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“My parents still don’t know about the song (BC Sutta)”
He is burning the underground music circuits with his zesty, irreverent music. His BC Sutta song has already become a canticle for all smokers. Meet Skip, the only permanent member of the band Zeest, who with a little help from friends, wants to create music about social issues rather than romance. Hence the name Zeest, which mean Life in Persian. Skip feels that Zeest can be interpreted as hope or faith.
This 22-year-old has been into music from a very young age. Talking of his young days, he says his first guitar didn’t live long and was smashed into pieces by his mother. The second one lived a little longer but was smashed by his father because of his reckless behaviour and poor grades. Growing up, the rebellious boy would hide his guitar, cut classes, and jam to his own tunes. Eventually, he dropped out and focused only on his music. Read on to see what Skip has to say about his unconventional brand of music, his Indian fans, and his future plans, in an exclusive interview with Dancewithshadows:
| FACT
FILE |
| Born:
15th January 1984, Saudi Arabia
Real Name: Saqib Abdullah
Schooling: Pakistani school ‘S.A.I.School (Pak section)’ formerly known as Pakistani community High school at Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Early Influences: Elder brothers, who were totally into Blues, Jazz, country, R&B’s, soul music.
Loves: Blues, Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Blue Grass, R&B, Rockabilly, Country, alternative rock, Indian classic music, BB King, Albert King, Freddie King, Skip James, Clapton, Hendrix, SRV, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Band, The Doors, The Zombies, Led Zeppelin, Allman Brothers, Van Morrison |
BY A CORRESPONDENT
20 June, 2006
1. What inspired the sutta song?
BC Sutta is my 4-5 years old raw composition. The first two verses of the song reflect my own life. I was in college and used to live hand-to-mouth. It’s a situation almost every boy faces when he wants to change his life, though it might be a quick, ridiculous, rebellious change. At that time, I used to smoke with my friends, and when my father came to know that I had been smoking, he often used to say BC sutta peeta hai in lafango (wastrels) ke saath. BC sutta - a catchy phrase that struck my mind and quickly became a joke among my friends. So in the end, I got something to write about, which could portray my own life, though in a satirical manner.
I wrote the lyrics and composed the melody. I used to sing it for my friends and soon it became an anthem among us. My friends encouraged me to record the song in a studio. So I went to a studio and showed my composition, but they didn’t like the composition at all. The recording engineer not only refused to record the song in his studio but also insulted me. He claimed that the song wasn’t worth recording and according to him I had done something very bad to the music as well. I was disheartened and dropped the idea of recording the song but I continued to play it parties and among friends.
Almost a year later, in early April 2005, in a jamming session at “FEEDBACK STUDIOS” formerly known as “DRB STUDIOS’, Zeeshan Hayat enjoyed the song and offered to record the track live at his studio. We quickly made the necessary arrangements and recorded the song live at his studio. Zeeshan edited the song and I released the song by uploading it on a website.
2. Did you expect the song to catch on like wildfire? It's the current rage at all the campuses across borders, and is even being played at discotheques. What would you say to that?
Well at a certain level I did expect it, because prior to the recording wherever I played it, people irrespective of what age they belong to, always appreciated it and it also became a requested song among my friends. I always knew that people are going to love and appreciate it but I never thought millions of people all across the globe are going to relate to this song. I had written this song to represent my own life story and initially I thought it is just about the life of an average tapori boy. But, later I discovered that I was wrong because people irrespective of their gender and age could easily relate to it.
My fans get astonished when I tell them that my parents still don’t know about the song. They never believe this, but it’s a fact. My parents only know that I’ve done something in music but they don’t know anything more.
3. The lack of suttas does generate the kind of "explicit" reactions you have captured in the song. But this is something bands in the subcontinent stay clear of. What prompted you to actually pen down the song complete with MC, and BC?
Well the swear words are just a flavor to the song. If you notice, the actual motive of the song is not to mention swear words like BC or MC or any other explicit words. I mentioned the sutta/fag just to convey that sometimes in your life you feel so bad that even your little ambitions, dreams and objectives are not fulfilled, and you have to struggle so bad for everything. But there are already lots of songs, which have the same motive, so I thought it might be better to write in such a way to depict our own social lives, the actual way we say in streets. Why should we be ashamed of saying it in the media while the same guy yells and abuses in explicit words in his social life?
4. The song right now has become a major hit in the underground circuits. Would you release a censored version of the song to appeal to the mainstream?
Yes, it’s a demand by many music channels and record labels so I plan to release a censored version too. I already have a cleaner version of BC Sutta song with no explicit language in it, which I perform in front of my family members or in decent gatherings. So I’ve replaced the BC word in such a way that charm of the song doesn’t fade away. Due to this huge demand and response towards the live version of BC SUTTA, I’ve already created a studio version of that song with some changes and added music with better sound quality.
5. What other things you have been working on? Upcoming projects?
Currently, I am working on my first album. Though I’ve many tracks in my hand but I want to release my works in a proper manner. My motive is to work and sing for social issues, issues concerning the youth and the lives of common people in streets….something people can easily relate to in their lives. For the purpose of releasing my album, I’ll be coming to Mumbai in probably July 2006 for some official meetings with record labels. And I might also be meeting some directors for some concepts generations about video and other stuff.
6. We have heard that the band relies heavily upon "a little help from friends". Would you be looking at some more permanent band members in the near future?
Well, from the beginning Zeest is my solo act and I use a supporting team of fellow musicians and loyal friends who makes everything possible for me, because I haven’t yet found anyone who feels the same about my motive, lyrics and music compositions as I do. From the initial days I did try to make some permanent members but due to differences in musical listening and they even don’t like and were not interested in my work so I thought its better not to make any one permanent in the band at all. Yes, in the future if I find anyone competent enough to continue my work, I’ll certainly give him a chance to be in my band. But currently I’ve decided to remain and continue my work as a solo artist.
7. Any plans for collaboration with bands in India?
Yes, I’d love to collaborate with Indian bands. I know India has produced so many talented artists. We can collaborate with them to work on some really interesting, experimental projects and make some good music.
8. Where are you performing next?
Probably in Mumbai and Delhi’s colleges/institutes and clubs. I have received many offers for performances in all the major cities of India, but haven’t decided yet, because after reaching Mumbai in July 2006, I will be to confirm my future dates.
9. Many Pakistani rock bands have gained popularity in India. How is the rock scene different in the two countries? What would you say of Indian rock?
What I’ve observed is that due to the influence of Bollywood and other structured media, most Indians have the same taste and feelings, so 70-80% (I might be wrong about the statistics) chances are that whatever a person likes in India can be liked by other Indians. But the scene is quite different in Pakistan. We don’t have powerful and structured media and hence there is a vast difference in the tastes, feelings, and way of thinking of people. It did helps us to think out of the box and to think in new dimensions…..our artists didn’t stick to traditional art concepts but started experimenting with new sounds, I guess that’s why we have Aamir Zaki, Mekaal Hassan, Faraz Anwar, Nabeel Chisty and Shallam Xavier. Also, due to lack of knowledge it’s a misconception that Pakistani culture is strict and bounded by rules. I guess it’s quite open that’s why we have a chance to think differently and our artists can easily experiment beyond the traditional limits.
India has a great history of producing talented artists. Artists like Ravi Shankar had the honor to be the Guru for the greatest rock band The Beatles. After listening to some Indian rock bands, I guess the future of rock in India is quite bright.
10. Message for Indian fans and audiences.
I would like to thank all the Indian fans and even all the desi fans living all across the world too, because they have understood and appreciated my music very well. And without their love and support I wouldn’t be at this stage. Plus I would like to tell that, yes, I’ve been very late in releasing more tracks but to be part of the mainstream I’m bound to release them in a proper manner.
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