In a chit-chat with You! Haider shares some of his likes & dislikes with our readers…
you & me
Istarted music in 2005 but my first contribution to the industry was in 2007 and 2008 for ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ and ‘Bol’ respectively with Shoaib Mansoor,” says versatile singer, lyricist, composer, music director and record producer Shuja Haider. According to Haider, he never wanted to become a singer/music producer. “Although I grew up watching my grandfather play the piano, my objective was to become a cricketer, but fate took me into the world of music.”
Haider marked his debut in television as a composer and vocalist for hit drama serials including ‘Tum Mere Hi Rehna’ (2014); ‘Muqaddas’ (2015), ‘Sehra Main Safar’ (2015); ‘Mann Mayal’ (2016); ‘Baaghi’ (2017); ‘Pukaar’ (2018) and ‘Alif’ (2019).
Haider made his Coke Studio debut as a music director in 2016. To date his smash song remained ‘Tera Woh Pyar’. Originally released in 2004 as a single, the song gained newfound popularity in 2016 when it was performed on Coke Studio by Asim and Momina.
These days Haider is focusing on his ensemble project ‘SoundScape’. In a chit-chat with You! Haider shares some of his likes & dislikes with our readers…
Have you released a music album so far?
I haven’t released an album, just singles as of now.
Your favourite international music celebrities:
Steve Vai, Steve Morse and Sting.
Who was your ultimate music star during your teens?
There was great music when I was growing up so I can’t say I can pick one, but Abba and The Beatles were always on my playlist.
What do you like most about being a musician?
The freedom of expression, I would say. It’s one of the many forms of art.
What’s your favourite thing in your wardrobe?
The line of black T-shirts. Haha
What is Shuja Haider’s look?
I prefer something simple and comfortable like jeans and a T-shirt for my everyday look.
What is your favourite movie?
Jeepers Creepers. I like scary movies.
You cannot stand people who are…
Not true to themselves and honestly it shows.
Your most valuable possession:
Without a doubt, my kids.
What bugs you the most?
If there’s one thing that really bugs me is indifference to your surroundings. I feel one should be empathetic.
What is your concept of fun?
Spending quality time with my family or in the studio.
How do you like to spend your weekends?
There are no weekends in my business. I choose my weekend and that could be any weekday!
When you are not working you are usually…
Playing games and watching movies.
Do you like to stay home or to socialise?
Yes, I love to socialise.
Your favourite hangout?
I usually go out with my kids... wherever they like it.
If you had access to a time machine which era would you revisit?
I’d visit the ’50s and get an understanding of the music from that time.
What is a typical day for you?
Being at the studio working on my music is a typical day for me.
What do you think this country needs the most?
I feel and would want and appeal to our government to take music seriously. Music education should be compulsory. We need music schools badly and this is the right time for it.
How does it feel to be famous?
I wouldn’t say I’m famous but I am humbled to receive the love and appreciation from everyone.
What’s the recipe of success?
There’s no recipe, it’s one’s own journey with ups and downs.
Tell us something about your dream project – ‘SoundScape’:
Soundscape is a live music series. It will be Pakistan’s first complete interactive live music series and will feature the best of musicians. SoundScape will also introduce for the first time, The Shuja Haider ensemble. It is scheduled to take place in January 2021 and will be curated and produced by Shuja Haider and will be held in multiple cities with the mission to reach as many people as possible.
What’s the next project we’ll be seeing by Shuja Haider?
I am very excited about the launch of Strepsils Stereo Season 3. This is the recent most project I was working on as a music producer and it was the first time for me working on acapella. Through this platform, we discovered some hidden talent in the country and I can’t wait to see the reviews.
How did you hunt for new talent?
We ran a contest online called the Sing with Strepsils challenge which helped in scouting for new talent with more than 1000 entries were sent in and the audience voted for the ones they liked the most. From those winners, we selected the top 20 and those are the ones you will be seeing often in our music videos and hearing their voices in the songs.
A message you would like to give to aspiring musicians?
We had people who always made original songs wrote original lyrics but somehow the culture of doing cover songs has made them an opportunist who wants to be famous overnight without hard work. Make your own songs, write your own songs and learn from your mistakes. One day you will know the benefits.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Wherever God takes me, I am ready for an adventure.
