as his collaborative video with Strings, the new season of Coke Studio, singers getting into acting, his most memorable recent gigs and his highly anticipated movie debut, Bol. {Read More…}
Ali Zafar says that he has not signed a film with Yash Raj Films yet and the announcement, if it came from the production house, is premature, in an interview with the Indian Journalist, Subhash K. Jha.
Ali Zafar, currently busy putting together charity concerts for flood victims in Pakistan, is taken aback to hear he is doing a Yash Raj Film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.
Ali Zafar said, “The announcement, if it came from the production house, is premature. I have not signed the film you mentioned. I have not signed any film after Tere Bin Laden. I have not even met the producer Aditya Chopra or the director Ali Abbas Zafar. Yes, we’ve spoken about the film. And I’ve liked my role. We’ll meet when I come to Mumbai this week.” {Read More…}
The music of the film “Chup” has been done by Zeb & Haniya says film actor, Shaan in an interview with Instep Today.
When asked about his future projects, Shaan said that he will be starting his first film in December this year. It’s called Chup, a minglish (Urdu English) film and the music of the film has been done by the talented duo Zeb & Haniya and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is also there while Omran Shafique has arranged the music and the background score.
Says Shaan, “I was waiting for the winters to show up because I love shooting at that time of the year. It’s called Chup, a minglish (Urdu English) film in which Mashal Peerzada has done the scripting while the music has been done by Zeb & Haniya. Rahat is also there. Omran Shafique has arranged the music and the background score. We plan to release the film by the next year and then start working on the second project after a three to four month break.”{Read More…}
1. In the book, the recollection of your encounter with Gene Simmons (on Politically Incorrect) was quite appalling and unnerving. Did Simmons shake some of your belief in the spirit of rock n roll that day?
Gene Simmons’ surprise personal attack on TV showed me a sad glimpse of a raging rockstar trying to resemble a mad mullah. My post 9/11 appearance on Bill Maher’s “Politically incorrect” confirmed that the so called “clash of civilizations” is actually a clash of ignorance between Islam and the West. {Read More…}
Atif Aslam came to Dhaka on 30th July to perform at a concert and on his 4th visit to Bangladesh, Atif in an interview with the local newspaper of Dhaka shared his love for the ‘City of Mosques’, Dhaka, his views on the music reality shows and responded to the criticism he gets.
On Asking about the city and how well the audience here at Dhaka receives him, he said,
“The people here are very nice to me. They seem to have something to say me all the time which is either related to me or my music.”
He also added that Dhaka is one of his favorite cities. He said,
“To be very honest with you, Dhaka is one of my favorite cities. The city is amazing and it relaxes me to a great extent. Apart from the horrible traffic jams of Dhaka, the city is great to explore for the enthusiastic. The women in saree look awesome here. They look gorgeous, gracious and lovely.”
Body, voice and form of a rocker, heart and mind of a sage, Ali Azmat came to rock Dhaka for the sixth time in the concert ‘Djuice turns 5′ organised by Rupkotha Events and Communications. {Read More…}
Q1. Tell us a bit about your background, education and childhood.
Umer: I was raised in Multan in a very traditional family. I grew up in fortunate circumstances, with a strong yet intimate man as my father, three amazing younger siblings, and my mother and two aunts (who also lived with us) altogether providing thrice the usual intensity of motherly affection afforded to people. This provided a foundation unlike any other. After O levels, I went to Aitchison College for A levels, learned from the challenges of living in a hostel, and then went to USA to continue my studies. There, I encountered amazing teachers, colleagues, and disciplines, and fell deeply in love with philosophy, film, religious studies, psychology, and music. Now I live and work in Philadelphia, USA. {Read More…}
Q1. Tell us a bit about your background, education and childhood.
I actually stopped going to school this year. Didn’t feel like it anymore. For now, I’m taking a year off just doing what I do, which is being a bit of a hermit and making music. I have a few things lined up regarding music related projects, hopefully those will work out.
As far as my childhood goes, I had an interesting childhood. Think of it as “Animal House” meets “The Sopranos”.
Q2. Tell us something about your musical training.
What musical training? – I picked up everything I do on my own. I have been writing, recording, mixing and making the occasional beat myself.
Q3. What message does your music reflect? Is it peace, love or any other?{Read More…}
“I’d rather be a rapper on an international scale who happens to be Pakistani, rather than a Pakistani rapper” – Adil Omar
Amina Baig
Karachi
He is unsigned and he’s just 19. But Adil Omar remains one of Pakistan’s few hardcore rappers. Based in Islamabad, Adil isn’t targeting just Pakistan but an international audience. He has two songs on the upcoming indie flick Slackistan and that’s just one of his many projects. In this interview with Instep Today, Adil reveals more about his debut record and more…
Instep Today: You have the Untitled Adil Omar Project (UAOP) slated for 2011. What kind of sound dominates the album?
Adil Omar: It’s still not confirmed whether it’s going to be done and out by 2011. It could be 2012, realistically. It’s my debut and I’m putting a lot of work into it. {Read More…}
Zameer Rizvi is a Canada based musician and released his great debut album From under the bleachers in 2009, here is a little Q & A session with him, done by myself.
1). Why do you think your album release didn’t get you the popularity of a white skinned artist would have gotten with the type of the songs on your debut album “under the bleachers”, Is it a defect in Marketing from your part or are the music purchasers to blame here?
I think good music transcends skin colour. I feel that the success of my debut album was neither helped nor hindered by my race. I think our marketing was really successful actually! Without expecting it, one of my songs was licensed by the Paralympics, I had the opportunity to perform on a cruise with John Mayer, my album was produced by a 5 time Grammy award winner, and I toured North America, Europe and Pakistan, all while maintaining a very comfortable living.
2). Are you satisfied with the response for the album ,”under the bleachers”?
I’m thrilled with the response! It was a self-released album, and my expectations were in proportion to that. I didn’t expect this to sell millions. An album release on iTunes costs $20 and anyone can put anything up for sale there. That’s what I did, and hoped for the best. I got more than I asked for and I’m grateful for the wonderful response. {Read More…}
Q1. Tell something about your education and background.
Asad: I was born in Kharian Cantonment and was raised in four different cities as my father was working in the army and we got posted after every three years. We finally got settled in Rawalpindi and that became my home base from where I got most of my education from college to masters. I have an MBA degree with a specialization in marketing.
Q2. Tell something about your mission and vision statements.{Read More…}
As if being a huge success in Pakistan, India and desi communities across the world weren’t enough, Atif recently touched another milestone by collaborating with popular American rock band, Guns N’ Roses, a gig he landed through Todd Shea, who has been a fan since he heard Atif sing while driving up North a few years back. Instep Today considered it essential to get in touch with the pop icon regarding the project details. And that’s not all; Atif shared with us his candid thoughts on various music related subjects such as his collaborative video with Strings, the new season of Coke Studio, singers getting into acting, his most memorable recent gigs and his highly anticipated movie debut, Bol. {Read More…}
Ali Zafar, currently busy putting together charity concerts for flood victims in Pakistan, is taken aback to hear he is doing a Yash Raj Film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.
1. In the book, the recollection of your encounter with Gene Simmons (on Politically Incorrect) was quite appalling and unnerving. Did Simmons shake some of your belief in the spirit of rock n roll that day?
My Complexes: Illiterate in musical notations
Q1. Tell us a bit about your background, education and childhood.
Q1. Tell us a bit about your background, education and childhood.
1). Why do you think your album release didn’t get you the popularity of a white skinned artist would have gotten with the type of the songs on your debut album “under the bleachers”, Is it a defect in Marketing from your part or are the music purchasers to blame here?
Q1. Tell something about your education and background. 
