This week Maher, Spotify’s singer of the month, shares her likes and dislikes and passion for music. Read on…
you & me
Young and talented, Maher Anjum has been working as a musician for 8 years. She has been obsessed with music since her school days. “I was a permanent member of our school music choir and I knew I had a thing for music and really wanted to take it far,” elucidates Maher. According to Maher, her dad has been her biggest inspiration in becoming a musician. “My dad always encouraged me to pursue my career as a musician,” she says. Her OST Kya Hoti Hai Bewafai, (female version) for mega serial ‘Tere Bin’ on Geo TV, was an instant hit. These days she is busy working on some singles. This week Maher, Spotify’s singer of the month, shares her likes and dislikes and passion for music. Read on…
What is your specialised field of singing?
The genres or styles that resonate the most with me are pop, rock and classical.
What is your most memorable concert to date?
My first concert at the F9 Park Islamabad. I was nervous as I had not performed in front of such a huge audience before, but the concert went really well and it ended with the chants of “once more, once more”. That’s my most memorable concert till date.
How does it feel to be the Ambassador of the Month for EQUAL Pakistan?
It’s an immense pride for me and a great opportunity to showcase my love for music and also empower other female music artists of my country and encourage them to get involved.
How important do you think such initiatives are for women artists of our country?
Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan program is an extremely rewarding initiative as it gives you visibility and recognition. The program empowers female artists to showcase their talent on the world stage and participate enthusiastically.
Tell us about your song that is being featured on the EQUAL Pakistan playlist.
‘Kya Hoti Hai Bewafai’ is the featured song that is also very close and special to my heart.
Have you released any music albums so far?
Not yet.
Top 3 songs in your playlist?
‘Kya Hoti Hai Bewafai’, ‘Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha’, ‘Mere Pardesi Yara’.
Your favourite international music celebrity?
Shreya Ghoshal.
Who is your icon in the music industry?
Madam Noor Jahan.
Who were your favourite pop stars when you were growing up or in your teens?
Fariha Pervez Ji, Haroon and Faakhir.
What was the first instrument that you learned to play?
The first instrument that I learned to play was the piano.
Your most irritating habit…
I’m a shopaholic and love to spend my money on shopping and goods. You can call me spendthrift. I can’t save my money.
You don’t like people who are…
I don’t like people who are fake sweet; who are sweet in front of you and backbite in your absence.
You are afraid of…
I’m afraid of all types of birds. I have severe Ornithophobia.
Your most valuable possession…
My voice.
Your all-time favourite movie?
‘3 Idiots’.
What bores you the most?
Workout and exercise.
You are crazy about…
Junk food.
How do you like to spend your Sundays?
I spend my Sundays fighting with my siblings and helping my mom in doing little house chores.
What is your favourite tune nowadays?
My favourite tune nowadays is ‘Tera Mera Hai Pyar Amar’.
If you could have a musician tag along with you on a tour, whom would you choose?
That’s a tough one since there are so many amazing music artists. But if I had to choose one, it would be Atif Aslam.
Your favourite hangout?
Dino Valley.
If you had access to a time machine, which era would you revisit?
I would love to revisit my childhood era, when I was a 5-year-old kid in my school.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
I always try to explore and improvise myself and find my own self my biggest competitor.
Do you agree that it is important to learn and understand old music and its history?
Absolutely, because listening to good old music really helps. For me classical singing is the main foundation of singing. If you learn classical singing properly you can sing and mould your voice in every style of singing.
Song that always gets you on the dance floor?
‘Pasoori’.
What’s the last thing you bought?
As I already told you that I’m a shopaholic so it’s hard to tell what I bought last…I think it would be my new phone.
What books are on your bedside table?
No books - only my snacks. (Laughs).
First thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I yawn and then check my phone.
When I am not working, I am usually…
Helping my mom in little house chores.
The most important relationship lesson you have learnt so far…
Value yourself first if you want someone to treat you like a queen.
You get super uncomfortable when…
Someone smokes in front of me, especially on TV sets.
The biggest misconception about you is…
I am an auto-tune singer.
Where do you see yourself in next 5 years?
In five years, I envision myself as an even more versatile and skilled singer, exploring various styles and genres to connect with a broader audience.
Something very few people know about you…
I am excellent at mimicry. I can mimic Atif Aslam really well.
What’s your ultimate desire?
I want to create a platform for deserving singers, specially from Islamabad, to showcase their talent to the whole world.
