Natasha Noorani

you & me

Natasha Noorani is a singer-songwriter, playback singer and voice-over artist. “I started performing regularly at the age of 14 and have been producing music since 2014. I’ve been working independently as a musician and music manager/curator for the past 6 years,” says Noorani. Trained in khayal gayaki, Noorani was the only Pakistani to be awarded the Goethe Talents Scholarship in 2019. Noorani released her debut EP ‘Munaasib’ in 2018 which explored her diverse range as a singer-songwriter exploring her r&b, neo-soul and progressive rock influences. Noorani has also collaborated with various Pakistani acts including Strings, Biryani Brothers, Ali Suhail, Sikandar Ka Mandar & Gentle Robot. Noorani has also been deeply involved in the Pakistani music industry having co-founded South-Asia’s music festival cum symposium, Lahore Music Meet (LMM) in 2015. The multi-faceted musician and ethnomusicologist has recently released her latest single ‘Trace’. Penned by oorani, ‘Trace’ has been recorded and produced by Ali Suhail. Noorani’s another song ‘Baby Baby’ which she has sung for Velo Sound Station 2020 is also getting popular on social media these days. In an exclusive interview with You! Noorani reveals her likes and dislikes…

What is your specialised field of singing/producing music?

I try not to be restricted by genres. I’m happy performing rock, jazz, neo-soul, r&b and semi-classical music and I’m constantly trying to experiment with more styles.

What is your most memorable concert to-date?

My most memorable concert would have to be performing for UN Women with Zahra Paracha (as Biryani Brothers) earlier in 2020. Our original music was met with an excellent response from the audience.

Your claim to fame song:

Some people enjoyed my EP ‘Munaasib’, however, I feel more people have heard and enjoying ‘Baby Baby’ from Velo Sound Station.

How was your experience performing Baby Baby?

It was definitely the biggest project I’ve been a part of so far as a musician so it was super challenging. Working with Bilal Maqsood as a musician was extremely exciting and I got to learn more about approaching music for mass audiences.

Have you released any music album so far?

I have released an EP called ‘Munaasib’ in 2017 and a single called ‘Trace’ a few weeks ago.

Your favourite international labels in clothes:

Anything that’s cheap! I haven’t shopped much internationally but I like ‘Primark’.

Your favourite international music celebrity:

It would be hard to pick one but currently I’m quite obsessed with ‘Thundercat’.

Who is your icon in music industry?

Naheed Akhtar. She was such a versatile singer and excelled at any genre.

What are your thoughts on music platforms and how they benefit the music industry?

It’s great to have more music platforms like Coke Studio and Velo Sound Station in Pakistan. I’m hopeful that in the next few years we will have more independent music platforms, other then corporate platforms that cater to all the excellent music and genres that Pakistan’s musicians are currently making.

Who was your favourite rock star when you were growing up or in your teens?

Maynard James from Tool/A Perfect Circle.

If you had access to a time machine which music era would you revisit?

I would take a time machine back to 1950s Pakistan so I could get more primary data for my music research.

Your most valuable possession

My piano.

You are crazy about…

Finding new music.

What is your favourite tune nowadays?

‘Filhaal’ by Towers.

What is your favourite song to perform?

‘Fever Dream’ from my 2017 EP Munaasib.

Song that always gets you on the dance floor?

‘Busy Earning’ by Jungle.

Your most irritating habit...

If things get overwhelming I tend to turn off my phone and hide in my room and watch TV.

You don't like people who are...

Negative. Everybody’s already insecure and negative people just make things a lot worse.

You are afraid of…

Being silenced.

What bores you the most?

Excel sheets.

How do you like to spend your Sundays?

Chilling out in my room by myself.

What’s the last thing you bought?

A notebook.

What books are on your bedside table?

Siren Song: Understanding Pakistan Through Its Women Singers by Fawzia Afzal-Khan.

First thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Put my alarm clock on snooze and go back to sleep.

The most important relationship lesson you have learnt so far…

Friends who truly care about you won’t make you feel bad for being who you are.

You get super uncomfortable when…

People compliment me.

Your favourite hangout for jamming?

My room or True Brew (Lahore).

Do you think music scene is bright for Pakistani musicians in 2021?

Pakistani musicians are making some fantastic music right now. Given the impact of Covid-19, I hope that musicians find a way to make enough money until we can get back to performing live.

What do you think would be the future of music centred events, especially Lahore Music Meet which you are a co-founder of, amidst Covid-19?

It’s hard to imagine physical events for a while so I think music-cantered events need to pivot and evolve to find new ways of engaging with audiences primarily through digital. It would be great to have funding and support from the Government for this.

What’s next for you?

I’ll be releasing songs from my upcoming album, ‘Ronaq’, over the next few months.

Your ultimate desire...

To witness the existence of a functioning music industry.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

I would probably have had a career in Marketing.