Red hot! Atif Aslam and Strings shoot for their first collaborative video
‘Ab Khud Hi Kuch Kerna Parega’

Shahzeb Shaikh
Karachi

Pakistani artistes are true patriots. Many, if not all, make it a point to voice the worries of the nation via their art. They make great efforts to compose musical numbers, which not only deliver positive messages to the people but lift their morale. There have been myriad tracks composed on different occasions and situations by different artistes. However, one such band which undoubtedly tops the list in this domain is the duo of Strings, which are Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia.

Be it terrorism (‘Yeh Hum Nahin’) or brutal massacre of Muslims (‘Beirut’), be it the matter of Indo-Pak friendship (‘Jeet Lo Dil’ with Euphoria) or the World Cup fever (‘Hai Koi Hum Jaisa’), Strings have always been around at each crucial hour.

The latest issue which has caught the band’s attention is the ongoing socio-political turmoil that plagues the country. Pakistan has been hit by a heap of critical issues such as inflation, corruption, water and power crisis, sugar crisis, terrorism etc.

Not surprisingly, these problems lead to serious havoc in the daily lives of many. For this very reason, Strings have taken it upon themselves to boost the morale of the nation with a inspirational anthem, ‘Ab Khud Hi Kuch Kerna Parega’.

For the track, Strings have collaborated with none other than the super popular Atif Aslam. The track aspires to drive raw energy into the youth to stand up for themselves and cure the ill-wills of society.

Shot by Jami – whose previous videos with Strings have resulted in gems like ‘Duur’, ‘Dhaani’, ‘Humsafar’ – who was at the helm of this video shoot, the locations were spread throughout Karachi.

The first one was a set in the middle of a Saddar market with dark backdrop. This was to symbolize the murky and gloomy situation that surrounds us. Another was the rooftop of a 16 storey building, which according to the team was to capture the view of the entire city to complement the concept. Since the building was under-construction with no elevator, one had to either walk or ride a motor cycle to reach the rooftop.

Atif Aslam and Strings were all dressed in black outfits. The location in fact reminded me of the video of ‘Koi Aanay Wala Hai’ in which the band performed on the rooftop of a skyscraper in Malaysia.

Speaking with Instep Today, Atif Aslam commented: “Songs sending message to the youth hardly click with the audience in Pakistan.  The only thing is that no one in the country is realizing that whatever wrong is happening here isn’t being prevented. So, the message in the content is all about that. We should do something about it instead of getting on with our own lives. This is our country and it has given us a lot. And a lot needs to be done for it.”

I asked him if it’s the dissatisfaction with the present scenario and government’s performance that has urged him to deliver this message, he replied, “Well, I don’t know about the government but I think whatever is happening around is not fine.”

About the experience of working with Strings, Atif joyfully said, “Amazing! It has always been an enjoyable process, working with Strings.”

Meanwhile director Jami, in between breaks, spoke to us and expressed his wish that the song be a wake up call. “Allah kare, the nation wakes up!” he said and added, “Even if it works one per cent, I think we will have achieved our task.” When asked whether his dissatisfaction is with the government and the current situation urged him to work on this concept, he aptly answered, “There is no point in accusing the government. The government will do what the people will ask them to. So the people should stand up for themselves!”

Jami described the experience of working with Strings as heavenly. They sync very well; Jami has directed memorable videos for ‘Duur, ‘Dhaani’ and ‘Anjaanay’

The shoot involved several re-takes and finally ended as the sun began to set.

Speaking about the concept of the video, Bilal Maqsood told us, “This is my concept. It was conceived when we returned from the US tour last year. As one returns from a successful tour, one is excited about it. However, upon returning, we witnessed critical issues such as security, terrorism, load shedding, inflation, unemployment, disturbing almost everyone. Hence, we decided to pen the lyrics which depicted the current scenario.”

Interestingly, after a long time, Strings have come out with a track which hasn’t been penned by the legendary Anwar Maqsood. Faisal threw light on it, “This song has been written with heart and soul keeping in mind the present turmoil. Since this song doesn’t have a love theme, we didn’t require poetry or any fabrication. Hence whatever Bilal felt, he penned it down. We made it a point that the song could be understood by the common man.”

When asked as to why Atif Aslam was chosen for this collaboration, Faisal stated, “First of all, the message this song carries for the youth is that they will have to do something together. So, when we talk of doing something together, it had to be us who should have done this track in collaboration. And who could be better than Atif Aslam? He has done so much for Pakistan!” said Faisal. “We also know Atif very well so when the project came up, we made him listen to the song and he expressed his willingness in doing it as a patriotic Pakistani.”

So what does the band expect to achieve with this effort? “We never have any expectations from any project. We would only want people to relate with this song. We blame others and expect others to rectify mistakes. But the time has come that we will have to do things on an individual level,” said Faisal.

Musically, the track is bouncy, full of life with rocking riffs and motivational lyrics such as “Ab khud hi kuch kerna parega hum ko/Jalna parega/Marna parega”. The most attention grabbing part, however, is Bilal’s guitar solo of the national anthem. Here is hoping that the song makes the connection the artists hope for with the people!

– Photos by Tarik Hussain

Thank you for the music

Strings and Atif aslam have collaborated on their new song �Ab Khud Hei Kuch Kerna Parega�. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: With hundreds of comments rolling in on music discussion forums as the news of their joint venture broke online in May, Strings and Atif Aslam’s song “Ab Khud Hei Kuch Kerna Parega” and its video is eagerly awaited by their fans.

On the top of a sixteen-floor, high-rise building in Karachi, the shooting of the video was scheduled to begin with Jami as the director.

Speaking to The Express Tribune before the start of the shoot, Atif Aslam said, “Definitely, I am very excited about it.”

Faisal Kapadia, lead singer of Strings, added, “Yes, excitement is there because a collaboration of two is there. That makes it all the more exciting.”

The theme of “Ab Khud Hei Kuch Kerna Parega” underlines the dark reality that the country is facing. With political force, its apathy to deal with the decaying political situation in Pakistan and unstable security conditions, the song itself is an inspiration to deal with ongoing troubles.

With motivational lyrics, the song is meant to bring  positive energy to the young crowd, to stand up for themselves and do something about the ongoing situation.

All three artists appeared in black outfits to match the theme of their video’s second part of the shoot. According to Bilal Maqsood, lead guitarist of Strings, the choice of black was to give a broader perspective and a complete picture of what musicians feel as they invite the youth to take action against social and political instability.

With Strings’ videos shot in unconventional locations like deserts and railway stations, the roof top of a partly constructed building was not a matter of mere choice. Jami, who has also directed Strings’ video for “Duur”, wanted to capture a broader view of the city. Absar, first assistant to Jami, told The Express Tribune, “We wanted to stand atop a high-rise building, from where we could see the city in the backdrop to give a complete picture to the concept.”

After a series of retakes, the shoot completed as the sun began to set. Meant for a timely cause, the artists hope it brings the same inspiration among the audience that the musicians have tried to capture through their audio and video, alike.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2010.



MusicMix
5 minutes with Strings

Hani Taha Salim
Karachi

The environment for music has changed. While one-off gigs will always take place, the whole ‘concept’ of tours is slowly taking a backseat. More musicians make news performing across the border than locally. It maybe security reasons and the fear it brings out in everyone these days. These are, as they say, testing times. But if there is one band that always manages to shine a light on music amidst the daily chaos that surrounds us, it is Strings. In between music videos, recently concluded Pakistan tour and high profile performances (such as the recent one at Frieha Altaf’s Catwalk Production 20th anniversary show where Strings belted out Vital Signs tune with former VS bassman Shahi Hasan), Strings have signed on as brand ambassador for Etihad Airways.

Now on the break and preparing for shows across America, Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia of Strings talk to Instep Today about brand Pakistan, tours and what’s next…

Instep Today: Tell us about your recently concluded Pakistan tour?

Strings: Yes, the shows are finally over. We did around 15 concerts in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad including Bhurban. We performed at LUMS and IBA, Foundation Public School and Lahore Grammar, Royal Rodale… the whole tour was amazing. The crowd was full of energy, excited and it was absolutely amazing.

Instep Today: How was the turnout considering the current political climate?

Strings: We were surprised. But we believe that arts and culture should thrive. Everyday we read about bomb blasts, whether it is Peshawar or any other place. It is disheartening but there is a need to move on. We realised that the only way to combat is by strength. We need to do more live shows. People did come out for these shows and they want to.

Instep Today: Tell us about your collaboration with Etihad Airways? How does it affect brand Strings?

Strings: Etihad is a premium brand and it’s always good to be associated with a large quality brand. Music and travel are very closely related in the sense that one is always listening to music while travelling and the fact that as a band we perform abroad extensively and not just in places like the UAE, America and England, but in places like Norway, Nepal and South Africa. The outreach that we will now get with a travel partner like Etihad is going to be huge. As is to perform in front of fans, wherever these fans may be. There are always places that we wish we could go to but are unable to. With Etihad we will be able to reach out to smaller communities that we otherwise don’t get an opportunity to do so due to logistics.

Instep Today: How does the Strings-Etihad alliance contribute to building Pakistan as a brand?

Strings: Building ‘Pakistan’ as a brand is important and whenever we travel abroad, we are representing the country and are brand ambassador’s for the country’s image. If we had tied up with a brand in Pakistan it would just restrict our brand building within the country. Creating an alliance with a global brand like Etihad allows us to take Pakistan and our culture global to smaller and bigger communities abroad. That is the only way that perception will change; through this people to people interaction. 

Instep Today: What’s in the pipeline…

Strings: We have just shot a video with Atif Aslam and were judges at a national songs competition called Azmay Alee Shaan. We normally don’t judge any of the music programmes but this show was different since it focused on music and song writing. It’s a special show since its inciting a passion for Pakistan and making an active effort at cultivating song writers who are vital to the growth of the music industry.

Instep Today: Several musicians/bands have steered into production. Will Strings follow suit?

Strings: We like to focus on one thing at a time and don’t want to deviate into production. Your hunger for your art goes away if you think of surviving. Our priority has always been to perform. Money comes, one shouldn’t worry about that.

Instep Today: What’s the song that is most requested amongst audiences abroad?

Strings: ‘Sar Ki Yeh Pahar’ is a huge song. The type of response and reaction that we get for it is mesmerizing to this day.

Instep Today: How can musicians play a role in building up Pakistan as a brand?

Strings: Pakistani musicians are getting considerable international recognition and fame. Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shafqat Amanat Ali have played a tremendous role in taking Pakistan global. The goal now is to not only focus on the world but to focus within the country where we are suffering due to constant political and security tensions. It’s also important to get new voices and new people into the industry and give existing new entrants their due recognition. Established musicians like us still manage to survive by doing concerts abroad; it’s the fresh talent that suffers. People have to stop being so scared and make the effort of going out of their home to revive the culture of going to a concert. We took an initiative by doing a local tour of targeting colleges and performing about 16 concerts and hope that we can continue the trend.

The sky’s the limit for Strings

Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia are the new brand ambassadors for Etihad Airways. PHOTO:ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS.