This week Fariha Pervez, Spotify’s artist of the month, shares her likes and dislikes with our readers. Read on….
you & me
Fariha Pervez is one of the most prolific and versatile artists of contemporary Pakistani music. Born into a family of entertainers, Fariha took no time fitting into the culture of the showbiz industry. She began her career as an actress in the ’90s and worked in quite a few drama serials including the famous children’s drama ‘Ainak Wala Jin’. However, she quickly realised that her true calling was actually music. Pervez released her first music album in 1996, titled ‘Nice & Naughty’. Her song ‘Bo Kata’ (from her first album) became an instant hit. The song also kick-started her musical career.
She has mostly experimented fusing modern pop music arrangements with regional folklore of Northern Subcontinent. She has released seven albums so far – ‘Nice & Naughty’ (1996); ‘Music Viewzik’ (1997); ‘Jhumka’ (2000); ‘O Vela Yaad Kar’ (2001); ‘Piya’ (2003), ‘Passion’ (2005) and ‘Abhi Abhi’ (2010). During her musical career, she has sung for Pakistani films such as ‘Chief Sahib’, ‘Sailab’, ‘Ghunghat’, ‘Sangam’, ‘Inteha’ and ‘Moosa Khan’. From classical to pop, Fariha has tried everything and refuses to have a fixed image, nevertheless she is known for the rendition of various popular and famous ghazals. This week Fariha Pervez, Spotify’s artist of the month, shares her likes and dislikes with our readers. Read on….
* What is your most memorable concert to date?
My live performance with Coke Studio, executed by Rohail Hyatt, that featured some exceptional musicians from Turkey on stage with me at the Expo Centre.
* What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a live musical series produced by myself. The whole idea is to create and explore new live sound for my own music as well as other musicians. Moreover, I’ve recently started to work with Rearts (an arts organisation in Lahore) and I aim to release many singles across streaming platforms inclusive of my old songs which aren’t available yet.
* How does it feel to be the Ambassador of the Month for EQUAL Pakistan?
I love everything about it! The minute I got introduced to it, I got super excited that something is finally happening for women in music! We’ve waited so long for such opportunities which are solely for female musicians.
* How important do you think such initiatives are for women artists of our country?
It’s a brilliant initiative by Spotify. We need more initiatives like this and in every field. It is about time we start valuing our women and show the world their talent.
* Tell us about your song that is being featured on the EQUAL Pakistan playlist…
Silsilay Tor Gaya, an excerpt taken from the poem originally written by Ahmad Faraz sahab. The song is produced by Ahsan Pervaiz Mehdi.
* Top 3 songs in your playlist:
Bo Kata; Thora Thora Pyar; Jogi De Daal.
* Your favourite international music celebrity?
Christina Perri.
* Who is your icon in the music industry?
Farida Khanum Ji - the queen of ghazal.
* Who was your favourite rock/jazz/ pop star when you were growing up?
I didn’t have a set figure back then. From Bollywood music to Pakistani music to English Pop music, I thoroughly enjoyed everything that sounded good.
* What was the first instrument that you learned to play?
Vocals - that is my sole and foremost instrument.
* Your most irritating habit…
I am too emotional.
* You are afraid of…
Being idle without any work.
* You don’t like people who are…
Fake, desperate and greedy.
* Your most valuable possession?
My vocals.
* Your all-time favourite movie?
Bruce Almighty.
* Are you a shopaholic?
Mostly, I buy what I need.
* What bores you the most?
Being in the company of useless people.
* You are crazy about…
Music recordings and travelling.
* How do you like to spend your Sundays?
Watching TV, cooking, eating out, being with friends, stitching etc.
* What is your favourite tune nowadays?
Kahani Suno 2.0 by Kaifi Khalil.
* If you tag a musician along with you on tour for a month, who would you choose?
Christina Perri.
* Your favourite hangout?
Going to a music concert.
* If you had access to a time machine, which era would you revisit?
The ’70s.
* Do you agree that it is important to learn and understand old music and its history?
Yes. Understanding old music can make you creative so you can produce good songs, melodies, lyrics etc.
* Songs that always get you on the dance floor?
Mostly bhangra songs.
* What books are on your bedside table?
Yoga, health related stuff mostly.
* First thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Stretching, Yoga and making and having breakfast.
* What’s the last thing you bought?
A 4TB hard-drive, mainly to gather all my music data in one place.
* When I am not working, I am usually…
Thinking about what to do next.
* The most important relationship lesson you have learnt so far…
Live and let live.
* You get super uncomfortable when…
When I want to do something but I am unable to do it, because of various external circumstances or when I have a creative block.
* The biggest misconception about you is…
That I am a very proud person. However, this isn’t the case when people get to know me.
* Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself in a transitional phase, where I am working as a business woman and a musician. I want to explore my potential in both.
* Something very few people know about me…
That I am a really good beautician as well and run a very successful salon business.
* What’s your ultimate desire?
To travel the world over. I love travelling and exploring new cultures and places.
