Exclusive interview with Alan Simon (Taal Karisma)

Sadaf Fayyaz speaks to Alan Simon, the founder of band Taal Karisma, Alan shares something exclusive on his music, so the rhythm speaks itself.

Q1. Tell us something about your band.

Alan: I came up with the idea of a band formation a couple of years back. Taal Karisma was founded in November 2006. It basically means the “madmen in rhythm”.

Q2. When and how did you initially get interested in music?

Alan: Since at the age of six or seven, I used to have a keen interest in music. I used to play the kitchen items like empty cans and cookie containers. There were influences from church and I was passionate about music. I decided to buy a Tabla in 1998. I was in fact, the first student to be enrolled for learning solo Tabla at NAPA. Then, I got training from Ustad Basheer Khan and learnt some drumming techniques from Gumby too. I always desired to be a percussionist.

Q3. “Ustadji” was a promising hit, what was the main idea behind it?

Alan: Thanks. There is a sound logic behind everything. The main idea was to have more rhythm rather than melody. It was a new concept and something novel too. Everything around us has music and rhythm in it. “Time” is a new concept, which I have introduced. Plus, I have tried to introduce some new concepts in Pakistan like body percussions, odd-time cycles like 5, 5.5, 10, 10.5, 11 etc.

Q4. You have introduced some new concepts in percussion. How often do you believe in experimentation?

Alan: I am a firm believer in experimentation and thinking “out of the box”. Some new “time cycles” I have already discussed. Rhythm lies in our body, in universe, day, night and everything around us. Music can not only be produced by musical instruments only, but from anything. As a child I used to generate music from cooking utensils and kitchen items. So, everything is in rhythm in nature. So music can be produced from body parts too. The true essence of beat comes from rhythm. In fact it comes more from rhythm and less from melody.

Q5. The band recently performed at Shanakht Festival. Share something about it.

Alan: Well, we planned it well, it went well, but there were some technical problems we had to face during the performance. Otherwise, it went very well and we got an awesome response from our audience. We managed the technical problem. But the show didn’t go that well due to technical sound flaws, as we had expected. Else, everything was fine.

Q6. What is your sole inspiration?

Alan: Inspiration comes from Ustad Basheer Khan and Ustad Zakir Hussain. Apart from them, I call my music “ethnic fusion”, since it is a fusion of eastern classical and reggae. The ancient influences meet with the new ones. For example, if I say that I will be playing live a classical performance, people won’t be that much interested, but if it is something new, I can expect a different feedback.

Q7. Since there haven’t been any videos, only live performances. Do you have a plan to move to videos?

Alan: Yes we do have a plan to move towards this thing too. By looking at the current market and introducing ourselves as new entrants, we have planned to move towards it. We have gone into the production of our album now. We will be selecting which song can be used for video making and many things like that. In fact we plan something and some ideas hit mind too.

Q8. How do you take criticism?

Alan: I take criticism positively and try to analyze it, because I think it gives me the best feedback. Criticism has been very helpful for me many times and I always try to learn from it. I try to judge the context of criticism. In fact, I try to learn from negative criticism too. I think, as a musician, and when I am trying to deliver a totally new concept, criticism is very important for me.

Q9. What is the importance of innovation in music?

Alan: I do believe in innovation.

Q10. Since the band has four members with different talents, how do you manage that?

Alan: (laughs) yes, I am the first one to come up with some novel or I must say crazy ideas. But I believe there is a lot of cohesion among us. We never fight or quarrel over any issue. It’s a team work indeed; it would have never been possible to achieve anything, without other members. I enjoy working with them and they are all amazing people. We sit together and analyze things. As far as creativity is concerned, we value and appreciate each other.

Q11. Any upcoming project or album?

Alan: Yes, the production has started and we are working with Faisal Rafi, indeed a very talented and competent person. Our debut album named “Genesis” will be released somewhat in the next year. There will be eight or nine tracks in it. So, a lot of work is going on these days.

Q12. You think music should be used to reflect love or peace?

Alan: I think our music aims towards reflecting peace and harmony. We have a track “No War But Peace” in our upcoming album, we aim at portraying that peace can be achieved by music too. We despise hatred and bloodshed. Whatever is going on these days in the world and our country, this message is vital. Peace is something very imperative for me.

Q13. Any message for readers?

Alan: Believe in yourself and your dreams. Whatever you desire to become, definitely go for it.

“Photograph Courtesy: Alan Simon”