“Music doesn’t have to be forced. It’s a natural process.” – Ali Azmat talks music, activism and collaborations

Maheen Sabeeh

Karachi

2011 was a good year for Ali Azmat. After releasing his second solo record Klashinfolk in 2008, Ali Azmat spent his time touring all over. But he finally returned to the studio environment and the result was out for all to see in 2011.

First came the tongue-in-cheek ‘Bum Phatta’ attached with a fabulous music video by ace music video director Jami. ‘Bum Phatta’ was explosive and quirky, filled with lyrical one-liners that stay with you because they reflect a very real situation: our reality.

The video saw Ali Azmat emulate different people from our stratosphere including Hilary Clinton, Che Guevara, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and Raymond Davis.

Ali changed gears and later in the year, he released another single, ‘Chalta Main Jaaon’. But this tune was a far cry from the fun, cheeky nature of ‘Bum Phatta’. Ali returned to his introspective roots, the kind one witnessed on Social Circus with this tune. It also marked the first collaboration between Ali Azmat and Aaroh guitarist Haider Hashimi.

“It was a sponsored song. CrossRoads wanted a song so I thought, okay, since there were no commercial pressures on how the song should be. Haider and I worked on it for two days and we finished it. When music flows like that, it’s fun,” Ali Azmat tells Instep Today about his latest single.

The collaboration, however, doesn’t mean that Ali’s longtime association with funk-guitarist Omran Shafique (Mauj) has come to a sudden halt.

“Omran’s busy with Coke Studio these days. He was in America when I was doing this song. I live in Lahore and so does Haider. This doesn’t mean I won’t be working with Omran in the future,” says Ali, “I’m a huge fan of Haider. He’s a good guitar player and songwriter. I love the songs he’s done on Aaroh’s album, Raag Neela. I consider myself lucky that all these guys, Haider, Omran work with me because they are good musicians themselves.”

These days, Ali Azmat is creating some buzz for his role in Bilal Lashari’s upcoming Waar. In addition to a role in the film, Ali is also doing one song for the soundtrack.

“I wrote the song. But then the producers disappeared,” Ali says.

Wasn’t Meesha Shafi supposed to be joining him on the song?

“Yes, she will sing some parts and I will sing others. We haven’t recorded it. We’re waiting for a go from the producers. Let’s see how we do it,” explains Ali.

Meanwhile 2012 will not see a full-fledged album from Ali Azmat. Like 2011, the new year will mean more one-off singles.

“You spend so much money on an album but there is no focus on albums anymore. So it’s just simple: you make a song, make a video and release it. That’s what I will do,” Ali maintains.

How 2012 will differ from other years is that it will see Ali come up with a political blog.

“I’m planning a political blog. The world is ready for that information. People are coming around to it, shifting their focus from mainstream media. We will ask global questions. It will focus on global dissent,” Ali reveals and continues, “It will focus on financial systems like the IMF. It’ll include writers, journalists, bloggers and we will emphasize on such issues.”

For fans of Ali’s music, there is hope yet. Besides the blog, Ali’s music will go on.

“Music doesn’t have to be forced. It’s a natural process. Omran will be done with Coke Studio at the end of this month. We’ll work on some stuff together. Once Zeeshan (Parwez) is done with Uth Records, I’ll be working with him. Music will continue to happen, depending on the right moment,” Ali signs off.