Haroon the ex-Awaz boy went solo last year and started working on his solo album “Haroon ki Awaz”. As soon as the word spread, he bagged a big sponsor and was all set to make to make it big in the realm of music alone. Already an established name, thanks to the moving melodies produced by Awaz, he didn’t have to carve a niche for himself. A few publicity and marketing gimmicks were employed and the
rest was easy. His setting off on a different path raised many queries in the minds of Awaz fans that are being answered by the veteran singer here.
‘Awaz’ was a hot band creating quite a few waves in the music scene, then why the sudden split?
Haroon: The split was not as sudden as it seemed. The main reason was that Awaz was stagnant as a band. We weren’t producing anything new for our fans. Our last album was released in 1996, since then we weren’t doing much. The band members were losing commitment. I wanted to make a new album whereas Faakhir was not that much interested in it. He was making money through jingles and was quite contented with it so I decided to part ways. Now we are both working on our own projects and I guess we are better off that way.
Was that the real reason or the fact that Faakhir got married and had less time for the band?
Haroon: Faakhir’s marriage has nothing to do with our breaking up. In fact I encouraged him to marry Mehreen. I think she is a nice girl. Marriage makes a person stronger and he takes life seriously. This was not the reason at all.
Rumors have it that your solo album flopped, is that so?
Haroon: It is certainly not so. It did very well. The proof is that Pepsi has signed me up again. They are sponsoring my forthcoming ventures as well. If my album had been a flop, they wouldn’t have done so.
I gather that you have done your Bachelors in Business Administration from USA, then why did you choose to pursue a different career?
Haroon: Music has always been my passion. I loved to play music since my childhood. That’s why I chose to pursue it.
Are you the only one into music in your family?
Haroon: No, my mother plays piano. She’s an expert in that and my younger brother Daoud also loves to play music.
Did you take any training for making melodies?
Haroon: No, I did not. But now I have sought the company of an ‘ustad,’ and I am learning a lot from him.
Why do you people go for sponsors, don’t you earn enough yourself to finance your own audio and video?
Haroon: A sponsor plays a very important role in a singer’s life especially in Pakistan due to excessive piracy. Here record companies are not that well off and the cost of video making is also very high here so sponsors are the only people who have enough money to support singers.
If given a chance to live life all over again how would you want it to be?
Haroon: Pretty much the same. Only that I would not make the same mistakes I made this time.
Will you form a band again?
Haroon: I am working with a specific group of people but I would not form a band officially. This way it’s easier because if something goes wrong and you do not want to work with someone, you wouldn’t create bad vibes.
Do you have any girlfriends?
Haroon: I have female friends but they are just friends. Nobody really likes me that much to go out with me.
Describe you ideal mate?
Haroon: She should be smart with a good sense of humor, have an open mind and should be attractive.
Future plans….
Haroon: I am working on my new album these days that would be released soon. I haven’t decided the name as yet.
^^Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses^^