The Next Myles Kennedy

People have been immensely supportive after Nescafe Basement and a good positive feedback is enough for a musician to keep moving on.

The full of life, rock music enthusiast is already out there living his dreams.He sings, plays in a band, Overdose (including Bilawal Lahooti, a Nescafe basement Alum and truly magical on drums), has performed at a number of concerts, produces music at Neon Studios an the list just goes on. It all started for the multi-talented rock star when he asked to be gifted a guitar after obtaining good grades and he hasn't looked back since! Here, he shares what its like to have his heart set on a kind of music that is still looked down upon in many circles.


1- Why choose electric guitar of all instruments?

Well, I was asked by Zulfi to play electric guitars, I guess judging what I use to do in my songs were mainly electric guitar parts that made the song more interesting which I think he needed from me to contribute.

2- In an age where rock music lacks support and appreciation, what urged you towards it and towards making a band based on such music?

I have always been a rock fan and  unfortunately, I know people here don't even consider 'rock singers' even though it needs a lot of exercise and stamina to pull off that kind of singing! But I feel that's the beauty of being a part of such a show; you can pretty much do whatever you want to without any boundaries and I just don't want to be one of those people who give up just for the sake of some harsh criticism. I will carry on for sure!

3- What problems did you face when starting to pursue rock music? Has there also been support and appreciation?

Making music in such a genre is tricky as it is not easily accepted and digested here but I tend to make it as easy for the audience as possible so that they can easily relate to it. People have been immensely supportive after Nescafe Basement and a good positive feedback is enough for a musician to keep moving on.

4- How has Nescafe Basement helped you? Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Nescafe has basically showcased us as artists and musicians which is all a musician these days needs. I am sure it's the best initiative taken in years. In five years I would definitely be producing more music!

Season 3 in a Go

Best range? Altamash

Most artistic? Zulfi bhai

The sharpest one? Arsalan

Most surprising? Hamza

Most laid back? Bilawal

Most reliable? Sharoon

Most fun? Bilawal

Most shy? Arfa

Most serious? Hassan

Most mischievous? Bilawal

Most emotional? Sibtain

Most mature? Hassan

Someone you’re sure is going to make it big in future? Sharoon

A Dream Girl Project

It was more than challenging to give harmonies in every song. You have to zone yourself out completely and then sing on an entirely different note.

A BBA student in her third year doing double majors from Lahore School of Economics, Amna Imtiaz is a vocalist and can also play a little bit of piano. She started experimenting with music back in grade 5 when her school teachers spotted the talent in her. This impressive young lady has an equally impressive sister, also a classically trained singer, who has been her music teacher all along. Not to ambitious, Amna stays grounded but does plan on hitting the music industry with my original compositions. So happened one fine day, as casually as it could get, she 'entered Nescafe Basement by simply inboxing Xulfi bhai' her cover songs.

1- How does it look from the seat of a backing vocalist? How hard or important is your job?

It was more than challenging to give harmonies in every song. You have to zone yourself out completely and then sing on an entirely different note. Xulfi bhai made the job quite easy but it took us a lot of effort to fine tune our notes.

2- How do your parents feel about both their daughters in the singing profession? How has been the support from family? Are there any hesitations or condition attached to what you guys do?

My family has been extremely supportive especially my sisters. There were times when I would simply reject any collaborations just because I was too shy! My elder sister would literally push me into it and force me to take up any venture, Nescafe Basement too. The only condition is that I refrain from appearing on TV but I am hoping this condition relaxes with time too.

3- Who inspired you to learn music at such a young age?

My sister is a classically trained singer and she has been my biggest inspiration in learning music. In fact, she has taught me some of my favourite ghazals and old classics.

4- Can we expect collaboration with your sister soon?

Any day... nothing better than singing with my first ever mentor! 

Season 3 in a Go

Best range? Hamza Tanveer

Most artistic? Usman Sheikh

The sharpest one? Sharoon Leo

Most surprising? Arsalan Hasan

Most laid back? Sibra and I all the way

Most reliable? Usman Sheikh

Most fun? Bilawal Lahooti

Most shy?  Sherry Khattak

Most serious? Melvin

Most mischievous? Almost all the boys would prank each other

Most emotional? Sibtain Khalid

Most mature? Arfa Chaudhary

Someone you’re sure is going to make it big in future?  Parizae and Usman  

Adele in the making

I owe a lot to Xulfi bhai for teaching me to be a better musician and also for giving me an opportunity I'll always remember and cherish. He's a great mentor and he's a great inspiration.

Maria Fatima Unera Qureshi, the 20-year-old half Filipino-half Pakistani  girl is not new to the industry despite her tender age. She has been pursuing music professionally for four years now and has already worked with big names such as Noori for Fanta and Zulfiqar 'Xulfi' Khan in Nescafé Basement Season 3. Currently, she is working on her originals songs with Walnut Studios and hoping to bring a change and wider perspective towards music and genres our country should explore and achieve the goal to motivate younger people to pursue their dreams and express themselves in any sort of art. It was a mutual friend who her to Xulfi through one of her videos and the kind of strong, beautiful vocal skills that Maria has, no wonder he called her up right then and there. 

1- Where did you learn music from? What challenges did you have to face being a young female vocalist? How has been the support and reactions from everyone around?

Music is in my blood. I've inherited it from my mother and her family. Being a Filipino, you're born with the passion for music and dance. Karaoke is famous in the Philippines so while growing up, I would grab the microphone and just sing out loud. Obviously making a career out of music, especially in Pakistan, is already tough to begin with only because there are not enough platforms or at least there weren't at the time when I decided for it. So I had a lot of issues in getting myself the right kind of exposure and it was hard to make people take me seriously as a musician. Despite all of that, the reactions of the audience has stunned me, the support I get from my fans is just absolutely heart warming. Nothing beats the support of my family though. They have had my back since I was little and I am so thankful to them.

2- Do you think there is still a stigma attached to singing and music in general especially for girls?

Definitely not stigma, at least not from my understanding. I know many many young female musicians who are extremely talented and even if they are not that recognized, they still post videos of their covers and are truly motivated. Music is in everyone's lives; it's a great form of art through which people can express themselves and feel other everyone else's emotions from. Musicians my age or younger than I, who have the passion for music must be motivated to do so and must work hard through out to get to the top. And in most scenarios, motivation is lacking.  

3- How much and in what ways has Nescafe Basement helped you, other young artists and the music scene?

Nescafé Basement has definitely made me a better musician in so many ways that it's hard to explain. It has taught me so much more about music and how much dedication I need to put into music to make it worth listening. All the endless video shoots and jams were literally all worth it. It is a platform where musicians like myself get to shine and show the world how talented we are. It has not only been a successful show in Pakistan but also in many other countries. I have met so many talented musicians with great stories of their own. Xulfi Bhai, has done a great job with this show and in bringing forward loads of talented young people of Pakistan to the world. I wouldn't be able to hit those 'crazy' notes if it weren't for the support from him- Xulfi Bhai, you rock! 

4- What would you like to say to the young girls who aspire to enter the music industry? Where should they start from, how should they go about it?

To all my fellow young musicians, not just girls, I want you all to follow your dreams and fight for the success. If you want to be a successful musician then grab an instrument, learn how to play, learn how to sing; make videos, post them online. This is the 21st century. The best way to show the world you are out there is through social media. If you really put your heart into it, you will get there. Struggles and all sorts of heartache will come along the way but that is only because that's how you get to the top. My great friend Shamoon Ismail once said (referring to himself, me and other fellow musician friends), 'We are where we are today because of all the struggles we've been through, we've worked hard to get here and we'll work harder'. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if you really want to do something, you CAN do it. You just have get up, have a positive mind and start with something, anything. Never give up.

The Prodigy

I think it is the kind of music that a person listens that motivates his or her interests. I used to listen to classical symphonies by Beethoven and Mozart when I was really young, I remember, I would challenge myself to figure them out on the piano by just listening.

Arsalan Hasan is a mere 18-year-old from Lahore and recently finished with his A-Levels. A self learnt musician, producer, composer and song writer he primarily plays the keyboard along with sometimes experimenting with the guitars and drums too. But if you though this is it, think again, He is also a vocalist in the making. A firm beleiver of 'learning never stops', Arsalan was 3 years old when a got a toy piano as a birthday gift; believe it or not he learnt to play classical symphonies on that little piano. His major inspiration comes from the legendary musicians and composers like Beethoven, Mozart etc. By the age of 9, he had begun to record and make his own music. Growing up, he idolised Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and other rock/metal bands and produced EDM and House music for fun. As his skills and talent matured over the years, he has started listening to more versatile genres. It wasn't until some three years ago that he picked up the guitar and has recently started playing the drums as well. While his favorite band is Dream Theater (most of his original compositions are inspired by their music), Jordan Rudess (Keyboardist for Dream Theater) remains his idol.

1- What do you think plays the most important part in motivating the a child from the start to recognize his interest and start working on it, be it music or something else?

I personally think that it is basically the experiences in life that play an important part. Musically speaking, I think it is the kind of music that a person listens that motivates his or her interests. I used to listen to classical symphonies by Beethoven and Mozart when I was really young, I remember, I would challenge myself to figure them out on the piano by just listening. For me the internet did not exist at that time. Plus it is the parents' and teachers' support that leads you to finding out and pursuing your interest.

2- What are the challenges such a young musician has to face?

The biggest challenge for young musicians perhaps is juggling their studies along with what they do. Personally it was a really huge challenge for me but I have been able to cope up with all of it for almost the last 10 years and have always managed to maintain my grades.

3- How did you get selected for Nescafe?

Basically, Xulfi was there at my school judging a competition where I was heading the event. He asked me if I played anything. I showed him a few videos I had in my phone. We got into contact , I was called in for a live audition and now here I am.

4- How do you see such massive appreciation and recognition at this age? Is it tricky to handle since it can go either way (make or break the artist)?

I think this depends on the nature of the person. For me massive appreciation and recognition at this age is a source of motivation to thrive and achieve more and more. Moreover, it has pushed me to improve and do what I do even better.

 Massive appreciation and recognition at this age is a source of motivation to thrive and achieve more and more. Moreover, it has pushed me to improve and do what I do even better.

Season 3 in a Go

Most mischievous? Bilawal & myself

Most mature? Haider Abbas

Someone with the best advice: Xulfi

Most fun: Bilawal Lahooti

Most surprising: Nazar Abbas

Most artistic: Melvin Arthur