With his majestic vocals and unfailing love for music, Overload has been the most consistent band with their songs and innovative music videos
It's Overload's 10th anniversary song. It celebrates all that we've been through. It's festive, fun and it'll make audiences revisit the roots of their language as well as music.
The Pakistan Music Industry has very few faces in the music arena who have the audacity to experiment with genres and are able to come forward with a creative flair as they make their songs. Where we have seen atypical and monotonous melodies take their traditional position, one man has emerged as the only music producer who’s creativity knows no bounds. Farhad Humayun singer, producer and drummer of the zealous band Overload knows exactly how to push boundaries. Being the lead vocalist of one of the loudest bands of Pakistan, Farhad has come far in his journey and has become one of the most well recognized faces of the Music Industry. With his majestic vocals and unfailing love for music, Overload has been the most consistent band with their songs and innovative music videos. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this August, they have come out with their latest single ”Jeet” which celebrates their journey throughout the decade. With his exceptional understanding of music and the kind of songs he wants to produce, we have seen in his videos a unique edge that sets him apart from all other musicians.
Recently awarded the well deserved Lux Style Awards, the man talks to Sunday Plus about his band’s journey, his life and his thoughts about the industry.
Farhad Humayun is a household name that has accomplished a lot in the music industry. When and why did you decide to enter the music industry?
Ever since I was a little boy, I just wanted to play drums. I didn't enter the industry for any reward. Besides, there is no industry. With the help of other fellow musicians we will make it into one with monetization of content, royalty collection, record labels, lawyers, agents etc.
How did the band overload come about?
I got together with various musicians over the years to develop a rhythm band. It was with the Dhol that I found a sound which was larger than life. That was the sound of Overload.
You produced a number of hits in Pepsi Smash and it came out as one of those endeavors who wanted to do something new and take music to another level of excellence. How has your experience been and how did the Pepsi Smash initiative come about?
Thanks very much for your encouragement. Sheraz and I started this initiative called Live At The Apartment which was an online show of mostly covers. But we got friends like Symt and Club Caramel, Shahzad Hameed, Ustad Jaffer and Umair Nadeem to feature with us. We approached a number of sponsors to do something bigger. In fact, Pepsi was someone we hadn't approached. A common friend introduced the show to them and the idea of working together came about. It took a very long time to convince them.I went ahead and did Coke Studio. After that Pepsi really decided to go ahead with Smash.
I had the best team of professionals to work with. Sheraz and Faisal Baig took care of most of the music creation. Sabeeh khan and Mukhtar Awan were instrumental in giving it the visual feel. It was an awesome experience. We finished it in record breaking time and it's also owed much to the artists who sent us great songs to work with.
Do you think the initiatives like Pepsi Smash and Coke Studio help the music scene in Pakistan?
Of course they do. Nothing else is happening in the music scene in Pakistan. There are no clubs or venues where bands can play. Sponsors aren't willing to spend on concerts or festivals because the government has failed to provide security to its citizens. TV and the Internet are the only mediums to showcase music.
What kind of music do you think is your forte?
- Rock
- Pop rock
- Indian classical mixed with modern rock which is the sound of Overload
Your upcoming song Jeet is to be released on 14th August. Tell us what the song is about and the feelings attached of the band with it.
It's Overload's 10th anniversary song. It celebrates all that we've been through. It's festive, fun and it'll make audiences revisit the roots of their language as well as music. Sheraz, Nasir Sain and I are at the forefront and all those who have accompanied us in the journey are featured. It's positive and we want everyone to feel a sense of pride in themselves when they hear it.
Do you run into any issues or challenges in music production?
Too many. My biggest challenge is to get a musician to perform in front of the mic and in the studio because it can be a very intimidating environment. Plus there aren't enough trained audio professionals to hire for our projects so I do everything from setting up mics to pressing record on the machine.
You have always been the drummer for Overload. What do you prefer drumming or singing?
They're both very different roles. I'm much more skilled at drums. Singing is new to me but I can create melodies and execute them so as an artist I decided not to set boundaries for myself. I find that by singing I'm playing guitars a lot more. I'm playing guitars on Jeet as well as MAHA's song Nazar. Singing allows me to grow tonally.
You recently won a very well deserved Lux Style Award for your video Ankahi. How do you feel? Were you expecting it?
It feels good to be credited for exploring various sides of my art. No I wasn't expecting it.
You have done a lot of international tours. What are they like?
There's a lot of negativity in the world. Our sets are loud and energetic. We always work up a sweat with the crowd. We make sure when they go back they go with a sense of pride in themselves and us and feel good in their hearts. We've had an awesome crowd in every country that we’ve toured so far.
Who is your favorite local and international band? And why?
Locally I think SYMT is awesome. Internationally there are too many but I grew up on Judas Priest and they're still my idols.
Your band has completed a decade, are you happy with what Overload has accomplished so far?
Where do you see your band in the next ten years?
We've achieved a lot personally and with the band. When we were shooting NERAY AAH, I was overwhelmed because so many new and old friends from showbiz wanted to be a part of it in order to show their respect and solidarity.
Even with Pepsi Smash, all it took was a phone call and bands were ready to work with us with no information about what we were planning to do. I think everyone sees that we always do exciting stuff and it’s always fun to work with Overload.
I don't know about the next ten minutes so I can't tell you anything about the next decade.
Would you like to say anything to your fans?
I think you're all awesome. Thank you ever so much for your support and we'd be nothing without you. Never let anyone or anything bring you down!
Tete a Tete with Farhad Humayun
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
The Incredible Hulk
Favourite Fragrance:
Chanel Egoiste Platinum
First Crush
There was a pineapple drink called Crush when I went to school in the 80s. The first one I had was in my dad’s office at Alfalah building on Mall road.
One thing you can’t stand:
Loose wall socket plugs and Chinese extension wire boards
Favorite actress
Kate Winslet
Favorite actor
Gary Oldman
Favorite movie
Too many. But The Professional and Godfather are movies I just have to watch if they're playing on TV and I happen to stumble across.
Any Dream Project:
I've lived my dreams at least five times over yet I continue to dream. I’ll let you know when it happens.
One person you can’t live without:
There isn't one. There are many including my mom and sisters and their kids.
One thing you hate about the fashion industry:
EVERYTHING!
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Calm down
What is your greatest fear?
I've overcome most of them. I don't think about my fears. Dekhi jai gee.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I'm a simple man. I just ask for cleanliness.
On what occasion do you lie?
To save someone or myself
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Compassion
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Transparency
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I can't say any in a public interview. You'd be scandalized.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To cook like a master
Where would you most like to live?
On a European island which is neither hot nor cold. Somewhere I can breathe and get away from everyday Riff Raff and everyday useless struggles like getting fuel or waiting for electricity.
What is your most treasured possession?
Over time I've realized I can live without almost anything.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
What our people in Pakistan are going through every day with no jobs, no electricity, no hope, no future - where the government sucks our blood and roams around with live white tigers. It's truly a miserable place to be because everyone deserves a lot better.
If you didn’t do your current job, what would you choose to do?
I'd be a rock climber
What is your greatest regret?
Too many
What’s your favorite quote?
“There's no need for justification. Your friends don't need it and your enemies will never believe you.” (Hazrat Ali)