Faiza Muahid, the young musician making serious musical waves with her hit new single “Meri Zindagi” talks exclusively to Fashion Central about her journey as an artist and her future hopes and dreams.Khawar Jawad (producer/composer) and I were working on a song in 2005, the now famous Bandeya Ho, for which he had wanted my English vocals. The song got acknowledged by Mr. Shoaib Mansoor and that is how my musical journey started. I was always inclined towards singing as it runs in my family but I never knew that I would consider it as a profession.
2. What motivated you to write “Meri Zindagi”?
After getting such a huge break there were a lot of expectations from me. I’ve learnt a lot from this industry in the last 5 years and not only matured as a person but also as a musician. Taking a break from singing in between and working as a programming producer at Radio 1 FM 91 allowed me to gain more perpective as an artist of the music I wanted to make that was original to me and I also realised during this period that I had burgeoning need to make music again! I was going through a rough patch as everyone does in their 20’s about making important decisions and discovering where they stand in life. Meri Zindagi is a reflection of my journey.
3. Being critically acclaimed very early in your career, do you feel it’s harder to live up to the expectations with your new single?
Every time that I have released a single it has been unique in its own right. So far I feel I have been able to keep surprising people and as far as “Meri Zindagi” is concerned the response has been great.
4. Were there any difficulties that you faced in your journey as an artist?
Yes, of course. People have very specific expectations from female artists and I don’t fit any of those. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.
5. You have previously had the opportunity to collaborate with Atif Aslam and Khawar Jawad, are there any musicians who you would like to collaborate with in the future?
I would have loved to work with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts if I could transport myself back in time and currently with Alanis Morissette & A. R. Rehman
6. You have said that your latest single, Meri Zindagi is interpretation of your journey as an artist and a person – How would you define that journey?
Clearly, the subservient role of the woman as a housewife by the age of 19 was not a path I was willing to delve into. For the larger part, my single “Meri Zindagi” was a result of enduring personal hardships, rebelling against the norm, and maturing as a strong willed individual who hopes that she can inspire others to follow suit.
I’ve made independent initiatives to take reign of my life and one of the first was to become more focused on my career. It’s been an uphill task because of the barriers I’ve had to face within the music industry as well as outside. I’ve come out more confident and conscious of my abilities not only as a musician, but as a human being who may just be able to touch the lives of many people while being in the limelight.
7. Do you plan to come out with an album anytime soon?
I’m going to release my album single by single! Yes, I like to tease my viewers.. The overall feel of the album focuses on specifically the 80’s and 90’s.
8. Do you have any mentors?
No
9. Where do you see yourself in the future?
I hope to see myself excelling globally as a Pakistani musician.
