“I am a hundred million people throughout the day” – Farhad Humayun

1. Music is an art. How did you realize that you had the talent for producing it and decide to come into the field?

I cannot remember a time when I wanted to do anything except play music. I wanted to listen to music all the time, I slept with the sound of drums and guitars, woke to it and lived for it.  I always knew that I wanted to pursue music.

2. You are talented in so many ways; as a drummer, singer and director. Which one of these do you credit as your true calling?

My true calling is  drumming because the first time I felt like playing an instrument was when I saw somebody play drums and now I’ve been playing for twenty two years. I have to say I express myself best in drums.

3. Whatever a person does, he needs inspiration. Who or what is yours?

Inspiration can come from anywhere. For some people the natural world creates the magic, for others it may be a purely urban experience.  Sometimes a conversation will strike the right chord, sometimes it may be something as delicate as a thought. People  who pass on knowledge can be an inspiration. Some sounds can be very intriguing. Some actions can inspire awe while I find real old fashioned goodness really inspiring.

4. You have come a long way. What are some of the problems you faced working in this industry and who do you owe your success to?

That’s a huge question and it is difficult to pinpoint which problems have had a greater impact on your life. But I think the choices one makes are directly related to the kind of challenges and problems one faces subsequently.  From simple choices like the kind of instrument you choose to play to the kind of life you want- one has to make choices all the time. These options that we are exercise are always under scrutiny since there is a stereotype attached to every person in this society that we are a part of. The biggest fallout of this is that society discourages you from being yourself. The social network  won’t  allow you to be yourself because it makes everyone uncomfortable when individuals don’t fall into ‘acceptable’ stereotypes.  That’s a given.  I’m somebody who wants to be himself. So if I have something to say, and if I need to be socially or politically correct about it or if I’m afraid to upset someone or somebody is going to be indirectly upset about my opinion or with something that I feel, I usually have trouble with that. It’s not that I want to be rude for e.g. I have trouble with your top designers when they exhibit their outfits on the catwalk and you can see poor stitching or fabric that is poorly used. My view is that when you exhibit at a fashion week and you are a top designer competing with designers from all over the world, your work should be top notch. In Pakistan its usually not! So what I’m saying is speaking your heart and mind- even if you mean to be constructive is a problem in this country. Why that is relevant to me, why I’m having a problem with this is because the kind of work that I do. I seek perfection-in music, in thought, in word and deed. I often fail but this does not stop me from voicing my opinion. If it makes one unpopular or  others bristle at my thoughts, I cannot be anything other than what I am.  Apart from that,  all the other issues in our country; security, violence the “governments” agenda it’s not something that makes an artistic life or career easy. You have to appreciate that of all the places in the world I’m playing music in Pakistan so these are some of the troubles that I face.

5. What has been the proudest moment in your career till now?

I don’t know, I don’t have any, I’m still looking for one. There have been various performances and awards. I have been praised by very well reputed people that I respect but that one big moment that I would remember for the rest of my life, I don’t think it’s here yet.

6. In what way did your life change once you became a celebrity?

Honestly? I don’t know anything about being a celebrity, about being famous. I still do not know how many people know my music, how many people know me by name or by face. So when you become famous suddenly you become “them”, you’re not a part of this regular assortment of people which I don’t think is the right thing to do with famous people. Some enjoy it, I can’t really say that I enjoy being famous because I don’t play music to be famous I play music for what it is and what I have to say through my music.

7. You are a fashion icon also, what kind of fashion statement do you think your clothes make?

When I look through my wardrobe, my mood dictates whatever tone  I want to set for the day. I don’t like going over the top. Black is elegant, understated, intense and mysterious at the same time. I’m very comfortable in a casual black shirt and jeans style statement.

8. What type of music genre is your absolute favourite to listen to?

In recent years more subtle stuff, even pop but I’m mostly a rock person.

9. If you could pick a song that describes who you are, what would it be?

I’m a hundred million people throughout the day so it depends on the time of the day, the mood that I’m in whether I’m drinking coffee or juice, with friends or alone, in the basement or on the rooftop! So a band that plays only metal would be right before I’m going to the gym because I need the push and  the aggression like Judas Priest’s Another Thing Coming. Before I have a meeting with somebody, some corporation where I have to sit and nod my head and be charming; it would be something more calming, lucid maybe like The Divine Comedy. Otherwise I’m into classical local Pakistani classical music as well. I love Ustad Amanat Ali.

10. Who do you think is the most well dressed man in Pakistan?

Well my good friend Fawad is very well dressed. He’s unobtrusively elegant and sophisticated.

11. Who is your favourite Pakistani designer?

 I’ve seen Nauman Arfeen’s work at a fashion week once and I saw his work at Khawar Riaz’s place . I found his work really interesting because of the fabric and color tones he used. I’ve never met him or know what he looks like but I have to say I respect his aesthetics.

12. As a musician, your art speaks much for who you are. How much of yourself in the video “Nimmi Nimmi” described your fashion sense?

Well I directed the video and as a director you visualize the entire picture.  I had some help but it was entirely my own wardrobe. Uzma Rao designed the clothes and styled  Bano, the girl in the video. Uzma also worked on small details like the cufflinks I used.

13. You attended National College of Arts when you were young. Do you think your aesthetic sense evolved as a result of being around budding artists and designers?

Yes in many ways I knew what not to do. The good thing about NCA is that there are people from all over the country, from tribal areas, Balochistan and Sindh, it’s a nice eclectic bunch of people. But what NCA doesn’t do is to strengthen  your academic knowledge because the approach is more of a hands-on one. There is not much emphasis on textual research or reading.  Basically what they do is give you space in which you can paint or draw so it’s entirely up to you to hold on to a thread and keep pulling it, discover what you discover. It is entirely left to you to explore anything , everything or nothing as the case may be. In a way it is very liberating but the responsibility lies with you.  I would say  my travels and discussions with people from all walks of life; all of that has helped me identify my aesthetics.

14. In 2013, you did a photo-shoot called Porsche Style Diaries in collaboration with Hello! magazine and Porsche Pakistan. You were quoted as saying: “Rock is an attitude, it’s a lifestyle…”.How much does your personal style reflect that rock and roll lifestyle?

Rock is absolutely a lifestyle. All these bands that you look at like Guns n Roses, Metallica, Billy Idol ; all these bands are these people. They are not posing to be somebody else. If you look at Marilyn Manson, what he appears in his videos and on stage is what he is on a daily basis. So for me, my music  totally represents who I am, the lyrics I write and what I play in my music, whether I’m hitting the drums very hard, whether I’m singing very softly, it is what I’m feeling in that moment. So it’s all about expression and being true to yourself, isn’t it? Otherwise people can always identify that you’re a fake.

15. People say you look like a model more than a musician. Would you ever consider venturing into modelling or acting?

I didn’t know people said that and I don’t know whether it’s a compliment because no offence to anybody but I have never thought of myself as a clothes horse! Acting? Yes, there have been  many offers, but I’ve never seen a single script -so, the day somebody is serious enough and can actually give me something to read, develop a character maybe….. yes! Then I’d like to do at least 304 films in this lifetime. But I’m never going to be a musician turned actor!

16. Your mother Navid Shahzad was a prominent actor and icon. How much did she influence you in choosing a career as an entertainer and performer?

Well, you know, I would say largely, she has been responsible in helping me develop who I am today because even at this stage I’m the kind of person who gets upset over little things and she inspires me, she pushes me, she gives me a rough time when I need it. She has all of the experience that I can learn from and more. Ever since I was a  kid my dad encouraged me towards sports which is  competitive and its fine. But I have a problem with competing with somebody else because I compete with myself.

 I believe that people are unique and represent different things. Whether they are dark or bright, big or small, tall or short, the beauty about people and their  lives and  work is all about being an individual and true to who you are. My mother is the person who has actually helped me develop into an individual with an identity.

17. One of the major problems in Pakistan is that people give more reference to Hollywood and Bollywood music. What is your take on it and when do you think Pakistani music will measure up to its international counterparts?

I respect Hollywood for the work that it produces. Blockbuster movies and music are meant to make money for people who are funding them. So for e.g. Transformers is pure entertainment but they actually convince you that this is happening in Times Square right now, when you’ll get out of the cinema it will be there and they are successful in that. And I respect that because everyone sitting in the theatre believes that. Somebody like Shakira, Rihanna or Beyoncé, these are multi-talented people, I don’t really care much for their music but I respect them for what they are offering and are so successful in that. I appreciate the standard they have set and it really urges me and other people to work very hard to get to that level and be in a sense a crossover artist.

Bollywood has been very successful in mastering production quality in marketing film and music but I am not inspired by it at all and that is why I’ve never done a song in Bollywood. I don’t think Bollywood is ready to “rock”. So, I don’t know, I might get an opportunity to work in Bollywood and if it’s up my alley and I don’t feel like I’m selling out, I’ll do it. We as Pakistanis need to understand and identify our own ideologies and set our own identities which is different from Hollywood, Bollywood or any other kind of “wood”.

It already has. When Adnan Sami performs in Canada or when Rahat Fateh Ali performs in America, there are traffic jams in those areas. Yes, most of these people coming to watch them are mostly Indians. Bengalis and Pakistanis who understand the language but I don’t think we  have a true crossover artist yet. It will come when people will actually branch out of their comfort zones. Like I’m so comfortable sitting in this building, I hardly ever leave and it scares me  if I go to Los Angeles , pursue a career and fail?  but I am not doing that, there are other people doing it which I respect. You have to have a certain support structure behind you to help you do that. In the west, that’s not true because there are so many opportunities.

18. Tell us your experience of working as the founder and band member of OVERLOAD?

The experience has been very fruitful and it’s been extremely tiring. All the white hair I have in my hair and beard is because of Overload. I’ve had some thrilling moments and I’ve had some major disappointments. I’ve had to make personal sacrifices and at the end of the day as an artist you need to set your standard for excellence and you have to know why you’re playing music. So for me I play  because there is nothing else in life for me. If I cannot play music, that will be the death of me. I couldn’t be a baker because I’m not qualified and not interested, however, I’m interested in seeing things and talking about them. If you look around, so much is happening in Pakistan. I have problems with people who are living their lives on the surface.  I see people partying, laughing, joking  and spending money like mad.  Without being judgmental: it is a pity that  they just don’t know that there is such a huge underground subculture and reality that they are just ignoring.

As for me, I just can’t seem to ignore that. Overload is all about picking up sounds and people from all over Pakistan which we have done. We’ve got dhol players who speak only Punjabi which I knew very little ofi when we started playing. But I learned and now converse freely with them while people watch and wonder what we are talking about. We have a clarinet player who plays in a “shaadi band”.  He is such an amazing player and it took me a while to identify that I needed to work with him. We took him with us to our session on Coke Studio, and then they invited him again last year. In our own way, we are trying to revive so many things that define us like the Urdu language which frankly I’m not an  authority on but I’m learning.

I  consult a lot of people. There’s this writer of Hasb-e-Haal, Tahir Shaheer, who is an authority in Urdu and Punjabi. I am constantly learning things from him. He writes our lyrics and explains the nuances to me. So overall, it’s been about learning, accepting other people, about you  lowering your guard and making an effort. My band mates are my best friends; I take them all over the world e.g. in London I roam around with the exotic looking Sain Nasir while people stare at us but it’s okay because he’s a cool guy!

19. What are your plans for your future?

I’ll find out and let you know, I have no idea!

20. Out of all your songs from your album, which one is closest to your heart? Tell us why.

The last two songs that I did “Bolo na” and “Nimmi Nimmi” are songs that are extremely close to my heart because I practically created them in isolation. A lot of things happened in the span of a year and a half. I lost my house, my band broke a couple of times,- personally I went through a divorce and my dad died. So all of this was a lot to handle in a short span of time. Compound that with the fact that the country is not doing so well. So what do you do? Should you sit and cry about it or  write about it and put it across in music? And when you’ve done the latter and it resonates with people, you know you’re not alone in this world.  So when somebody sings your song or when somebody has a moment with your song, if you can make even one person smile, or if they can learn something from your visual or audio or the way you sang something, a certain line in your song, I think that’s when you’ve arrived.

Aimen Tofique a media student and an aspiring journalist. Love photography, videography and food.