Latest Interview: Strings - Dynamic duo tugging at the heartstrings

Pakistan’s pop-rock sensation Stings are all excited about coming to Dubai after a gap of nearly two years. They will be in town to perform at Sangam, an event at Dubai Tennis Stadium in this month featuring an amazing line-up from the subcontinent artists including top Bollywood singer Shaan, the percussion-driven Pakistan band Overload and Dubai band 2live.

It’s going to be a memorable gig for Strings. “This will be the first concert to promote our new album Koi Aanay Wala Hai, said lead singer Faisal Kapadia, who along with guitarist Bilal Maqsood make up Strings. Incidentally, the band kicked off its first ever international tour from the UAE way back in 1992.

Strings play mellow romantic songs. “Our music comes straight from the heart which is one main reason why everyone enjoys our songs.”

So what plans do they have for the Dubai gig? “We will be playing songs from our new album. It’s got some great music. We have a huge fan following in Dubai and we will not disappoint them. We’re also thinking about doing two concerts a year in the UAE because of the huge response we’ve had from our fans,” said Faisal.

Besides the concert and their new album, Strings also have another reason to be excited. It’s the endorsement deal with the legendary American guitar makers Gibson. “It’s been our greatest achievement. I can’t tell you how honoured we feel to be put on an endorsement list which features the who’s who of the music industry like Slash and Jimmy Page,” said the deep-voiced Faisal.

Talking about his baritone voice, Faisal said that pitching low has never been a deterrent for him. In fact it’s this unique quality in his voice that sets him apart. “It all happened after I started taking classical music lessons. I learnt the finer points of music and became more aware of my vocal range. I then started giving the lower octave more prominence,” he said.

Guitarist Bilal creates the music for Strings while his father Anwar - the renowned Pakistani writer and actor - pens the lyrics. The duo then fine tune the melodies, fit in the lyrics and get the songs ready for the final cut.

Strings are also quite popular in India where they’ve performed for a number of gigs all over the country. They’ve also scored songs for the Bollywood movies Zinda and Shootout At Lokhanwala.

“We got into film music after we were approached to do the track Na Jaane Kyon for the Hollwood blockbuster Spider-Man 2. After this, we recieved plenty of offers to compose songs for movies,” said Faisal.

“Initially, we were reluctant to do Bollywood movies as it meant moving away from our style. But when filmmaker Sanjay Gupta approached us for his movie, he told us that he wanted the Strings sound and this is what excited us.”

“Doing film music is good for a band. Everyone in the subcontinent listens to movie songs so you get greater exposure,” he said.



Faisal’s favourite western bands:
U2, Coldplay, Radiohead, Aerosmith.

His favourite Bollywood singers:
Kishore Kumar, Hariharan and Sonu Nigam

His favourite Indian composer: RD Burman

‘Music can improve Pakistan, India ties

Pakistani sitar-player Ustad Abdul Latif Khan has said the music can play important role in further improving ties between Pakistan and India.

He was talking to The News on his return from a recent trip to New Delhi on Sunday.

Ustad Abdul Latif khan shared his recent experiences with this scribe about his interaction with Indian media including the DD ñI TV(Door Durshan) and All India Radioís Akashwani during his visit there. He said he had been going to India since 2007 but he had never felt like this before. He said Deepa Chandra, the director DD-I, in a meeting with him, said she wanted to discuss the Pak-India relations this time, not music.

Ustad Latifís reply was simple and quite logical as he said, Deepa ‘I am an artist and not a politician, but it is my personal desire to see both the governments and the people become closer.’

He said it was his observation during the month long stay in India that there was tremendous love and respect for Pakistani artists and people. He added his mission was to promote love between the two countries and that was why he visited the country so often.

He said he was serving his country as an unofficial ambassador of peace and love through his musical skills.

During his interview with Deepa, he said instead of spending billions of rupees every year on weaponry, the countries should spend this huge money on the welfare of their people. He also pointed out to the DD-I director that there should be no visa restrictions between the two countries so that the people and the artists of Pakistan and India could move around freely.

Ustad Abdul Latif Khan is one of the very few living grand masters of the art of Sittar-playing and has been a celebrity in the Indian media during his recent visits there. Being a music loving nation and a nation which knows how to respect an artist, the Indians showered great respect and honor on him.

He was interviewed live on DD-I in its live show and a 45 minutes recording of his Sittar playing. He had an interview with the Sahara TV in New Delhi and was also presented two prestigious awards respectively from Gami Khan Musical Society and Akashwani(All India Radio).

Ustad Abdul Latif Khan was grateful to the Indian people and the media, specially DD-I and Sahara TV for promoting his message of love and peace through Sittar in the special live programs.

Has venturing into Bollywood become a necessity for Pak musicians?

The Indian film industry has gained incredible strength in the last few years. Film stars like Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman Khan and now Akshay Kumar are signing deals worth anywhere between 10-20 crores, either by producing their own films or striking deals with production houses that now function like Hollywood studios. The film industry that was once struggling under the shadow of murky deals between film producers/actors and the underworld has undergone a metamorphosis of sorts. But not the same can be said for the music business in India. The term music industry just doesn't exist in India. All the sounds are dictated by Bollywood music. Back in the nineties, names like Bally Sagoo, Mehnaz, Baba Sehgal, Lucky Ali, Alisha Chinoi among countless others formed the Indian pop industry. Now most of them have either disappeared from the scene altogether or have become playback singers for Indian films. With Pakistani music, it is a different case.



Fuzon recently played to packed crowds in India. Atif Aslam is a huge icon. And artists like Strings, Azal, Jal, Roxen and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - all enjoy a steady following. But riding the Bollywood bandwagon has slowly but surely become a necessity for Pakistani artists. Our artists learned with time that with Bollywood dictating the sound in India, in order to make it in India, which remains a much bigger market for our artists, Bollywood was a step necessary... for many. This year one saw Jal team up with Indian actress Amrita Rao for their video, 'Chalte Chalte'. In turn she released their album with them in India and promised to visit Pakistan for a series of shows. Azal also launched their record in India and recorded and performed within one night the title track of Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif starrer Sinngh is King with Salman Khan in the audience. Atif Aslam, who jumped the Bollywood bandwagon much earlier, teamed up with Indian music director Pritam twice this year for 'Pehli Nazar' off Race and 'Ba Khuda' off Kismat Konnection. Both were high profile films that made Atif a lot more visible in India.



Others like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan are working on Indian films as playback singers. While Shafqat has Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna and Dor on his musical catalogue, Rahat has the biggest film tunes to his credit ranging from Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om to Madhuri Dixit comeback vehicle Aaja Nachle. For most musicians now, it has become a matter or survival in India now more than ever.In a recent conversation with this scribe, Atif Aslam explained why opting for Bollywood has become necessary. "Indian music channels, most of them, have stopped airing Pakistani music videos and I'm talking about most of our artists. Bollywood producers give a mightier push to Indian film music and the channels are inclined to play Indian music. So one makes a video but if it doesn't air enough, fans won't know. In such a scenario, it has become crucially important to deal with Bollywood because that gives one visibility."




Veteran musician Ali Azmat, who entered the Indian market first with Junoon years ago, has an interesting take on the entire situation. "The scene in India is no different than Pakistan. It may have more money and a better infrastructure but they have no music industry. Indian radio stations don't play Pakistani music. I have walked out of two different radio interviews in India because they don't play our music. That said, it also depends on an artist. I don't work in Bollywood too often because the sensibility of commercial Bollywood doesn't always match mine. But when filmmakers, who understand my music and think that it will add more to the film approach me, I do work with them. But the fact still remains that Bollywood dominates the sound in India."

U.S., U.K. acts take top billing at MTV Europe Music Awards

British band Coldplay and Welsh soul singer Duffy have each scored three nominations for the MTV Europe Music Awards.

But the awards, to be held in Liverpool Nov. 6, also chose nominees from among top U.S. acts, including Pink, Linkin' Park and Foo Fighters.

Britneys Spears, who is making a comeback from pop limbo, has two nominations, for best act and best album for Blackout.

Coldplay earned an act of the year nomination as well as best album for Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends.

Their single Viva La Vida is nominated for most addictive track.

Competing with Coldplay for best act are Spears, Leona Lewis, Rihanna and British soul singer Amy Winehouse.

Aimee Anne Duffy, the singer-songwriter with the stage name Duffy, is nominated for best new act as well as best album for Rockferry and most addictive track for Mercy.

All the other best new act nominees are U.S. acts, including Katy Perry, the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Colorado-based band One Republic.

Perry's breakout hit I Kissed a Girl is also a contender in the most addictive track category along with Pink's So What and Kid Rock's All Summer Long.

Linkin' Park and Metallica each have two nominations in the headliner and rock out categories.

MTV viewers will be able to vote for their favourite acts online until Nov. 2.

The European music channel claims 30 million people watched the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2007.



MTV Europe Music Awards selected nominees
Best act

* Amy Winehouse
* Britney Spears
* Coldplay
* Leona Lewis
* Rihanna

Album of the year

* Alicia Keys, As I Am
* Britney Spears, Blackout
* Coldplay, Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
* Duffy, Rockferry
* Leona Lewis, Spirit

Headliner

* Foo Fighters
* Linkin Park
* Metallica
* The Cure
* Tokio Hotel

Ultimate urban

* Alicia Keys
* Beyonce
* Chris Brown
* Kanye West
* Lil Wayne

Pakistani prison film set for peace-boosting release in India

ISLAMABAD (AFP) — As tensions mount between India and Pakistan, the release in both countries of a Pakistani film about a young boy held in an Indian jail is being hailed as a welcome boost for cultural ties.

The movie, "Ramchand Pakistani," which opened in Pakistan on August 1 and in India on August 22, could also help revive Pakistan's flagging film industry after years in the shadow of India's hugely successful Bollywood.

Based on a true story, it follows the lives of Ramchand, an eight-year-old Pakistani boy, and his father after they accidentally stray across the frontier in 2002 and are imprisoned by India.

"I see the film as being a humble yet significant contribution to the ongoing peace process," Pakistani producer Javed Jabbar told AFP, referring to the peace process launched by the South Asian neighbours in 2004 after more than 60 years of tension and three wars.

The film's release comes with relations between Islamabad and New Delhi at a new low, following a recent series of clashes between their troops on the ceasefire line in the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir.

Indian officials also accused Pakistan of masterminding the deadly bombing of the Indian consulate in Afghanistan on July 7, which left around 60 people dead, including India's defence attache.

"The values that the film promotes are of compassion, respect for each other, peace and friendship. And I think that kind of message will convey a great deal to people in India and Pakistan," said Jabbar, who was the information minister in slain former premier Benazir Bhutto's first government and again from 1999-2000.

Directed by Jabbar's daughter Mehreen, "Ramchand Pakistani" touches on an important topic in Indo-Pakistani relations -- the fate of hundreds of prisoners held on either side of the border.

Hundreds have been freed by both countries since the peace process began but many remain in prison.

Ramchand, the film's eponymous young hero, comes from Pakistan's minority Hindu community and lives in the remote desert region of Rajasthan.

He strays over the border when tensions between India and Pakistan almost brought the two countries to war six years ago.

Indian troops arrest him and his father, who comes to search for him, and the film then follows them as they spend years in an Indian jail.It also tells the tale of his mother, played by Bollywood actress Nandita Das, as she searches for them.

"Ramchand Pakistani" will show on around 100 screens in India and 15 in Pakistan, the distributors say.

Cultural links, especially movies, are one of the key "confidence building measures" included in the slow-moving peace Indo-Pakistani peace process.

Pakistan banned Indian films in 1965 after the second of its three wars with India since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, but authorities have recently relaxed the rules.

The film follows on the success of another Pakistani movie, called 'In the Name of God", about the dilemma faced by moderate Muslims in a world obsessed with Islamic militancy.

Pakistan's film industry has tried, and failed, for years to emulate Bollywood, but now people in Pakistan are seeing this new trend of high-brow movie-making as possible salvation for home-made movies.

"Our film industry is only going to work if we change our focus towards thought, not only towards glamour and Bollywood style," said Ahsan Khan, a Pakistani film star. "That's when it's really going to work."

"Ramchand Pakistani" and "In the Name of God" were both largely foreign funded, and filmmakers in Pakistan say until the government and private investors contribute it will be difficult to follow in their footsteps.

Much of Pakistan's Lahore-based movie industry -- nicknamed "Lollywood" -- still uses equipment from almost half a century ago.

"Those who manufactured our cameras would be surprised to know that we are still working with their equipment, which deserve to be in museums," said Sangeeta, a director and former film star at a studio in Lahore.

But excitement is already building in Pakistan that cooperation with India in the world of cinema could, despite the current competition, reap benefits.

"In the long run it will bring money, skills and technology which we can use and reinvest to make our films stronger," said Hasan Zaidi, a director who also organises the annual Kara International Film Festival in Karachi.

Snoop Dogg tour bus pulled over; 2 arrested

DALLAS (AP) -- A tour bus carrying hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg was pulled over and two people were arrested on marijuana possession charges Thursday a few hours before a concert in Dallas, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

DPS spokesman Charlie Morgan said members of a commercial vehicle inspection team pulled the bus over on Interstate 45 in Corsicana because the vehicle had an expired registration sticker. Troopers searched the bus for drugs after they said they smelled marijuana and found two ounces of the drug, he said.

Ethan Calhoun, 27, and Kevin Barkey, 26, were arrested on drug charges after admitting the drugs belonged to them, Morgan told The Associated Press. Both men were taken to the Navarro County Jail and face fines of up to $2,000 and six months in jail if convicted, Morgan said. Bond was set at $1,500 each.

The Corsicana Daily Sun reported the men appeared before a justice of the peace and were released after posting bond.

Snoop Dogg, whose birth name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., was not arrested. His agent had no comment, a secretary said. Calls to public relations representatives for the rapper were not immediately returned Thursday evening.

He was arrested last year at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Calif., on suspicion of transporting marijuana.

Police later charged him with gun possession after finding a firearm in his home. He pleaded no contest in April 2007 to felony gun and marijuana charges and agreed to five years' probation and 800 hours of community service.

He was scheduled to appear at a concert near the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. He is on tour with alternative rock group 311.

Corsicana is 52 miles south-southeast of Dallas.

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