June 2nd, 2010 Leave a Comment
The ever-evolving house band of Coke Studio always keeps us wondering who will join next. This year Coke Studio house band includes Sanam Saeed, who is still memorable as Roxie Hart from Chicago. A fashion model, actress and L'Oral Pakistan spokesperson, Sanam Saeed's latest tryst with music is definitely intriguing. Instep Today catches up with Sanam and learns about her Coke Studio experience…
Instep Today: Your vocal talent isn't a secret. As Roxie Hart (Chicago) you took center stage. With Coke Studio, you have joined backing vocals alongside Zoe Viccaji and Saba Shabbir. How has the shift been?
Sanam Saeed: It hasn't really been a shift per say. I as Sanam have been a backing vocalist before, with Kiran Chaudery in Caramel for several concerts. I sang solo for the first time as Roxie Hart on stage. I find it easier and am more confident to sing in character as opposed to just being me and singing.
Instep Today: Working with Rohail Hyatt… tell us about the experience?
Sanam Saeed: Rohail Hyatt is in an institution, an inspiration and a great ball of energy to be around. His love for music, his understanding of it and his patience with it is what is so inspiring. His fascination with music and the talent that each artist, each band member brings to the table gives one the confidence and freedom to experiment and express themselves musically.
Instep Today: Did you sing with guests musicians as well as featured artists?
Sanam Saeed: The house band, including us backing vocalists worked with guest musicians as well as the featured artists. The house band performed almost 30 songs with everyone.
Instep Today: The languages are tough, Turkish Dari – how difficult was the learning process?
Sanam Saeed: Zeb and Haniya sang their songs in Turkish and Dari, which was a really fun learning experience. It's just a matter of practice really. We wrote the lyrics down with Zeb and then heard the songs enough times to get the pronunciation right and then just practiced till it became second nature to us.
Instep Today: What was your feeling working with the likes of contemporary musicians such as Gumby, Omran Shafique, Assad Ahmed and all as well as legends like Abida Parveen, Javed Iqbal, Arif Lohar?
Sanam Saeed: Working with Gumby, and Omran is always fun because they are friends as well. Hence there is a very laid back, friendly, humorous working relationship with them. As far as working with the musical legends like Abida Parveen, it was magical. One instantly feels the superior vibe in the room, it just happens. The control they have over the audience and the other musicians just through music or their voice is a phenomenal experience. I include Arif Lohar in this category. He was so confident and energetic and happy, he immediately put a smile on everyone's faces and had us all swaying to his high energy tracks. As for Javed Iqbal the violinist, he brought a whole new flavour to each song. One song I particularly thought he brought a whole new feeling to was Zeb and Haniya's 'Bibi Sanam Janam', keep your ears open for the edgy, half time strokes of the violin.
Instep Today: Will this move mean more of Sanam in music?
Sanam Saeed: The Coke Studio experience has definitely taught me a lot as far as harmonies and timing is concerned. I don't know if a singing career is going to take off from here but it has certainly equipped me to be a stronger vocalist.
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