The Pepsi Battle of the Bands set was buzzing when we visited, and it wasn’t just from the fizz of the soft drink! There’s always something exciting about having young and excited musicians around; the energy is high and the vibe is cool. Amidst all the bands, who were recording and auditioning, we saw a very involved Atif Aslam, humming all over the set. He’s someone who commands a lot of respect when it comes to his music and finding international fame as a solo artist.
We caught hold of the super star for a quick interview
- How important is a band for a musician?
I feel it’s quite important to have a band but what’s more vital is to be friends with the members of the band. If there’s not a bond there, you won’t be able to jam. Apart from that, it’s also vital to have the same vibe.
- Why do bands break up?
Having too many members there are ego issues, money, fame and power.
- Is there none of that when you go solo?
Yes, I feel that when it’s a solo act, you’re the king of the stage, you’re the captain of the ship so you can quite easily handle it.
- And yet we’re here to support bands…
Of course; we’ve been missing out on bands for the past so many years. Nine years have already passed and nothing has happened about music except one show.
- What about Coke Studio, Nescafe Basement, Patari Tabeer, Cornetto etc…
It’ll be wrong to draw comparisons because that (Coke Studio) is about mature singers and artists, whereas, this is a show about amateur bands. So, here I am supporting the cause.
- What do you think are the elements that constitute for the strength of a band?
Well, the most important bit is that they all need to write their music together. And energy is required any way when you talk about studio or stage performances.
- They say that the more an artiste is depressed, the better his music is. Do you think that’s true?
Baqwas karte hain. It’s not true. I have seen really happy people in my life sing really well. Yes, when people get fame, then there’s depression.
- Are you ever afraid of losing fame?
In the start whatever I was doing I was going with my gut. Then, I started doing Bollywood and film music and now, it has come to a point where I’ve started to say no. I want to do my own music. I have been there and done that, so, I am not there to achieve that any more. I just want to put my music out there and if people listen it okay, if they don’t then fine.
- Is it really that simple?
For me, yes it is now.
- Does it ever scare you? That you wake up one day and you’re not as big a star as you were yesterday or you’re not making as many fans, money, etc.
Â
I didn’t know that this was going to happen, so, even if I am in a bad situation, I still wouldn’t know it. But yeah, of course, I’ll be able to answer myself…
- Why did you agree to support Pepsi Battle of the Bands?
Because it’s high time that I should be giving back to the industry and to the juniors. I am supporting this cause because there are a lot of juniors. I have never seen my seniors respecting me, they’ve bullied me to the next level.
- You’ve said that a couple of times…
Yes, everybody has bullied me. They kept saying I was nasal and what not. So, I [talking about BOTB] criticize them but it’s very healthy criticism. I like to tell them about the things that can be better instead of screaming at them about what they’ve done wrong. I am not the Simon Cowell of the show. We barely have an industry and bands coming in, so, we need to support.
- Do you think this will be an annual thing?
I hope so. I mean, I am here to get inspired by these young musicians. I think they are fantastic in their own ways and I think some of them could be the next rockstars in Pakistan.
