by ASJAD NAZIR
The new pop prince Danyal: Expect ‘the unexpected'.
DANYAL ZAFAR ALL SET TO RULE THE CHARTS WITH HIS SONGS AND TALENT.
THERE are sky-high expectations of Danyal Zafar, not because he is the younger brother
of Pakistani superstar Ali Zafar, but because of his dynamite debut on Coke Studio
last year and the cool contribution he made to the super-hit soundtrack of the film Teefa
In Trouble.
The dashing singer, songwriter and musician has made such a stunning impact that all eyes
are now on his debut single Ek aur Ek 3, which releases globally across 50 different platforms.
The song, which draws from diverse influences such as blues, soul, r’n’b and traditional, is taken from his debut album of the same name to be released later this year. Early indications are Danyal will be the next superstar emerging out of Pakistan.
Eastern Eye caught up with Danyal to talk about music, his new single, future hopes and more...
What first connected you to music?
I would definitely say travelling and nature! Back in 2009 I was travelling with my family to Canada and the States. My brother gave me this ZEN music player (like an iPod), and it had all the western classics one could get it in a playlist.
Listening to them while looking out the window like a typical teenager, out and about in the nature with Pink Floyd in the background, and long walks late at night by myself all aided towards it. Especially walking to any park nearby and playing the guitar, and writing short songs for myself.
Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
Initially it was Nirvana, but when I grew out of them and heard Pink Floyd for the first time, they were definitely a major factor in pushing me for making originals.
Then Jeff Buckley came along and started making me write extremely deep stuff for my age (people around me were getting worried I was being too dark for someone too young!). I would still say I’m growing up, and lately John Mayer has been a massive influence.
How was the experience of doing Coke Studio?
Coke Studio was an amazing experience! I am very glad and honoured that it happened. It helped me shape and decide what music I actually wanted to put out. But more than that, the joy that is shared on Coke Studio while the music is made and celebrated is something that really makes one feel good!
You must have been happy with the response to your experience on there?
Of course! The response was actually overwhelming and more than what I could have expected! There was so much love. I was and still am very thankful and happy!
What led you towards your debut single Ek aur Ek 3?
Nothing too complicated. I’m a musician. I make music! I believe I have been blessed with an ability to create originals and as I mentioned before, I started making them when I was quite young. I wrote my first song when I was 14 I think.
So why not make the best of what you have been gifted with? Make as much music and just come out with it! Also, I want to introduce something different to the Pakistani listeners, and hopefully carve a new path to a new sound whereby upcoming musicians
are also inspired to just follow their hearts!
Tell us about the song and interesting title...
The song is a fusion of blues, r’n’b, soul, blues, rock and even some funk with some elements of traditional Pakistani music. For now that’s all I’d say as I want it to be a surprise.
As for the title, I remember when I was making this song I made a voice note of its melody. It was all gibberish, except for the punch line, and I sang: ‘Ek Aur Ek 3’. It was completely random, yet impactful in its ‘punch’ factor. It’s something that’s never been said before and something new. And a ‘nayee baat’ is what you need these days to connect on
a new level and breakthrough from the stereotype.
Is this the kind of music you will make?
I will make just ‘music’. The kind does not matter to me as long as I connect with what I make and believe in it. But I will definitely say this is my sound, yes. And you’ll hear a lot of glimpses of this sound in other songs.
What can we expect from your album?
The unexpected. I’m trying to experiment as much as I can and introduce a new sound. I
feel like there’s a certain way Desi/Eastern music is looked at or perceived.
I want to break that perception and maybe even its sound to some extent, and show a lot more possibilities whereby you can incorporate not just the language in a new way, but also mould the sound around it to give Eastern music a new path!
You have already done some interesting collaborations with your brother Ali
Zafar. What is he like to work with?
When I work with him, he always inspires me to a new level. He is the most hardworking
individual I’ve come across. I’m not just saying that, as it’s what I’ve witnessed time and time again. He always pushes more than what he has to do and keeps experimenting, wanting to do something different every time.
Tell us more…
Every session I have with him, I learn something new, whether it’s about recording, mixing, making a certain sound a certain way or whatever. And that’s because he is always learning too.
I’ve walked in on him countless times just watching tutorials on YouTube trying to figure out something new. So he’s always just inspiring you to push further and further. He makes you feel like you can do anything!
What is the best advice Ali has given you?
Follow your heart and nothing else. Seems simple, but trust me, it’s much deeper than it seems.
Will you follow in his footsteps and act in films?
Maybe, but as of now my focus is purely on music.
Does the fact your brother has been so successful put pressure on you?
Of course it does! Or maybe today, I would say ‘did’. Anyone in my case would be, I mean they are big shoes to fill! People expect the best of the best from you because someone in your family has already achieved that, so they expect nothing less. But the truth is, he had his own journey, he worked through so many hardships that made him who he is today. And just recently, I decided that I want to carve my own way as well.
What do you mean?
I think the only way to not feel pressured would be to not chase a certain level of success or set a certain benchmark, whereby I want to ‘be where he is or beat him’ and to look at this as a competition in anyway. It would in fact be to realise that I have my own journey, and just see it as that and not compare the essence of my individuality.
Just do the best I can on this journey. Work the hardest I can. And leave no stone unturned on my way to achieving what I would wish for. If I get it or not is in the hands of God, I just want to do the best I can. But of course, all his success, all he has achieved and how he did it will always help me and inspire me to push towards my goals!
Who would you love to collaborate with?
John Mayer! And I will too, God willing. He’s inspired me in so many ways, and I believe that if we jam even once together, for one whole day, we could legit come out with an entire album the next day.
I feel our sound would really resonate with one another. I’m inspired by all of his grooves and flows, and I’ve jammed to them too. I’ve even made my own melodies to them! If
we do something together, we’d be able to serve the song as well as our own artistic expression, whereby our originality would still get its own weightage.
We can really take pop blues/funk/blues to the next level! Plus I’ve looked at his sound with a new perspective and think it would be a great blend of his signature sound with what I’d have to offer! (Laughs) You can already see I’ve planned this through!
Tell us something about you that not many people know...
I used to be a slight hypochondriac, always thinking something is wrong with me and I should get my tests done.
What music dominates your own playlist?
Blues! Lots of blues! These days some trip-hop, lo-fi chill stuff too though.
You are a great guitarist; who is your guitar hero?
David Gilmour and John Mayer!
If you could master another instrument, which would it be?
The saxophone! I have so much space for it in most of my songs. And it’s very expressive for me.
If you could ask any living or dead singer a question, who would it be and what would you ask them?
I would ask John Lennon: ‘How did you define your happiness?’
What inspires you today?
These days, fear. I’m trying to overcome it by turning it into fuel for my inspiration. But mostly, love.
Why do you love music?
I express so much of myself through music. Whatever emotion it is, it just multiplies for me. My heart, my mind and my body synchronise with each other and help me feel whatever I go through in such depth, even if it’s sadness.
I’ve overcome sadness so many times by playing music. It’s literally like therapy. And
I’ve been blessed to be able to understand the significance of every note that plays. It
makes me feel special. I will always love music. It completes me.
