sunday.pk speaks to the talented musician, actress and model about Coke Studio, the beauty of Punjabi and the revival of Lollywood .
How does it feel coming back to Coke Studio’s new season?
Coke Studio is a game changing and life-altering platform for musicians and artists, old and new. I think we all miss Rohail Hyatt, and owe him a lot, but change is in the air and that is healthy. Evolution is essential for growth. I could feel the buzzing energy of the new team, which makes for an exciting creative experience. This time, I’ve come full circle by going back to Rock and revisiting my roots. I want to contribute whatever little I can to our already existing treasure trove of musical heritage. I hope I can continue to learn more about my voice and how to use it to its maximum potential till the day I am no more.
**How similar was your initial vision of Balori compared to the final product?
**The final version was not a big change, but definitely different from what I had been hearing in my imagination. That’s the interesting thing about working with new people; the results have a surprise element to them. And it’s very rewarding as an artist to be in sync with so many other musicians.
**Was the selection of Balori for Coke Studio your own choice?
**This track, along with many other collaborative options, was suggested by Strings. In the end, we decided to go for one big track. We have done a tribute to the Great Madam Noor Jahan and it was no small task. Hers was a voice that comes around once in a blue moon, and she was such an effortless performer that she made her craft look easy - which it is not! The combination of tempo and scale was definitely challenging, but we decided to retain both elements of the original composition. I have embraced Rock, Punjabi Folk and Sufi sounds so far. With Balori, for the first time, I tried a Lollywood classic, and since Strings gave it an all-out Rock treatment, it was a new blend for me. I think my fans will love the energy and the tongue and cheek subject of the song too. I loved performing this track because it gave me a lot of room to explore the character of a woman who calls the shots, knows what she wants, and isn’t afraid to speak (or sing) up for it. Needless to say, I’m very pleased with the results.
**Coke Studio’s nature is to take definitive songs and re-invent them. In this recording phase, what was it like incorporating Western elements into your music genre?
**I have delved in both Western and Eastern musical sensibility. The Eastern element, which I am not keen on letting go of, is language. I wanted to stick to my language of choice, which is Punjabi. I love how expressive it is and really enjoy the diverse options of delivery, mood and tone that Punjabi offers. I do sing by ear and don’t have extensive knowledge of classical raags, etc. This has turned out to be a strength, as well as a weakness. I am more inclined towards feeling what I am singing as opposed to getting caught up in complex vocal techniques. What has worked in my favor thus far is the natural tone of my voice and the raw emotions I feel when I immerse myself into the character of the song.
**Recording live is always a challenging task. How was your experience working with Strings and MP?
**I love performing live. Coke Studio is unique because it is both a studio session and like a live concert at the same time. As an artist, one gets to experience the best of both scenarios. It may be challenging to sing live, but it gets easier with time, and nothing can replace the feeling of accomplishment and the energy of a live recording when it turns out electric!
**Walk us through the different phases of the recording of the song Balori? Were there any vocal drills in the studio before the final recording?
**We did two quick run through rehearsals. The second one was at my insistence, even though both Faisal and Bilal were satisfied enough by the end of our first rehearsal. We had the pleasure of recording this track with it’s original composer, Ustad Tafu Khan Saab, who is a tabla maestro belonging to the Punjab gharana. I loved this initiative by Strings to get him on board. It gave me a chance to add my name to the long list of artists he has worked with. It also made me a bit nervous, as he is such a master composer and had originally done this song with Madam Noor Jahan herself.
**Are you coming back to Coke Studio next year?
**I will never say no to Coke Studio. I owe a great deal to this wonderful platform and it has done a lot for my career and popularity. It introduced me to the masses, and the love and appreciation I have received from the team and from fans worldwide has been overwhelming. I believe Coke Studio can make dreams come true. We have a special bond and it is a very mutually rewarding association!
**What’s next for you?
**I am enjoying recording OST’s for Pakistani films at the moment. Each has different requirements, and performance is a big part of the vocals when it comes to playback singing. I am thrilled to be part of the cinema industry, which is going through a re-awakening after decades. These are exciting times for showbiz in Pakistan. My fans can look forward to lots of new tracks soon, and I can’t wait to share some new music with all of you!
