There are very few voices that are a combination of force and subtlety - Natasha Baig.....
you & me
There are very few voices that are a combination of force and subtlety - Natasha Baig has that voice. Hailing from the scenic valley of Hunza, Baig was an athlete, playing under-19 cricket as an off-spin bowler in district matches. Unable to pursue her passion for sports, Baig turned her attention to music. “I started singing when I was about to leave cricket. I played my final under-19 representing Karachi in 2010 and I used to entertain my team mates by singing songs and used to make them sing along. Even in my childhood when my singing ability was undiscovered, people used to compliment my voice but I never paid attention, until I left sports and was left with nothing but music,” shares Baig.
Baig entered showbiz through participating in a reality show ‘Cornetto Music Icons’ in 2013.
In a span of just a few years, she has carved a place for her sufi-rock genre of singing. In 2014, Baig was a part of the first ensemble of ‘Sounds of Kolachi’, and contributed as a vocalist in the first album, ‘Elhaam’ (2017), produced by Mekaal Hasan. She has shared the stage with mainstream acts and released original tracks such as ‘Kesaria’ with Mai Dhai (2017), ‘Ya Maula’ in Burushaski language and ‘Tu Nay Deewana Banaya’ to critical acclaim. These days she is working on her own album. Let’s see what are the likes & dislikes of this sufi rock singer who has recently appeared in Coke Studio, Season 11...
You! How would you label your genre of singing?
I can pull off mostly any genre but my command is on sufi rock, where I can be myself and be the best.
You! Which is your most memorable concert to-date?
Lahooti Melo 2017, Hyderabad... loved the crowd and their energy.
You! What was your claim to fame song?
My claim to fame song was ‘Kesaria’ which I did in collaboration with Mai Dai in 2017.
You! Your favourite international music celebrity?
Michael Jackson! He inspired me to be a performer on the stage.
You! Who are your icons in the music industry?
Abida Parveen and Ali Azmat.
You! Would you define yourself as a bright student in your childhood?
I was not a bad student because without preparing for my exams I used to score A grade. However, I was more inclined towards co-curricular activities for which my teachers were never in favour but I participated anyways.
You! Who was your favourite rock/jazz star when you were growing up?
I love ‘Cranberries’, Joan Jett, ‘Coldplay’, ‘Pink Floyd’, ‘The Beatles’... I have mostly listened to rock music. And I discovered jazz when I started doing music professionally. I love Norah Jones. From Pakistan, my all time favourite band is ‘Junoon’.
You! How was your Coke Studio experience?
My experience was something that I will cherish for the lifetime.
You! What do you like the best about Coke Studio?
I like the positive energy of each and every person involved in this project. From being unknown to each other, it only takes some minutes to become a family.
You! What was your favourite moment from Coke Studio?
My favourite moment was the day when Zohaib Kazi and Ali Hamza announced that I would be a part of this season and that day was my birthday; and this announcement was made as a surprise gift... that moment is unbeatable.
You! One thing you like best about yourself:
My identity that I hail from Hunza valleys
You! You don’t like people who are...
Cruel to animals
You! You are afraid of...
Doing injustice with my work
You! Your most valuable possession:
My most valuable possession is the replica of MJ’s thriller jacket that I got as a birthday gift from my friend.
You! Your all-time favourite movie:
‘Nayak’
You! Song that always gets you on the dance floor?
No affiliation with any political party but I can’t resist myself when I hear ‘Dilan teer bija’
You! Are you a shopaholic?
Yes... it’s my guilty pleasure.
You! What bores you the most?
Bad listeners
You! You are passionate about...
Performing live on stage
You! What is your favourite tune nowadays?
‘Shikwa jawab-e-shikwa’
You! What’s your favourite holiday destination?
Switzerland (have never been there though).
You! What’s the last thing you bought?
A waist coat with a pattern of ajrak
You! What books are on your bedside table?
‘Tazkarat-ul-Aulia’
You! First thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Check my notifications
You! When I am not working I am usually...
Sleeping
You! An important relationship lesson you have learnt so far...
Compromise
You! You get super uncomfortable when...
People praise you a lot
You! The biggest misconception about you...
That I am making hell lot of money right now
You! Your favourite hangout:
My home
You! Something very few people know about you as a person...
That I am a very calm person
You! How do you like to spend your Sundays?
Decluttering!
You! If you had access to a time machine which era would you revisit?
I would have wanted to visit Muhammad (PBUH) and Maula Ali (A.S) era... I know I’m not worthy but still I took the advantage of the question and couldn’t resist writing about this wish.
You! Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I want to be able to come up with a great care system for animals plus I want my name to be embedded at the hall of fame.
You! What do you think this country needs the most?
Love and tolerance
You! Your ultimate desire...
To be more spiritually satisfied
