In a candid interview with You! Ayaz shares his passion for music with our readers. Read on…
you & me
Singer, lyricist, music director and producer Ayaz Sheikh is certainly a surprise package. At a young age, he is not only singing but also performing, writing lyrics, composing and arranging music. Ayaz started his musical voyage from ‘Phulwari’ Radio Pakistan Hyderabad in 2004 where he used to narrate stories in its segment ‘Aao Bachoo Suno Kahani’. Then, he developed interest in music and came under the tutelage of Ustad Sultan Ali Khan who honed his singing skills and made him learn all genres of music including semi classical and classical. As a young singer, he attended many competitions and youth festivals and solidified his footings. In 2015, his family shifted to Karachi. Ayez’s music career experienced a new rise when he started doing musical shows and joined music studios. Ayaz has worked with many event management companies and production houses including Key Productions, Flying Horse, Laal Series, Crystal Records and AD Studio. According to Ayaz, these experiences made him understand the key aesthetics of contemporary music. He is currently a student of Mass Communication at Urdu University. In a candid interview with You! Ayaz shares his passion for music with our readers. Read on…
Who is your mentor in the music industry?
Syed Adeel Ali Bukhari, CEO of AD Studio, who himself is a senior musician and served as a lead guitarist and played for Junoon and Strings. He acknowledged my skills and encouraged me to grow as a musician.
What is your favourite genre of music?
I’m equally comfortable in every genre of music. However, I love singing pop, classical and semi-classical.
What is your most memorable music concert?
From small local gigs to large-scale concerts, I have performed almost everywhere with known musicians like Fareeha Pervaiz, Faakhir, Ali Azmat and bands like Soch, Roxen, Strings and many more. The energy of live music is unparalleled. However, I am yet to give my best shot.
Have you done OSTs for drama serials?
Yes, I have done OSTs for serials ‘Gustakh’ (Dil Beparwah) and ‘Khudgharziyan’ (Yun Tu Hai Pyar Bohut). And one is coming soon ‘Kathan Dagariya’.
Can you name some of your most popular original songs?
Wo Batain, Ik Aas, Moula, Sajde, Tum Bin Na Hi Chein, Masti Ke Din and Mein Tera.
Any special contribution in music that you are really proud of?
I feel honoured to be the first singer who paid homage to the phenomenal contribution of Liaquat Ali Khan, followed by my other rendition for Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.
Do you believe in music as an agent of social change?
I believe that music should be cathartic, compassionate and uplifting which gives you some break from mundane chaos. But, at the same time the potential of music to make things get better and even change cannot be ruled out. The way Madam Noor Jehan’s songs in wars of ’65 and ’71 contributed in uplifting the morale of our armed forces and nation was phenomenal. If you look at our political parties, they seem to use music to disseminate their message.
How do you handle rejection?
Rejection, if taken positively, will lead you to stardom one day. It can be tough chasing your dreams. Consistency and one’s belief in oneself is the key to success. Artists continuously evolve and so do I.
What advice do you have for other young musicians chasing their dreams?
Hard work, consistency and patience to bear rejection are the key to success. In this cut-throat industry, you will hear ‘no’ a thousand times before you hear one ‘yes’. And that single ‘yes’ will give you so much strength that there would be no looking back.
What are your future plans?
I’ve always dreamt that my music would reach all over the world. I am planning to have my own music studio, where I can have freedom to produce what I like.
