An Xclusive Interview With Swaras The Band
Swaras is a Canada based band who’s members are Pakistani,Swaras (literal English translation: “The seven notes of the scale (swaras)”) is a semi classical pop/rock band from Toronto, Canada, formed in June 2009 by Asad Q. who is also the lead vocalist and composer of the band’s music.Band Consist of 4 members,
Asad Q. – Lead vocals & Compositions
Hassan Bokhari – Lead guitars,Vocals, Compositions & Arrangement
Faisal Ahsan – Bass Guitars
Amir Samimi – Drummer/Percussionist
They have released 2 videos so far and both have got very much attention of the people.Swaras’ music is not just an amalgamation of the Classical Eastern and Rocking Western harmonies but also a synthesis of the world melodies like Chinese folk flutes, African Conga drums, Punjabi Dhol.
The idea behind Swaras’ music is to sing eastern classical vocals with all the western instruments but to add a specialized country’s instrument in each of their compositions and never to repeat that instrument again.
We reached them and had some talk about their upcoming projects and plan so here it is..
Q : What is the meaning of Swaras, why you named the band Swaras?
>> Swaras means ‘Seven notes of a music scale’, just wanted to keep it short and sweet but also describing about our eastern classical music roots.
Q : How did all of your band members got united, were you friends ?
>> Hassan and I use to work together but then we recruited other members thru jams, online ads etc.
Q : Were you guys Canadian citizen by birth or went from Pakistan to Canada?
>> We are born in Pakistan and have immigrated some 13-14yrs back to Canada.
Q : What else you do besides music?
>> Well have day jobs and family life like any other human being 
Q : Do you believe in stars, if yes then any of you had written in his star that he will be a musician?
>> I don’t know about astrology or stars but we know that if you have a passion for something and you work hard you eventually achieve it.
Q : Does the Canadian people give response to your music?
>> They love our music. We have fans from Spain, UK, Canada, US, Pakistan, India, UAE, Luxembourg, Mauritius etc.
Q : What do you think about Pakistani music industry, is it growing or going down?
>> Music is growing for sure but the industry is going down.
Q : Is Pakistan a good country for doing music, do the people respect musicians?
>> Pakistan has a lot of potential in everything, if we wipe out corruption in every field or alteast minimize it to an extent that it doesn’t affect common people we can do wonders.
Q : Are the record labels in Pakistan are doing good job or just earning money for themselves only?
>> I am not sure as I have never dealt with them but what I heard from other people is not very pleasant.
Q : Now Pakistani pop industry is not at the level where it was in 90′s,What is the reason for that?
>> When the listeners start supporting talentless and ‘’baysuras’’ this is what happens.
Q : Most of the Pakistani Singers are going to Bollywood, what is the reason for that?
>> Bollywood has a bigger platform; when it comes to movies and music and they pay well too, I think that maybe the case.
Q : If you had any offer from india, will you go?
>> I already have two offers out of which I have declined one and we are still working on the other one so let’s see.
Q : Your first two video got very popular, when are you releasing your next song?
>> Our whole album is ready, it is just a matter of time, you will hear something very soon J
Q : We heard that you are working Glen Dover, ex-guitarist of Megadeth, how did you reach him?
>> I came to know from Hassan that he lives in Toronto, I just messaged him thru his myspace page
Q : Which genre of music are you trying to focus more in your music?
>> Mostly World Fusion but in short it is ‘Pink Floyd meets Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahib’ J
Q : Which artist you mostly like to listen(Just Pakistani)?
>> Almost all of them
Q : What will you do if you become President of Pakistan(each member answer separately)?
>> I don’t think any of us would like to become the President of Pakistan or any other country, we are happy as musicians J
Q : What do you think about the political situation of Pakistan, is there any chances of getting it better ?
>> Yes, I see change is in the air. Inshahallah it will be better but we as a nation need to work very hard on it. Change will not come overnight or easily…Get ready for some hard times…
Q : What is your opinion about Imran Khan?
>> He seems very sincere and honest.
Q : Any message to Pakistani people because they are facing real problems?
>> Napoleon once said “The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people, but because of the silence of good people!”
So people of Pakistan it about time that you should stand up for your rights…Saada Haq Aithay Raak..
Q : Any message to your fans ?
>> Keep supporting us as without you we will be nothing…
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